Showing posts with label french. Show all posts
Showing posts with label french. Show all posts
Lerouy ft. Couvent des Jacobins St Emilion: A Love Story
Labels:
date night,
french,
new openings,
open kitchen,
special occasion,
tanjong pagar,
will return,
wine pairing,
wines
·
Tonight I consummate my love for alcohol, charging through a flight of Couvent des Jacobins St. Emilion vintages from the the stalwart 2009 down to a luscious 1989 tipple. Food and wine pairing, when done right, is a mutually beneficially relationship. So it makes me smile when the two come together in ways that are complementary and evocative. Suffice to say, by the end of the night, I had a silly grin plastered to my face - such is my simple story of the Sarment wine dinner at Lerouy.
Le Binchotan: It's the Remix to Ignition
Labels:
amoy street,
cocktails,
date night,
french,
fusion,
hidden finds,
japanese,
restaurants,
sake,
smokehouse,
special occasion,
will return
·
There is an air of nostalgia as I entered the cylindrical fashioned, moody realms of the restaurant, Le Binchotan. Yet amidst the somber nature of the space, there's a spark of excitement in the air, Chef Jeremmy Chiam's impish smile affirming rumours. Taking over the reigns of the restaurant, it's outwardly apparent that new Chef-Owner, Jeremmy had a new spring to his step.
Le Binchotan, known for it's manifestation of modern French-Japanese cuisine in the back alleys of Amoy Street has had a new fire lit under its ass and with that comes swooshing in, promises of something fresh, vital and extraordinary. With great mental resistance, I consigned my previous experience of the restaurant to oblivion - after all, everyone deserves a second chance.
[NEW] Merci Marcel: Tiong Bahru gem touting bejewelled tipples
Labels:
cheese,
family friendly,
french,
must go,
romantic,
sharing,
small plates,
tiong bahru,
winebar
·
Just what the neighbourhood needs is another wine bar. Note, the lack of sarcasm in my voice. No, it's not a double innuendo. I persevere in proving my point, the bereft of chill-out joints in the creative enclave of Tiong Bahru a mystery to me seeing alcohol's ability to 'inspire'. Merci Marcel, the latest lifestyle concept doled out by the same folks behind O' Comptoir and O' Batignolles brings the same winning formula of wine and cheese dressed up in a more articulate vibrant manner.
Lewin Terrace: 500 Days of Summer
Labels:
fort canning,
french,
fusion,
hidden finds,
japanese,
modern,
restaurants,
romantic,
wine pairing,
wines
·
There's barely anything left to coincidence on the plates as presented by Chef Shinkai that night at Lewin Terrace. His well-flourished career that took him through the kitchens of 3 Michelin star restaurant L'Osier in Tokyo to the beloved 1 Michelin star Beni on local grounds erecting some high expectations at the white-linen lined tables. Sure, we do know that the Chef is well-versed in the unique fusion of Japanese-French cuisine, but a quick glimpse at the summer menu revealed baffling misplaced words such as 'laksa' and 'lemongrass' - would these prove to be feign attempts at pushing the envelope, or will they actuate as pure ingenuity? I was curious to find out.
The Disgruntled Brasserie: Bellyaching meals guaranteed
Labels:
ann siang,
club street,
communal,
french,
hidden finds,
large groups,
may return,
modern,
restaurants,
romantic
·
This buzzy all-dayer has the smooth and swanky feel of a private member's club, but the food of your favourite British auntie, albeit swooshed up a nosh in terms of presentation. The menu features an array of dishes, ranging from small plates to larger full sized portions to encourage flexibility and communal dining; and that is precisely what you witness when dining at The Disgruntled Brasserie - large groups or passably comfy setups of quartets bent over a plethora of dishes, passing it along in a convivial atmosphere.
Le Binchotan: French-Japanese tapas with a mean cocktail bar @ Amoy Street
Perched behind closed doors... Yes... that seems to be the trend nowadays. The presence of open-air brasseries with doors flung wide open, a thing of ancient history. Yet another dining concept to join the ranks is Le Binchotan, BurgerJointsg's not-so-simple girl next door. Here, Chef Atsuhiko Hagiwara from Ginza Tokyo restaurant En.Terrible together with Singapore Head Chef Jeremmy Chiam churn out a sophisticated bar menu with a Japanese touch and a special homage paid to the technique of smoking meats and seafood over bincho-tan (white charcoal).
By lunch, the dark den offers a much-needed respite from the hard-knocked life awaiting most executives on the outside. Lunch sets range from $38+ for 3 courses to an affordable $48+ for 4 courses with the added luxury of having one of the city's more talented bartenders Sugar Ray Ruban (previously of Cufflink Club and Vasco) mix you a stiff one to while away the remaining dreary afternoon.
