Jaan by Kirk Westaway review: five course lunch menu for our 13th wedding anniversary

13th Wedding Anniversary

This review of Jaan by Kirk Westaway is a very special one, for we celebrated our 13th Wedding Anniversary here.

Last month, while we did do a family-style celebration with a staycation at Hilton Singapore’s Family suite (that had a private steam bath!) – our two kids (aged 4 and 1) taggled along.

However, the husband and I wanted to do something alone as well – without the kids. And this lunch was just for the two of us. 

Cheers to us, for surviving the last 13 years of service. Wheee.

American Express Promotions

With the American Express Platinum Charge card, I had S$350 worth of complimentary dining credits that could be used at a number of high-end restaurants in Singapore, and Jaan by Kirk Westaway is one of them.

Additionally, the S$350 could be COMBINED with a voucher of S$50 for dine-in.

S$50 Voucher for use at Jaan by Kirk Westaway

Honestly, when we were choosing a place to celebrate the wedding anniversary – we wanted someplace super special. Incidentally, we knew that Jaan by Kirk Westaway has been awarded Two Michelin Stars and is currently ranked 42nd in the list of Asia’s 50 best restaurants in 2021.

With the voucher and S$350 cash rebate from American Express, visiting here was a no-brainer. A note on booking however: Jaan by Kirk Westaway is HUGELY popular, and we made reservations literally over 1.5 months in advance. This isn’t a place that one can easily waltz in at last-minute; do plan carefully if you’re thinking of dropping by.

Image source: American Express

Inspired by this post and want to apply for an American Express credit card? Apply through one of my referral links and receive either bonus Membership Rewards points or statement credit:

• The Platinum Charge Card: Use this referral link and receive up to S$900 statement credits and Samsonite Choca Spinner 68/25 (worth S$700) when you apply and minimum spend criteria is met.
• The American Express Platinum Card: Use this referral link and receive up to S$350 statement credits when you apply and minimum spend criteria is met.
• American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card: Use this referral link and receive up to 38, 000 Krisflyer miles and S$50 statement credits when you apply and minimum spend criteria is met. 

Disclaimer: the views and opinions expressed on this page are that of Happy High Life and may not necessarily reflect the position of American Express. Happy High Life is not responsible for any decisions made by readers. The terms and conditions for each credit card's application and usage may be subject to change by American Express. Therefore, readers are recommended to check any matters with American Express or its partners; the list of all benefits of the Platinum Charge Card can be found here.

Jaan by Kirk Westaway

Entering the premises, the first thing we noticed about the modern, 40-seat European-British restaurant is the view.

View from Jaan by Kirk Westaway

Located on the top floor (70th) of Swissotel the stamford, the area boasts an amazing view of the Marina Bay sands area. And we were lucky to have front row seats, right by the window.

Our Table

We were presented the Menus of the day. For lunch, diners could choose between a 4, 5, or 7 course meal option.

Menu Options

According to the restaurant, the place is “helmed by Executive Chef Kirk Westaway, the establishment is committed to putting a definitive mark on modern British cuisine – promising an elevated reinterpretation of British gastronomy through a modern and innovative culinary lens.“

The husband and I both opted for the 5 course meal. We also decided to share a three-wine pairing between the both of us. 

A talented Sommelier selects the wines for our meals – we let him know that we’d like a mix of reds and whites and he gave us customized recommendations

Pre-appetizers

You know you’re in a fancy place when you get a series of pre-appetizers before the actual appetizer.

Pre-Appetizers

A quardruple towered set of plates arrived with exquisitely presented ‘snacks’ (according to the server) arrived. I have never seen something SO wonderfully fancy – the only pre-appetizers we’ve encountered far are peanuts or crackers.

The instructions: eat from bottom to top.

Cucumber Meringue

We started from the bottom – the Cucumber Meringue: a delicately light shell that crumbles the moment it enters the mouth – into a fresh cucumber interior. 

Immediately, the Cheddar Tart was next, and the taste was an alerting contrast: sharp cheesy cream atop a crisp tart.

Black Olive and Chickpea

Following that, the Black Olive and Chickpea snack was more suble: a superlight crunch ensued; an aftertaste of cumin lingered.

