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

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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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]

Black Knight Hotpot (黑武士火鍋) @ Millenia Walk - New Seasonal Autumn-Winter Menu with Signature Fish Maw Chicken Pot Soup

Black Knight Hotpot, the Taiwanese celebrity-beloved hotpot restaurant located at Millenia Walk, has recently launched a new seasonal Autumn-Winter menu alongside its signature Fish Maw Chicken Pot soup. Simmered over 16 hours, it is made with no MSG and packed with nourishing properties. Considering the coming colder months that mark autumn-winter in four-season countries and Singapore's cold, rainy monsoon season, this Fish Maw Chicken Pot is meant to be a comforting, healthy treat for all, especially the ladies!

Fish Maw Chicken Pot 5/5

Their house signature Fish Maw Chicken Pot ($58) is packed with collagen, extracted naturally from a concoction of fish maw, kampung chicken, dry scallops, cordyceps, and other nutritious ingredients. Simmered for up to 16 hours, the creamy broth gave a luxurious gelatinous mouthfeel. You can experience it in 2 sizes – single or double pot – across different spicy and non-spicy flavours, each freshly cooked upon order.

Meat Platter 4.5/5

To accompany our soup, we had a meat platter made with Okinawa Black Pork Belly ($26/full portion), Japanese Pork Collar ($26/full portion), US Prime Short Rib ($38/ full portion) and Australia Sirloin Beef ($32/full portion). Pork from Japan is in the spotlight this season, and it's worth trying especially the Okinawa Black Pork Belly.

Scallops

New this season is also a selection of Live Prawns ($12/100g). Scallops ($12/pc) are available as well.

Celtuce Slices

Kelp

For such creamy broth, opt for crisp greens for a textural contrast. Celtuce Slices and Kelp are highly recommended.

Chinese Cucumber Salad 3.5/5, Crispy Peanuts 4/5

Amp up the hotpot experience with new cold appetisers, such as Chinese Cucumber Salad and Crunchy Peanuts. The cucumber is seasoned with soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, green onions and a dash of sugar for a contrasting sweetness. The Crunchy Peanuts comes with rice vinegar as well, making it extra. moriesh.

Till 30 Nov 2023, ladies will enjoy an exclusive promotion of up to 30% off the total food bill when they dine in with groups of friends.

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.


Black Knight Hotpot
Millenia Walk
Nihon Street
9 Raffles Blvd
#02-02/05
Singapore 039596
Tel: +65 83000417
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Nearest MRT: Promenade (CC, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 330pm, 530pm - 1030pm

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

SIRI House @ Dempsey Hill @ Bubbles & BBQ Experience amidst The Lush Greenery of Dempsey Hill

Nestled amidst the lush greenery of Dempsey Hill, Siri House presents an enchanting open-air dining escapade known as Bubbles & BBQ. Tailored for groups of 12 or more, this opulent garden soiree showcases a live BBQ station brimming with contemporary Asian BBQ delicacies. To elevate the experience, guests have the option to bedeck their tables with exquisite tropical adornments courtesy of Estilo & Co. These include hanging, table, and buffet floral centrepieces that infuse a touch of nature's elegance. And for a bit of effervescence, a champagne bar cart awaits, where patrons can concoct their own bubbly elixirs using fresh fruit, citrus, herbs, and liqueurs.

Siri House’s Bubbles & BBQ Private Dining Experience unfolds in three captivating packages:

1. Standard Package: Priced at $128++ or $148++ per person, this package entitles you to savour the live BBQ station's offerings, relish the buffet spread, and dine amidst a basic table setup.

2. Tropical Chic Package: For $208++ or $228++ per person, this package embraces the live BBQ station, the sumptuous buffet, and the enchantment of a stunning tropical table setup bedecked with captivating floral centrepieces by Estilo & Co.

3. Champagne Trolley Add-on: Available for $108++ per person, this add-on enriches your experience with 2 hours of free-flowing Champagne accompanied by delightful accompaniments.

Apple Coleslaw 4.5/5

Diving into the delectable spread, We commenced with the Apple Coleslaw, a delightful blend of red and white cabbage, mesclun, green apple, raisins, cashews, and house-pickled carrots. The addition of house-pickled carrots provides a tantalizing textural contrast.

Arugula Beet Salad 4/5

Another vibrant salad, the Arugula Beet Salad, combines arugula, pickled beetroot, pomelo, feta, and pistachios, elevated by a zesty dressing comprising yuzu kosho, yuzu juice, lime juice, and olive oil.

