Fussy Duck Private Dining @ Sampan Place - Modern European Cuisine With Indian Influences

With the private home dining scene getting popular in Singapore, new players have also emerged in the scene. Is it too late into the game or there is still a market for them? My view is there still an opportunity for them as the popular ones are fully booked up to 3 months or more. Their prices have also increased by 30% or more since they started. This means diners may go for shorter waiting time and cheaper options instead.

One of these new players is Fussy Duck hosted by Chef Raj offering modern European cuisine with some Indian influences. He has worked in professional kitchens for over 13 years including under Daniel Boulud in New York and at MBS. His place can host up to 8 person per night. Currently he is only open for weekends. We had the 5 course meal at $99 per pax. They even have a vegan 6 course menu.

Our dinner started with some freshly baked bread and butter. Not sure whether this really good or we were hungry, the bread disappeared from our table within minutes.

Ravioli 4/5

Next we have the amuse bouche,  homemade Ravioli filled with Shiitake and Button Mushroom, topped with shaving of black truffles. Love how the earthy flavours from the mushrooms shone through the pasta shell. It can be a lovely pasta dish by itself too.

Truffle Leek and Potato Vichyssoise 4.5/5

We started the dinner proper with the Truffle Leek and Potato Vichyssoise. It is a cold soup that comes with potato chips and burnt figs. A very refreshing soup that kind of brightens up the palate for the next dish.

Vegan Eggplant Caviar and Tomato Tart with Earl Grey Infused Tomato Water 3.8/5

Our next dish is the Vegan Eggplant Caviar and Tomato Tart. I actually quite enjoy this. It is like have a toast with eggplant and tomato jam spread on it, except that the base is a flaky tart. The dish also comes with a cup of Earl Grey infused Tomato Water with a few drops of chilli oil.  It has that strong tomato flavour, yet not overwhelming, probably the addition of earl grey and chilli oil helped to harmonise it. It is quite complex in taste but yet light and refreshing.

"Palak Paneer" Risotto with Pan Seared Scallops 4.5/5

I have to say Fussy Duck serves an awesome plate of risotto. Inspired by chef's Indian heritage is the "Palak Paneer" Risotto with Pan Seared Scallops, served with paramsen and ricotta cheeses. There was a silent at the table followed by "wow this is really good". The infusion of the different palak paneer into the risotto simply elevated the whole dimension of the traditional risotto dish. I have not tried or seen anywhere incorporating Indian influences into a risotto dish, at least for my food journal. This is a winning dish.

Duck Confit with Pea Fricassee and Pumpkin Puree 4/5

For the mains, diner can choice between the Duck Confit and Roasted Lamb Rack. For the Duck Confit, it is served with pea fricassee and pumpkin puree. You get a whole duck leg which is really huge and tender.

Roasted Lamb Rack with Pea Fricassee and Spiced Carrot Puree 4/5

As for the Roasted Lamb Rack, there is additional $10 charge if you want to have it. Similar to the duck confit, it comes with pea fricassee but the pumpkin puree is changed to spiced carrot puree. I understand NZ lamb rack that is less than 3 months old is picked so it doesn't have not strong gamy flavour. Simply cooked with some spices rub to showcase the beautiful piece of red meat

Saffron Creme Brulee 4.2/5

Wrapping our dinner is the Saffron Creme Brulee. Creme brulee is quite common but spiced with saffron is an unique take to the classic dessert. It even comes with crushed pistachio, rounding it off with a nutty finish.

Overall we have a lovely time at Fussy Duck. Chef Raj and his partner are great host too. We even get to bring some homemade cookies home and they were delicious. For Fussy Duck to stand out among others, it may need to incorporate more Indian influences into is modern European cuisine or even a traditional Indian menu which is something not available in the market as for now.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Fussy Duck Private Dining
RiverEdge
21 Sampan Place
Singapore 436593
Tel: +65 90146386
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Mountbatten (CC Line)

Direction:
1) Alight at Mountbatten MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop at Mountbatten Road (Stop ID 80279). Take bus numbers 12, 14, 30, 158, 196 and 401. Alight one stop later. Cross the road. Walk to Kampong Kayu Road. Walk down Kampong Kayu Road. Turn left onto Sampan Place. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Mountbatten MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Mountbatten Road. Cross the road to Jalan Benaan Kapal. Walk down Jalan Benaan Kapal along the canal. Cross the canal onto Kampong Kayu Road. Turn right onto Kampong Kayu Road. Turn left onto Sampan Place. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Dean & Deluca @ Orchard Central - Offers An Exclusive Seasonal Menu Of Savoury-Sweet Waffle Dishes

Dean & Deluca, a multi-channel retailer in gourmet and specialty foods also houses a cafe concept specialising in a wide selection of gourmet fare that have excite tastebuds with an international array of artisanal products and offerings at three of its outlets islandwide. The flagship store at Orchard Central opened its doors to the public in June 2012, followed by its second outlet at Far East Square, and third outlet at HillV2, nestled in a quaint neighbourhood at Upper Bukit Timah.

