Totally falling in love with Casa Mori's interior design done in neutral tones with window-shaped arch mirrors and huge tree-inspired columns. It's spacious with a touch of warm and elegance.
The Mushroom Croquetas were generously filled with an earthy and savoury mushroom filling, while the Kalipoquetas offered a local twist that tasted almost exactly like a curry puff, with chicken, curry, potatoes and curry aioli packed within.
The Garlic Huajiao Prawns, Casa Mori’s take on the classic gambas al ajillo. The prawns were tender and sat on a garlic confit base, bathed in a fragrant sauce infused with Sichuan peppercorns. The toasted sourdough was crisp and perfect for mopping up the spicy, numbing sauce.
The Black Cod came garnished with Chinese olive mustard leaf and Japanese takana. The cod was delicate, buttery and melt-in-the-mouth tender, with a subtle fresh sweetness. Paired with the salty and tangy pickled vegetables, the contrasting flavours complemented nicely.
For drinks, we had the Virgin Kaffir Lime Mojito and Sour Plum Oolong Fizz. Both were tangy, fizzy and refreshing - a nice palate cleanser that awakened tastebuds.
The Hokkien Mee Fideua, fell short of expectations. I was expecting thick bee hoon and yellow noodles, but it tasted more like fried bee hoon served with seafood and bacon. It was flavourful and slightly smoky with some nice crispy bits, but the familiar Hokkien mee flavours and satisfaction were missing. After a few scoops, it started tasting rather flat, and we wished for some sambal or cut chillies to perk it up.
The Pear Tart was served warm with vanilla ice cream. The flaky, buttery tart paired nicely with the mildly sweet caramelised pears, while the ice cream added a creamy contrast. A light dessert that cut through the richness of the meal.
Overall, Casa Mori has a tranquil and cosy setting. I had expected a little more of the food. Nothing was particularly bad, but neither was it wow or amazing.