Nori Potatoes 4.8/5

The Nori Potatoes are a delightful treat, featuring cut potatoes blanched and deep-fried, then elevated with a dash of nori seaweed butter. The result? Fluffy and utterly addictive potato bites.

Nuoc Cham Street Corn 4/5

Grilled yellow Corn is impeccably dressed in Siri House's rendition of Nuoc Cham, featuring minced grilled spring onions, shallots, ginger, garlic, coriander, fish sauce, and lime juice, all perfectly punctuated with a drizzle of hot oil. This dish delivers sweet corn with a delightful hint of spiciness.

Mushroom Risotto 4.5/5

Japanese rice takes on a whole new dimension in the Mushroom Risotto, infused with a blend of burnt onion dashi and burnt mushroom puree. The dish is beautifully seasoned with the essence of burnt nori, creating a comforting and flavorful rice experience.

Green Curry Baked Mussels 4.2/5

The Mussels are bathed in a flavorful paste crafted from green chilli, coriander, lemongrass, holy basil, coconut milk, and coconut cream, with a rich finish of garlic butter. It's a Thai-inspired delight that marries beautifully with the plump mussels.

Sambal Grilled Barramundi 5/5

The Barramundi takes centre stage, adorned with a fiery sambal paste crafted from red chilli, shallots, garlic, lemongrass, galangal, and dried shrimp. Slow-cooked and nestled in banana leaves before grilling, it's a triumph of flavours. The sambal sauce deserves special mention—it's so good that it could easily outshine our local sambal stingray.

Duroc Pork Collar 4.2/5

The succulent Pork Collar is marinated in a tantalising blend of hoisin, fish sauce, ginger, garlic, shallots, coriander, chilli, cardamom, and brown sugar, then sous-vide cooked and expertly grilled. The result is a hint of smokiness with the perfect ratio of lean and fats.

Petite Tender 4.2/5

The Petite Tender Steak takes a journey through sous-vide cooking in olive oil, garlic, shallots, thyme, and tarragon before grilling. The finishing touch comes in the form of a housemade kombu aioli, where garlic aioli is artfully blended with charred onion puree, kombu, and lemon juice. This pairing elevates the tender beef to a mouthwatering

Tarts 4/5

To conclude your culinary voyage, indulge in two delightful Tarts. The first is crowned with chocolate ganache and adorned with seasonal fruits, while the second is generously filled with housemade passionfruit curd, leaving a sweet and tangy impression.

The enchanting experience is open for bookings for groups of 12 or more, from Tuesdays to Sundays, between 11:30 am and 8:00 pm. To make a reservation, you can email reservations.sg@sirihouse.com or book online via www.sirihouse.com/private-dining. A minimum of 7 days' advance notice is required to confirm date availability, and menu pre-orders are necessary 5 days ahead.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Siri House
Dempsey Hill
8D Dempsey Road
#01-02
Singapore 249672
Tel: +65 96670533
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Nearest MRT: Napier (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sat: 1130am - 230pm, 6pm - 1030pm
Sun: 1130am - 4pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Napier MRT station. Take Exit 2. Walk to bus stop opposite Singapore Botanic Gardens (Stop ID 13011). Take bus number 7, 75, 77, 105, 106, 123 or 174. Alight 2 stops later. Walk up to Dempsey Hill. Walk right to the back of the cluster. Walk to destination. Journey time 12 minutes. [Map]

Wang Dae Bak Grill @ Holland Piazza - South Korean Barbecue in a Modernized Classic Setting

Wang Dae Bak Grill at Holland Piazza is the brand's 3rd outlet, offering authentic South Korean barbecue in a modernised classic setting. The menu features fresh gourmet varieties such as US Prime Sirloin, Marinated Prime Ribs and Flower Pork Belly, including sets that cater to different dining group sizes.

The banchan here was really delicious! Besides the kimchi, I most enjoyed the braised egg and sauteed brinjal. They are refillable too.

Duroc Pork Belly

Duroc Pork Collar

For 2 or 3 pax, Buddy Set ($68) would be ideal if you intend to enjoy your meats with other dishes. The set has Marinated Prime Ribs, Duroc Pork Belly/Collar, Flower Pork Belly, and Marinated Chicken. The Pork Collar had a balanced marbling, lending the meat a good amount of flavour as the fats rendered off slowly on the sizzling grill.

Marinated Prime Ribs

Marinated Chicken

Both the chicken and prime ribs meat were marinated, but the marination did the chicken more justice than the latter. The chicken thighs were succulent, with flavours elevated by the marination. On the other hand, the tender beef did not deliver the anticipated beefy notes of a prime rib.

