The Knolls @ Capella

Recently, we are on an Afternoon Tea spree, and decided to try out the afternoon tea here at The Knolls in Capella. It is located on Sentosa island, and the hotel is located some distance away from the ever crowded IR.



The Knolls is located next to the swimming pool, so do take some time to enjoy the beautiful surroundings.



The beautiful "walkway" in The Knolls.



All diners seated along the windows will be treated to this calm and peaceful view. This is a great place to be if you want some peace and quiet during the weekend afternoon, away from all the crowds and traffic jam.



We ordered the Queens Tea Set (S$36) & Japanese Tea Set (S$36). All sets come with one choice of tea, and only one serving of sandwiches and cakes (non-refillable). Do take some time to read the "Tea Time" menu as there is quite a long introduction on all the teas being offered here.



We selected 2 teas. First is the Marco Polo black tea which is a scented tea with lychee and rose from China and Tibet. The 2nd tea we had was the Russian Early Grey black tea with bergamot.



On the left is the Japanese Tea Set, which one the right is the Queens Tea Set.



For the Queens Tea set, the top tier consists of the Traditional English Pound Cake, and this Berries Tartlet with Vanilla Custard.



On the 2nd tier of the Queens, we have the Watercress and Cucumber sandwich, Smoked Salmon on Rye Bread, and the Chive and Egg sandwich. The bottom tier is exactly the same as the Japanese Tea set, which we will introduce next.



This is the Japanese Tea set. On the top tier we have the Red bean roll, Matcha Green Tea and Raspberry Pastry, and the Mochi, and they form the sweet pastry items on the top tier. In the middle tier is the sandwiches, which consists of the Ginger Carrot Sandwiches, Unagi-Tamago Roll and Cucumber-Wasabi Sandwiches. At the bottom are the Lemon Ginger Scone and Madeleine.



The clotted cream, jam and fresh strawberries are meant to go with the scones.



Our verdict is that this is an exceptional beautiful anad quiet place for your weekend afternoon tea. One drawback is that the items cannot be refilled, and those with bigger appetities may find the servings a little small. One tip: Do call and reserve an indoor window seat, and remind the service staff again for your window seat when you arrive.


The Knolls
1 The Knolls,
Sentosa
Capella Singapore

Bay Sushi @ Marina Bay Sands

Bay Sushi, which is part of the Todai restaurant in Marina Bay Sands, is located at one end of Marina Bay Sands. One can easily miss the restaurant as it is located just next to its sister restaurant Todai, a very popular buffet outlet.



We ordered the Cold Green Tea (S$3.80) to go along our sushi.



They have quite a huge sushi counter, and the sushi placed on this movable sushi belt are for display only.



Bay Sushi is quite the place for unique sushi offerings. And this can be seen in the Angry Salmon Level 17 Roll (S$15). Reviews to this sushi named after the "Angry Bird" game were mixed. But we pretty much enjoyed their unique sushi offerings which cannot be found elsewhere. This one here had flame torched salmon chunks wrapping the rice, and topped with chilli sauce and salmon roe.



Another of their own creation is the Eel House Roll (S$15), consisting of rice, the yellow egg omelette and the unagi.



Premium Jumbo Aburi Beef Sushi (S$7.80 per piece) and Premium Jumbo Unagi Sushi (S$7.80 for 2)



Hamachi Sushi (S$4.80 for 2), Boiled Hotate Sushi (S$3.20 for 2), Anago Sushi (S$5.60 for 1), Avocado Sushi (S$3.20 for 2). We find that the "traditional" sushis offered here are not as good as their innovative ones, so it is best to stick to those special creations.



Kani and Kani Miso Sushi (S$4.80 for 2). We find that this sushi is overprices, because it is made with just imitation crab sticks.



Uni Sushi (S$7.50 for 1) and Tobiko Sushi (S$4 for 2). The Tobiko is too dry for our liking.


Bay Sushi
10 Bayfront Avenue
#B2 - 01B
The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands

Au Chocolat @ Marina Bay Sands

Who would have thought that such a cute and fun restaurant is located in the Marina Bay Sands? Au Chocolat, a chocolate shop plus restaurant, opened in the middle of this year. It's located at the corner where the skating ring is.



They must have poured in quite a lot to design the restaurant.



The French restaurants sticks to the design of a tradtional European restaurant, but with a twist.



The twist is that in both the shop and restaurant, there is a toy train railway hanging from the ceiling, and trains can be seen traveling round and round the restaurant. I am sure kids and the young at heart will be fascinated by this.



Started off our dinner with a glass of Louis Roederer Champagne (S$23 per glass)



This was followed by the Mushroom Soup (S$11) - Soup of the day. It's chokeful of finely chopped mushrooms.



Classic French Onion Soup (S$14) - Sweet caramelized onions cooked in rich veal broth and topped with grated parmesan. However, I didn't find the onion soup as good as those from other French restaurants in Singapore.



Mushroom Bites (S$14) - Mushrooms simmered in red wine sauce, paired with freshly baked bread, tomato and olive jam. As this is labelled as "snacks", we didn't have high hopes for it. And I guess that explains why it could be described as average but quite forgettable.



