The Dempsey Cookhouse & Bar @ COMO Dempsey - Causal Dining Restaurant By 3 Michelin-Starred Chef Jean Georges Vongerichten

Opened earlier in the year at COMO Dempsey is The Dempsey Cookhouse & Bar by world renowned NYC Chef Jean Georges Vongerichten. The casual dining restaurant spots an open kitchen where diners can have full view of the chefs dancing around the kitchen. It felt like a scene in hell kitchen except that they are synchronization in their dance, like a well oiled machine, dishing out dishes after dishes.

Tuna Tartare with Caviar 4.2/5

For appetizer we started with the Tuna Tartare with Caviar ($38). It is both beautiful in presentation and on the palate. The tuna tartare sat on a bed of avocado cream that was well balanced with citrus zest to it.

Fresh Tagliatelle with Clams 4.2/5

Next, we had the Fresh Tagliatelle with Clams ($20) which had a good bite to it, cooked to al dente. This is freshened up by garlic and parsley, together with the sweetness of the clam. Chilli was also added to spice up the pasta dish.

Mushroom, Farm Egg, Parsley-Garlic Oil Pizza 4.2/5

Many diners have gone for the popular black truffle and fontina cheese pizza but we decided to try something different. Hence we ordered the Mushroom Pizza ($19) with Farm Egg and Parsley-Garlic Oil. We didn't regret trying something different, the thin pizza was slightly more doughy on the rim with a little charred. The ingredients may not be the most luxurious, it didn't lose out either with its wholesome flavour.

Roasted Cod 4/5

Cod has always been my preferred choice of fish for its firm and buttery taste. The Roasted Cod ($34) is well executed. It is paired with a herbal coconut broth and comes with broccoli rabe. I did enjoy the dish but I was a little confused by the description of the dish. I could not taste any heat or coconut in the broth.

Peach Pavlova 2.8/5

Moving to the dessert menu, we started with the Peach Pavlova ($18). While we enjoyed the meringue, we did not like the peach at all. It somehow tasted like cough syrup.

Salted Caramel Ice Cream Sundae 4.8/5

A must order is the Salted Caramel Ice Cream Sundae ($14) which is good for sharing. It came with 3 generous scoop of salted caramel ice cream, hot chocolate fudge, peanuts and popcorns. Who would have thought of such heavenly combination? I guarantee you will be fighting to the last scoop, this is simply too good to be missed.

JG Warm Chocolate Cake 4.2/5

An incidentally order from the dessert menu is JG Warm Chocolate Cake ($14) as we wanted to celebrate one of our friend's birthday. It turned out this is the dessert that Chef Jean Georges Vongerichten has made famous in NYC and now almost in every restaurant's menu. While the original creator of this dessert is left to be disputed. Put that aside, I have to say the chocolate cake was really good, it was really rich with a nice exterior crisp.

Overall, the restaurant is really beautiful and food is good. However I find that dining there is a bit expensive. It is probably those restaurant that I will only visit once in a blue moon. I also do not like the 2 seating arrangement. While the staff is polite enough to hint that they have to turn the table for the 2nd seating, it did disrupt my experience at such a lovely restaurant.


The Dempsey Cookhouse & Bar
COMO Dempsey
17D Dempsey Road
Singapore 249676
Tel: 1800 304 5588
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard Road (NS Line), Farrer Road (CC Line), Holland Village (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 12midnight
Fri: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 1am
Sat: 12pm - 4pm, 6pm - 1am
Sun: 12pm - 4pm, 6pm - 12midnight

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to 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 round about 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 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 round about 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 round about near block 17 and 18. Walk to destination. Journey time 20 minutes. [Map]

Little Hiro @ Bukit Timah Road

Inspired by a trip to Hawaii, the owner of Burger Shack decides to revamp the concept offering Hawaiian-Japanese BBQ and Grill as well as renaming the cute little restaurant as Little Hiro. Fans of Burger Shack need not worry as their popular burgers is still available in the revamped menu.

Sanzoku Black Pepper Beef 3/5

Chicken Karaage 3.5/5

With the new menu and concept, Little Hiro has introduced 2 Shio Ramen Burger using Japanese ramen specially air flown into Singapore. I tried both the Sanzoku Black Pepper Beef ($8.90) and Chicken Karaage ($8.90). The burgers were definitely an interesting introduction to the burger scene however there is a flaw in the concept. The ramen burger is too messy to handle and eat. I collapsed upon handling. Between the 2 ramen burgers, my favourite was the Chicken Karaage which was more juicy and flavourful. The beef patty somewhat was gamy and tough.

Chicken Wings 3.5/5

For some light snacks, the Chicken Wings ($3.50 for 2 /$6.50 for 4) were big and juicy. Deep fried to a nice golden brown crisp, a delightful bite at Little Hiro.

Fried Calamari 3/5

The Fried Calamari ($7.90) comes with a nice thin batter that was deep fried to a nice crispy bite.