Last in the set was the Goose Mousse and truffles. Creamy burst of Truffles inside and distinctively  crunchy outside.

Goose Mousse

It was hard to imagine that it’s only the beginning. We had NEVER been so blown away upfront. We sat back, sipped some wine, and then the next item arrived: soup. 

Roasted Leek and Potato Soup

The Roasted Leek and Potato Soup, enriched with a mushroom consomme backdrop, and finished with bits of onion crunch that slightly melted in the soup / mouth. Served with a lightweight buttery waffle, the server encouraged us to drink  directly from the bowl.

With a mushroom consomme base

If you love to have bread for the soup, hang on a little, for the sourdough bread basket and butter will soon come.

First, a wavy-patterned slab of butter is brought forth.

Its divided into half, carefully nestled on two black serving plates, and served with a sprinkle of cornwall salt and herbs. 

Sourdough Bread and Butter

I’ve always loved warm European-style bread and butter, and have always been a sucker for bread baskets – but Oh My God, this was the KING OF BREAD BASKETS.

The basket’s base was lined with warm coals at the bottom, followed by a bed of hay, where the sourdough lies atop the hay. In this set up, scent of hay permeate the sourdough, giving it a very special aroma reminiscent of the English countryside. 

I never thought I’d love a hay-infused scented sourdough, but here we are.

We loved this soooo much, between the husband and I, we had TWO loaves. It was THAT GOOD. 

Constantly nibbling at the bread throughout the entire meal. Could. Not. Stop.

And, the items from five course meal had NOT officially started yet.

It was only the beginning. Lol.

Five course menu: Jaan by Kirk Westaway

The five course menu officially started with a Salt Baked White Beetroot.  

Course #1: Salt Baked White Beetroot

Here, white beetroot is stuffed with soft cheese and topped with a dill and caviar dressing. The sauce, while rich, isn’t too overpowering, and the dill adds a freshness element to it.

With Dill and Caviar Dressing

Next on the Menu: Hens Egg.

Eggs. This is as literal as it can get.

As a first time visitor to Jaan by Kirk Westaway, we really didn’t know what to expect with the Hens Egg. But we were somewhat amused and intrigued when the servers delivered a large and small egg each.

Course #2: Hens Egg

The top halves were uncovered, and voila! – an egg within an egg.

In the larger dish, a soft-boiled egg laid (no pun intended) alongside some truffle, 5J ham (an elite brand of Iberico ham) and flavoured with hints of sweet onion.

The smaller dish held a celerac risotto seasoned with creamed panchetta.

Best eaten with a cheese toastie, of course.

Cheese Toastie

The way to go – dippin’ in the egg. There was something so wonderfully familiar about toasted bread combined with rich egg yolk, yet this combination of flavours was the ultimate sophistication. Whiffs of truffle, meaty saltiness from 5J jam, sweetness from onion jam – it all came together beautifully. 

No wonder this course meal has been described as ‘Simple Yet Complex‘ by the restaurant itself – I can’t think of a more fitting vocabulary.

Bread and Eggs never tasted so good before

The eggs were savoured, and up next came the Cornish Seabass.

Course #3: Cornish Seabass

Marinating in the flavours of crab, baby leeks, and a fish-based sauce, the seabass, soft and tender, absorbed those flavours and gently oozed them out with every bite. 

Fishy business, yes?

Adding on to the variety of protein, a course of Organic Chicken was served.

Course #4: Organic Chicken

A dollop of thick onion marmalade added hints of sweetness, while the green herb-encrusted potato grounded in a slight earthiness. The chicken itself, while supremely tender, contrasted with a very crunchy skin layer. 

I have died and gone to Chicken heaven

So many incredible textures came together, to be additionally spiced with a tiny amount of mustard seed.

To sum it all in one word: WOW.

Desserts

By natural progression, Course number five’s dessert should come next.

Except that Jaan by Kirk Westaway decides to first offer a very impressive cheese platter. Do note that there are additional charges for this;  a recommended small cheese and crackers platter starts from about S$35 but the price will depend on your choice of cheese in the end.

This, we declined to have. We’d rather eat more sourdough bread, lol.

