BTM Mussels & Bar @ Duxton Hill - All About Seasonal Mussels From France And Across Continental Europe

A lady sat at the bar counter, savouring a steaming pot of mussels, with sips of white wine in between; and she was in a world of her own. Get up close and personal with your 'mussels' at BTM (‘Back to Mussels’) Mussels & Bar, nestled in the quaint neighbourhood of Duxton Hill. A moules-frites concept by chef and restaurateur Olivier Bendel, BTM is a cosy and intimate space that serves up well sought after seasonal mussels sourced from France and across Continental Europe, cooked with original recipes created by Olivier himself.

During his first decade in the food and beverages industry, Olivier developed more than 250 original mussels recipes, and it was also during this time that he worked with some of the best mussel producers in the region. Those relationships continue, and together with his knowledge and understanding of mussels, you can expect good quality seasonal harvest each time you visit BTM. Picking mussels at the peak of their season, currently, the kitchen uses live Bouchot Mussels that are air-flown from Parcs Saint-Kerber in Cancale, Brittany (Northwest of France) to Singapore twice a week. 7 original recipes made it to the menu, available in portions of 500gm ($36), 750gm ($48) and 1kg ($58), and each style is served with French fries.

Marinieres 4.2/5, Thailandaises 4.2/5, Au Roquefort 3.8/5

Each recipe uses white wine, and each whiff of that savoury, winey aroma effusing from the broth as I brought it close to my face, was divine. Among all the different recipes, the style of preparation that will make one down the entire pot of 500gm on his own, I reckon would be Marinieres, the classic French style of preparation consisting of white wine, butter, parsley and onion. The light and elegant broth, infused with the juice from the mussels, didn't take long to get under my skin. Second to that would be the Thailandaises, a Thai-inspired concoction that will leave your tongue tingling with a bit of excitement. For a really bold option, and perfect for sharing, do consider Au Roquefort. The bits of the ‘the King of Blue Cheese’ swimming in the broth provides an extra oomph to the flavour.

Ardennaise 3.5/5

Ardennaise is a more neutral option, which is prepared with mushrooms, fresh cream, white wine, butter, parsley, onion and bacon. The bacon was supposed to lend a depth of smokiness to the broth, but it wasn't that pronounced as expected.

Au Curry 3.8/5

For the love of spice, go for Bouchot Mussels Au Curry. The red hue itself was appetising. Despite the addition of red curry and cream, the broth didn't lose its acidity. What the red curry provides is an added dimension to the aromatic white wine-based broth.

Le Croq-Truffle 4/5

Other than their signature moules-frites, the bar bites are worth coming back for. Offering bar bites from France and the Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg) region of Europe, one of the most highly raved about since its opening is the Le Croq-Truffle ($18), a luxurious version of the 'Croque Monsieur’. Fresh black truffle from France, Comté and Serrano Ham sandwiched in between heavily buttered toast, one piece of it is an indulgent, and 2 pieces of it is a sin!

Escargot Tartes Flambées 3.8/5

Perfect for sharing is the Tartes Flambées or Alsatian oven-baked flatbreads ($24 to $28), which come in a variety of interesting toppings. We had the Escargot Tartes Flambées ($26). The layer of caramelised onion slathered across the flatbreads, however, stole the limelight of the escargots. Richly browned, it was savoury-sweet, incredibly moreish, and mingled really well with the vibrant and garlicky Parsley Butter.

Truffled Porcini Croquette 4.2/5

The croquettes here are some of the better ones I have tried. Each one was perfectly crusted with a thin layer of coat. Between Jamon Croquettes ($12) and Truffled Porcini Croquette ($12), the latter won me over with its moist, cheesy, and relatively more gooey filling, coupled with an extra bite from the meaty mushrooms.

Jamon Croquettes 3.8/5, Bitterballen 3/5

If that is too much for you, Bitterballen ($8), Holland’s number one bite-sized snack, shares a similar crusty exterior with croquette but is less creamy as it is made simply with roux, beef and beef stock.

Waffle "BTM" 3/5

Desserts are available as well. Waffle "BTM" ($18) comprises a Belgian style waffle topped with vanilla ice cream and chantilly cream. It is decent, but the dessert menu promises a lot more exciting options than this. And since you are here at BTM, do explore more.