Sanzoku Double Hamburg Steak 3/5

From the Teppanyaki Rice Plates section of the menu, this is a one plate meal that is reasonable priced to satisfy one's hungry tummy. Unfortunately the Sanzoku Double Hamburg Steak ($8.20) used the same patty as the ramen black pepper beef burger which was not to my liking. The garlic butter Japanese rice on the hand was fragrant but could be richer in seasoning.

Flame Seared Teriyaki Salmon 3/5

The Flame Seared Teriyaki Salmon ($10.90) while value for money with the big slab of salmon, unfortunately was overcooked and needed a more fitting sauce to go with it.

While I was at Little Hiro, I observed that most of the patrons were students and younger crowd. I do not find the food top notch but definitely value for money with its huge servicing portion.


Little Hiro
King's Arcade
559 Bukit Timah Road
#01-01
Singapore 269695
Tel: +65 64663477
Website: http://www.hirobbq.com
Nearest MRT: Botanic Gardens (CC Line, DT Line), Farrer Road (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Sun-Thu: 1130am - 930pm
Fri-Sat: 1130am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Botanic Gardens MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at Botanic Gardens MRT station (Stop ID 41021). Take bus number 66, 67, 151, 154, 156,  170 and 171. Alight 2 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Farrer Road MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop at Farrer Road MRT station (Stop ID 11111). Take bus number 174 or 961. Alight 4 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

7Adam @ Adam Park

Located at Adam Park is this black and white 2 storey colonial house. This historical and beautiful building is a art gallery cum restaurant. Surrounded by greenery, this is really a lovely place.

On a fine Friday evening, Maureen and I together with our partners went to check out the 7Adam restaurant.

Interior of the restaurant is decorated with art works from various artists which is changed every 8-10 weeks. You can also purchase these art pieces too.

Upon placing our orders, we were served complimentary warm baguette.

We were also given complimentary Quiche which is bursting with flavours. It got all of us excited, looking forward to our mains after reading several good reviews of this place.

7 Adam Trio 4/5

The 7 Adam Trio ($27) Appetiser consists Foie Gras, Crab Cake and Fresh slices of Tuna Loins. My favourite of the three is the Crab Cake. Biting into the crispy crab cake, a rush of beautiful flavours hit the taste buds, sending them dancing in delights.

I am not sure what is the sauce for the Foie Gras, it came to be as something that has caramel sweetness. I found the texture a bit too mushy for my liking. For the Tuna Loins, I thought it was quite a shadow to the Foie Gras and Crab Cake. I guess the strong flavours from the Foie Gras and Crab Cake could have overshadowed it.

Wagyu Beef Cheek, Mash of Yam 4/5

The Wagyu Beef Cheek ($37) looks rather ordinary sitting on a mash of Yam and Spinach. The beef cheek not only melted in my mouth, it melted my heart too. It was so tender. For the Yam mash, I have to admit I thought it was potato mash. I could not tell the different.

Baba Pork Ribs 4/5

The Baba Pork Ribs ($37) has a sweet caramelized crisp outer layer with tender meat falling off the bone. The ribs were well executed but I didn't get the wow factor in what the chef was trying to show in his cooking.

Cod fish Confit 3.8/5

The Cod fish Confit ($34) consists of two huge fillets of pan seared cod fish sat on a bed of pilaf rice with orange hollandaise sauce. The cod fish was moist and fluffy. However I thought the saucing was rather light and the whole dish was kind of ordinary to me.

Duck Confit 2.5/5

The Duck Confit with Szechuan pepper salt ($37) was a big disappointment. The duck meat was tough and chewy. We were basically chewing the duck confit!

Mixed Fruit Tart 2.5/5

The Mixed Fruit Tart ($15) looks beautiful but again I thought it ws rather simple to be charging $15 for it. We were joking amount ourselves that we can easily put the dish together. I have to warn that the tart base is extremely hard and difficult dessert to eat with. We were like trying to break the tart. Yes! breaking the tart not cutting the tart. Nevertheless, the pastry has an interesting sweet flavour which all of us thought it is similar to the Chinese water chestnut pastry.

Chocolate Fondant 4/5

The Chocolate Fondant ($15) with caramel sauce was moist and lovely.

In summary for my dinner experience at 7Adam, I would give full marks for its ambience. Food wise I did have a hard time deciding my main as the menu has some interesting fusion of flavours and ingredients. However the dishes turned out mediocre and it didn't excite me at all. For the price tag, I am sure I can find better food elsewhere unless you are willing to pay for the ambience.


[CLOSED]
7Adam
7 Adam Park
Singapore 289926
Tel: +65 64670777
Website: http://www.7adam.com
Nearest MRT: Farrer Road (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Farrer Road MRT station. Take Exit and walk to bus stop (ID B111111) at Blk 2 Farrer Road. Alight 4 stops later and walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes.