The Venus @ South Bridge Road - New French Restaurant With An Asian-Inspired Twist Opens In Chinatown

Nestled within the heart of Chinatown, the new French restaurant, The Venus, offers contemporary French cuisine with a hint of Asian flavours. Inspired by the Greek Goddess Venus, the setting was elegant and refined, with marbled tables, plush teal-coloured seats lining the gorgeous space, and high booth seats made for intimate seating corners. The restaurant also offers affordable set menus and ala carte dishes. So if you're looking for date places that won't break the bank, The Venus has just the thing.

We tried their daily 3-course set lunch, priced at $38++.

Har Cheong Gai 3.8/5

To start off the menu, we had the appetiser of Har Cheong Gai, the familiar favourite prawn paste chicken but elevated with goji jam, caviar and calamansi. Unfortunately, while we enjoyed the crispy and succulent chicken pieces, they lacked the shrimp paste flavour.

Signature Angel Hair 4/5

The Signature Angel Hair is available at a supplement of $5. It has a strong truffle scent, served with ikura, Kaviari caviar and tobiko. The angel hair pasta was cooked to a perfect al dente texture, with little pops of ikura and tobiko adding a nice briny sweetness to the dish.

Fragrance Oil Confit Duck Leg 4.2/5

Available at a supplement of $5, the Fragrance Oil Confit Duck Leg is served with crushed potatoes, split jus, and pan-roasted vegetables. The confit duck leg has a nice crispy skin, with superbly tender and juicy meat underneath.

Black Angus Beef Ribeye 4.2/5

The Black Angus Beef Ribeye served with watercress, Padron peppers, and five-spice mustard jus was also excellent. The medium rare meat was incredibly tender with hints of the smoky marinade and black pepper.

Profiteroles 4.2/5

We ended the course meal on a sweet note with a choice of desserts. The Profiteroles are filled with milk oolong cream and Chantilly cream. We enjoyed the crisp, crumbly texture of the puff pastry, and the cream, which has a fragrant hint of oolong milk and vanilla, was delicious.

Mandarin Peel Madeleines 4/5

The Mandarin Peel Madeleines are served with passion orange marmalade, adding a sharp zestiness to the soft and fluffy madeleines.

Words and photos by Crystal. A girl who likes to eat, photograph, and write about food, and dreams about travelling around the world one day. Note: This is an invited tasting.


The Venus
198 South Bridge Rd
Singapore 058747
Tel: +65 81838181
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Chinatown (DT Line, NE Line), Maxwell (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 230pm, 5pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Chinatown MRT station. Take Exit F. Walk to traffic junction Cross Street and South Bridge Road. Cross the road and walk down South Bridge Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Maxwell MRT station. Take Exit 2. Walk straight down South Bright Road towards Upper Cross Street. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Garden At One-Ninety @ Four Seasons Hotel Singapore - Breezy Alfresco Space With Lush Greenery And An Inclusive Menu

Probably not known to many, there is a beautiful, lush, botanical-themed dining place at Four Seasons Hotel Singapore. Garden @ One-Ninety is the extension of the terrace area behind One-Ninety Bar. Chef de Cuisine Pierre Barusta has put together a menu focusing on market-fresh produce and wholesome plant-based cuisine. The inclusive menu allows for enjoyable dining for all, including vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free preferences. In addition, it embraces the diversity and spectrum of personal dietary and lifestyle choices of today's guests.

Vietnamese Salad 3/5

We commenced our dinner with a couple of starters. First is the light and refreshing Vietnamese Salad dressed in "Nuoc Mam" sauce, better known as fish sauce. However, I find it too healthy to my liking. I am sure health-conscious customers will enjoy this.

Summer Rolls 3.5/5

Another Vietnamese item on the menu is the Summer Rolls that is wrapped with rice vermicelli, green mango, papaya, avocado and fresh herbs. The addition of fruit in the roll gives it extra sweetness and crunch.

Hamachi Tiradito 4/5

The Hamachi Tiradito is closer to my palate. The freshness is brightened by the citrus-soy and jalapeno garnished with daikon.

Pan Seared Seabass 4.2/5

One of my favourite dishes on the menu is the Pan Seared Seabass, which comes in laksa broth. What's more interesting, it even comes with thick beehoon, quail egg and kai lan bean sprout. I felt I had a 2-in-1 dish - local laksa topped with a huge piece of seabass fillet.