[GIVEAWAY] Food Trail with Quandoo: Singapore online reservation platform
Labels:
cocktails,
date night,
events,
food trail,
french,
fusion,
good eats around tanjong pagar,
steak,
tanjong pagar,
will go
·
There were drinks. Plenty of drinks. And for an instant, I was convinced that Quandoo was the best restaurant reservation platform there was. Not to sound cheap or anything, but let's do a recap of the food trail arranged by Quandoo and PR Bespoke; the fabulous foodie adventure unravelling in such halcyon fashion with a clear reflection of the various establishment's concept that you'll come to admire the curation of brands in Quandoo's care.
Quandoo, launched in Singapore in late 2014; now has a network of over 720 bookable restaurants and seated over 1.5 million diners over that course. Clearly remarkable for a business that has only been around the block for a while.
OCF [Olivia Cassivelaun Fancourt]: Pre-Theatre Menu
Labels:
affordable,
big groups,
breads,
french,
hidden finds,
prix fixe,
restaurants,
romantic,
set menu,
special occasion,
will return,
wines
·
“My first wife…gave me no connexions, no
wealth but on the contrary a load of debt…
but it gave me domestic enjoyment and thus
contributed to my happiness”
– Sir Stamford Raffles
Since we all know the saying that behind every successful man, there stands a woman. OCF pays respect to the first wife of Sir Stamford Raffles, founder of our humble island; and so aptly too since the restaurant, housed in the picturesque Arts House is sited at the rear of the ominous Sir Stamford Raffles statue along the banks of the Singapore River.
Menus are all prix fixe, with set lunches starting at $38++ and dinner at $88++. The recently introduced Pre-Theatre Menu offers a 2 course option for $38++ and the 3 course at $48++. Sounds like a bargain doesn't it? But there's a catch. Pre-Theatre seating is only available from 6pm-7pm and patrons are required to return the table back by 8pm. So those running on a tight schedule should really consider this as a dinner destination.
Do.Main Bakery: Keeping it Real
Labels:
all-day-breakfast,
baked eggs,
boulangerie. bakery,
breads,
brunch,
cafe,
cakes,
desserts,
french,
hidden finds,
macarons,
must go,
pastry,
tanjong katong,
tart,
will return
·
One bite into the Peanut Caramel macaron and I was smitten. I wanted more.
The equation was simple. Put everything from a perennial favourite candy bar and glamorise it with a French twist. That ought to be a winner. And true to word, it was more than I could ever ask for. Snickers, you can now retire to the backseat.
French boulangerie PAUL: New French Classics Menu
Change is a cardinal rule to ensure the sustainability of any food business, here in Singapore. French Boulangerie, Paul does so in a timely manner with Christmas just around the corner, sprucing up its menu offerings to boost the festive mood.
This season, whet your palate with 26 new items on the menu from savoury mains to sweet indulgences. Note that, the menu is available in all PAUL restaurants in Singapore which include 7 locations covering East to West destinations such as Westgate and Changi Airport Terminal 3.
Horizon Bistronomy: somewhere in the middle of no where
Labels:
affordable,
ala carte,
bistro,
braised pork,
Cheesecake,
desserts,
french,
hidden finds,
may return,
pasta,
pork belly,
punggol
·
The latest addition to North Eastern dining on our sunny island is the Punggol Settlement. A dining collective of food and beverage establishments housed in a rebooted colonial settlement that is set to charm the hearts of locals with its natural ambiance in cahoots with its natural surroundings of flora and fauna.
We were privileged enough to get a first hand look at the newly opened Horizon Bistronomy spearheaded by Chef Chris Fong who has received tutelage from renowned Bruno Menard and helmed his first bridgade at Anthesis at Roberston Quay. His vision to introduce fine food to the masses at affordable prices with no compromise on quality has now translated into a casual restaurant joint, Horizon Bistronomy, tucked away on the 2nd level of the Punggol Settlement.
Saveur: Second time's not quite a charm
Labels:
affordable,
dinner,
duck confit,
family,
family friendly,
far east plaza,
french,
lunch,
may not return,
orchard,
pasta,
setlunch
·
First time round, Saveur at Far East Plaza was an absolute sweet talker. (you can read about it here). With humble beginnings from a coffee shop in Ali Baba eating house, the boys from Shatec have pushed their earnest attempts at serving up fashionably austere cuisine to a new level, with their recent opening of Saveur Art located at Ion Orchard. Since crowds were diverted to the new establishment, the partner and I took the opportunity to visit the original branch, the fears of being greeted by obscene queues significantly lowered.
