A for Ad Hoc

I love Ad Hoc.

I love the concept. I love the communal style dining. And luckily for you (because this is a blog), I make googly eyes whenever I talk about it. It’s fun, quirky. Without trying too hard. Somewhat rough around the edges but polished at heart. Kind of like Johnny Depp these days, wouldn’t you say?



As some of you might know, Ad Hoc was supposedly a temporary restaurant but customers loved it so the Ad Hoc team decided to keep it open for good. For 5 days a week, Ad Hoc offers a 4 course family-style menu that changes daily at a bargain of US$49. No swopping, no substituting, you eat what they serve - a true testament to the kitchen's casual confidence.

Some customers would make a reservation first, then call up to enquire about the menu before deciding if they would like to keep their reservation. My advice to you is, unless due to religious or medical reasons, keep that reservation and have a whale of a time.

What we had for dinner on Thursday October 7:



We started off with the TFL garden marinated cucumber salad. Made with gem lettuces, sweet peppers, chopped pine nuts and picholine olives, roughly tossed in citrus yogurt dressing, it was a bit of a throw together of greens but tasty nonetheless.



The grilled beef hanger steak was very good; pink, slightly gamey, juicy medallions.



My heart goes out to the accompanying sides - duck fat potatoes and roasted bell peppers, brussels sprouts with crisp pancetta, as well as boulangere sweet potatoes and glazed cippolini onions.



For an additional US$9 per person, we also had the roasted beef bone marrow, which drove us giddy with delight. A handsome bone split right down to the centre dusted with toasty parsley breadcrumbs, and served with zinfandel jam and warm palladin toast .



Next up was a cheese course of Capra Valtellina (goat's milk cheese), Marshall's Farm's orange blossom honey and little sweet adriatic figs. Seriously simple but sensational.



By now, I was starting to feel like their logo (the deceptively little piggy) but we gamely downed their ginger cake trifle, made with spiced ginger cake, maple pastry cream, toasted pecans and apple compote.



I really couldn't bear the thought of stuffing more food though everything was superb.

Ad Hoc: More than just temporary relief from hunger.