Garden Burger 3.8/5

The Garden Burger will be a good option for customers that are more conscious of the diet. Replacing the bread bun is pita bread, sandwiching a chickpea patty and semi-dried tomatoes. I would recommend drenching the burger with the hummus spread as the chickpea patty is a bit dry having it alone.

Dark Chocolate Souffle 4.2/5

I would recommend saving some space for the desserts here. The Dark Chocolate Souffle with Darjeeling Ice Cream is worth every minute for the wait. Soft, fluffy and chocolatey for a sweet indulgence.

Profiteroles 4.2/5

Another beautiful dessert we enjoyed was the Profiteroles with Gianduja ice cream. When it was served, both my dining partner and I had a puzzled look. It is not like the usual choux pastry dessert we know. It appears like a deconstructed profiteroles, but it tasted amazing, especially with the royaltine crunch

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Garden@One-Ninety
Four Seasons Hotel Singapore
190 Orchard Boulevard
Singapore 248646
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 8am - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 11. Walk straight down Orchard Boulevard Road. Walk to destination. Journey time is about 6 minutes. [Map]

LINO Restaurant and Cafe @ Forum The Shopping Mall - Hearty Italian Favourites, Outlet-exclusive Dishes And Cafe Bites

LINO, the casual dining brand by Les Amis Group, has recently opened its second outlet LINO Restaurant and Cafe, at Forum The Shopping Mall. Lino is known for its repertoire of hearty Italian favourites such as pizza and pasta. The second outlet offers a holistic dining experience with an extensive menu comprising exclusive dishes and café bites accompanied by specially designed cocktail selections. A kid-friendly menu is available as well.

Smoked Scamorza 4/5

Our dinner began with a couple of Cold and Hot Antipasti. The Smoked Scamorza ($22) is weighty with chunks of warm lightly-torched smoked Scamorza (South Italian cow's milk cheese) served on a bed of fresh rockets. It is topped with ribbons of luscious parma ham and finished with a slightly sweet balsamic glaze drizzle. Rich in texture and flavour, this dish is perfect if you have a drink on hand.

Octopus 4.2/5

Alongside is a stunning Octopus ($34) - Beautifully chargrilled tentacles, served with smokey and fruity Palermo sweet pepper, punctuated with piquant capers and parsley.

Lamb Ragu Garganelli 4.5/5

For Mains, we had Lamb Ragu Garganelli ($29). Australian lamb shoulder is slow-braised for three hours with eggplant caviar, rosemary and fresh tomatoes. The resulting lamb ragu was meaty yet tender, rich with flavours and aromatics. The choice of pasta is Garganelli pasta done al dente– small cylindrical-shaped tubes with points at both ends and ribbed sides ideal for soaking up and catching on the vibrant and luscious sauce.

Pan-fried Veal Escalope 4/5

Pan-fried Veal Escalope ($44) is outlet-exclusive. This classic secondi features Dutch milk-fed veal fillet lightly pounded till flattened and pan-fried. As the meat was tender and offered a much delicate flavour, the accompanying creamy and chunky mushroom sauce sweetened with a splash of Marsala wine complemented excellently.

Profiteroles 4.5/5

Our dessert was just as hearty as all the courses. The Profiteroles ($14) gave us two generous scoops of vanilla bean ice cream sandwiched between light house-made choux pastry, drizzled with warm, velvety melted dark chocolate and toasted almond slices.

To celebrate the opening of the restaurant, a line-up of promotions are available:
1) From 18 October to 31 October 2021, diners can enjoy 20% off Café menu with minimum spend of $60 daily between 11am and 5.30pm.

2)From 27 September to 31 October 2021, guests can also enjoy Select Cocktails at only $14++ daily from 11.30am to 2.30pm and 6pm to 9.30pm.

Photos and words 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.


LINO Restaurant and Cafe
The Forum Shopping Mall
583 Orchard Road
#01-01/04
Singapore 238884
Tel: +65 62358690
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line, TE Line)

Opening Hour:
Restaurant Daily: 1130am - 230pm, 6pm - 930pm
Cafe Daily: 11am - 530pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk towards Wheelock Place via ION. Exit Wheelock Place and turn left towards Liat Tower. Walk down Orchard Road to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

KOMA @ Marina Bay Sands - New Japanese Restaurant With a Breathtaking Decor

KOMA is the latest and newest Japanese restaurant to open at Marina Bay Sands. The restaurant offers a menu put together by Executive Chef Kunihiro Moroi, featuring sushi, robata and izakaya style dining. It even boasts a bar and lounge that serves an extensive selection of over 30 types of sake sourced from across Japan.

