Subrosa Private Dining @ Jalan Besar - Exclusive Farm-To-Table Fine Dining Experience Without An Ostentatious Price Tag

With home private dining getting popular in Singapore, a new private dining restaurant concept has sprung in the F&B scene. One such new establishment is Subrosa Private Dining at Jalan Besar. The private dining restaurant is helmed by both Executive Chef Steven Snowdon from London and Consulting Chef Francis Lee from Singapore, offering an amalgamation of East and West. A 7-course menu is priced at $128 for lunch and $168 for dinner.

Artisan Bread Selection

Our 7-course dinner started with a selection of homemade Artisan Bread. However I was drawn to the homemade Truffle Butter that was arousing my senses while waiting for the bread to be served. I have to refrain myself from picking up another piece of the bread to finish up the truffle butter.

Fresh is Best 3.8/5

Next we moved to a cold starter, Fresh is Best. The fresh and sweet scallop is paired with fermented melon, cucumber, dill, lemon and smoked trout roe. I applauded the chefs effort in making his own pickled and fermented fruits and vegetables. It did give the dish a vibrant taste. However I thought there was a bit too much flavours at work masking the natural sweetness of the scallop.

The Cocktail 4/5

We were in luck as the crabs were just delivered the morning of our visit. The Cocktail comes with crabmeat that has been painstakingly removed from its shell. It is presented in a glass with aerated shrimp. The richness of the aerate shrimp tastes almost like crab roe. The bloody mary tomato is a lovely touch to cut through the richness.

Quaking Cod That 4/5

The Quaking Cod That is another dish on the menu that showcases the influences of both East and West. The fat and buttery cod fish is wrapped in a layer of nori and topped with ginger and shimeji. This is served together with an aromatic duck consomme. An interesting combination that replicate the Asian steamed fish.

Palate Cleanser 4.2/5

Before moving on to our next course, we are served the palate cleanser which is Lychee Sorbet with morello cherry granita, chocolate mint and preserved mandarin orange. It is a well received break to refresh the palate after all the rich flavoured dishes.

Oh 'Dang! 4.8/5

After travelling around the world , we are back home with Oh 'Dang!, a local rendang dish consists of ox cheek, carrot puree, purr and topped with coconut flakes. The fork tender ox cheek took me by surprises with its texture and robust rempah. I didn't expect the restaurant to be serving me such a well executed local dish.

Remember Mee 3/5

The other locally inspired dish is the Remember Mee or Hokkien Mee a luxurious take using the  lobster with yellow noodle and bee hoon. I don't quite get the idea when the broth is pour into the plate at table side. It fell short of my expectation as the noodles didn't get to absorb the robustness of the broth. The pro is it comes with pork lard.

Tropical Passion 4.5/5

Wrapping our 7-course dinner is the Tropical Passion. When I first read the menu, I thought I will be served a plate of fruits with the description just mentioning the dish consists of coconut, mango, lime and passionfruit. It was a pleasant surprise with the exquisite presentation.

You probably has the same doubt as me what makes Subrosa different from other restaurants? Apparently you can’t just walk in and you need to make reservation 2 days prior. Hence it is categorised as a private dining restaurant. I also understand the chefs are flexible with their menu and they will try to accommodate to your request within the capability.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Subrosa Private Dining
369 Jalan Besar
Singapore 208997
Tel: +65 66100555
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Nearest MRT: Boon Keng (NE Line), Lavender (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
11am - 12midnight

Direction: 
1) Alight at Lavender MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Horne Road. Turn left onto Horne Road. Walk to the end of Horne Road. Turn right onto Tyrwhitt Road. Turn left onto Beatty Lane and walk to Jalan Besar Road. Cross the road and walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Boon Keng MRT station. Take Exit C. Turn left onto Boon Keng Road.  Walk to Bendemeer Road. Turn right onto Bendemeer Road. Walk down Bendemeer Road to Jalan Besar Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

Dehesa Restaurant @ North Canal Road - Surprising In Flavour And Not In Cuts

“Surprising in flavour, and not in cuts" is what sets Dehesa's new menu apart from its original. Located admist a row of bistros and cafes along North Canal Road, Dehesa (which in Spanish means “grasslands” – home of the Iberico pig) was conceptualised in 2015 as a nose to tail dining experience that showcased alternative cuts. But as Chef-Owner Jean-Philippe Patruno also wishes to engage diners who are more flavours driven, this new menu was born.