One of the most popular dish here is the Duck Confit (S$27) - Pan roasted duck thigh served with potato mash, white wine poached pear and topped off with tangy chocolate orange sauce. Frankly, I could not taste any chocolate in this dish. But I would commend the chef for making the duck meat really tender and juicy.



Our favourite item was actually this Au Chocolate Fudge Freeze (S$12) - Rich and creamy chocolate fudge topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. It is actually a full dessert disguised as a chocolate drink. The chocolate used was of good quality.


Au Chocolat
2 Bayfront Avenue
#01-03
The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands

Poulet @ Bugis+

To be honest, we didn't want to come here initially. First, they are opened by Thai Express, which serves rather average Thai food. Second, it is the 1st of a series of chain restaurants selling French food. The words "chain restaurant" didn't exactly equate to "good food" in most cases.



But then, we read a few blogs which gave them the thumbs up. And of course, that the main chef here formerly worked in Les Amis and Au Petit Salut.



Free iced water is served here. The place gets rather noisy during meal time, and feels more like a food court than a restaurant with people walking everywhere. Not a very good place for a date.



French Onion Soup (S$5.80). Find this rather ordinary, and watery too.



Salad de Paris (S$9.80) - I ordered this after reading a magazine's recommendation. Unfortunately, they whole think didn't work really well. Can't really describe why it went wrong, but the 2 of us didn't finish the whole serving.



The Mushroom Soup (S$5.80) was slightly better than the onion soup. We can taste that it was made with lot's of real mushroom.



The stat of this restaurant is the Poulét: The Roast Chicken (S$15.80), which came with their unique chardonnay mushroom sauce. I must admit that the roast chicken was rather good. The breast meat was tender and tasty. However, given a choice, I will choose the roast chicken at The Rotisserie (review coming up soon).



Oxtail de Bourgulgnon (S$15.80) - Can't really find much meat here. Won't recommend it.



Caramelised Apple in Puff (S$7.80) - Something sweet to end our dinner.


Poulet
201 Victoria Street
Level 4
Bugis+

The Coastal Settlement @ Netheravon Road

Back at Coastal Settlement again. We enjoy the atmosphere here, something like a "Hidden Treasure" kind of place. Of course, this is no longer a hidden treasure. as it's always full house every weekend evening.



The decor here is rather quirky, as you can see in the picture above. Oriental wooden doors with western chandeliers.



Ordered a bottle of Somersby Apple Cider (S$12 per bottle).



The Chicken curry (S$15) here is really good. Curry comes with toasted bread. Unfortunately, it contained only 2 miserable whole chicken wings. Would be better if they are more generous with the meat (such as adding one whole chicken thigh?)



Toasties (S$16). Fillings include ham, cheese and tomatoes. Served with tossed vegetables and potato salad.



Ended our dinner with a slice of Caramel Cheese Cake (S$12)


The Coastal Settlement
200 Netheravon Road,
Opposite of Hendon Camp

Le Bistrot du Sommelier @ Armenian Street

Le Bistrot du Sommelier, a popular French restaurant which serves country style French cuisine in a casual setting. Early this year, the restaurant moved from Prinsep Street to the current Armenian Street, just a few units away from the Penarakan Museum.



As we have never been to this restaurant while they were at Prinsep, we decided to try them out on a Saturday lunch. Reservations was difficult and it is recommended that either you reserve a table 1 week beforehand, or that you come here after 1:30pm where there are seats available.



Enjoyed a bottle of Moscato D'Asti 2010 from Italy (S$65 per bottle) with our Saturday brunch.



Food here is very reasonably priced, and let me warn everyone that portions are huge! I think 2 diners can share one main, or even 3 small eaters. So do not over-order. Try to get just one appetizer to share, one main per diner and perhaps one dessert to share.



We strongly recommend their Chicken liver pâté with port wine (S$13.50). According to news reports, they make their own pate. And I think their pate are one of the best in Singapore. Creamy, not too salty and "fresh".



One of the most beautiful tomato salads we have come across: Salade de tomates Italiennes et haricots verts (S$16) - Vine ripped Italian tomatoes and haricot vert salad, tomato vinaigrette. The Sicilian tomato are at its peak, and they are oh-so-sweet.



Escabeche Maquereau (S$16). No strong fishy smell. Firm flesh supplemented by beet and raddish. Goes well with white wine



Garbure (S$16) - Clear vegetable soup simmered with duck stock, chicken dumplings, garlic butter, croutons, bacon. Please be warned that the serving is huge, and must be shared by 2 or 3 diners.



French sirloin steak (S$40) served with Jerusalem artichoke gratin, sautéed spinach & onion red wine sauce. Medium rare. Steak was rather juicy. Not bad.



We prefer the Joue de bœuf (S$30) braisée au vin rouge (200gm) - Red wine braised beef cheeks with carrots and mushrooms, parsley potatoes. Once again, serving is huge, but we enjoyed every chunk of the beef cubes.



By now, we are too full. Stomach almost bursting. But yet, we still try to find space for the Profiteroles au chocolat (S$14) - Choux buns filled with vanilla ice cream in warm chocolate sauce topped with sliced almonds. Sweet ending to a wonderful Saturday brunch.


Le Bistrot du Sommelier
53 Armenian Street