The restaurant is really stunning and breathtaking. First, the guest will walk through a striking 20 metre-long passageway that is inspired by the torii gates of the Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto. Once inside, one will be greeted by the bar and lounge with glass owls lining at the bar and suspending from the ceiling. Moving into the dining hall, a spectacular 2.5 metre-high Japanese bell with 20 different faces that overlooks a traditional Japanese footbridge and reflecting pool.

Salmon Pillow 3/5

Dinner started with some small bites. The Salmon Pillow ($14) comes in a little parcel of a crispy puff pastry shell filled with smoked avocado and topped with salmon sashimi and burnt jalapeno peppers. While the flavours come together excellently, I just find it a little small to fully enjoy it.

Aburi Hamachi Salad 3.5/5

Though the Aburi Hamachi Salad ($26) is a salad dish on the menu, the portion of the white fish is more than the greens. What I enjoyed most was how the ponzu sauce brightened up the whole enjoyment.

Tuna Pringles $14 and Taro Chip Tuna Tacos $21

The Tuna Pringles ($14) reminds me of the Tuna pizza which I had at Akira Black. Instead of tortilla base, it uses pringle instead, giving it an even crisper texture. While the flavours for the Taro Chip Tuna Tacos ($21) work harmoniously, I felt that it lacked the vibrancy of a typical taco for it to stand out.

Crispy Tokyo Gyoza 3/5

The Crispy Tokyo Gyoza ($12) which comes with chicken, onion and ginger filling is juicy and plump. However, I felt that the filling needed more robust marination to lift the taste profile.

Oysters on The Half Shell 4/5

Moving to the freshness from the sea, we started with fresh Oysters on The Half Shell ($24) crowned with radish. The oyster is really huge, creamy and plump.

Assorted Sashimi Platter 4/5

Assorted Sushi Platter 4/5

From the sushi bar, one can go for either the Assorted Sashimi Platter ($78 for 9pc) or Assorted Sushi Platter ($88 for 9pc). You can't really go wrong with sashimi and sushi, as long as the ingredients are fresh. Best to pair with the huge sake collections from the bar.

Truffle Unagi 3.5/5

For something more substantial, there is a selection of maki on their menu. We decided to go with the Truffle Unagi ($25) which paired unagi together with avocado and dressed in a sweet soy sauce.

Wagyu Beef Sirloin 3.8/5 and Negima 4.2/5

From the grill, one can opt for a selection of meats for their skewer. We had the Wagyu Beef Sirloin ($28 per skewer) and Negima ($9 per skewer). My preference is the Negima, for the tender chicken thigh.

Crispy Barbecued Chicken 4/5

Meanwhile, the small bites and sushi bar seems rather expensive in comparison with the portion. Not to worry, the menu also offers one plate meal or big plates that will satisfy your hunger and make your money worth. Starting with the Crispy Barbecued Chicken ($29), the large portion will bring a smile to your face. On the plate, you can find tender barbecued chicken, paired with rice, tomatoes and greens. Though not really Japanese cuisine, I am not complaining as it tasted pretty good.

Ginger Honey-Glazed Salmon 4.2/5

Another well-executed dish that has been cooked perfectly is the Ginger Honey-Glazed Salmon ($38). Love how the ginger honey glaze complemented the salmon's moist texture, giving it a sweet note for a delectable finishing.

Scallion Fried Rice in Sizzling Pot 4.2/5

Good for sharing is the Scallion Fried Rice in Sizzling Pot ($32). In the hot pot, the fragrant fried rice comes with pork, chicken, shrimps, scallops and mushroom. The savoury broth magically binds everything together, like a volcanic erupting with delicious flavours.

Wagyu Fried Rice 3.5/5

The sunny side up egg looked sexy on top of the Wagyu Fried Rice ($42). However, I am disappointed that the fried rice and beef did not manage to arouse me as much. If I am to choose, I would still go for the Scallion Fried Rice in Sizzling Pot, and it is cheaper too.

Bosai 3.5/5

Moving to the desserts, the Bosai ($17) fell short in the presentation. It looks a little bare. The leaves are made up of chiffon cake while the soil is molten dark chocolate with crunchy praline.