Savour in a waffle feast this March with three specially curated savoury-sweet waffle dishes, which is available for a limited time period only from 1 March to 31 March.

Fried Chicken & Waffle with Smoky Cheese Sauce 4.2/5

The Fried Chicken & Waffle with Smoky Cheese Sauce ($18) features 2 large pieces of fried chicken with waffle, and a side of cheese sauce and maple syrup. The fried chicken boasts an extremely crispy skin and succulent meat, which exudes out a lush juiciness with every bite. The waffle leans towards the denser, stodgier side, lacking in the crispiness and fluffiness of the usual suspects. While rather bland on its own, drizzle the maple syrup on the waffle for a sweeter rendition, which pairs well with the savoury elements on the plate.

Duck Confit Waffle with Onion-Raisins Marmalade & Sunny Side Up 4/5

The Duck Confit Waffle with Onion-Raisins Marmalade & Sunny Side Up ($19) features a duck confit with waffles and sunny side up. The duck meat is soft and tender with a thin crispy skin. While the waffle fares similarly as the one from the Fried Chicken & Waffle and requires an additional drizzle of the maple syrup for a richer taste, the homemade caramelised onions and raisins marmalade contributes a subtle tangy-sweet flavour to the dish. The end result is great marriage of sweet and savouriness on a plate.

Peanut Butter Jelly Waffle with Thick Cut Bacon & Banana 4/5

Relive your childhood of peanut butter jelly decadence with the Peanut Butter Jelly Waffle with Thick Cut Bacon & Banana ($18). The waffle is slathered with generous amounts of peanut butter and jelly which adds an earthy nutty tone to the waffle with a subtle tanginess. The maple syrup and caramelised banana play out well in sweetening the experience. The huge slab of thick cut bacon proves to be the highlight of the dish with its balanced ratio of firmer meats and softer fats. Well seasoned and juicy, the bacon complemented the rest of the elements well, bringing satisfaction with every bite.

Note: The Sweet-savoury waffle series is only available from 1 March to 31 March 2018, at all DEAN & DELUCA outlets.

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.


Dean & Deluca 
Orchard Central
181 Orchard Road
#01-09/10
Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 65097708
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Somerset (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Sun-Thu: 10am - 10pm
Fri-Sat: 10am - 12midnight

Direction: 
1) Alight at Somerset MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

La Brasserie @ The Fullerton Bay Hotel - A Brand New Interior And A Refreshed Menu

I felt quite embarrassed that I have not known of La Brasserie at The Fullerton Bay Hotel until my recent visit. The restaurant located at the marina bay waterfront has undergone a revamp of its interior as well as a refreshed menu.

Traditional Onion Soup 4.5/5

The body of the Traditional Onion Soup ($19) comes from the robust beef stock that has been cooked for at least 4 hours. The caramelized white onion lent the sweetness to the soup. Before serving, the soup is topped with a day old sourdough with gruyere cheese that is gratinated under a salamander.

Aubergine Caviar Tartine 3.5/5

Our appetizer started with the Aubergine Caviar Tartine ($19). The whole eggplant is first baked until charred, removed the skin and the flesh is mixed with chopped fresh Roma tomatoes, garlic, parsley, basil and extra virgin olive oil. This paired beautifully with the tomato confit and buffalo mozzarella.

Lobster and Scallop Carpaccio 4.8/5

The Lobster and Scallop Carpaccio ($33) is a dish as old as the restaurant. It was created by the General Manage of The Fullerton Heritage since the restaurant opening in 2010. The thinly sliced boston lobster and hokkaido scallop seemed to come to live in the black truffle oil and fresh lime juice dressing. This is crowned with black truffle shavings.

Hot-Smoked Balik Salmon 4.2/5

Love the smokiness of the Hot-Smoked Balik Salmon ($21). The whole New Zealand king salmon is cured with salt and smoked over Japanese binchotan charcoal, sous vide and torched. This is complemented by the fennel, red onion compote, dill, creme fraiche and quail egg.

