Synthesis 食拿酒稳
Synthesis is the sort of place that makes you wonder whether you came for dinner or accidentally walked into a party.
The moment we stepped in, the mood was set. Neon lights, dramatic interiors, a glowing bar and dance music pulsing through the room. By the time we sat down, my body was already telling me it would rather be dancing than behaving properly at the table.
The food turned out to be just as playful as the setting. Modern Chinese cooking is given a creative twist here, with many dishes inspired by traditional Chinese medicine and familiar Asian flavours. There was a lot going on visually, but thankfully the food was not just about presentation. The flavours were bold, interesting and, in several dishes, surprisingly well balanced.
We had everything from crispy black pepper crab popiah and house tofu to slow-cooked cabbage, lamb loin, Dongpo pork belly and a comforting Sakura chicken poached rice finished tableside with rich collagen broth. I liked the way familiar ingredients were presented in a more contemporary style. It felt fun rather than overly serious, which suited the whole concept perfectly.
What also stood out was the service. The team was attentive, friendly and kept up well with the energy of the room. That made the evening feel easy, even with the music getting louder as the night went on.
Synthesis is probably not where I would go for a quiet Chinese dinner with parents. But with friends, cocktails and a mood to have fun, it works very well. Good food, great service, plenty of personality and music that makes staying seated increasingly difficult.
At some point, dinner simply started to feel like the warm up for the rest of the night.