Summer Fruit-Infused Beers

BTM's beverage menu is also well-thought-out, offering wine, champagne and beer that Olivier deems best to pair with the mussels and sides. For a change, try its creations of Summer Fruit-Infused Beers - Passionfruit, Raspberry, Lychee and Pomelo Grapefruit (Happy Hour $10 / Regular $12).

Written and photography 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.


BTM Mussels & Bar
5 Duxton Hill
Singapore 089591
Tel: +65 66907562
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line), Maxwell (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Tue: 5pm - 11pm
Wed-Thu: 12pm - 11pm
Fri-Sat: 12pm - 12midnight
(Closed on Sun)

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]

2) Alight at Maxwell MRT station. Take Exit 3. Turn righ and walk to Neil Road. Cross Neil Road. Walk to Duxton Road. Turn right onto Duxton Hill. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

L'Entrecote The Steak & Fries Bistro @ Custom House - New Outlet With An Alfresco Bar Facing The Waterfront

L'Entrecote The Steak & Fries Bistro has opened a new outlet at Custom House. Besides showcasing the signature menu from its beloved Duxton Hill flagship restaurant, there is a new alfresco L'Entrecote Bar for guests to enjoy the beautiful waterfront view over a tipple or two.

Lillet Vive and Ricard 

L'Entrecote Bar offers a variety of classic tipples, but the main draw is a trio of French aperitifs. I had the Lillet Vive ($10 per glass) and Ricard ($8 per glass). The Lillet Vive is a refreshing wine-based tonic with mint, strawberry and cucumber that is perfect for the Singapore weather. However, the Ricard with an anise-flavoured profile is a bit acquire for me. Last but not least, the Cuvee de L'Entrecote ($12 per glass) that is from the bistro's own winery in the South-east of France.

La Planche De Charuteries et Fromages 4/5, Beef Tartare Toast 4.2/5

Diners can also pair their tipples with a panoply of bar bites on the menu. Great for sharing is the La Planche De Charcuteries et Fromages ($38). On the platter board, there are camembert, comte, Sainte-Maure, duck rillette, pate en croute, pistachio studded country pate and duck foie gras terrine. The sumptuous plate is complemented with nuts, condiments and hunks of warm baguette. A delectable bite-size bar bite is the Beef Tartare Toast ($6/pc). The traditional beef tartare is topped on crispy toasted French baguette.

Deep Fried Frog Legs 3/5

I thought it was quite smart of L'Entrecote to shape the Deep Fried Frog Legs ($18) to look like chicken wings. With the texture and taste, similar to chicken, diners may mistake it as chicken. I love frog leg for its tender texture, but I find the execution here a bit on the dry side.

Wagyu Beef Cubes 4.2/5

L'entrecote is famed for its steak with its legendary sauce. To feature its signature dish on the bar bites menu, it has re-interpreted it as a Wagyu Beef Cubes ($22) dish with the legendary sauce as a dipping sauce. The sauce was so good that I was hoping for a more substantial piece of beef cut to appreciate it.

Porcini, Wild Mushroom and Comte Tarte Flambee 4/5

If you feel that you are still hungry and needed something more substantial, there is the tarte flambee, a speciality Alsatian flatbread. We tried the Porcini, Wild Mushroom and Comte Tarte Flambee ($26) and Escargots, Garlic, Parsley, Butter and Onions Tarte Flambee ($24). We are split in our preference. Some like the sweetness from the caramelised onion with the escargots while others enjoyed the creaminess from mushrooms. I preferred the mushroom tarte flambee though.

Escargots, Garlic, Parsley, Butter and Onions Tarte Flambee 3.5/5

Note: This is an invited tasting.


L'Entrecote The Steak & Fries Bistro
Customs House
70 Collyer Quay
#01-01
Singapore 049323
Tel: +65 66907565
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Raffles Place (EW Line, NS Line)

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

Direction:
1) Alight at Raffles Place MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Clifford Centre. Cut across the building. Go to 2nd floor, take the overhead bridge link across the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Urban Bites @ Telok Ayer Street - Modernizing Lebanese Food in Singapore

Urban Bites may sounds like a modern restaurant but what it offers is lesser known Lebanese cuisine. The restaurant is opened by Chef Ghazi Khanashat, who has earned the moniker "Godfather" of Lebanese cooking in Singapore, for he brought the cuisine to Singapore almost 16 years ago. His daughter, Christine is running the business with a young and talented Lebanese Executive Chef, Haroutioun Ara Sayegh, helming the kitchen. They duo want to revolutionise Lebanese food in Singapore by giving Chef Ghazi's dishes a modern flair.

