Showing posts with label Farro. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Farro. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

VENUE by Sebastian @ Downtown Gallery - New Menu Additions to Chef Sebastian’s Range of Contemporary European Cuisine with Mediterranean and Asian Influences

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VENUE by Sebastian at Downtown Gallery, helmed by Chef-Owner Sebastian Ng, has refreshed the menu with new offerings. The casual restaurant's menu highlights contemporary European cuisine with Mediterranean and Asian influences, with items priced very reasonably for its quality.

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In conjunction with its 7th anniversary celebrations, diners can look forward to new menu additions and a newly launched three-course dinner menu available from just $58!

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Roasted Cauliflower Salad 4.5/5

The Roasted Cauliflower Salad ($18) provided a delightful medley of textures. Combined with toasted almonds and jewelled salad, it was finished with a dollop of mint yoghurt, lending a fresh and minty brightness. The addition of pomegranate added a clever touch of sweetness.

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Crispy Potato 4.2/5

A new dish on the menu, this Crispy Potato ($9) was a quick favourite among my dining companions. The crispy, thin shreds of potatoes were paired with toppings of chorizo, sautéed mushroom and a poached egg. We were recommended to break and mix the egg to allow its yolk to coat the dish evenly. It was both slightly earthy and intensely savoury.

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Foie Gras Mousse 4.5/5

For a more luxurious starter, go for the Foie Gras Mousse ($19). I loved how it was very simply presented but tasted otherwise. In fact, all that the creamy and rich foie gras mousse needed to be paired with, was their lightly toasted and soft housemade brioche. I would like more bread to make the most of the spread!

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Farro & Mushrooms 4.8/5

Calling out to fellow mushroom lovers to try this new Farro & Mushrooms ($26) dish! It was profoundly earthy yet not at all overwhelming, unlike how some similar risotto dishes may be. The bed of farro had a slight chew, done with a generous amount of mushrooms and kombu butter, topped with parmigiano reggiano and a poached egg.

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I loved the combination of textures and flavours here. Even though this was meant to be a starter, it would also work perfectly as a main.

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Braised 12 Hours Wagyu Beef Cheek Au Jus

While I couldn't take beef, my dining companions sang praises of the Braised 12-hour Wagyu Beef Cheek Au Jus ($38) for its texture. The beef was served with pomme purée and broccolini.

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Chilean Seabass 4.5/5

The Chilean Seabass ($42) was tender and flaky. It was served with mushroom-bacon ragout and sat in truffle yuzu butter sauce. The flavours were well-balanced, but the portion of seabass could be slightly bigger.

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Iberico Pork Collar 4/5

Our last meat dish was the grilled Iberico Pork Collar ($38). I appreciated the smoky char on the slices, but I found the cuts slightly too chewy. The mint yoghurt lent a refreshing touch.

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Pistachio Financier 4/5

Our first dessert featured the nutty Pistachio Financier ($15) paired with a scoop of grand marnier ice cream and tangy raspberry yoghurt dressing. We heard that the dessert components were all homemade.

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Pear Tart 4.5/5

Next was the unassuming Pear Tart ($15). It had an impressively light and thin pastry with sweet pear bits within, topped with crumble and paired with Bailey ice cream. The crisp texture was a lovely surprise.

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Classic Peach Melba 4/5

Finally, we sampled the new Classic Peach Melba ($15) with vanilla ice cream, chantilly cream and fresh raspberry sauce. This would be a good choice if you're craving for something more sweet to end the meal, although I would have preferred a bit more crunch for texture.

Photos and words by Jo. A girl who loves her Mala (麻辣) at Da La (大辣), discovering hidden food gems and a good cup of matcha latte. Note: This is an invited tasting.


VENUE by Sebastian
Downtown Gallery
#01-02
6A Shenton Way
Singapore 068815
Tel: +65 6904 9688
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Website
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar MRT (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit E. Walk to traffic junction of Maxwell Road and Shenton Way. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Shenton Way MRT station. Take Exit 6. Walk to Shenton Way. Cross the road. Turn left and walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Senso Ristorante & Bar @ Club Street

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My last visit to Senso Ristorante & Bar at Club Street was one and half year back. It was a memorable dining experience back then and I could not hold my excitement to revisit the restaurant to check out their Spring and Asparagus menu. Opened in 2000, Senso has been satisfying the local palate for fine food for more than fourteen years.

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Upon settling down, we were served a selection of complimentary homemade bread and Amuse Bouche which is a delectable crab mousse.

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White & Green Asparagus Salad  4/5

After a glimpse of the cuisine to be expected at Senso in the amuse Bouche, we moved on to have the White & Green Asparagus Salad ($30) that comes with aged parma ham, slow-cooked organic poached egg, parmesan chips and mesclun salad with balsamic dressing. I like the crunchy and sweetness of the asparagus adding dimensions to the garden of greens.

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Scallop in the Shell 5/5

This is one the most beautiful dish I have this year. The Scallop in the Shell ($30) is presented to look exactly like when it is being freshly opened. The plump and sweet adriatic scallop is pan seared and served with avruga caviar, spinach foam, candied tomatoes with thyme and sauteed baby spinach with garlic.

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Carnaroli Risotto 4/5 and Farro 4/5

Next up we have the dual Carnaroli Risotto ($30) and Farro ($30) This is a tasting portion so we can taste the difference between the two. The traditional carnaroli risotto cooked with white and green asparagus, aged parmesan flakes and fresh basil was creamy and cheesey. On the other hand, the farro is slow cooked as a risotto with spring vegetables, diced carrots, peas and fava beans was flavourful and has a very delectable bite, similar to barley.

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Sea Bass 4.2/5

The Sea Bass ($40) is braised with Italian anise flavoured liqueur "Sambuca", purple artichokes, confit of wine tomatoes and crushed potatoes with black olives and parma ham flakes. While I enjoyed the well cooked and moist seabass, I am a bit puzzled with the slice of accompanying parma ham.

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Beef Tenderloin 4.5/5

The Australian grain fed Beef Tenderloin Rossini ($44) is topped with a pan fried foie gras. The exquisite marriage of flavours was a luxurious enjoyment that was simply heavenly.

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Semifreddo 4/5

The Italian pistachio and Macadamia Semifreddo ($14) with rhubarb compote and chocolate crumble was a beautiful combination with the rhubarb compote lending a tartness to the semifreddo.

Senso has always been one of my top restaurants in Singapore. Besides the exquisite dishes, the service is impeccable with well knowledge staff. Although it is a fine dining restaurant, the friendly and warm service do not make it feel uncomfortable.

Senso Ristorante & Bar
21 Club Street
Singapore 069410
Tel:+65 62243534
Website: http://www.senso.sg
Nearest MRT: Chinatown (NE Line, DT Line), Telok Ayer (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 1030pm
Sat: 6pm - 1030pm
Sun: 11am - 3pm, 6pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Telok Ayer MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk towards Club Street. Turn left on Club Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Chinatown MRT station. Take Exit F. Walk down Upper Cross Street to junction of Upper Cross Street and South Bridge Road. Continue down Upper Cross Street and turn right onto Club Street. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]