Lobster A L'Americaine 4.8/5

One of my favourite dishes is the Lobster A L'Americaine ($68). Done in two ways, the lobster claw is blanched while the remaining parts are poached. The highlight for me is the angel hair pasta that is tossed in fresh tomatoes sauce, finished with butter and extra virgin olive oil.

Cote de Boeuf 4.5/5

Good for sharing is the Cote De Boeuf ($99). The 500g Australian A4 Wagyu ribeye on the bone is charcoal grilled and basted with thyme butter. A beautiful piece of meat cooked to medium rare doneness. The steak is accompanied with bearnaise, champignon and bordelaise sauce.

Supreme de Canard Confit 4.5/5

Definitely one of the better duck confit I have eaten for a long while. The Supreme de Canard Confit ($39) uses French duck cooked in the traditional way. The duck leg is cured for 4 hours, confit for anther 2-3 hours. A bed of lentils, slow cooked with garlic, carrots, celery, shallots, thyme and sherry vinegar completes the whole experience.

La Complete Galette 3.8/5

The La Complete Galette ($23) was rather interesting using buckwheat batter to make the crepe. The gluten and diary free buckwheat crepe comes with honey baked ham, gruyere cheese and free range egg. Surprising the crepe has a nice crispiness to it. Understand this is because of the beatened eggs and soda water that were added to the batter.

Profiteroles 4.5/5

Do save some space for the dessert at La Brasserie. I would highly recommend the Profiteroles ($13). The choux pastry is coated with chocolate and filled with creme patissiere, It is then topped with chantilly cream and sliced almonds. It also comes with a bowl of warm chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream.

Tarte Tatin 4/5

If you have a group of friend, I would recommend the Tarte Tatin ($32) which can serve up to 4 person. Granny smith apples are baked with caramel and topped onto a housemade millefeuille. Each guest also gets a scoop of vanilla ice cream to go with the tarte tatin.

Overall I have enjoyed my dinner at La Brasserie. I probably go back again with my love one to celebrate our special occasions. I would definitely go back for their Traditional Onion Soup, Lobster and Scallop Carpaccio, Lobster A L'Americaine, Supreme de Canard and Confit, Profiteroles

Note: This is an invited tasting.


La Brasserie
The Fullerton Bay Hotel
80 Collyer Quay
Singapore 049326
Tel: +65 65975288
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Raffles Place (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 12pm - 230pm, 630pm - 1030pm
Sat: 12pm - 3pm, 630pm - 1030pm
Sun: 12pm - 3pm, 630pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Raffles Place MRT Station. Take Exit H. Turn right and walk towards the river. At the river, turn right again and walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Plentyfull @ Millenia Walk - Beautiful Food That Is Both Delicious To The Camera and Palate

I have seen many beautifully plated dishes on social media platforms from Plentyfull at Millenia Walk and I have been wanting to check out the place. Plentyfull is not just about instagrammable food, the food is actually made from scratch where possible, using the freshest seasonal produce sourced from farmers and artisans locally and internationally. It provides honest, hearty and homemade meals away from home.

House Charcuterie 4.2/5

Our dinner at Plentyfull started with the House Charcuterie. Diners can order a la carte or if you want a bit of each, you can go for a choice of 4 different cured meats at $38 regular or $46 large. We had the 777 Duck Breast Prosciutto ($16), 5J Jamon Iberico ($22) and Szechuan Peppered Swordfish Belly Ham ($16). My favourite is the duck breast prosciuto for its deep flavour that has been cured for 21 hours, smoked for 7 hours and dry aged for 7 days.

Organic Tofu Caprese 4.5/5

The next dish we tried is the Organic Tofu Caprese ($16). The smooth and silky tofu is dressed in an aged ponzu sauce with plum tomatoes, shallots and seeds. Tofu is known to be quite tasteless but this turned out to be a dish packed with complex but yet delicious flavours, refreshing and enjoyable. The plum tomatoes were extremely sweet too.

House Flat Bread 4.2/5

Do you know that Plentyfull made their own bread and butter? The best way to appreciate them is the House Flat Bread ($12) which comes with nori butter, elderflower caramel & EVO oil. My favourite is the nori butter with that extra hint of saltiness that went very well with the flat bread.

Seasonal Vegetable Tart 4.5/5

For the Seasonal Vegetable Tart ($16), this week we had the carrot tart. A layer of carrot puree sits on top of a crispy tart base that tasted like chicken twisties. This is crowned by a beautiful garden of vegetables held together excellently by the black garlic gem.

