Les Amis @ Shaw Centre

photo credit: Les Amis

Les Amis, ranked 13th on San Pellegrino's Asia's Top 50 Restaurants list in 2015 has recently undergone a $1.5 million facelift. I was privileged to be able to check out the new look with its new furniture, carpets and paintings. The sparkling gem of the whole revamp has to be the one-in-the-world customized Charvet island cooking suite hand-built from scratch from France to complement the eco-friendliness of the kitchen.

Bread Basket 4.2/5

The dinner experience at Les Amis started with a Bread Basket of a warm in-house bakes. In the basket, there were bacon and mustard breadstick, tomato and basil bread, sourdough and baguette.

White Asparagus "Blanc Mange" 3.5/5

Shortly after, a light and delicate jelly of asparagus with oscietra caviar was served. The White Asparagus Blanc Mange was a pleasing starter with the priced caviar.

Foie Gras & Eel 4/5

I though the Foie Gras & Eel pairing is rather rare. The pan seared foie gras and French river eel were served with citrus fruit compote and dashi. I like the addition of sesame giving it another layer of flavour adn texture.

Organic French Camus Artichoke 3.8/5

The Organic French Camus Artichoke is a new tasting experience for me. The artichoke is stuffed with tomato in combination with smoked eel and dashi. It felt as if I was eating portobello mushroom.

Wild Scottish Salmon 4.2/5

Following that I had the Wild Scottish Salmon served in two way with aromatiques aromates. Like the way it is lightly pan seared on the exterior while retaining a nice moist and pinkish melted in the mouth inside.

Charcoal Grilled Pork Loin 4.5/5

For the mains, we moved on to the Charcoal Grilled Pork Loin. Grilled to a nice tender, the layer of fats which is just appropriate, enhanced the whole play of texture and enjoyment. This is definitely the highlight of the night for me.

Japanese Omi Beef 4.5/5

Another option for the main is the Japanese Omi Beef with asparagus and traditional poivrade sauce, one of the three most famous kind of beef in Japan. Cooked perfectly to a nice juicy pink medium rare, this is heavenly on the palate.

Dark Chocolate P125 Souffle with Tahiti Vanilla Cream 4/5

Petit Fours 4/5

Wrapped up the dinner on a sweet note with the Dark Chocolate P125 Souffle with Tahiti Vanilla Cream and Petit Fours. The intensity of the valrhoha P125 chocolate gave the souffle a sinful bittersweet richness that is so hard not to go back for more of it.

It is really an experience dining at Les Amis. The quality of the food and service has been top notch. No wonder it has been ranked among the elite restaurants around the world. Even though so, pricing has been kept rather reasonable and affordable for an exquisite experience.


Les Amis
Shaw Centre
1 Scotts Road
#02-14/16
Singapore 228208
Tel: +65 67332225
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lesamisrestaurant
Website: http://www.lesamis.com.sg/
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 12pm - 2pm, 630pm - 930pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit A. Follow the underground walkway to Shaw House/Isetan. From Shaw House/Isetan walk to Shaw Centre and onto the road outside. Turn left on Claymore Hill and walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

SEAR @ Singapore Land Tower

With Valentine's Day falling on Saturday this year, I am sure a lot of couples and lovers are planning for a romatic dinner date. If you are still researching and looking for a restaurant, I would recommend Sear, a modern American steakhouse recently opened in November 2014 on the 45th storey of Singapore Land Tower overlooking the scenic Marina Bay.

Crispy Pork Belly 4.2/5

Specially for Valentine's Day, Executive Chef Claudio Sandri has specially created an elegant three course meal for this special day. Tempting the palate, is the amuse bouche of Crispy Pork Belly with clementine sorbet and hoi sin sauce. The pork belly was perfectly done with crackling skin and succulent meat. I like the pairing of the sorbet more than the hoi sin sauce. Nevertheless, this is a beautiful dish to impress your perfect. Do note amuse bouche is only available for the second seating.

Seasonal Oysters 4.2/5

Grilled Hokkaido Scallops & Foie Gras 4.5/5

Sweet Corn Soup 4.2/5

For the starters, there is a choice of Seasonal Oysters, Grilled Hokkaido Scallop & Foie Gras or Sweet Corn Soup. The seasonal oyster is paired with iberico chorizo and tomato cloud to boost the natural creaminess of the oyster. The sweet and plump scallop was beautifully seared and paired with the foie gras. The bowl of comforting sweet corn soup made from pearl corn and PIRA grilled baby corn will be a delightful treat.

PIRA Grilled Canadian Tenderloin 3.8/5

For the mains, one has a choice between the PIRA Grilled Canadian Tenderloin and Spanish Rice Stew. The PIRA Grilled Canadian Tenderloin is served with basil gnocchi, baby carrots and red wine sauce. While the Canadian tenderloin was perfectly grilled and tender, I felt that it lacked that natural beefy flavour that I enjoyed. However my attention went to the basil gnocchi which was extremely good with the added basil.

