The Place Mention Thomson Plaza and my impression is a yesteryear shopping mall which has a small revitalisation all thanks to Upper Thomson MRT Station on the Thomson-East-Coast Line. Therefore, it is quite surprising to find out that a modern dining concept has opened on level three of Thomson Plaza, Woodsmen by Cut Butchery, which is a new wood-fired concept that is very popular since it opened in August.

Woodsmen is Singapore’s first woodfire butcher-to-table concept where the space is designed as a modern butcher shop at the front, while the restaurany is located at the back. The idea is simple – head to the butchery counters, pick your desired slab of chilled meat or fresh seafood from the aquarium, and let the chef do the cooking should you wish to dine-in. The best part? There is no cooking fees or service charge.

It was fully packed when I headed over on a Friday night, where there were easily 30 people in the queue for dine-in. That said, the rustic and casual dining area is very spacious with a generous seating capacity, suited for couples or small groups.

The Food How the ordering works if that you simply order via the QR code on the table for hot dishes and starters, and if you fancy any meats like the steaks from the butchery or fresh seafood from the aquarium section, order those items directly by letting the staff know your table number, and a buzzer will be given to you to pick up your meats once it is cooked.

I started with some fresh salmon and chutoro sashimi from the aquarium section!

From the butchery, I picked their MB4+ Ribeye Steak (S$13/100g), a 100% grassfed hormone free range from Southern Ranges, Australia. Cooked over the wood fire to medium-rare, it is flavourful and relatively juicy which does not need any condiments or sauces in my opinion. At this price point, it is also very good value.

The other cut of beef I tried was the A5 Wagyu Steak (S$38/100g), Satsumagyu beef originating from Kagoshima, Japan. This cut boosts a rich and well-marbled flavour, much fattier and richer in taste than the MB4+ Ribeye Steak I had. It is also good on its own without any further sauces to go along with. Do look out for promotions the restaurant is running, as they do run up to 50% off their wagyu cut on weekdays and 30% off on weekends.

From the kitchen menu, I tried their Woodsmen Spit-Rotisserie Chicken (S$18.80 for half / S$36.80 for whole) which features organic, free-range chicken. will change your mind. It comes with duck fat potatoes and fresh greens, where the chicken is relatively tender and juicy.

For sides, the Cheddar Cloud Fries (S$16) is one of the highlights where the fries are buried under a smoked cheddar cheese foam. It would be better if it is crispier as the foam and sauce makes it a tad too soggy for my liking.

Alternatively, the Wood-Fired Camembert (S$15) is served with wood-roasted grapes, sourdough and chill and honey.

Other sides include soups like Forest Mushroom Soup (S$6) and New England Clam Chowder (S$8) which are both quite decent for the price point.

I recommend their Fish & Chips (S$27.80) which uses wild-caught New Zealand Snapper, beer-battered and served with tartar sauce. A generous portion which is good to share for 2 people.

For desserts, I tried their Vanilla Soft Serve with Churros & Dulce de Leche (S$10.80) and Vanilla Soft Serve with Wild Berries Compote (S$10.80).

Rants It is on a walk-in basis, where reservations are only taken for big groups of minimum eight people. Be warned that the queue can be quite long during peak dining hours.

Will I Return Again? I think the best USP of Woodsmen is that it is an unpretentious and casual dining spot for good value meats and seafood without the fuss. I like the idea of choosing my own meat and fish and let the staff know my preferred way of having it, at no additional cost. While not all dishes are a hit for me, it is a concept worth trying for sure especially for families and couples who want a casual date night. I recommend going for the grilled meats and fresh seafood items, which are the standouts for me.

TheRantingPanda says:
Taste bud: 3.5/5
Hole in the pocket: 3.5/5
Ambience: 3.5/5
Overall Experience: 4/5

Woodsmen by Cut Butchery
301 Upper Thomson Road
#03-52/53 Thomson Plaza
Singapore 574408
Tel: +65 8243 5103

Opening Hours
Monday to Friday: 11am to 10pm
Saturday & Sunday: 10am to 10pm

Ranted by The Ranter