Brian Kennett
Amateur Chef and Foodie Extraordinaire
Tonito’s for lunch at Jewel @ Changi Airport
When Singapore build stuff they truly do build it well. I’ll drag out a photo now that I took when I visited the JV on behalf of Telstra, something like 4 years ago before construction had started. The JV is Changi Airport Group and Capitaland. And man oh man have they built something to impress from those original model ideas.
Just watch to see how concept to reality has happened. What a transformation. Whilst there I espy a new logo restaurant. Tonito’s Latin American Kitchen. Decision made guys, this is where we are having lunch today. Here comes Jewel @ Changi Airport, and lunch @ Tonito’s.
Like going to Legoland in Malaysia this was. I am certain this was like 4 years ago when Jewel was literally this. A model! Mind you, what an amazing model! I got to see this when visiting the JV as a customer. Very cool to see this from concept to reality. Quite amazing.
We arrive in Terminal 2 and then walk in to see this. It truly is a WOW moment. Quite breath-taking in fact. Great work Changi Airport, I am seriously impressed. I reckon you will literally need a whole day to walk around this place, it is HUGE. We saw a fraction. And from the signs, some of it is not even open yet, like the upper levels. Suffice to say it is incredibly beautiful, just like my family.
Then the airport connector tram goes silently sliding past. Is it just me or is that a little like a scene from Jurassic Park…?
My Mary is wishing this was the shower back at the condo. I’d never see her again. A lovely snap of my beautiful Philippines girls though.
Simply stunning. It really is. Did you know, Daddy-Pedia time? The force of the water causes airflow which, in turn, reduces the need to cool the air down with air-con. And when it rains the ‘doughnut’ shape will capture the rain and have a double green agenda as there is limited need to pump any water up. Amaze-balls.
I am going to steal some text here from the website of the restaurant we visited for lunch. I had to eat here. As soon as I saw Latin American Kitchen I was hooked. I am thinking Cubanos (and guess what was on the menu. Hell yes!!!). “TONITO” is the little brother of TONO Cevicheria which is a Peruvian concept in the OLA Kitchen Group. I must be trying TONO as well now. Dear me I am hooked.
We sat and ate at the tall stools on the terrace while enjoying the view of the World’s largest indoor waterfall. How good was that Created by Peruvian Chef Daniel Chavez, and helmed by a team of local talents nicknamed “The Youngs”, the food is reflective of the recipes collected from his travels around Latin America? The menu has a wide selection of Mexican “Tacos and Quesadillas”, Peruvian “Anticuchos”, Latin American sandwiches like Argentinian “Choripanes” and Venezuelan ” Pepitos”.
Folks, you know me. This is a Die Die Must Try. I’ll be here again very soon. It is just quality food, and the style I love. I remember eating a load of Latin American food at Street Food Congress, the time I met Anthony Bourdain. And yes that food style from that region is everything I love. It is UBER quality and I want MORE!!! We’ll be back that is 1,000% a certainty.
Jewel @ Changi Airport, and lunch @ Tonito’s – we ate like Kings, Queens, Princes and Princesses. Awesome lunch.
It even looks brilliant from the front right. Made even more stunning by wifey having a good old pose there!!!
I think we will retire to the terrace, my good man. Thank you. What a cracking place to sit and have a feed. WOW!!!
And then comes the food. I am in heaven. This was so very good. First up is Sweetcorn Soup. I know, I know sounds a little boring. The picture on the menu got me. But holy shit this is amazing. So creamy and corn flavourful, with crispy tortillas and a drizzle of Coriander puree. Goodness me, I really did love this, as did wifey.
My Jhea gets going on a Peruvian number. Pancon Pescado. A scrumptious crispy fish fillet, with red onion salsa. Bloody brilliant. She surely wolfed this down.
Jimboy and I go hard on one of my all-time favourite dishes ever. Remember the film Chef when they do the road trip. I have made these from the recipe they use in the film. Well hello, there Cubanos. STELLAR!!! Pulled pork, melted cheese, ham, pickled onions, and mustard sauce. Fuck yes. Amazing!
So Tonito’s that was superb thank you. Chef Chavez be proud mate because that was just brilliant and we will be seeing you soon. No shopping next time, just eating! Superb food and a menu that this fat boy needs to plough through. Yummo!!!
And there you have it in a nutshell Jewel @ Changi Airport, and lunch @ Tonito’s. Well, at least our very short foray in the place. Literally, a drop Jude off at school, spin down there for a quick run around and lunch, then back to pick Jude up and do some food shopping for the other blog I just did. Singapore, well done. Truly well done. That is seriously impressive.
I can’t wait for the soft launch to be over, for all to be open, and the crowds to have dissipated. This will shortly become a crazy concept of a cool place to visit in Singapore. Wait a minute it’s a hybrid airport, shopping centre, restaurant and Gardens By The Bay.
Strangely enough that bloody works so well. Global awards to come I am certain. Amaze-balls. And you simply must eat at Tonito’s. Holy cow that was one delicious lunch. Go see Jewel and go eat at Tonito’s (maybe mid-week if you can) and –
ENJOY!!!
Tonito Jewel Address
Address: 78 Airport Blvd., #02 – 248, Singapore 819666
Telephone: +65 6904 3975