Lemon Yuzu 3.5/5

Doesn't it look like a real lemon sitting on the plate for the Lemon Yuzu ($16)? Break into the lemon, and you will find that it is made up of lemon mousse and yuzu jam. A sweet, light and refreshing dessert that is idea after the feast.

The dessert that I enjoyed most is the Sesame Profiterole ($16). This is a huge profiterole which looks almost like a burger. This is definitely the highlight of the night with white sesame ice cream complementing the soft and fluffy black sesame choux pastry. What's more interesting is the multi-nation influence on the plate. Profiteroles from the Italian, puff pastry from the French and sesame from the Japanese.

Dining at KOMA does not come cheap. If you are tight on your wallet, I would recommend the more oriental dishes instead. Frankly, the ambience and decor of the restaurant shout out more than the food. The is more of a place to impress your guest and not really about the food.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


KOMA
The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
2 Bayfront Ave
#B1-67
Singapore 018972
Tel: +65 66888690
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Bayfront (CC Line, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Sun-Thu: 5pm - 12midnight
Fri-Sat: 5pm - 2am

Direction: 
1) Alight at Bayfront MRT station. Take Exit C or D. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

L'Entrecote @ Duxton Hill - Affordable Steak with Unlimited Crispy, Golden Fries

L'Entrecote is a Parisian concept serving steaks and fries at Duxton Hill. The restaurant has been around since 2010 offering the traditional entrecote (a premium cut of beef rib) and frites.

Homemade Duck Foie Gras Terrine 4.5/5

Before moving to the mains, we decided to order some starters to begin with. First is the Homemade Duck Foie Gras Terrine ($24). The foie gras terrine comes with sugar glazed onions and grilled buttered sourdough. I enjoyed having a bit of the sugar glazed onions together with creamy foie gras, which helped to cut through that richness.

French Onion Soup 4.5/5

It has been a while since I have such a traditional and tasty French Onion Soup ($10). The classic French onion soup comes with cheese toasts soaking up the delicious and robust beef stock, sweetened by the caramelised onion.

Green Salad with Walnut 3/5

For the main course, we went for the trimmed Entrecote Steak ($34.90) with its legendary sauce, that comes with free flow golden French Fries and Green Salad with Walnut. For those that has a bigger appetite, you can go for the XXL portion at $54.90. I find the salad was rather bland without any sauce though.

Entrecote Steak 4/5

The highlight here is the Entrecote Steak with its legendary sauce. The premium beef rib cut is cooked beautifully to tender, with a nice pink inside. What interesting is the pool of sauce, in which the steak is literally swimming inside. I tried asking the staff about the legendary sauce but they were mute about it. It is really an unique sauce, somewhat like a black pepper, mushroom sauce but has a tang to it. I have never come across anything similar for my steak before. If you are a fries lover, you will be glad that the crispy Golden Fries here are free flow!

Profiteroles de "L'Entrecote" 4.5/5

Moving to the desserts, we had the Profiteroles de "L'Entrecote" ($15). The choux pastry is sandwiched with vanilla bean ice cream and drenched with hot chocolate sauce. It is a classic dessert but tasted heavenly.

Crepes Suzette 4.2/5

The Crepes Suzette ($14) although sinful but is so good. The thin crepes are soaked in a citrus butter and Grand Marnier sauce, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

L'Entrecote is definitely a place for affordable steak and fries. You really have to try the legendary sauce to really know what I meant. We suspect mustard was added in the sauce, but we won't know until the mystery is solved.


L'Entrecote
36 Duxton Hill
Singapore 089614
Tel: +65 66907561
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 1030pm
Fri: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm
Sat: 5pm - 11pm
Sun: 12pm - 3pm, 530pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Orchid Hotel. Walk to Tanjong Pagar Road, cross the road. Walk to Craig Road. Turn left onto Craig Road. Walk to Craig Place. Take the staircase inside the carpark at Craig Place to Duxton Hill. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Culina Bistro @ COMO Dempsey - The World On A Plate

The past 25 years have seen Culina evolving, with a tremendous leap into what it is today. Located at COMO Dempsey, stepping into Culina brings you into a European-inspired food hall with speciality stalls, a bakery, wine bar and delicatessen, a gourmet market and modern bistro, as well as a renowned Sydney floral boutique, Grandiflora. From premium cuts of meats, sustainably-farmed fish and seafood to fine wines and other fresh produce and gourmet products, a tour around may just entice you into grabbing some of the items and whip up a few dishes like a professional home cook. Alternatively, selected products from the Culina Market that you have picked up can be prepared and served to your table right at the Culina Bistro.