Babette: French meets Japanese in a Contemporary Hybrid
Labels:
affordable,
cafe,
family friendly,
farrer park,
french,
fusion,
hidden finds,
japanese,
lavender,
may return
·
Even restaurant-clogged Singapore has its food deserts, neighorboods where dining destinations (Good ones I mean) are like finding a needle in a haystack. But as restaurateurs seek out less-expensive and less saturated areas, a few are coming to life. Take the swath of land straddling Lavender and Jalan Besar, after the move-in of coffee institution Chye Seng Huat, several other cafes have followed suite, Windowsill Pies, Tiramisu Hero and the Bravery for example want in on the piece of action. Yet, with that much talk generated about these wild children, Babette still remains under the radar.
To quench my thirst after having traverse the neighborhood by foot, I ordered the Yuzu Beer ($14) a refreshing pint of beer that appeared to be tinted with a glorious bit of sunshine. As I worked through the pint slowly, every bit was as sweet and tangy as the last, a possible incentive to order this drink as there is no need to rush through it as you do with most beers.
The starter of Grilled Octopus Salad ($17) consists of Mediterranean octopus braised in Japanese sauce and served with fresh garden greens; while its vibrancy garners attention, it doesn't do much to charge the palate for the plates ahead. The piquant citrus dressing with orange segments not tantamount to the slightly chewy octopus that hadn't managed to pick up the sweetness of the braising liquids.
Owner Darren Wee ( who also happens to be a Radio DJ on 98.7fm) explains that the menu at Babette is reflective of his personality and cravings at the moment. "Take for example the roasted avocado, I've been dreaming about it a whole lot and would want it to be incorporated in more future menu items.", even playfully accepting my challenge to do a chocolate avocado pairing for desserts! Here, the food transcends words or boundaries... so lend a hand to your imagination and enjoy the loud, raucous and seemingly bizarre array of dishes.
Somewhat similar to the Babette movie experience, the first few courses were sleep inducing. Charred Cauliflower ($8) with yuzu veloute attempts to dazzle with its rare presence as a starter on its own at the table but honestly could use a touch more seasoning.The buttered soup base had a bisque like quality to it but needed a little more acidity.
This was followed closely by the Roasted Avocado ($12) stuffed with Aburi Salmon and diced tomatoes. Each bite with all the elements on the fork mellows out to a sweet creamy briny finish from the salmon.
Entrees continues without a hot streak of goodness, the Confit Salmon & Soba ($17) looking every bit as unappetizing with the confit salmon that appeared tampered with (not in a good way), the white edges and absence of healthy pink acting as red lights to the hopes of perfectly cooked fish. The soba noodles on the other hand were nicely seasoned with a light touch of dashi and Japanese herbs, that with the tamago served on the side were the saving grace of the dish.
Another instagram darling of the restaurant is the Steak and Foie Gras Donburi ($28), where deliciously salty marbled cut sirloin steak is paired with creamy foie gras and drizzed with the signature babette sauce. I liked the doneness of the steak, it's ruby red innards giving the impression that it was under-done, however, this is probably due to the sous vide technique which has resulted in an out-of-this-world succulent flesh with a nice crust developed from a quick sear in the pan. The one shortfall, was the foie gras which was cooked to the point that it was chalky and very unpalatable.
Affordable entrees include the Duck Confit Donburi ($28) which features a generously portioned duck confit sitting atop a bed of sushi rice, flanked by homemade pickles. A good option for people looking to have French fare and yet still have their dependable form of carbohydrate, rice.
Seeing that plans for the remainder of the night were beginning to take shape, I rev-ed up the engines once more with Babette ($16), a refreshing sour mix of passionfruit, lemon , mint and gin. This simple concoction all comes together so unexpectedly and right that it's easy to work through one too many during your visit. So be warned.
Before concluding your meal at Babette, be sure to order the Matcha infused White Chocolate fondant ($12 ) , judicious with sugar and complimented by the bitter grassy notes of Japanese Matcha powder, the lava cake is sure to steal the limelight and is best eaten with vanilla ice cream with premium azuki beans on the side. Simply sublime.
Babette's cuisine may adopt a mild sense of weirdness, however, with direction and leadership from owner, Darren, this destination cashes in on a whole unique attitude of a disregard for food trends, which has proven useful in setting it apart from other diners in the area. Definitely a place worth checking out (especially so for the lava cake.)
