The Butcher’s Wife Has A New Mediterranean Menu—Here’s What We Thought

The Butcher’s Wife has a new Latin-Mediterranean menu

Growing up, I’ve never really had much opportunity to have Mediterranean cuisine. So when I got the chance to dine at The Butcher’s Wife, I was curious about their offerings. They previously specialised in Brazilian cuisine, but the restaurant now incorporates vibrant flavours influenced by a fusion of Latin and Mediterranean cuisines. The best part is that the menu is entirely gluten-free!

If this is your first time hearing of The Butcher’s Wife, it’s a popular restaurant in Tiong Bahru that has garnered more than 1K Google reviews at the point of writing. 

Food at The Butcher’s Wife

My colleague and I started with some small bites to wet our appetites. We tried the Hokkaido Scallop Crudo ($29++), an artfully plated dish with fresh edible flowers. We recommend getting a bit of every ingredient for the best experience: the sweet-tangy passionfruit vinaigrette, fresh scallop, and grilled compressed watermelon, the latter boasting a sweet-smoky taste. The dish was topped with cashew nuts too, which brought a nice textural contrast against the melt-in-your-mouth soft scallop. 

We then tried the Burnt Heart of Palm ($26++). For the uninitiated, this is essentially a part that’s harvested from the inner core of a palm tree’s growing bud, hence the name. Each piece was topped with a dollop of roasted cashew cream, or a tangy, slightly acidic parsley oil. Each piece was charred to give a smoky aftertaste. 

After we were done with starters, we were greeted with the Moqueca ($44++), a mixed seafood soup that boasted a strong coconut milk aroma, almost tasting like Nonya curry. We recommend this dish for those who appreciate more robust, intense flavour profiles.

For proteins, we had the Chargrilled Octopus ($39++), served with sweet-savoury white chocolate cauliflower puree, orange salsa, and bacon bits sprinkled over the dish. The octopus was tender yet chewy, and we gobbled up every piece in no time.

If you prefer meat to seafood, go for the Free-Range Pork Tenderloin, Porchetta Style ($42++), which was served with a side of pumpkin slices and pumpkin puree, both adding a nice touch of sweetness to the dish. Pork jus, a bold, savoury sauce, was served on the side to zhng up the dish.

For those who don’t mind spending a little more, go for the Sanchoku Wagyu Picanha ($58++), starring medium rare Wagyu with a side of crispy potato wedges and tangy salsa. We found the Wagyu particularly tender and easy to chew. Taste-wise, it was lightly seasoned, pairing well with the acidic salsa.

Another must-try is the Grain-Fed White Pyrenees Lamb ($54++), which is served with gratinado de batata, AKA a French dish where sweet potatoes are thinly sliced, then baked. We found the meat a tad dry, so we dipped it in the citrusy-minty yoghurt, which helped soften the tough bits. Plus, the sweet-tangy pairing was a winning combination for us.

Pair your mains with their range of snacks, including the Homemade Dadinhos Cubes ($14++). I’ve had sago balls one too many times in Chinese desserts, but never once have I had it fried, let alone paired with tangy house-made sauce made with tomatoes, olives, onion, basil, and olive oil. 

The dish was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Flavour-wise, it was exactly what we expected—simple, starchy, and lightly savoury, nothing too surprising.

Special mention goes to the Freshly Baked Pao De Queijo ($18++)—Brazilian cheese bread served with an addictive sambal salsa sauce that was tangy, spicy, and sweet all at once.

The Gluten-Free Focaccia ($22++) was another standout, topped with beer caramelised onions, roasted tomato, and a generous portion of Parma ham. Though a tad small in appearance, don’t let the size fool you, as this dish could easily pass off as a meal on its own. The bread was soft and fluffy within, and the sweet caramelised onions made it extra moreish.

A meal isn’t complete without desserts. We had the Acai Sorbet ($16++), which sees an acai base topped with banana mousse and candied Brazil nuts. The banana mousse was more foamy than creamy, and we wished it were thicker in consistency. Nonetheless, this was the perfect end to our meal!

For something more filling, go for the Arroz Doce Cremoso ($14++) or the Brigadeiro ($16++) instead. The latter features a warm, molten cake served with creamy Koko Krunch gelato.

Ambience at The Butcher’s Wife

Located in the heart of Tiong Bahru neighbourhood, the 45-seater restaurant boasts a conspicuous storefront. Step inside, and you’ll be greeted by chefs hard at work in an open kitchen. The restaurant is adorned with wine bottles and colourful walls, all adding to the casual ambience that we enjoyed. There are also al fresco seats for a vibey dining experience on a cool evening.  

The Butcher’s Wife is a 12-minute walk from Tiong Bahru MRT Station.

The Butcher’s Wife – Eatbook review

The Butcher’s Wife delivers a memorable experience for those looking for delicious offerings in a casual setting. While the food here isn’t the most wallet-friendly, the restaurant is a safe bet for those planning to impress on special occasions.

In related content, read our Violet Oon review, where we tried famous Peranakan food that made us almost feel like we were a part of The Emerald Hill cast. Alternatively, Unagi Yondaime Kikukawa is a Michelin-approved Japanese chain that recently opened in Orchard.

Address: 19 Yong Siak Street, Singapore 168550
Opening hours: Tue-Fri 12pm to 3pm, 6pm to 11pm, Sat 11:30am to 3pm, 6pm to 11pm, Sun 11:30am to 3pm, 6pm to 10:30pm
Website
The Butcher’s Wife is not a halal-certified eatery.

Photos taken by Aruni Nair and edited by Marcus Neo.
This was a media tasting at The Butcher’s Wife.