Charred Peppers with Sea Salt 3/5

For starters, we had a couple of one-ingredient dish from Chef's Specials. Pimientos De Padron ($14) is a traditional Spanish style blistered Padron peppers, a dish that either gives you the kick when done right or doesn't at all. With a skinny frame akin to green chilli, it still tastes rather sharp after roasting but blessed with the inherent sweetness of bell peppers. The sprinkle of sea salt seems to be an innocent gesture but is quintessential in making it right. Closer to the stalk is where the seeds resides and you might just love the kick of biting into it.

Salt-cured Jamon Ham 3/5

Jamon De Bellota 100% Iberico 5J ($36). An iberico breed that can only be found in Spain, this plate of salt-cured Jamon Ham is known for its rich flavour due to its high fats content. That of course, translate to a more luscious mouthfeel as well. Great if you have a drink in hand!

Jamon Croquetas 3.5/5

Clams, Sherry. Garlic and Chilli 3.5/5

Grilled Octopus, Potatoes and Lard 4/5

All Time Favourites offers dishes with familiar flavours but packed with a punch. Croquetas 4 Pieces ($14) has a light and crispy exterior, and each piece is delish with creamy Bechemel sauce, enriched with Jamon ham. The smell of Sherry Lala ($18) - the combination of Sherry, butter and garlic, will just make you salivate. Looking at the creamy broth, again, I could only lament on the absence of bread to soak up the broth enriched by the juice that seeped out from the lala. Dehesa Octopus ($28) is a must-order from the list. Torch and melt in front of your eyes, visual feast on how the lard spreads over the octopus and eventually insulates each piece when cooled. It's a Spanish version of our braised pork belly Dong Po Rou!

Crispy Braised Pig With Capers And Soft Yolk 4.5/5

Alternative cuts are still here for diners who appreciate them and you could get them from Dehesa The Grasslands. Rather sceptical about how my acceptance level towards the dishes but be it the presentation or the taste of the dish, Chef makes me forget about my reservations. Crispy Pig's Head Dehesa Signature ($28), as its moniker, is like a fried pork rillettes made with the entire pig's head. The flavours are strangely homely and inviting, a dish that you will keep going back for. I believe the pork has been simmered for very long in its own fats to attain such a soft texture and rich flavours which are all fortified by the fried crust. The crust which has a chewiness to it, is another element that the table will fight over for. Some toasts within reach would be great to deliver the luscious texture into my mouth and allow me to slowly savour it.

Sliced Tender Braised Pig Skin With Meat And Vegetable Stew 4.5/5

Pig Skin Tagliatelle, Ragout ($28) is another dish that took me by surprise. The pasta in this dish is actually made of pig skin. Its texture is springy, very much like Korean's potato starch noodles. I love how homely the meat and vegetable stew tastes, like a pot of stew served in winter.

Tender Ox Cheek, Spanish Onions Purée, Bone Marrow 4/5

The towering bone marrow in Ox Cheek, Oloroso Glazed ($36) is surely eye catching. Ox cheeks was well done to fork tender, hence no complaints. The only thing that is missing - the action of me slathering the bone marrow onto a crostini. It's funny how often I wished for toasts throughout the dinner!

Squid Ink With Tender Baby Octopus 3.5/5

2 types of seafood Spanish style rice are available, in which we had the Squid which serves 2 pax ($28). In pitch black squid ink, the rice was creamy, rich in ocean flavour but not too much.

Boozy Gin Panna Cotta With Berry Compote And Crumble 3.5/5

Gin Panna Cotta ($15) is a straight forward dessert but again, deliver an enjoyment beyond its simplicity. The touch of the deep bitter-sweetness from Gin balances the sweetness, along with a slight tartness from the berry compote. This creamy dessert also has a contrasting crunch to it, in the form of candied walnuts.

So elegant and refine are the dishes, that one's taste buds could readily relate to. As novel as Dehesa may sound, I certainly don't feel alienated at all. You may also head down for its latest brunch offering which is available every Sunday from 11.30am to 4pm, and priced at $58++ per pax. Free flow soft drinks, juice and coffee are available at an additional $20+ per pax while guests can enjoy free flow cava, house pours, soft drinks, juice and coffee for an additional $30+.

Words and photos by Si An. A girl who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Dehesa Restaurant
12 North Canal Road
Singapore 048825
Tel: +65 62217790
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Nearest MRT: Raffles Place (EW Line, NS Line), Clarke Quay (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 1130am - 230pm, 530pm - 12midnight
Sat: 530pm - 12midnight

Direction:
1) Alight at Raffles Place MRT station. Take Exit G. Walk towards North Canal Road. Continue on North Canal Road. Walk along the shophouses along North Canal Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Clarke Quay MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk towards the junction of North Canal Road and South Bridge Road. Cross the junction and continue on North Canal Road. Walk along the shophouses along North Canal Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]