New restaurant serves up monster crabs
By Calum Anderson |
August 9, 2012, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
WITH an eye to becoming internationally renowned for its crab, Xintiandi's newest arrival Pulau Ketam, or Crab Island in Malay, is sure to put a smile on the face of the even the crabbiest critics.
"I want to become the Morton's of crab houses," co-owner Vincent Liu says of his enterprise, comparing it with the US steakhouse and fine dining restaurant with branches around the world.
In the heart of the much-touted lifestyle district, Pulau Ketam sets out to deliver a modern take on traditional Singaporean and Malaysian cuisine in a luxurious setting, offering the finest of imported and locally sourced ingredients. All are prepared with the flair of Singaporean chef de cuisine Jason ---Lim.
Upon arrival, guests receive a complimentary beverage and a cold towel, which help create the hospitable atmosphere of a Southeast Asian tropical paradise, according to co-owner Liu.
Pulau Ketam's ambience reflects the cuisine's origins, with furniture crafted from solid Indonesian teak. The architecture is based upon that of a traditional Malay house.
The full menu is being developed, but a plentiful selection of hot and cold dishes is available. Recommended is the street food platter (168 yuan/US$26) featuring a selection of six traditional Singaporean street foods, prepared with a modern twist, and the organic salad (138 yuan), rich and flavorful yet quite light. It works with many entrees and is large enough to be a meal in itself.
All the excellent starters are just a warm up for Pulau Ketam's signature offering: the crab.
Co-owner Liu boasts that his crabs are the best in Shanghai, flown in fresh from Indonesia and Sri Lanka, each weighing at least 1 kilogram.
The black pepper crab (650 yuan) served on our visit was a monster, with claws the size of a man's fist. There was no shortage of crab and the peppery sauce complemented the smooth taste of the crab meat.
The enormous size makes it perfect for sharing in a family atmosphere; Pulau Ketam encourages sharing around their tables that evokes the spirit of Singapore's roadside crab shacks.
"All pretenses are cast aside when you're sitting across from someone who is straining equally hard not to get their fingers dirty …" explains Liu, as he demonstrates the most efficient way of cracking the shell, "… barriers just come down."
In this respect, Pulau Ketam is the perfect, if unlikely, location for a first date (depending on how fussy the date is). The luxurious decor combined with hands-on experience of sharing crab is a winning combination, in terms of breaking the ice. Pulau Ketam is also suitable for family gatherings and business events: the experience sure to impress.
At this time, a complimentary dessert is on offer, and a full list is expected to be revealed soon.
Pulau Ketam Crab House is highly recommended, despite the cost. Liu knows the secret to an outstanding meal, and thank goodness he's not shellfish.
Address: 123 Xingye Rd
Tel: 5306-3706
"I want to become the Morton's of crab houses," co-owner Vincent Liu says of his enterprise, comparing it with the US steakhouse and fine dining restaurant with branches around the world.
In the heart of the much-touted lifestyle district, Pulau Ketam sets out to deliver a modern take on traditional Singaporean and Malaysian cuisine in a luxurious setting, offering the finest of imported and locally sourced ingredients. All are prepared with the flair of Singaporean chef de cuisine Jason ---Lim.
Upon arrival, guests receive a complimentary beverage and a cold towel, which help create the hospitable atmosphere of a Southeast Asian tropical paradise, according to co-owner Liu.
Pulau Ketam's ambience reflects the cuisine's origins, with furniture crafted from solid Indonesian teak. The architecture is based upon that of a traditional Malay house.
The full menu is being developed, but a plentiful selection of hot and cold dishes is available. Recommended is the street food platter (168 yuan/US$26) featuring a selection of six traditional Singaporean street foods, prepared with a modern twist, and the organic salad (138 yuan), rich and flavorful yet quite light. It works with many entrees and is large enough to be a meal in itself.
All the excellent starters are just a warm up for Pulau Ketam's signature offering: the crab.
Co-owner Liu boasts that his crabs are the best in Shanghai, flown in fresh from Indonesia and Sri Lanka, each weighing at least 1 kilogram.
The black pepper crab (650 yuan) served on our visit was a monster, with claws the size of a man's fist. There was no shortage of crab and the peppery sauce complemented the smooth taste of the crab meat.
The enormous size makes it perfect for sharing in a family atmosphere; Pulau Ketam encourages sharing around their tables that evokes the spirit of Singapore's roadside crab shacks.
"All pretenses are cast aside when you're sitting across from someone who is straining equally hard not to get their fingers dirty …" explains Liu, as he demonstrates the most efficient way of cracking the shell, "… barriers just come down."
In this respect, Pulau Ketam is the perfect, if unlikely, location for a first date (depending on how fussy the date is). The luxurious decor combined with hands-on experience of sharing crab is a winning combination, in terms of breaking the ice. Pulau Ketam is also suitable for family gatherings and business events: the experience sure to impress.
At this time, a complimentary dessert is on offer, and a full list is expected to be revealed soon.
Pulau Ketam Crab House is highly recommended, despite the cost. Liu knows the secret to an outstanding meal, and thank goodness he's not shellfish.
Address: 123 Xingye Rd
Tel: 5306-3706
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