Cut by Wolfgang Puck: Best Meal of the year.
Labels:
epic,
marina bay sands,
special occasion,
steak,
wines
·
I apologise for my late notice, or lack of one for some, but I've been back in Singapore for the last 16 days. Incessantly sussing out the bustling food scene whilst at it.
With that mission in tow, and a empty cavernous stomach; I had one of THE BEST MEALS OF THE YEAR. Courtesy of a dearest friend of mine at CUT by Wolfgang Puck.
Mind you, this meal didn't come cheap, but at the end of the day, you must revel in the satisfactions that it incites. The thorough but non presumptuous service, staggeringly excellent quality of produce used and the chi-chi ambiance all around that leaves one vulnerable to feel an animalistic sense of desire.
The meal came to a smooth start with complimentary sliders and slices of crisp sourdough being presented at the table alongside freshly churned butter. Special mentions going out to the breadsticks that graced the table, a temptation that lurked around gracefully, attempting to spoil our appetite for the mainworks.
The side table was brought out and the gigantic cuts of marbled fats and proteins carried out for closer inspection. Be very amazed.
I have to admit, amidst all the glasses of recommended wines and the enveloping darkness of the room, everything becomes a blur. The food, oh, that lusting images still fixated in my dreams leaves little for imagination. Every bite filling a void that you have been left stranded with for every bad/mediocre steak you have had in your entire life. So this is what it feels like.
His: Snake River Farms Angus Beef, 220g Rib Eye Steak ($185)
Mine: True Japanese Wagyu from Miyazaki Prefecture Kyushu, Japan
170g Fillet Mignon ($220)
Our sides: Creamed Spinach + Sauteed Wild Mushrooms
For all it was worth, the true Japanese wagyu was a work of art, elevated only by the expertise of the kitchen in maintaining a perfect temperature, a perfect sear and all those juices sealed in, in a mad web of fats. The sides, another testimonial of the chefs' abilities to appreciate simple ingredients and churning out an honest complimentary dish to the steaks on the other end. Best creamed spinach I've had thus far.
The surprise birthday cake and the gregarious chantings of songs from the waitstaff was just icing on the cake after that.
If I had passed away that night. You would have seen a smile plastered on my face.
CUT by Wolfgang Puck
2 Bayfront Avenue,
The Shoppes at Marine Bay Sands
Tel: 6688 8517
Brasserie Les Saveurs: Au revoir mates
Labels:
food tasting,
french,
HGW,
hidden finds,
orchard,
st regis,
wines
·
One look at the French Chef de Cuisine, Antoine Bonnet, and I was picturing the glorious moments of sunset, the tangled manes of a horse, carefree, and a whisperer on its back, preened and glistening under the rays. No, I'm getting way ahead of myself. The feast he produced for us though was a real spectacle, refined french fare showcasing the authenticity of honestly good ingredients. The 'riding into the sunset' moment has to wait.
Dinner was at Brasserie Les Saveurs at the outskirts of the St. Regis Hotel main lobby, stowed away at the back of the entrance; almost like a secret enclave. Luxe materials drape the room and chandeliers illuminate the velvety interiors of the wide space. I, for one, was enchanted; but refused to judge the book by its covers.
Hence, the speculation began with the amuse bouche. Pan Seared Scallop with Potato Espuma with sesame oil. Brilliant sear on the scallop, the espuma delightfully seasoned, still I was expecting a bit more aeration in it. We trudge on. Dinner begins to look like a magical fairytale waiting to be unveiled.
The next dish that arrived at our tables did not tickle my fancy at all. Salad Nicoise ($36), a pedestrian dish uplifted only by the inclusion of more exquisite ingredients in there that possibly lead to its dismayed performance in my books. Blame me, I'm averse towards anchovies and artichokes.
Thank goodness for the Bouillabaisse Facon Les Saveurs($19)that followed closely. This resonated closely with me, mainly because Provencal French dishes are right up my alley. The rich broth flavored with Pernod (French made anise flavored liquer), saffron and star anise was a luscious shade of red, I greedily lapped up the lot. Snacking on the expertly prepared minuscule buffet of seafood. Served with garlic toasts with a saffron flavored mayonnaise dip, this was a combination delicious on its own and left me bewildered as to how to enjoy them simultaneously.
The Chillax Lobster, aka Le Homard Thermidor($75) was the next to grace the table, its idle posture, a contrast to the tedious work that went on behind the kitchen. Hailing from Brittany, the delicate flesh of the lobster was sauteed with white wine and cognac and served with sauteed spinach and lobster emulsion. Until this day, I dream about the pincers which have been fried in contrast to the rest of it's body. A technique that still managed to yield soft sweet crustacean flesh that was seductively crisp around the ages.