Babette
165 Tyrwhitte Road, #01-03 Parc Sovereign Hotel
S( 207569)
t: 6241 7727
Opening Hours:
Daily 11am - 11pm
Saveur: [The Hundred-Foot Journey] Menu
Labels:
affordable,
far east plaza,
french,
fusion,
Indian food,
media event,
orchard
·
In line with the release of The Hundred-Foot Journey, popular, affordable French joint, Saveur has created an exclusive French-Indian 3 course fusion menu which fundamentally flawed had the privilege of tasting at it's pre-launch event.
If you've not watched the trailer, you're missing out on a great deal. For your benefit, here you go!
Starting off with Saveur's pre-existant signature dishes disguised in the form of canapes these prep our appetites for the real bollywood fiestas ahead. The delightful trio displayed so daintily on the platter hitting all the right notes, the trademark Saveur pasta of capellini with chilli oil, finely chopped konbu, topped with minced pork sauce, chives and sakura ebi was a stunner and I wished there and then I had an entire bowl to tuck into. I was equally enamoured with the Salmon Confit paired with a delicate combination of apple and fennel tossed in lemon vinaigrette. The Duck Rillette did not take flight with a rather stodgy crostini that did nothing to highlight the complexities of the quenelle.
That aside, the real question still remains. How did the fusion component in the subsequent dishes go?
Starting off with the first course, the Seafood Bouillabaisse; here the brash fishy flavors of lobster and fish lend themselves to the broth, tempered by an over the top scoop of curry powder that hadn't been cooked out yet thus leading to a chalky mouth feel in the dish; or perhaps it could have been the blending of cooked fish into the soup that led to that texture; I give them the benefit of the doubt. The elegant pieces of seafood perched on top of the playful stew were expertly cooked except for the sea bass which had been seared just a little too gregariously.
Lamb shoulder, too reflected Saveur's eagerness to incorporate the mastery of Indian flavors into traditional french techniques. Here, lamb shoulder is braised with "curry de madras" and served with coco bean cassoulet. A traditional South Indian curry is a tricky one to master, and Saveur's version unfortunately fell short -white the lamb was sufficiently tender, the spices that accompanied tasted watered down and could have used a lifting of flavors with a final addition of yogurt.
Alternatively, order the classic Duck Confit with truffle mash if you're not a fan of the lamb's gaminess. The orange segments and orange infused jus deftly balances out the dish's composition, highlighting the succulent flesh with a rousing crisp cap of skin. A star quality dish.
If you're already full by then, try to practise a bit of meditation because the course that follows is not to be missed out. Mind over matter. The Tarte au citron is a dessert that comes highly recommended. A puckery dish made of smittereens of goodies scattered over the plate that melds into a perfect mouthful with every spoon. Buttery crumbs of sable breton, tangy rich lemon curd, sweet vanilla bean speckled mousseline, intense hits of sour from lemon gelee cubes, meets pillowy marshmellow kisses and that oh-so-crisp citrus tuille. It disappears all a little too quickly from the plate. *burps*
At $36.0++, the Hundred-Foot Journey menu is slightly pricey, but showcases the tenacity of the young chefs at work in the Saveur kitchens. As much as it delivers on it's French promises, the Indian aspect is a bit of a let down. Well, nobody said that fusion was going to be easy hey? Running from the 1st August to the 14 September exclusively, try it at your own will.
Saveur
14 Scotts Road
Far East Plaza, #01-07B
Singapore 228213
T: 6736 1131
Website: www.saveur.sg
Chez Petit Salut: French fare without breaking the bank
Labels:
bistro,
chip bee gardens,
dinner,
duck confit,
french,
holland village,
lamb shank,
the entertainer app
·
Chip Bee Gardens has seen a revival with the installation of the Holland Village MRT station and the 'big-bang' like pop-up of Sunday Folks along the usually quiet stretch. With that comes accompanied a whole slew of new worries mostly shrouding parking issues.
Not new to the once sleepy neighborhood is Chez Petit Salut, a sister outlet to the more showy Au Petit Salut; here, the style is casual French bistro with hearty traditional French classics ringed in by a respectable wine list. Decor is kept simple, rustic, with an air of nostalgia of the French romanticism period. It's the kind of restaurant where it is possible to go for both lunch and dinner on a single day, a restaurant where waitresses race through the dining halls with four identical bowls of duck confit.
To start off the meal, we had the Oven Baked Portobello Mushroom with melted Camembert cheese and baby spinach ($16) and the Half dozen baked Burgundy snails, tomato fondue & garlic butter ($16). The former (pictured right above) greeted the table; and we wished that the chef had made a mistake with only a measly mushroom to share round the table. Perhaps the mushroom had been a blooming onion before it's brief stint in the oven, but that doesn't warrant such a sad serving. The latter was apparently very well received by the other end of the table. Never got to taste it but I must say that generous slathering of herbed butter definitely whet my appetite.
