Found out about the new Allo via their own social media pages recently — Allo is an establishment serving up French cuisine which has opened their doors at Desker Road just a short walk away from Mustafa Centre. They are also located just right beside the fairly new ikigai Yakitori Bar along the same street; Desker Road also is home to other establishments such as ice-cream parlour Aphrodite, as well as Super Supper — both of which we have visited in recent times. Taking up one of the shop spaces with a patio area, Allo’s decor does bring somewhat of a European vibe that features concrete-esque walls (they have used a wallpaper to achieve that look here), as well as wood and wicker dining chairs and marble-esque tables which also gives it a rather modern, yet soothing feel. The menu at Allo is split into various categories — there are sections of the menu dedicated to Soup, Appetizers, Brunch, Good to Share, Mains, Carbs and Dessert. The selection of drinks available at Allo includes a few special concoctions such as a Citrus Blue Magic that features elements such as Blue Pea Flower Tea, Yogurt Drink and Citrus Juice, as well as coffee, tea, soft drinks and juices. Allo is currently working towards attaining their halal certification; this also means all their food supplies are halal-certified, though they can be said as a “no pork, no lard” establishment at this current juncture.

Skimming through the menu, we had decided to go for the Pan Seared Barramundi with Caviar D’Aubergine & Balsamic Roasted Tomato on Vine. Being an item listed on the “Mains” section of the menu, the dish features elements such as barramundi, aubergine purée, balsamic glazed tomatoes, and balsamic reduction. Have had quite a number of barramundi dishes over the years and truth to be told, while there isn’t many ways of how barramundi dishes can be served, this was actually a pretty decent execution nonetheless — the fish itself here is sufficiently moist and flaky; really liked the crispy skin that has been seasoned with salt for a bit of flavour. Sitting beneath the barramundi is the bed of aubergine purée — liked how they have opted for this instead of the usual pomme purée since this was able to maintain the lightness of the dish, yet adds on a soft touch of sweetness that compliments the fish. The balsamic reduction helps to provide a slight tang to refresh the taste buds, while the balsamic glazed tomatoes on vine provide a burst of tangy flavours as one chews on them — a good break from the barramundi and the aubergine purée itself.

Having tried other items on the menu such as the Warm Oven Truffle Camembert with Figs Compote, as well as the Panna Cotta with Cinnamon Poached Pears, we felt that the quality of the food at Allo does resonate with its price tag — they were decently executed, and did seem to be of a good grade especially for a spot that is looking to be halal-certified in the future. Prices of the items listed on the “Mains” section of the menu ranges between $22 to $38 before prevailing charges and taxes; the pasta / risotto from the “Carbs” section of the menu are a little lower — from $16 o $24 before prevailing charges and taxes. Overall, a pretty decent spot for a girl’s nights out for a catch-up, or even as a decent spot to get to for a date especially given the ambience, though the beautiful environment inside is definitely an interesting but stark contrast from the bustling scenes of Little India / Farrer Park outside the restaurant especially on weekend nights.