Looking for a unique communal dining experience in Singapore? Proud Potato Peeler should be at the top of your list! The mini Greek and Mediterranean restaurant and home kitchen packs a flavourful punch that transports diners to the streets of Nicosia or the picturesque villages of Larnaca. Perfect for intimate meals and cosy private dining, the experience is reminiscent of a spontaneous family gathering and dedicated to bringing people together. We chat to globe-trotting founder and executive chef ALBERTO SIMILLIDES for whom food is way more than just a collection of recipes – it’s a way of life!
Experience private dining with all the trimmings at Proud Potato Peeler in Singapore
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I was born and raised in Cyprus in a Turkish and Greek household and, from a young age, I was taught to appreciate the simplicity of fresh produce. I moved to Singapore in 2019 to work as a professional chef in a well-known Greek restaurant, having worked in award-winning restaurants and bars in Cyprus, Athens and Berlin before that. Proud Potato Peeler opened its doors in 2022.
Living in the tropics is an amazing experience for a chef and a good test of your creativity. The heat and seasonality of ingredients encourages you to think beyond the traditional.
What kind of food do you serve at Proud Potato Peeler?
A fusion of Middle East and Mediterranean flavours with influences from Cyprus, Greece, Turkey and Lebanon. We like to call it “Middle Easterranean”! I believe that food brings people together and so it is always served “family style”, as in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cultures. The menu items are pre-fixed, taking into account guests’ dietary restrictions, and a typical menu has seven or eight courses (sometimes more!), with dishes changing regularly to incorporate seasonal ingredients and celebrations. We highly recommend arriving with an empty stomach!
What’s a go-to dish on the menu at this private dining Greek and Mediterranean restaurant?
A classic recipe in our home kitchen is the signature potato pies with hand-rolled phyllo pastry, smoked cheese, homemade spicy yoghurt sauce, prosciutto and fresh truffle. Something else that is always on the menu is our homemade sourdough bread, which is made with a 12-year-old sourdough starter that was hand-carried from Greece.
What does a typical working day look like for you?
It’s a long one! Everything is freshly made on a daily basis. For a single private dining dinner service, we start two to three days in advance as some of our recipes take a couple of days to prepare (our bread takes at least 72 hours and our pies 24 to 48 hours).
Can you tell us how the name Proud Potato Peeler came about?
When I announced to my parents that I wanted to be a chef, my father sent me to peel potatoes at a friend’s tavern in an attempt to discourage me. However, I soon proved to myself and others that I was born to be a chef. The name honours this moment that shaped me and affirmed my dream.
What do you love most about your job at this mini Greek and Mediterranean restaurant?
That it doesn’t feel like a job. I’m not saying that I’m not serious about what I do, but it’s always been my passion to own a restaurant where I could be 100 percent myself and prepare recipes that are based on what I’ve been taught during my years in the culinary school and the kitchens that I have worked in (with elements from my childhood spent hiding behind my Turkish and Greek grandmothers’ aprons!).
What’s on your wine and cocktail list?
Featuring prominently on the wine list are Greek and Portuguese labels, which pair beautifully with the dishes and complete the gustatory experience. The cocktail list changes every two months and celebrates Greek spirits such as ouzo, tsipouro and mastic, combined with non-alcoholic beverages (such as the Three Cents Green carbonated brand).
What might surprise diners about this mini Greek and Mediterranean restaurant?
Our location in a hidden and unexpected setting. My business partner and I designed the space to be laid-back and homely with earthy tones and pops of colour, like you’re visiting a friend’s house for some classic Greek hospitality!
Favourite dish to cook for guests at home?
Any casserole dish such as moussaka or pastitsio. It’s super convenient – and who doesn’t enjoy a dish with pasta or veggies, braised minced meat and a thick layer of bechamel sauce? I’m drooling!
Most essential kitchen utensil at this private dining restaurant?
Anything made on the open fire – a barbecue, grill or pizza oven – always tastes better!
Most essential kitchen ingredient in this home kitchen?
Flour – for bread, desserts, main dishes, appetisers – you name it.
How would you describe your cooking style?
Rustic, using high-quality ingredients and the freshest possible products that are cooked in a way that allows flavours to shine.
What are some food trends for 2024 or beyond?
Life is on fast-forward and trends can change daily but tasty food is always on trend. Let’s focus on spending money on food that is flavourful and memorable.
Can you share a favourite story with us?
Every day is a new favourite story. Our guests often become friends with us and the people sitting next to them!
Any particular surprises you’ve found living and working in Singapore?
How organised and well connected it is – you can get supplies from literally anywhere in no time!
Favourite dish to cook for yourself at home?
Salads, grilled meat and pasta.
Favourite local dishes?
Beef rendang, bakut teh, and black carrot cake.
What does it take to be a good chef?
Time and patience.
What do you like to do in Singapore when you’re not in the kitchen?
A long walk along the Kallang River and Marina Bay Sands is a great way to reconnect with yourself and decompress.
Open Thursday to Sunday and for private bookings.
proudpotatopeeler@gmail.com | facebook.com/proudpotatopeeler
The EL team celebrated Christmas dinner at Proud Potato Peeler in December – here’s what we had to say:
“Private dining is so special and every part of the dinner and wine pairing was to perfection. It was such a fun night.” – Jacqui
“It really feels like you are in someone’s living room and the staff are your friends (who are also feeding you an amazing meal!).” – Danielle
“Hands down the most tasty and cosy dining experience I have ever had in Singapore. Chef Alberto and his staff make you feel at home, like you are family, and really look after you.” – Susan
“This is a hidden spot, with a nondescript entryway which is accessible only with a code. Up a short flight of stairs is a bustling scene with an open kitchen leading into a dining area. Each dish was done to perfection and showcased Chef Alberto’s creativity in balancing textures and flavours. Definitely a unique experience!” – Patricea
“The secret doorway gives a bit of a buzz. The venue is small but it was great for our group of 12 and almost felt like a dinner at home – but with much better food!” – Rebecca
“This mini restaurant and home kitchen has a wonderful ambience with friendly and welcoming staff. We were absolutely spoiled with the fantastic dinner menu and appreciate that they accommodate halal diners as well.” – Siti
Liked this article on Proud Potato Peeler, a mini Greek and Mediterranean private dining restaurant and home kitchen in Singapore? Visit our Wine & Dine section for more ideas and inspiration.
The first appeared in the March 2024 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe so you never miss a copy!
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