Known for its breathtaking views of the Singapore skyline atop Swissotel The Stamford, Jaan is an intimate 35-seat restaurant helmed by acclaimed British chef Kirk Westaway. Now, the recent facelift gives way to refreshing interiors of the two-Michelin-starred restaurant. From avant-garde paintings of fossil cliffs decorating the hallway and textured azure carpets that remind of picturesque coasts to the mesmerising repurposed glass centrepiece, it is all designed to sweep you off to Devon in Southwest Britain, where Westaway grew up.
The multi-sensorial experience is further amplified by Westaway’s distinctively British menu where he presents edible works of art inspired by his hometown on intricate plates he personally designs. Even with white-starched tablecloths, the fine-dining atmosphere isn’t overly stuffy as Brit-pop and rock music from Westaway’s curated playlist cheekily fiddle in the background. For the uninitiated, take a gander at chef Kirk Westaway’s coming-up story from when we first interviewed him back in 2019.
Every meal blossoms with a bouquet of British-inspired snacks and spring is the theme. Savour on the likes of herbaceous cucumber meringue, oniony fish pie, velvety sweet and nutty goose mousse, spiced brown butter glazed king crab leg, and delicately smoked cheddar pancake as a tribute to Devon’s world-class dairy. Next, the crowd favourite of burnt leek and potato soup arrives in comforting fashion, redolent of umami and earthiness.
Forgo any carb restrictions if you’re on any because freshly baked bread such as dark rye batard roll and crispy sourdough layered bun is served together with a luscious quenelle of Devonshire butter topped with aromatic lemon thyme leaves. For Westaway, it is a simple yet classy nod to Devon tradition and his memories of handpicking lemon thyme leaves piece by piece in a French Michelin kitchen when he was just 18 years old.
Spring brings light and bright flavours onto our plates and Westaway’s vegetable-forward philosophy truly shines with violin courgette expressed in two ways. First, it is gently grilled whole. Then, courgette trimmings and its puree are mixed in to mimic a risotto layered with Scottish razor clams. To complete the garden on a plate, complements of herbaceous shallot cream, zesty lemon puree, and an incredibly heady vegetable stock soon follow.
The segue into mains sees a harmonious tango between luxurious cuts of seafood and meats with the season’s finest greens. First, gently roasted langoustine perched up on an exquisite bed of English peas, plump broad beans, salty glassworts, sweet baby onions, and a splash of briny seaweed butter. Then, followed by fork-tender Welsh lamb loin crusted with aromatics of rosemary, garlic and onion. It is also accompanied by an intricately layered potato terrine, baked purple aubergine, and moreish helpings of lamb mint sauce.
And before the indulgent dessert of strawberry pie arrives, a citrus-forward pre-dessert of clementine helps cleanse the palate. The first-rate meal concludes on a literal high without petit fours but with some final snacks of classic desserts (pardon the French). Sink your teeth into elevated bites of lemon meringue pie, apple crumble, toffee pudding and a good ol’ chocolate ganache, all displayed on a towering 80cm steel leaf structure.
So does Jaan by Kirk Westaway live up to its lofty accolades? Absolutely. The two-Michelin-starred restaurant runs like a well-oiled machine that arms itself with an attentive yet convivial crew of waitstaff plus exceptional sommeliers with an equally exceptional wine list to match. And if that won’t convince you to make the splash during special occasions, we don’t know what else will.
Lunch starts from $198 and dinner is priced at $318. Wine pairings are available.