Some of the main courses that graced the table that night were the Braised Lamb Shank ($38) served 'a la Provencale' in tomato accompanied with root vegetables. This unfortunately never quite surpassed the works of the master, the fork tender protein lacking in personality, but it was good enough to be a contender in any serious discussion of Singapore's lamb shanks.
My Crispy Duck leg confit, sauteed potatoes, streaky bacon and mesclun ($32) was superb, a golden crusty exterior heightened by the showering of fried shallots; all this yielding with the quick prod of the knife to reveal impossibly rich and succulent flesh with the subtle hints of garlic. The sauteed potatoes however were the black sheep of the plate, marring a perfect dish with its slightly undercooked hearts.
There's also the more delicate offering of Oven baked fillet of black cod with ratatouille ($32) should you be seeking a lighter option.
Chez Petit Salut doesn't fall under the fashionable category for today's food mavern, but it for sure, serves up good honest French bistro food that has accumulated a close following over the years. Good for a romantic night out sans the razzle dazzle or an intimte gathering with friends and loved ones.
Chez Petit Salut
44 Jalan Merah Saga
#01-54 Singapore (278116)
Tel: 6474 788
Closed on Sundays
Website: http://www.chezpetitsalut.com/
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/
Balzac Brasserie: Old school French
Labels:
bras basah,
circle line,
dhoby ghaut,
food,
french,
hidden finds,
restaurants
·
There are just some days when you crave for traditional foods. Debating our choices for dinner venues, my companion (a schoolmate from Le Cordon Bleu Sydney) and I settled on Balzac Brasserie for a quick escape from the usual rigours of nouvelle cuisine. Tonight we go old school.
Balzac Brasserie is exactly what you would picture a typical French brasserie that claims to serve simple, homey food: the interior styled in a interesting juxtaposition of sidewalk cafe and Parisian bar and bistro, with deep shade of mahogany and leather. To one side of the dining area are cafe chairs that usually line the sidewalks of Paris with a back drape of luscious greenery cascading from the high ceilings; the other side features a antique zinc bar with high chairs and booth seats, exuding a cool underground vibe as the trades picked up pace through the night.
Drawing inspiration from his own family's recipes, Executive Chef Jean-Charles Dubois serves up a classic french menu and manges to do so with aplomb; highlighting the integrity of the fresh produce he employs. Perusing the menu, it wasn't hard to zoom in our final decisions despite the rather extensive menu.
The meal begins with Foie Gras de "Castaing" ($24) for me; homemade foie gras terrine served with fig and raisin compote, farmer's toast and petite salade. Seriously rich stuff with the crunchy farmers toast helping to mitigate the taste. I adored the delicate endive salad on the side which helped me to ease into each sumptuous bite of the good stuff.
The Escargots de Bourgogne (Dozen for $22);gratinated beure Provencale style with parsley, garlic and butter; was a real disappointment. Bland. We had to resort to massive movements with the salt shakers to achieve a nice balance of flavors. And honestly, service standards were truly lacking. If you want to ask us how the meal was, please stand still for a moment at the table instead of zipping around the tables, leaving our answers hanging in mid air. Basic courtesy.
Entrecote ($34) - 200gr black angus served with bearnaise sauce and pommes frites. Definitely a commendable dish with the red meat cooked to a perfect medium rare , an enthralling sear on the outside to seal in the juices. The sauce also made a world of a difference - the bernaise made of clarified butter emulsified in egg yolks, white wine vinegar and flavoured with herbs, well seasoned, it's lusciousness a good partner to the integrity of the steak.
Another success was the Duck Confit($26) , the duck, a melt in your mouth kind of delicious, humming with the romance of a fine pinot noir. The bed of truffle mash, so smooth, almost like it was sieved thru the finest strainer. With crispy skin, the salt helping to draw any left remnants of moisture out, this provides for the only textural contrast required in this traditional dish. Very well executed indeed.
Balzac Brasserie separates itself from the throngs of new and old restaurants springing up all over the island with its dedication to old school French cookery techniques and dishes. For one, the food certainly hits the spot, but the same cannot be said for the whole dining experience. The service could use a little fine tuning: more attention to detail, perhaps a little more friendly interaction with the guests? I'm not asking for a lap dance over here, maybe just a sincere warm smile once in a while wouldn't hurt?
Balzac Brasserie
#01-01,
Rendezvous Hotel,
9 Bras Basah Road
Phone: 63360797
Website: http://balzacbrasserie.com/
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