Cherry & Oak was a spot that I was really looking forward to visit especially after learning about how this establishment is opened by the same folks behind ASAP & Co., which is best known for their smoked meats which we absolutely loved during our previous visit there. While ASAP & Co. occupies a typical shophouse unit in the Kampong Glam neighbourhood, Cherry & Oak takes up a larger unit at Owen Road previously operated by Wo Peng Cantonese Cuisine, and carries a wider menu that features items fit for brunch such as a range of open-faced toasts served with smoked meat, sharing platters, pasta and sides — they also do offer a small variety of desserts that are display in the display case at the counter, while beverages include tea, specialty coffee brewed using beans roasted by local micro-roasters Dutch Colony Coffee Co., and zero-alcohol wines.

The Rainbow Sausages from the “Smoked Sharing Platter” of the menu is one of the dishes that is often mentioned from Cherry & Oak. Whilst not being an item which we initially wanted to order, it was one that we eventually did considering how the portion does seem to be manageable to be shared between two pax. This item features handmade sausages made using growth hormone-free chicken with no additives, colouring, fillers or preservatives, while the sausages come in four different types — Spinach, Original, Beetroot and Curry. All the sharing platters also comes with Nasi Lemak Bakar that is accompanied with egg, sambal, nuts and Ikan Bilis, whilst also coming with a Mango Slaw.

Of the four sausages, perhaps the most memorable one would be the Curry Sausage. The Curry Sausage seems to have been inspired by the Currywurst; there was an evident hint of curry powder in the sausage that carries a flavoural punch that sets it apart from the other sausages included in here. The original sausage is the one to go for to experience their housemade sausages in its truest form — the sausages here do seem to be what they claim them to be; within the snappy casing is a sausage that comes with meat that carries a good bite. There is no artificial “bounce” here that suggests that these do not come with any fillers, whilst it is also noted that they do not come overly salty — instead, the Original does come with an evident hint of pepper that attempts to tickle the taste buds. We were a little bummed that the Spinach and Beetroot one tastes rather similar however — perhaps intended to be more of a play on colour rather than flavour. That being said, both sausages carries a rather strong hint of turmeric that seems to make them taste rather similar to that of satay. Dipping the sausages into the sauce provided, the sauce is actually BBQ sauce — smoky and savoury whilst carrying a peppery touch. We were also especially impressed with the Nasi Lemak Bakar; whilst the rice felt a tad dry as compared to some other Nasi Lemak elsewhere, the basmati grains were distinguishable from one another and carried a slight coconut-y amidst the smoky flavours from being grilled within the banana leaf that it was wrapped into — best to be had with the sweet sambal that comes with a good punch of spiciness that accompanies the Nasi Lemak Bakar for those who are able to tolerate moderate levels of spiciness.

ASAP & Co. had previously blew our minds with their Smok Norwegian Salmon and smoked beef brisket — Cherry & Oak has brought it to yet another level with their housemade sausages and their Nasi Lemak Bakar. It is needless to say that they are pretty much the smoked meat specialists that they have come to be. It is indeed nice to see how ASAP & Co. has come this far in a short period of time, and has maintained their standards with the opening of Cherry & Oak. It is little wonder how Cherry & Oak is pretty much at its full capacity while we had made our walk-in visit on a weekend for dinner service — here’s wishing the folks all the best in whatever that is to come!