There’s a reason food and travel go together so well. And we’ve found a fab new menu where you can explore the world on your plate! The ‘Culinary World Tour’ features seven of the best cuisines in Singapore and is only available at CALI restaurant in Kitchener. Here’s our restaurant menu review and a guide to their top dishes from Mexico, India, France, America, China, South Asia and the Caribbean.
What’s on the menu at CALI restaurants?
CALI opened in 2012 and has expanded to three venues. The largest is located in the Novotel Singapore in Kitchener. Cleverly, the new menu features different tastes from some of the best cuisines in Singapore. Organised by region, the menu showcases the mains, starters and other dishes based on that particular cuisine. This makes exploring one type of cuisine from start to finish as simple as it is to mix up a few cuisines.
Three stand-out starters
#1 The Fiery Caribbean Shrimp Delight features shrimp marinated in hot Caribbean spices and habanero peppers before they’re tossed on the grill for a smoky flavour.
#2 Mexican Jalapeno Crunch consists of home-made tostado shells filled with fried jalapenos, stuffed with cheeses and served with mango avocado salsa.
#3 Chinese Zesty Lime Crispy Fish provides a burst of citrus when you take a bite of the tender fish fillets that have a lime-infused crispy coating.
Five must-try mains from some of the best cuisines in Singapore
#1 Jamaican Escovitch Fish is a lightly seasoned and fried whole fish with one of Jamaica’s famous tangy sauces.
#2 The Indian Stuffed Bun Chicken Briyani is not something you’ll have seen in Singapore before. For this dish, a marinated and slow-cooked chicken is stuffed in a fluffy bun.
#3 For meat lovers, the Mexican Wagyu Petite Tender Fajita Medley offers premium wagyu beef that’s seasoned, seared and served with warm tortillas.
#4 The key to the French Sea Symphony Bouillabaisse is the fragrant broth. It’s infused with herbs, white wine, ripe tomatoes and saffron. The tender fish, succulent shellfish and plump shrimp are just as tasty, so be sure to mop it all up with the crusty garlic bread.
#5 With the American Wagyu Masterpiece Burger, you can expect a juicy beef patty with aged cheddar, caramelised onions, gherkins, tomatoes and crisp lettuce. Plus, of course, a side of fries and fresh salad.
Drinks and dessert
Pair your meal with something from the drinks menu. It includes some good beers like Stella and Little Creatures IPA, along with a selection of wines and spirits.
And to finish? A humble slice has been transformed to create the Jamaican Spiced Banana Cake! The secret is in the cinnamon, nutmeg and spices, plus it’s topped with a scoop of honey and fig ice cream.
CALI restaurant menu review
Don’t be daunted by the huge variety of cuisines on the menu! There’s actually a very manageable number of choices when you consider each region. We suggest exploring the menu by deciding on one or two cuisines you’d like to sample. Then select your starter, main course and dessert from these.
Where to start? Caribbean food isn’t common in Singapore’s dining scene – CALI is a great place to get an introduction to it. The spiced banana cake in particular was a standout dish. There are also some enticing combinations we’ll try on our next visit, including wagyu beef hor fun and Singapore crayfish laksa.
As for the service, there’s clearly a high level of experience here. The staff are discreet and will come over as soon as you’re ready to order or need dishes cleared. The food is prepared quickly and each course timed to suit your pace.
Other things to know about CALI
There are three CALI restaurants in Singapore – in Kitchener, Park Avenue Rochester and Ascott Raffles Place. The restaurant menu review featured in this write-up is from CALI Kitchener, near Farrer Park and opposite City Square Mall. The venue can seat 320 guests making it ideal for large events; they also provide island-wide free delivery for food orders over $50.
Find more details about CALI outlets and their offerings and their events space for private and corporate functions. Or make a reservation now!
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