Nothing speaks haute cuisine quite like table side service. A rare and dying art, we were fortunate to be able to embrace that experience; even if it only meant the carving of a gargantuan roasted prime rib rack. On a fashion savvy trolley nonetheless, the chefs approach the table with stark professionalism and nimble fingers, presenting each diner with the Australian Prime Rib ($48), roasted potatoes and tomatoes on the side with either a wine reduction jus or horseradish sauce on the side. I adored the piquancy of the latter and how it complimented the raw flavors of the meat. I kid you not, since my portion was carved out of the middle section of the massive chunk, it leaned towards the rare side, the throbbing bluish red flesh a tad too under done for my liking. Could they have asked for a preference in doneness? Don't know how that's done with tableside service...
Dessert came in the form of chocolate bon bons (which we sneaked into our bellies before the main course even began, naughty...), some laced with alcohol and a variation of subtle flavors, this demonstrated the well-rounded skills of the in-house pastry chefs present in St Regis Hotel. However, our main dessert of Le Gateau A La Banane ($14) (despite it's sweet intentions), left much to be desired. From my guess, it featured an almond financier base, apricot jelly flavored with tea and banana mousse. The banana flavor in the mousse was not robust enough and the ginger as proclaimed in the ice cream was almost non-existent. The mango salsa on the other hand was divine, a titillating balance of sweet and acidity.
Well, that rounds off my last food review in Singapore for the past year. Work beckons for me in Australia and to my dearest foodie friends that I've left behind in Sunny Singapore, Thank You for all the well wishes! I shall be back for the occasional visits (or back for good if things don't work out for me. *Touch wood*). To those longing for a piece of greener grass, head on over to my Aussie version of my blog at SNAP EAT LOVE.
St Regis Hotel
Lobby Level
29 Tanglin Road
Singapore 297911
Tel: +65 65066860
Website: http://www.brasserielessaveurs.com/
Clifford: Not so fine dining
Labels:
burgers,
clifford,
desserts,
hidden finds,
overrated,
raffles place
·
In light of a recent festive occasion (my mother's yearly statistical increase of nagginess level), we chose to bask in the laps of luxury of the Clifford Restaurant located at Fullerton Bay hotel.
Ushered to our tables, I was floored by the beautifully outfitted dining room. Gorgeous woodgrain dining tables and chairs with a lavish touch of red fabric throughout. The lovely table lamps emitting a pale glistening of light that provided the ideal intimate settings for a hearty meal with loved ones; (though I imagine having a male companion would be tons more interesting)
To kickstart the evening, we were treated to baskets of bread served with french butter on the side and a lovely duck rilette served in miniature ceramic pots. I adored the pate and completely broke my 'less-carbs' rule with the delicious tango of flavors between the warm slightly crisp bread and the well balanced pate.
My starter of Hokkaido sea scallop and Boston lobster carpaccio with black truffles vinaigrette ($28++) was a real piece of art work on the plate, unfortunately, failed to deliver in the taste department. The overpowering acidity of the vinaigrette blocking out the sweetness of the fresh scallop and lobster completely, the thinly sliced shards of black truffle lost in translation.
The Chicken Salade Caesar fared much better with the poached chicken slices drizzled in a light dressing stealing the limelight. The foccacia croutons were absolutely addictive in this dish. Note that the portion size was a tad big for a starter so you might want to consider sharing. (be nice...)
For the mains, it was a toss-up between the duck confit and the Wagyu Foie Gras Burger which I eventually leaned towards since we all know the pulsating effects of burgers on my teensie heart. Aged cheddar, caramelised onion jam and a slab of seared foie gras complete with truffle fries. This sounds like an absolutely dream on paper, lamentably, the entire dish just didn't sit well with me. The burger buns which were in all honesty nothing to boast about had been completely soaked through from the tomato slice which sat so unstrategically at the bottom of the burger. The patty lacked seasoning on any level and hence the lavishness of the foie gras forced the make-up of the dish into borderline clunkiness. And if you were hoping for the truffle fries to act as redemption, they weren't. The truffle flavor was way muted and perhaps I've been spoilt by at least double fried potato standards; hence these left much to be desired. I was upset... hence the continuation into dessert.
Tarte tatin for two, was enjoyable. Love the touch of caramel on the plate that elevated the simple dish to a higher level. The Chocolate Moelleux was yet again another flop with a non-existent liquid center, I did love the crust that had emerged on the rich chocolate brownie like cake, but that aside, I was sorely disappointed.
Petit fours were brought to the table at the end of the night. I wish they hadn't since these outsourced beauties did nothing to justify the tummy space they had taken up. The macarons were just wrong; and the kueh lapis was a dried up mess. Pardon my straightforwardness in this post that may come across a bit crude but restaurants like these should serve food befitting of its image. It's a shame how one can dine in such resplendent settings and yet be served such mediocre food.
The Fullerton Bay Hotel
80 Collyer Quay
P.S. I would like to announce the launch of my SYD edition blog over at Snap Eat Love. Do 'like' my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/snapeatlove for updates about my foodie escapades in Sydney!