Lebanese Sangria 4/5

Having just return from Spain, I am delight to see sangria on the beverage menu. I ordered the Lebanese Sangria ($26). The Lebanese sangria is made form a concoction of Jallab (dates, grape molasses, rose water), Lebanese red wine, fruit cocktail, and freshly squeezed lime juice. A sweet and refreshing drink to kick start my brunch.

Cheese Manouche 4.5/5

Urban Bites has recently launched its Saturday Brunch which is available on Saturday from 930am to 4pm. One of the new items on the brunch menu is the Cheese Manouche ($16). The freshly baked flat bread is stuffed with four different types of Lebanese cheese (jeddal, feta, mozzarella and akkawi), and sprinkled with onions and parsley. The fluffy flat bread has a nice exterior crisp which comes from being baked in the stone oven. It also has a slight hint of spiciness.

Egg with Lamb Shashouba 4.2/5

The other brunch item I enjoyed is the hearty and comforting Egg with Lamb Shashouba ($20). Using lamb shoulder, it is first marinated for 24 hour with Lebanese spices before being roasted. Served in a pan, it consists of pulled lamb and three poached eggs steeped in a fragrant housemade sauce made of fresh tomatoes, chilli peppers, cumin and onions. It is then crowned with feta cheese and deep fried kale leaves. To eat, you have to give is a good mix. I preferred to have it together with the bread which is served on the side. The whole experience felt like having our local egg and toast.

Fettet Cauliflower 3/5

For those that loves yogurt, you will like the Fettet Cauliflower ($15). It comes with garlic-chilli roasted cauliflower, toasted crunchy chickpeas, velvety yogurt, crispy pita chips and pomegranate seeds. A worthy note is that Chef Ara spends hours making the yogurt daily. Unfortunately I am not a fan of yogurt and I guess I preferred a something richer in taste.

Lebanese Big Breakfast 3.5/5

If you are not sure what to have for brunch, then the Lebanese Big Breakfast ($20) will allows you to have a bit of everything. It comprises of labneh yogurt cheese, fatted hummus and a hard boiled egg with an assortment of fresh vegetables and thick slices of homemade bread.

Hummus Original 4.5/5

From the a la carte menu, we tried the staple Hummus Original ($15). The mashed chickpeas with tahini, lemon juice and olive oil was simple but yet hearty. Best to have it together with the warm bread.

Falafel Salad 4/5

The Falafel Salad ($18) can be a meal on its own. It comprises of mesclun greens, cucumbers, beetroot, avocado, chia and sunflower seeds in a tahini dressing, topped with falafel patties. There are a lot of textures at play and the highlight for me is the crispy falafel packed with lovely flavours.

Mixed Grill 4.2/5

Good for sharing is the Mixed Grill ($33) which comes with four different charcoal grilled kebabs. Beautifully marinated, spiced and grilled to tender is the cubed chicken, cubed beef tenderloin, minced lamb and minced chicken. The plate also comes with fries, mesclun salad and toum. Toum is a light and airy Lebanese garlic dip that you need to tried. It goes very well with the different meats.

Osmaliyeh 4/5

Last but at least, we wrapped up our meal on a sweet note with the Osmaliyeh ($12). It comes in a layer of flash-fried crisp filo strings followed by another layer of sweet clotted cream. This is finished with slices of strawberries, crushed pistachio and more filo strings.

While Lebanese cuisine is still rather new to many Singaporean, I have enjoyed the food at Urban Bites, especially that they are freshly made from stretch. I am also great to see the younger generation taking over the baton, inherit the recipes and making effort to modernize it to suit and attract the young customers. I am a believer that food needs to progress with time too.


Urban Bites
161 Telok Ayer Street
Singapore 068615
Tel: +65 63279460
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line), Telok Ayer (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 11am - 10pm
Sat: 930am - 10pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit G. Walk along the covered walkway until the junction of Mccallum Street and Telok Ayer Street. Cross the junction and continue on Telok Ayer Street. Journey time is about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Telok Ayer MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to junction of Telok Ayer Street and Upper Cross Street. Turn left onto Telok Ayer Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]