A hidden dining lounge behind a pizza oven? We had to see it for ourselves! Having passed by IL Clay Pizzeria many times, little did we know that tucked behind its familiar wood-fired oven is Behind Clay, an intimate 52-seat dining lounge. Hidden in plain sight, this cosy space offers a different side to the popular pizzeria. Come along as we step inside and discover what lies Behind Clay!
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| IL Clay Pizzeria |
As we swung open the door, we were greeted by a striking oversized mask bathed in dramatic red lighting. The bold and mysterious entrance immediately set the tone for what was to come. It was certainly a unique theme that caught my attention from the moment we stepped inside!
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| Dramatic Entrance at Behind Clay |
With the red lights illuminating the space, the atmosphere took on a whole new level of intensity, creating a mysterious and slightly suspenseful dining experience. We also spotted this striking artwork hanging on the wall, adding another interesting touch to the bold and dramatic interior.
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| Dramatic Artwork at Behind Clay |
The intimate 52-seat dining lounge is designed with comfortable booth seating, creating a cosy yet stylish space for diners. Bathed in its signature red lighting, the setting feels dramatic and unique, offering a dining experience that is quite different from your usual restaurant ambience.
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| 52-Seat Dining Lounge at Behind Clay |
Kicking off our meal was the Shrimp Carpaccio, served cold and layered with an interesting combination of flavours. The delicate shrimp was topped with pork lard, sour cream, chilli oil, chives gremolata oil and Assam sauce, bringing together creamy, spicy and tangy notes in every bite.
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| Shrimp Carpaccio - $28 |
Another appetiser from the menu was the Chef's Selection of Seasonal Oysters. Served fresh and chilled with a squeeze of lemon, these plump oysters made for a refreshing start to the meal. They also paired wonderfully with Behind Clay's selection of cocktails and mocktails.
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| Seasonal Oyster |
We also had the opportunity to try three of their interesting cocktail creations, each thoughtfully paired with a complementary bite.
Breathless combined gin, mint leaves, citrus and bergamot for a refreshing and aromatic drink. It was paired with a pan-seared sea scallop, served alongside green olive and peperonata purée.
Nebbia featured an interesting blend of matcha, gin, vodka and coconut water. Its accompanying bite was equally unique, a pani-puri shell filled with caramel apple jam and vanilla ice cream, offering a delightful mix of sweet flavours and textures.
Lastly, Perla brought together lychee, osmanthus and gin for a floral and fruity profile. It came paired with a savoury bite featuring mozzarella pearls, cocktail onion, basil leaf and a salami rosette.
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| Breathless,Nebbia & Perla - $24, $25, $27 |
Next up was the Foie Gras Pâté Pizza, an interesting combination of sweet and savoury flavours. The pizza came topped with creamy Fior di Latte, rich duck foie gras pâté, tangy tamarind sauce, pineapple purée and a sprinkling of pistachios. The unique mix of ingredients certainly made this pizza stand out!
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| Foie Gras Pate Pizza - $56 |
The Whole Quail certainly made an impressive entrance! Served with charred leeks and Sriracha sauce, the dish was elevated with a flambé of Chinese wine poured over it. What caught our attention was the beautiful presentation, served in an egg-shaped vessel resting on a nest, making it look both unique and theatrical.
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| Fried Quail - $39 |
The White Pear Corn Kernel was a vegetarian dish that turned out to be surprisingly addictive! Featuring chargrilled and smoked white corn kernels, parmesan, sour cream and peperonata purée, every bite was packed with creamy, smoky and savoury flavours. Honestly, the serving was so good that I wished there was more!
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| White Pear Corn Kernel - $19 |
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| Our Meal |
The Spicy Mala Shaker Pork Belly came with a fun little twist! The pork belly was first poured into a paper bag and shaken up, just like how you would shake your favourite fast-food fries. It was served with pickled vegetables, charred leeks, Sichuan pepper and chilli flakes, giving the dish a bold and spicy mala kick. The pork belly itself was tender and savoury, while the seasoning added plenty of heat and fragrance.
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| Spicy Mala Shaker Pork Belly - $20 |
Ending on a sweet note was the Burnt Basque Cheesecake, topped with a fire-torched burrata brûlée. The combination of the creamy cheesecake and the lightly caramelised burrata topping made for an interesting and indulgent dessert to round off the meal.
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| Burrata Burnt Cheesecake - $19 |
Another dessert to end the meal was the Layered Meringue Ice-Cream Cake, served with flambé rum. The soft layers of meringue and ice cream came together beautifully, while the flambé rum added a warm and aromatic touch to the dessert.
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| Flambe Bombe Alaska - $26 |
Behind Clay certainly offers a dining experience that goes beyond just the food. From its bold and mysterious red-lit ambience to the interactive ways the dishes were presented, there was always something happening at the table. I especially enjoyed the theatrical use of fire for the dishes and desserts, as well as the fun Mala Shaker Pork Belly experience. With demonstrations and little surprises throughout the meal, dining here felt engaging and entertaining. If you are looking for somewhere with a unique ambience and an interactive dining experience, Behind Clay is definitely one to check out!
Behind Clay
Location: 3D River Valley Road, 01-04, Clarke Quay, Singapore (Accessed through II Clay)
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