Saturday, September 29, 2012

O Batignolles @ Gemmil Lane


Was walking along Club Street and did not know where to have breakfast, until we chance upon this little French cafe located just next to the automated multi-storey car park there.

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Although located in a shophouse, but the whole feeling is quite Parisian. The chairs, the tables and the music.

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Since it is brunch time (weekends from 11am to 3pm), they have the special Traditional Parisian Brunch set (S$29). So decided to grab 2 sets of that.

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Each set came with either a glass of orange or orange-carrot juice.

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And also a pastry basket (which I suspect they bought it from a large scale French deli supplier). consisting of Croissant, Pain au Chocolat, Bread with butter. Served with my favourite Bonne Maman brand of strawberry reserve.

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Ordered a pint of Stella Artois (S$24) because the weather was really warm.

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For the 1st main, we had the eggs done scrambled, and served with crispy bacon, sauteed potatoes and green salad.

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For the 2nd main, the eggs were done sunny side up.

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For dessert, guests are served a glass of Yogurt with fresh fruit and Muesli.

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Also included in the set is coffee or tea. The cappuccino made me miss the one from Antico Caffè Greco at Spanish Steps, Rome with firm thick milk foam


O Batignolles
2 Gemmil Lane

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

L'Entrecote @ Duxton Hill

We have read about the value for money steaks served over at L'Entrecote. Made reservations prior to coming here as we heard that they are always full house after 8pm.

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The restaurant is quite small, just a single shop front. But there is a large air well which makes the restaurant more spacious than it actually is.

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The service staff was quick to serve us Kir, a cocktail made with white wine which is to be enjoyed before a meal. Iced water is complimentary.

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To start off our dinner, we had the Pâté de Campagne (S$14) - French pork country style pate with pickled gherkins and grilled buttered Poilâne bread. The bread was a bit on the dry and hard side.

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This was followed by the Leek and Vinaigrette (S$12). Classic Parisian bistro fare Poireaux Vinaigrette. It took some time to get used to this cold dish which is rarely seen in Singapore. The leeks tasted sweet.

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After the 2 appetizers, our mains arrived. First was a small serving of the Walnut Green Salad which came with the steak.

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The Trimmed Entrecôte Steak (S$29) with its legendary sauce and Golden French fries. To prevent it from getting cold, it was served 60% first then followed up with the balance. À point (medium doneness). We would say that the steak served here is extremely value for money for this price. It's tender and juicy. Fries were good too.

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A 2009 Chateau de la Roulerie (S$14 per glass) - Coteaux du Layon before our dessert. This is a refreshing dessert wine.

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Was in the mood for some cherry desserts, and happen to see Grillotines (S$17) - Wild griottes cherries in liquor and Kirsh served with vanilla bean ice cream. Love the cherries, but the Kirsh was a bit too strong.

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Now we understand why L'Entrecote calls this their sgnature dessert - Caramel au Beurre Salé (S$15) - Salty butter caramel lava cake. Superb dessert. Creamy, salty, sweet. Highly recommended.


L'Entrecote
36 Duxton Hill

Friday, September 21, 2012

&MADE by Bruno Menard @ Pacific Plaza


The local media has been reporting a lot on how Michelin-chef Bruno Menard has moved to Singapore and make this his permanent home. And for that, we get to enjoy 2 of his new restaurants here. Visited his 1st one which has a more casual vibe.

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His first restaurant which was opened in the middle of this year, is called &Made. The name sounds like "handmade", which is what Bruno Menard wanted to emphasize, that most of their items, including the signature burgers, are made from scratch.

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Complimentary iced water.

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The appetizer is one of the most interesting dish we have come across: Salad To Drink. Ordered the Yellow  (S$9): carrot, orange & ginger. Red (S$9): tomato gazpacho. Frankly speaking, I still cannot get used to having so much raw vegetables being squashed into juices. I guess the Yellow one tasted better than the Red. Served with savoury bites, and these little pastry items are quite filling.

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Had a big glass of Lychee, Raspberry & Rose Smoothie (S$9)

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One of their unique creation. The Toastoo - Chilli Crab (S$16). A toastoo is a new generation sandwich made with French buckwheat crepes. But sad to say, the chilli crab fillings doesn't taste a bit like the chilli crab we have.

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The 'B' Burger (S$19) made with Dry-aged beef, onion confit, caper/garlic sauce & Comte cheese, got to be the best offering here.

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Burger comes with truffle fries (add S$3 to upgrade from normal fries) and BBQ sauce that looks like sambal

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The beef is excellent. Pink in the inside, and cooked on the outside. A lump of caramelized onions were added. Top grades for their burgers.

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Dessert was in the form of this unique Lollipop waffle (S$9) served with caramel, white and dark chocolate sauce. The sauces add some fun into this otherwise average dessert.


