Review

A Whale, no surprise, is spacious and designed in various sections: dining hall, private dining room, wine bar and a cosy grocery café. The dining hall features warm-toned ceiling lamps contrasting with blue furniture evoking the colour of a sunset over the sea. The philosophy simple: to create enjoyable and nutritious dishes with local ingredients. Signatures include trout fillet with miso velouté, a light creamy miso paste sauce, paired with butternut squash purée and garden peas for a hint of crunch. For a refreshing starter, Chiang Mai hand-peeled tomato salad offers a softer texture, dressed with pesto and stracciatella. Hummus is presented alongside pickled mussels and flatbread, the pesto oil tying the flavours together in a balanced finish. Dry-aged duck breast is placed beside duck jus and herb oil, enhanced by pickled plum. The gentle sweetness of the plum complements the duck’s smoky depth. Another main features grilled meats in various ageing styles, including tallow-aged and red wine-aged cuts, with various side and sauce options including a potato pové and buttery Café de Paris sauce. For dessert, two truly stand out. First miso caramel custard and second, coconut panna cotta inspired by the flavours of mango sticky rice. Beverage options are varied from cocktails and wine to organic tea and mocktails, and service is sharp.