Grilled Spiced Lamb Ribs 3/5

Moving on to the mains, we tried the Grilled Spiced Lamb Ribs ($30). The slow cooked lamb ribs are served with smoked yogurt, edamame and horseradish. I could taste cumin and star anise on top of other spices and the smokey flavour. However I thought the meat was a bit overcooked and tough.

5 Spiced Duck Leg Confit 3.5/5

Next we had the 5 Spiced Duck Leg Confit ($28) with cucumber, radish salad and mantou. While the duck skin is slightly crisp, the meat felt short of being confit. It felt more like having a braised duck. I am not saying it is not good but kind of misleading with the menu.

Beetroot Risotto 4.5/5

My favourite dish at Plentyfull has to be the Beetroot Risotto ($24). The natural colouring from the beetroot made the risotto looks very appetizing. I was very eager to dig into the plate of arborio rice cooked with a medley of beetroot and pecorino cheese. This is a plate of goodness with the beetroot sweetness and cheesy percorino coming together beautifully on the palate.

Coconut Creme Brulee 4/5

For dessert, we tried the Coconut Creme Brulee ($14) which consists of coconut ribbons, salted gula melaka ice cream. Once again, I felt that the naming is a bit confusing. Except for the coconut ribbons, there is nothing actually taste coconut. Technically the creme brulee has coconut but the pandan flavour is more distinct. It should have named kaya or pandan creme brulee.

Miso Souffle 4.2/5

Not to be missed on the dessert menu is the Miso Souflle ($16) with toasted walnut ice cream. The light and pillowy souffle was so soft that I nearly fell into dreamland.

I am glad to have visited Plentyfull. The all day dual concept restaurant, patisserie and gourmet grocer not only dish out beautifully plated food, they are deliciously made from scratch too. It definitely worth a return to try more of the dishes on the menu.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Plentyfull
Millenia Walk
9 Raffles Boulevard
#01-79/80
Singapore 039596
Tel: +65 64932997
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Promenade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sun: 1130am - 1030pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Promenade MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

VENUE by Sebastian @ OUE Downtown Gallery - Ex-Chef From Restaurant Ember Opens New Restaurant

When one door shuts, the other door opens. With the closing of Restaurant Ember, Chef-Owner Sebastian Ng has opened his latest concept - VENUE by Sebastian at the new OUE Downtown Gallery. With former Head Chef of Artichoke joining his culinary team, the restaurant offers a menu featuring modern European culinary techniques and quality ingredients, imbued with a refreshing touch of Asian flavours.

Seasonal Mushroom, Truffle Oil, Toast 4/5

We started with the Toast and Seasonal Mushroom with Truffle Oil ($8). The earthy flavour of both the mushroom and truffle oil, made this a delectable starter as we work through the menu. Being picky here, I was wondering why the mushroom was not pre-spread on the toast and I could have just pick it up and have it.

Whitebait, Chilli Salt 4/5

Next is the addictive Whitebait with Chilli Salt ($9). The whitebait coated in a thin batter and deep fried to golden brown. It is then dusted with chilli salt for that spicy and salty enjoyment.

Chilled Romanesco Broccoli 3/5

For something light and refreshing, one can go for the Chilled Romanesco Broccoli ($13) that comes with almonds, shaved parmigiano and lemon vinaigrette. It is a tasty dish but I prefer something that is richer in flavour.

Cauliflower Fritti, Spicy Mint Aioli 4.5/5

A crowd favourite is the Cauliflower Fritti with Spicy Mint Aioli ($10). A healthy snack in disguise, this plump, crunchy and crispy fritti, will make you uncontrollable go back for more. Is too late when you realized you have finished them.

Spanish Gem Lettuce, Parmigiano Reggiano, Light Anchovy Dressing 3.5/5

Grilled Spanish Gem Lettuce, Burrata, Mentaiko Vinaigrette 3.5/5

The other vegetable dishes we had is the Spansih Gem Lettuce with Light Anchovy Dressing ($9) and Grilled Spanish Gem Lettuce with Burrata and Mentaiko Vinaigrette ($19). The crunchy spanish gem lettuce is very refreshing and crunchy. It seems to be able to pair with anything that is being put together by the chef. Put it in a better way, the chef is great in handling the greens, bring out the best of the ingredient.