Spicy Seafood Tofu Stew 4/5

Other signature WDB dishes include this Spicy Seafood Tofu Stew with soft wobbly tofu. It was robust and heady with a depth of crustacean flavour from the fresh prawns and clams.

Kimchi Cheese Rolls 2.5/5

Kimchi and cheese combination sounds enticing, but the execution fell short with the Kimchi Cheese Rolls, which turned out to be a tad greasy. The kimchi and the cheese melded into one saltish tang. A kimchi cheese mandu or dumpling may have been a better alternative.

Kimchi Fried Rice with Cheese 4/5

Kimchi Fried Rice with Cheese was hearty and flavoursome, with the kimchi bits evenly tossed together with the pearly rice grains. The cheese was absent though. The charred bits formed at the base of the fried rice imparted a tantalising smokey nuance to the overall taste.

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.


Wang Dae Bak Grill
Holland Piazza
3 Lorong Liput
#02-01
Singapore 277725
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Nearest MRT: Holland Village (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 230pm, 530pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Holland Village MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn left and walk to Lorong Liput. Turn right at Lorong Liput. Walk down Lorong Luput. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

YUN NANS Stonepot Fish - Premieres New Stonepot Chicken Soup Starring Exclusively Raised Kabir Chicken Breed

YUN NANS Stonepot Fish at Northpoint City is Singapore's first stonepot cooking concept specializing in high-pressure steaming method. Following the success of YUN NANS Stonepot Fish, the restaurant has recently launched a new addition - Stonepot Chicken Soup with Pig's Stomach, inspired by the brand's signature steam pot chicken soup.

Stonepot Chicken Soup with Pig’s Stomach 3.8/5

Stonepot Chicken Soup with Pig's Stomach (Regular $39.80/Large $68.80) uses a premium breed of chicken. The Kabir chicken is reared exclusively for the restaurant for no more than 120 days to reach the optimum weight of 1.4kg-1.5kg. This helps retain the original free-range chicken's natural sweetness and flavour. The meat is also prized for being more tender and leaner than regular chicken.

The chicken is then cooked under high pressure in the specially handcrafted granite stone pot with pig's stomach, highland white corn, Yunnan golden fungus, and a soup base. In just eight minutes, the soup is done. It had a slightly creamy body and tasted quite savoury from cooking down the Chinese Ham. However, I expected a richer consistency since it is meant to be collagen-rich broth.

Highland White Corn

One of the star ingredients here is the Highland White Corn. They are sweet, juicy and refreshing. Adding them to the soup brings a depth of sweetness.

Deep-fried Crispy Shrimp Heads 3.5/5

Yun Nans Stonepot Fish is the only outlet offering stonepot and hot dishes. There are some new Hot Dishes on the menu. One of which is a plate of snacky Deep-fried Crispy Shrimp Heads ($9.90). The shrimp heads are deep-fried in high heat and then tossed with a house-made spice mix featuring Yunnan Qiubei chilli.

Stir-Fried Chayote Leaves with Soy Bean Sauce 4.5/5

One of my favourite new dishes is the Stir-Fried Chayote Leaves with Soy Bean Sauce ($15.90), a home-style dish of the Dai minority. Stir-frying with Yunnan bean sauce, alongside some garlic and chilli, brought out its sweetness.

Signature Fried Rice 4/5

A good plate of fried rice is always hard to come by at times. YUN NANS Signature Fried Rice ($8.80), simply fried with eggs and flavoured with specially concocted three-blend soy sauce, was moreish and deeply satisfying.

Wild Porcini Mushrooms with Dried Chillies 4.5/5

Stir-Fried Wild Porcini Mushrooms with Dried Chillies ($27.90) was highly flavoursome with wild porcini mushrooms, handpicked from the highlands, flash fried with Yunnan dried chillies and solo garlic. I love the chewy texture of the mushrooms, which were garlicky with a hint of heat.

Stir-Fried Pork Collar with Scallions 3.8/5

Stir-Fried Pork Collar with Scallions ($17.90) was very delectable too, featuring tender slices of pork collar, flash-fried with light sauce, then tossed with scallion. The latter added sweetness to the dish and enlivened it with its mildly sharp and oniony flavour.

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.


YUN NANS Stonepot Fish
Northpoint 
South Wing
1 Northpoint Drive
#01-103
Singapore 768019
Tel: +65 65131381
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Nearest MRT: Yishun (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 10pm

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