British Cheese Collection at Jaan by Kirk Westaway

And then, came something sweet. Not the actual dessert itself, but a PRE dessert. Its name isn’t officially printed on the menu. Nevertheless, the medly of pomelo, cream, an earl grey sorbet, and sweet tea jelly base was all beautifully light. 

Pomelo, Cream, Earl Grey Sorbet, Sweet Tea Jelly Base

No wonder its classified as a pre-dessert – this is fruity enough to be sweet, but the black tea and bergamot of the earl grey sorbet reins in the sweetness.

Such gorgeous layering

At last, the ‘official’ desserts have finally arrived. There are two options available: Conference Pear or Milk Chocolate.

Course #5 (option 1): Conference Pear

The heart of it – is a simple Pear Tart. Served deliciously warm, it comes with cold vanilla ice cream and drizzled with caramel sauce. The autumn leaves decorations are fried filo pastries – giving the Conference Pear a dimension of added crisp.

Warm Tender Pear meets Frozen Ice cream and Crisp Filo Pastry bits

The other dessert option, Milk Chocolate, is a worthy rival. 

Course #5 (option 2): Milk Chocolate

Resembling somewhat of a cross between a porcupine and a pine tree, the dessert is a very enjoyable chocolate mousse, covered and stacked with chocolate sliced chips, and served with drops of coffee jelly and caramel ice cream.

Chocolate Mousse. Coffee Jelly. Caramel Ice Cream.

Very chocolatey, and velvety smooth. 

I think we made a cute little monster

Just when we thought that dessert was coming to an end – we were surprised with even more sweet endings:

POST-dessert. 

Post Desserts

Four kinds of sweets were presented: Shortbread with devonshire cream and raspberry jam, mini tart with jam with pistachio mascarpone cream, coffee chocolate, and almond chocolate. 

POST-dessert.

Selection of Sweet Endings

At this point, we were already SO HAPPY with everything. We ordered coffee…

Then came another surprise.

Complimentary Cake for our 13th Wedding Anniversary

A beautiful complimentary cake to celebrate the occasion. This was also delightful – full of berry-skinned fruitness and cream, with a bit of cake base. 

I guess we could call this the Post-Post-Dessert

Jaan by Kirk Westaway overall

Hands down, without question: THE BEST MEAL OF OUR LIVES.

It was the highest standard of taste, presentation, service, and ambience. Everything was pure perfection above and beyond; we really couldn’t ask for more.

Each meal was a performance and presentation in itself; never in my life have I felt like I’m literally eating works of art.

To sum up the whole affair, we quote this conversation with the friendly staff:

Server: lovely way to spend an afternoon here, isn’t it? 

Husband: Definitely. It’s a once in a lifetime experience.

Server: Oh, no, no. We hope to give you something so wonderful and memorable so that you’ll keep coming back. 

Me: LOL

Server: We’ll promise our best and take up that challenge to see you again.

And Jaan by Kirk Westaway, it definitely lives up to that challenge.

The cost, while it is no joke – for what you get and experience in return, is worth the price, especially if there’s something significant to celebrate. This is THE place to come for a special celebration, wedding proposal, graduation – anything to truly commerate something eventful.

I am so grateful to American Express – for the S$50 voucher, for the S$350 dining credits. Without it, we might never have stepped into this place. Now that we know how wonderful it is, we’ll definitely consider visiting again in the future. 

Perhaps for another wedding anniversary in the future 🙂

Inspired by this post and want to apply for an American Express credit card? Apply through one of my referral links and receive either bonus Membership Rewards points or statement credit:

• The Platinum Charge Card: Use this referral link and receive up to S$900 statement credits and Samsonite Choca Spinner 68/25 (worth S$700) when you apply and minimum spend criteria is met.
• The American Express Platinum Card: Use this referral link and receive up to S$350 statement credits when you apply and minimum spend criteria is met.
• American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card: Use this referral link and receive up to 38, 000 Krisflyer miles and S$50 statement credits when you apply and minimum spend criteria is met. 

Disclaimer: the views and opinions expressed on this page are that of Happy High Life and may not necessarily reflect the position of American Express. Happy High Life is not responsible for any decisions made by readers. The terms and conditions for credit card applications may be subject to change by American Express. Readers are recommended to check with American Express or its partners; the list of all benefits of the Platinum Charge Card can be found here.

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