&MADE by Bruno Menard
9 Scotts Road,
#01-04/05/06
Pacific Plaza

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Pollen @ Gardens By The Bay

The multi-million dollars Gardens by the Bay opened its doors in the middle of this year, and this latest tourist magnet has already attracted visitors from all around the world, including a Thai Princess, a British future King and his wife in recent months. The Garden also attracted someone unusual - Jason Atherton, who is well known as the protegee of Gordon Ramsay in Britain.

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After opening the successful tapas bar Esquina, we are here to try out his full fledge restaurant Pollen. Reservations was difficult they are always full on weekends. So reserve early.

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Pollen is housed in the Flower Done. There is 2 parts to the restaurant. One is the lower deck where the proper restaurant is. To enter, you will have to come in from the main entrance of Pollen from outside the dome, facing Marina Bay Sands. Alternatively, the other entrance is from within the Flower Dome (which you have to pay to enter).

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The bread basket. We are unsure what happened, but the service was very very slow. The staffs were apologetic and explained that a few staff simply didn't come to work on a Sunday morning. Dishes came very slowly, and there was even a mix up of the desserts.

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We ordered 2 Lunch sets (S$55 per person) and a ala-carte to share.

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To be frank, there is nothing "garden" about the restaurant. The whole place looks just like an ordinary restaurant, except for that small green space near the entrance. We think the upper deck (where a small Pollen cafe is) is a much better place.

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The sour dough was really tasty. Love the texture and aroma. Olives were good too

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Firs from the set lunch was the Slow cooked egg, chorizo, patatas brava. The food was good, and the combination of creamy slow cooked eggs with chorizo was excellent.

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For the ala carte appetizer - Scallop carpaccio, cucumber, apple, horseradish snow (S$26). Pretty clean taste there. Although this is Jason Atherton's signature dish, I think there's nothing to shout about.

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Petuna ocean trout, beer pickled onions, oyster mayonnaise, smoked aubergine. It's good but I prefer RWS Osia Scott Webster's version

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For our mains, we had the Roasted pork belly, broad beans, slow cooked squid, chorizos. Love that pork skin crisp which is hiding behind the roast pork.

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Wild mushroom and barley risotto, black trompettes and smoked almonds. Nice texture

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(From left) Just Peachy (S$13) - white peach purée, fresh lemon juice, iced breakfast tea and fresh mint. 3 Piece Sweet (S$12) - watermelon juice, crushed cucumber, almond and rosewater syrup

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We had a mixup on the dessert. In the end, waited for a long time before our desserts were served. Beetroot sorbet, hibiscus compressed apple, salted milk chocolate

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Coconut mousse, rhubarb broth, goat cheese ice cream. This is a very beautiful dessert, and I think is one of their signature dessert.

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A parting shot in the flower dome (admission fees to the flower dome applies). Hopefully, Pollen is able to resolve the issue with their service staffs. Some are really clueless to what is happening, like the orders and timing of the dishes. If they can improve on their service, I think they will be among the top few in Singapore.


Pollen
18 Marina Gardens Drive,
#01-09
Flower Dome,
Gardens By The Bay

Friday, September 14, 2012

Octapas @ Clarke Quay


There are days when you don't know where to go for meals, and you just wander around hoping to strike gold. Today was such a day. Walked along Clarke Quay on a Sunday late morning, where most restaurants are still closed from the hangover yesterday night. Saw that this Spanish tapas place called Octapas opened, and decided to check the food here.

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It will be so wrong if we give up on the official summer drink of Spain - Red Sangria (S$65 per jug) - This Spanish punch is made from red wine, brandy and fruits soaked in the alcoholic punch for hours. Very easy to drink and great for a warm afternoon.

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We like the fact that the whole place is air conditioned, yet it feels we are having our lunch along the streets.

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Complimentary iced water.

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A meaty Beef and Pork Meatballs in Tomato Sauce (S$14)

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Pan fried snapper with Romesco sauce (S$15.50). Was quite average.

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We absolutely enjoyed the Bacon-wrapped Prawns with tomato salsa (S$16). I guess such a combination of bacon and prawns always works.

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Equally delish was this Sautéed shrimps in garlic and olive oil (S$15). The rpawns here are deshelled, and fresh.

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The tapas still continues to come out of the kitchen. Grilled squid with balsamic vinegar reduction (S$16). Squid was tender.

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Some veges to go along, like this Stuffed Piquillo peppers with cod (S$17.50). Can't really taste the cod fish which was stuffed inside.

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Now, this dish took like 20 minutes to prepare, so order it early. Paella Negra blackened by squid ink and topped with fresh squid (S$35 for 2, but portion is good for 4). Not bad but I seriously miss Chef Jason Tan's version when he was with Julien Bompard. Jason is now with Justin Quek at Sky57 @ MBS. For those who has not tried squid ink dishes before, please don't get a shock when you go to the toilet the very next day (details of which will be withheld).

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Cool place for brunch or drinks.


Octapas
3D River Valley Road,
#01-08
Clarke Quay