Artichoke Singapore review: A taste of the Middle East

Decent Middle Eastern food is actually quite difficult to find in Singapore as in general it is mostly SE Asian or Western. Recommended to us by one of Louise’s friends, we have already eaten at Artichoke once before but both times have been similarly good.

The restaurant is relatively out of the way, likely not on the tourist path, however if you do fancy something acceptably priced but more importantly with good ambience and service this restaurant is a great place to come.





The customers tend to be either groups of four and over Singaporeans or white expats, either way the staff are very nice no matter who you are and that stands the restaurant apart from the status quo of Singapore service which is, to put it nicely, uncaring and sometimes plain rude.

The menu suggests that for a pair you should order 3 mezze platters and 2 main dishes. To us this seems rather a lot and could end up becoming rather expensive, never mind wasteful. For two very hungry people a few mezze and a main is more than enough and you will be full.
 

Muhammara front, babaganoush right, ebiko taramasalata back, bland breads left

The mezze's we most enjoy are the babaganoush and the muhammara. The babaganoush is made of smoked eggplant, tahini, yoghurt and pomegranate seeds. The taste is creamy with a very slight smokiness from the eggplant and has a nice coarse texture. The muhammara is ever so slightly spicy from red pepper, nutty from walnuts and has undertones of sweetness from pomegranate molasses. Both are great options similar to the offered hummus but personally hummus can be quite boring.

The other mezze we chose this time was ebiko taramasalata (fish roe dip, labneh and crispy dried shrimp) and was far too fishy and mostly left. It is definitely suited to the Asian palette but even Louise said it was too strong.

One thing massively disappointing at the restaurant is the bread. Previously they served Turkish bread but was in fact similar to a foccacia. This time we at least got pitta bread however it is quite amazing then when 3 easily made mezze's cost $22 they have the cheek to charge $4 for two small bland pittas. For this type of restaurant where you get stews and pastes how can you not even offer a single free plate of breads?
 

Beef stew on the first visit

Beef stew second visit

On more positive terms we love the main dish of beef shortrib stew ($36) and both visits we have ordered this. Large portions of succulent soft beef, soaked in a stew of spiced chickpeas, spinach and taklia. Cumin comes strong here and interestingly a touch of the babaganoush on each forkful further boosts the flavour of the stew. We mopped up every drop. The onion rings however were unnecessary and bland so should be taken off the dish.

 We also tried the lamb intercostal (rib meat) bbq skewers that are served with a cucumber salad and yoghurt ($30) which were also very tasty with good charcoal flavour.

The menu

Overall for the price we do enjoy Artichoke but the bread issue does leave a bitter aftertaste. For Middle Eastern food in SG though we can easily forgive the flaws.

Rating: 8/10
Expect to pay: ~$30 per person
Would we go back: Yes
Any freebies: A small bag of jelly sweets before leaving is a nice finish

161 Middle Road,
Sculpture Square,
Singapore 188978
Tel: 63366949
Closest MRT is probably Bugis or Bras Basah and thena short walk.

http://artichoke.com.sg/