Before we get into the meat of the matter at @pilot.sg , we gotta fly in and meat-sorry, meet, the meatier starters.

Pilot’s Duck Menchikatsu ($17++) seems to be a celebrity, as everyone who’s ever been a patron here has ordered it. There are no surprises here; it’s superbly savoury shredded duck breaded with panko crumbs & deep fried just like a regular Japanese cutlet (katsu). The deeply delicious duck has lost a little moisture, but the sprightly spring onion aioli adds lubrication, richness & freshness to the brilliantly breaded & crispy katsu. ⠀
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However, the Duck Menchikatsu felt like it had been left high and dry without backup. The inclusion of a coleslaw or a pickled vegetable medley would’ve made this a super starter. Heck, take this delectable Duck Menchikatsu, shove it betwixt the house baked milk buns along with a smear of the spring onion aioli and a fistful of ‘slaw, and boom you have a new entrée. I really do like the Duck Menchikatsu, but it currently has the most untapped potential out of all the small plates.⠀
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Fortunately, Pilot Kitchen is an experimental restaurant, so they will probably make some improvements, and I will be making a return voyage when they do.