Forest Mushroom Soup 3.5/5

Over at Culina Bistro, other than preparing and serving you the delicacies of your choice, a staple menu as well as a seasonal menu are available for a fuss-free dining experience. Forest Mushroom Soup, for instance, you see chunks of button mushrooms and blue foot mushrooms that are currently in season in Australia presented as-is in vegetable stock, flavoured with onions, fennel, parsley, and porcini powder. Rustic yet flavourful, simplicity is perhaps one of the best ways to showcase seasonal produces which are at their best.

Escargot 3.5/5

Similarly, the classic pairing of Escargot with garlic, parsley, and butter allows you to get the most out of the ingredients. The crisped butter garlic is so yummy, I wonder if it is the escargots or the moreish topping that makes the hero of the dish.

Smoked Trout Tartare 3.8/5

We tried a special - Smoked Trout Tartare, featuring an ocean trout which has been tea smoked and mixed with fresh smoked salmon and crème fraiche. I like how it falls in between a tartare and a rillette. You get the delish and creamy side of the latter without losing the meaty texture of the trout.

Endive Salad 3/5

Upon request, enjoy a beautiful Endive Salad tossed with seasonal Holland quinces and blue cheese. The quinces are poached in merlot, cinnamon, star anise, sugar, and orange zest for 45 minutes until soft, and their heightened sweetness mellows the sharp flavours of the endives and blue cheese.

Hokkaido Clams 3.8/5

From the Culina Market, your chosen bag of Hokkaido Clams (market price. prep fee $15) will be transformed into a comforting pot of juicy clams in white wine, garlic, parsley, and lemon, which is reckoned to be the most ideal way to enjoy these fresh clams. They were exquisite and pleasingly softer than what I had before.

King George Whiting 3.8/5

After seeing King George Whiting appearing in several episodes in Masterchef Australia, I finally get to witness its elegant white meat. (market price. prep fee $15 - $25). The fillet is grilled and served with asparagus and lemon, leaving its delicate meat pretty much untouched. The meat is firm but extremely moist, and the olive oil dressing enhances that quality.

Grain Fed Wagyu Beef 4/5

A dish that calls for a bottle of wine and cheers will be this Grain-fed Wagyu Beef from Snake River Farms (market price, prep fee $15 - $25). A gorgeous piece of meat rich in good fats, its flavours were intense and full.

Octopus 3/5

From its staple menu, we tried Octopus ($32), which is grilled and served with paprika potatoes. Firm and meaty, fluffier potatoes would have made it a better deal.

Profiteroles 3.5/5

For desserts, Profiteroles ($15) is definitely crowd-pleasing with its housemade vanilla ice cream and thick hot chocolate sauce.

Apple Tarte Tatin 4.5/5

But my favourite of the evening is this Apple Tarte Tatin ($15). It has a much higher level of tartness, and that works well with the salted caramel ice cream. The puff pastry is fragile, crisp and flaky, which is a great departure from the usual thick crust pastry.

Custard Tart Armagnac Laced Prunes 3.5/5

I enjoy the Custard Tart Armagnac Laced Prunes ($15) as well, but I like the dark, sweet Armagnac prunes a lot more, wishing that it could be a prune tart with custard sauce rather than it being a custard tart.

The wine bar is very popular as well. Apparently, it is full most of the time, so be there early if you want to grab a seat.

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.


Culina Bistro
Culina at COMO Dempsey
Block 15 Dempsey Road
Singapore 249675
Tel: +65 64747338
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Holland Village (CC Line), Farrer Road (CC Line), Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to the bus stop along Orchard Boulevard (Stop ID 09022). Take bus number 7, 77, 106, 123 or 174. Alight 7 stops later. Walk to Dempsey Road. Walk to the roundabout near block 17 and 18. Walk to destination. Journey time 30 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Holland Village MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to the bus stop at Block 12 (Stop ID 11401). Take bus 106. Alight 4 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to Dempsey Road. Walk to the roundabout near block 17 and 18. Walk to destination. Journey time 20 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Farrer Road MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop opposite Farrer Road MRT station (Stop ID 11119). Take bus number 174 or 564. Alight 5 stops later. Walk to Dempsey Road. Walk to the roundabout near block 17 and 18. Walk to destination. Journey time 20 minutes. [Map]