Tomi Sushi: Lunch Sets at a steal
Labels:
hidden finds,
japanese,
Milennia Walk,
promenade,
restaurants,
sashimi,
sushi
·
Turn to Tomi Sushi, for a great alternative to Japanese dining specialising in Sushi.
Housed in the maze of top-drawing Japanese eateries on top of Parco @ Milennia Walk, Tomi Sushi throws all inhibitions out the window with it's down-to-earth and value for money set lunch menu. It's popularity during lunch hour clearly evident in the noisy throngs of office workers that had gathered in the restaurant during my recent visit.
Sit at the counter to get a close up view of the action as the nimble fingers of the Japanese chefs go to work pressing little balls of rice together with delicate slices of the fresh fish. Even from a distance, the flurry of activity behind the counters building up a raging appetite between the 4 of us.
Upon placing our orders, the food swiftly made its way to the table. The rows of sushi calling attention to it's fastidious presentation and natural glistening coating on the sliced fish.
Tomi Sushi claims to use 100% Koshihikari Rice (one of the best rice brand in Japan) and also imported sea salt from Japan. The restaurant's dedication to introduce its diners to good quality produce even extending to the soy sauce. A different one for sushi and sashimi, perhaps with contrasting viscosity and richness to compliment the both items.
Sushi Bento ($38) as pictured above was a massive spread of the usual suspects. Offering a little bit of everything, this would surely satisfy any fickle-minded diner. The sushi, especially the commonly misrepresented California roll was executed perfectly here. Additional credit going out to the Koshihikari rice that had a good balance of fundamental sweetness combined with the sourness from the vinegar.
My Gin Teri Set ($24)came withe most delicious piece of gindara teriyaki, cooked to perfection, highlighting the fattiness of the fish.
Nigiri Sakura ($28) arrived with an assortment of sushi as well, each one perfectly crafted to mask just the right dosage of wasabi within to compliment the tightly rolled package. The nigiri was great, each one showcasing fresh and good cuts whether it be fatty salmon belly or the more turgid swordfish.
For such prices, Tomi Sushi does not compromise on the quality of its ingredients, stressing on only the finest since minimal cooking is to be performed. If you are the sort to have the occasional want to indulge your sushi cravings without the fuss of a luxurious ambience, then, Tomi Sushi would be your best bet.
PARCO Marina Bay
3F-04 9 Raffles Boulevard
S(039596)
Tel: 6333-4633
Velocity (Novena Square)
#02-76/77
238 Thomson Road
S(307683)
Tel: 6255 2355
The Lawn: Greener Pastures
Labels:
cafe,
CBD,
hidden finds,
restaurants,
salads,
shenton way,
tanjong pagar
·
As some of you have come to hear, The Lawn; which I have visited on many occasions and come to love has opened up a second brunch to cater to the office crowds of a different nature, other than the sciency-geeky bunch (haha). Located along Shenton Way, on the periphery of Singapore’s wheeling and dealing financial district; the Lawn has plans to take the salad diet fads to a whole new level by incorporating a selection of wholesome grilled meats into the picture.
For starters, I stuck with my usual suspects. Grilled prawns, boiled egg, cashews (boy are they generous with these), cherry tomatoes and finally sprinkled with a healthy dose of parmesan cheese. Sitting over a bed of fresh mesclun salad in a ginormous bowl; one can be sure to execute the tossing maneuver without making a mess.
We were presented a foray of grilled meats as well to be put to the taste test. Some of my favourites include the Teriyaki Chicken, pan seared ducked breast and the chicken breast with maple infusion. Vegetarians fret now as the café offers up various options for meat adverse. Take for example the char grilled mixed mushrooms, garlic galore! I couldn’t stop grazing on this one.
The Lawn prides itself on the variety of dressings that are available to choice. So even if you were to dine in everyday, the countless permutations and combinations on the meats, add ons and dressings alone would surely allow a tickling of the taste buds each and every time. And taking that in mind, eating salads daily combined with the visit to the gym could help immensely in working down the size charts. Personally, I take to the Red Island, Wasa-honey, Wafu and MisoSpicy; but should you be bewildered by the choices, stick to the recommended pairings done in-house.
My friend, Li Tian from dairycream.blogspot had her customized bowl of salad; the butter-seared Pacific dory, celery, olives, Beetroot, corn and crunchy granola. Boy did she prove that you don’t have to big to have a voracious appetite. You can read more about her experience here.
End off your meal on a sweet note with the desserts offerings put forth by the Lawn. Tiramisu Hero is available for sale here too.
Be sure to check out the Oreo Cheesecake (Jonathan’s recommendations) from Gobi Desserts .
But better yet. Get a stiff one from the coffee counters; the barista does a pretty mean cappuccino with the coffee blends from Smitten Coffee.
Shenton Outlet:
8 Shenton Way, #B1-11, AXA Tower
Mon-Fri 10.30am-9pm
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