This French-inspired café is helmed by none other than the Michelin star Chef Haikal Johari.
If you know how exceptional Chef Haikal Johari is with his take on modern-European dishes with Asian influences, then you’ll definitely know that you will love his newly opened French-inspired bistro fare in the heartlands of Kovan, alkove.
Putting together his rich background in French cuisine and experience at highly lauded restaurants—like Joel Robuchon, Les Amis, Water Library Group in Bangkok, and Alma by Juan Amador, where he was awarded his Michelin star—while being influenced by his heritage and local flavors, alkove offers an un-intimidating French fare that does not take itself too seriously.
Whether we admit it or not, we all have different notions about French food. But this time, the celebrated chef offers a cozy everyday retreat to people who want to experience French culture without getting all too anxious. Alkove brings in an intimate setting—with its cozy interior decked with splashes of yellow, blue, and terracotta further enhanced by the beautiful sunlight streaming in through the large alcove windows—for friends and families to spend quality time with meaningful conversations over French-inspired bistro food.
Here’s Why You Must Try Dining at alkove!
Alkove marks Chef Haikal’s debut in the casual dining industry, with a team of young, talented individuals in the bakery and hot kitchen sections. Their menu showcases a unique twist on classic French dishes, incorporating high-quality ingredients to deliver exceptional savory and sweet favorites.
To start your morning right, alkove offers classic bread and viennoiseries baked with fine French and Canadian flour. What makes these staples distinct are the flavors that work together with the specially created croissants, such as the almond-coconut and baklava, as well as the cardamom kouign-amann. Another favorite among patrons is the freshly baked sourdough and Pain de Mie loaves—which are made available at any time. Additionally, there’s the Gula Melaka Canelés, another must-try, as these are freshly baked twice daily using traditional French methods.
For the non-morning person, alkove also serves a wonderful selection of brunch affairs. This time of the day, eggs are served in three ways: (1) scrambled done perfectly soft and creamy, plated with sourdough, cream cheese, and smoked beef sausage; (2) with œufs à la coque, soft-boiled eggs are panko-crusted and fried; and (3) placed atop ciabatta and Bayonne ham, slathered with a hollandaise sauce to finish. Only Singapore-farmed Japanese free-range eggs are used in preparing all these dishes. Also, those looking for a sumptuous brunch will truly be satisfied with the Croque Monsieur, as it is served generously with Bayonne ham sandwiched between two slices of brioche and melted Comte cheese.
For lunch and dinner, alkove offers the Neo-Parisian French classics, including the Confit de Canard (Duck Confit) and the French Onion Gratinée—which uses the classic recipe of French Onion Soup but is elevated with a touch of miso for an additional kick of umami. For those who want to indulge, there’s also the Ocean Trout, Chicken Vin Blanc, and Wagyu Onglet Steak Frites. Recently added to the extended menu of the bistro are the Chicken Cordon Bleu and dishes with a twist, like Pork Stew Stew Provençal and Chorizo Pasta.
And what is a complete meal without dessert, right? When it comes to dessert, alkove got you covered! The bistro has an all-out affair with a variety of freshly baked gateaux and mignardise (bite-sized desserts), together with the traditional French Dessert of the Day. To pair, there’s also a coffee menu that was meticulously created in collaboration with CATA Coffee, with teas being curated by ETTE Tea, allowing the restaurant to serve a selection of hot tea, cold brew, and tea mocktails.
Chill Out at alkove Now!
Truly, alkove is a perfect spot if you want to try the diverse, delicious, and rich culinary heritage of France. Not only are high-quality ingredients, artistic presentation, and regional specialties highlighted, but also the overall experience of exploring the influence of international cuisine, thereby expanding your culinary horizons.
Want to hype up your week? Visit alkove in the heartlands of Kovan now!
From 10am to 9pm on weekdays and 9am to 9pm on weekends (closed on Tuesdays), alkove will surely become the cozy everyday retreat that you’ll look forward to coming back to. The bistro is exactly located at 2 Kovan Road, 01-10 Simon Plaza, Singapore 548008.
