Nestled along Temple street, Arterial is a homely cafe with a cozy ambience, away from the bustling streets of Chinatown. Arterial does not serve up the usual cafe fares; lovers of egg benedicts and all-day breakfasts will be disappointed. Instead, Arterial serves up some hearty, homely and restaurant-style dishes at reasonable prices.
If you are looking for something easy to eat, Chicken Wing Fries ($11.90) is the choice. Half-midjoints chicken wings are marinated in the special housemade garlic mayonnaise, deep-fried to crispy perfection. The marinade is light but the taste lingers for long.
My favourite starter would be the Chicken Liver Pâté ($9.90), a great appetizer at Arterial. Served along with herbed focaccia, the pâté is creamy, rich in flavour and also contains bits of chicken liver for extra texture.
Pork Aspic Terrine ($13.90) is an acquired dish to some. Set within the lightly seasoned stock gelatin is some unique part of pork (you will never guess!) that gives the dish so much texture and crunch. This is a definite must-try unique dish at Arterial, served with pickled cornichon.
Squid Ink Aglio Olio ($15.90) is one of Arterial’s signature dish. Pasta of your choice (spaghetti or fettuccine) is cooked in squid ink for that natural saltiness in flavour and topped with fresh prawn and squid. A really fresh seafood pasta.
Meatball al Forno ($11.90) will be a hit among meatball lovers. Minced beef and pork meatballs are tossed in the house-made tomato sauce, oven-baked and topped with cheese for richness. The meatballs are soft to the bite, in contrast with the crusty bread.
Mangalica Sausage Platter ($14.90) serves up 3 different types of sausages – traditional, garlic and spicy. Dip in the mustard and caramelized onion sauce for some sweetness. My pick of the sausages would be the spicy one.
Mocha Cake with Coffee Glaze ($6.90) is the dessert that you want to end your meal at Arterial. The mocha cake is thick in a hue of luxe Valrhora chocolate and espresso. The coffee glaze gives the slice a textured hint of aroma. The cake, despite how thick it appears, is very light and fluffy.
Arterial Cafe brings a cozy ambience in the bustling cityscape. It is a great place to chill out, with some of the more unique beers (Orange and Gingerbeer, anyone?) offered in the cafe. With an open-kitchen and small setting, it brings an intimacy in cafe dining.
Arterial Cafe 24 Temple Street Singapore 058569 Tel: +65 6222 8589
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arterial.sg Instagram: @arterial.sg
Writer: Leong Chee Sheng Photos: nichology.net