Homemade Tofu, Foie Gras Mirin Sauce, Iced Lettuce 4.5/5

The Homemade Tofu with Foie Gras Mirin Sauce ($14) is like the Japanese agedashi tofu. The crispy exterior with its silky interior paired excellently by the foie gras mirin sauce. I just don't understand the purpose of the iced lettuce.

Duck Ragout Hand-Cut Pasta 4/5

Moving to the pasta items on the menu, we started with the Duck Ragout Hand-Cut Pasta ($21). The richness of the duck ragout complemented by the parmigiano reggiano, went very well with the perfectly cooked pasta that is cooked to the right firmness.

Cold pasta, Konbu, Truffle oil 4.2/5

The other pasta dish we tried is the Cold Pasta with Konbu and Truffle Oil ($23). It was indeed a very delightful dish with the rich and intense truffle perfuming and stimulating the senses with each slurp of the cold pasta.

Angel Hair Pasta with Sakura Ebi 4.8/5

The hit at VENUE by Sebastian which probably will become their signature dish is the Angel Hair Pasta with Sakura Ebi ($27). Tossed in konbu, chilli and sakura ebi, this is packed with layers of flavours and textures. Every mouthful of the pasta, is like have a beautiful display of fireworks in the mouth. This is a must try.

Grilled Octopus 3.8/5

Chilean Seabass 4.5/5

From the sea, we had the Grilled Octopus in White Bean Puree ($27) and Chilean Seabass ($36). While the grilled octopus comes with a nice smokey flavour and bouncy bite, I felt it lacked some zest to elevate the enjoyment. For the chilean seabass the quality piece of fish speaks for itself with its firm, moist and buttery flavour. This is excellently married with the mushroom bacon ragout and truffle yuzu butter sauce.

Iberico Pork Jowl, Gremolata, Lemon 4.5/5

From the sea, we move to the land. Starting with the Iberico Pork Jowl ($18) that is paired with gremolata and lemon. An excellent choice of condiments that zest up the appreciation of the beautiful piece of pork. The iberico pork jowl also comes with a nice crunchy bite.

Lamb Riblets with Chimichurri Rojo 4.5/5

I am not sure about the rest of my dining companions but I enjoyed the Lamb Riblets with Chimichurri Rojo ($5 each) a lot. The lamb riblets comes with the right ratio of meat and fats, with hints of beautiful spices, grilled to a nice smoky aroma.

Wood Grilled Chermoula Chicken, Charred Lemon 4.8/5

A dish that everyone gives the thumb up is the Wood Grilled Chermoula Chicken ($15 per leg). Traditionally used to flavour seafood, the chermoula marinade works beautifully with the chicken. Squeeze a bit of the charred lemon onto the chicken to lit up the flavour further for an elevated enjoyment of the smokey, tender and juicy chicken.

Duck Confit 4.2/5

The Duck Confit ($19) is nothing fancy but allows one to appreciate the duck meat itself. Crispy on the exterior with tender inside, it is served with truffle emulsion, mesclun and lemon mustard vinaigrette. One of the better ones I have eaten.

Pear Tart, Crumble, Bailey's Ice Cream 3.5/5

Apple Pie, rum and raisin ice cream 3.5/5

While I enjoyed the most of the dishes at VENUE by Sebastian, I am not a great fan of their dessert menu. I am not saying that it is not go but it is kind of boring. We tried the Pear Tart with Bailey's Ice Cream ($14), Apple Pie with Rum & Raisin Ice Cream ($14) and Chocolate Fondant with Vanilla Ice Cream ($14). I guess you know what I meant. Do note these desserts required 15-20 minutes wait.

Chocolate Fondant, Vanilla Ice Cream 3.5/5

The dessert that aroused my interests is the Spiced Panna Cotta with Blood Orange Sorbet ($12). Could not really taste the spice elments but I like the play of the blood orange sorbet with the creamy panna cotta.

Spiced Panna Cotta, Blood Orange Sorbet 4/5

To be frank, this is my first time trying Chef Sebastian's food. I have not been to Ember hence I could not compare the difference. Others have told me that his food is light but flavourful, I kind of agree from the vegetable dishes I tried. However I thought he is better in meats, as I enjoyed them more than the greens.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


VENUE by Sebastian
OUE Downtown Gallery
(Tower 1)
6 Shenton Way
Unit 01-02
Singapore 068809
Tel: +65 69049688
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 1130am - 3pm, 630pm - 10pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Tanjong Pager MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to traffic light junction. Cross the traffic light to Maxwell Road. Turn right and walk towards Shenton Way. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]