Spanish Rice Stew 4.5/5

The Spanish Rice Stew on the other hand fares better with its robust flavours. Cooked with Canadian lobster, chorizo and Roma tomatoes, this is a one pot rainbow of flavours that will send you over the moon.

Marshmallow and Double Chocolate Mud Cake 3.5/5

Raspberry Souffle 3.8/5

Every meal is not complete without the dessert. Wrapping up the 3 course meal is the choice of Marshmallow and Double Chocolate Mud Cake, and Raspberry Souffle. The Marshmallow and Double Chocolate Mud Cake is served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. This dessert will be a joy to the chocolate lover with its rich and intense chocolatey flavour. The Raspberry Souffle on the other hand is lighter in flavour but as good. A hole is further cut in the middle of the souffle and chocolate sauce is pour into it.

Diners can choose from two seating times on 14 February 2015. First seating at 6pm is priced at $108++ per person or Second seating at 830pm is priced at $138++ per person. Special early bird offers are available till 1 February at $88++ per person (first seating) and $118++ per person (second seating). Wine pairing is also available for an additional $35++ per person.


Sear
Singapore Land Tower
50 Raffles Place
#45-01/02
Singapore 048623
Tel: +65 62219555
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/searsteakhouse.sg
Website: http://www.fiftyrafflesplace.com/
Nearest MRT: Raffles Place (EW Line, NS Line)

Opeing Hours:
Mon-Sat: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Raffles Place MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn left and walk to Chevron House. At Chevron House, turned left and walk down the walkway. Continue to the end of the walkway, the destination is the building on the right. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Miam Miam @ Bugis Junction

Miam Miam at Bugis Junction is a new French-Japanese cafe kitchen offering perfectly engineered meal made from scratch and with top grade ingredients. Using the Japanese ideologies of kaizen and kanban in its food and preparation practices, ensures lean and just in time production. Meaning all ingredients are measured and cooked to precise timing.

Hot Matcha Latte 4/5

As usual I am early for my dinner appointment so I started with a glass of Hot Matcha Latte ($6.80). Using premium Matcha and delicately steamed with milk, the rich and smooth matcha latte warming up the appetite for the dinner to come.

Miam Miam Spaghetti 4/5

Dinner started with a huge plate of Miam Miam Spaghetti ($15.80) that is served with sauteed with frankfurters, tomatoes, baby spinach, egg plant, bacon and a soft boiled egg. The portion is though for one is good for two. I prefer my pasta to be creamy so I didn't think I would like it until I have a taste of it. We were advice to break the egg and mixed it together with the whole plate. Tossed together with french butter, shayu and a secret broth the plate of pasta definitely won be over.

Riz Noir Squid Ink Rice 3.8/5

We usually have squid ink pasta and I like the interesting twist of the Riz Nori Squid Ink Rice ($16.50). The delish squid ink rice with assorted seafood is topped with an omu egg. My only disappointment is the omu egg that came across as a tad flat unlike those Japanese type that is thick and runny.

Riz Au Curry 3.8/5

The other rice item on the menu is the Riz Au Curry ($15.50). The baked rice with homemade Japanese curry, pork frankfurters, broccoli, cheese and egg was bursting with strong flavours. It is a beautiful dish but I prefer it to be a hint more spicy.

Souffle De Nuage 4/5

The Souffle De Nuage ($15.50) is probably one of the most unique dish I have tired this year. Diving the spoon through the airy egg and cheese cloud , lands into a sea of red rice grains field. The home style fresh tomato sauteed rice was fragrant and so interesting that you just need to give it a try.

Chocolate Molleaux 3/5

While the Chocolate Molleaux ($9.80) was moist but I was a bit disappointed that it does not have that lava flowing effect that will get everyone excited before digging in.

Caramelised Banana Pancake 4.2/5

The Caramelised Banana Pancake ($12.80) is served with bananas cooked in a deep golden caramel sauce and topped with premium gelato vanilla soft serve with toasted almond nibs. I was actually quite puzzle because the texture was closer to that of a cake than a pancake. The pancake was indeed light and airy. Seldom will I go back for more and that says a lot.

Hot Coffee 4/5

If you are coffee lover, do try their Hot Coffee ($5.20) brewed the old fashioned way, hand dripped from carefully selected 100% Arabica Beans.

Valrhona Chocolate Souffle 3.5/5

If you want to try the Valrhona Chocolate Souffle ($13.80), do prepare to wait for a good 20 minutes or more as it is freshly baked a la minute. The perfectly raised souffle was topped with a heavenly decadent melted chocolate to enrich the moment of ecstasy.

Overall the food at Miam Miam is pretty good and affordable, the highest price item is at $18.80. Patrons can also look forward to new surprises every six to nine months. The expanding brand will be opening their 2nd outlet at Westgate in end Decemeber 2013. The team is a also planning global expansion into Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, China, US, Canada, other parts of Malaysia and Australia with existing presence in Singapore, Melbourne and Penang.


Miam Miam
Bugis Junction (outside BHG)
#02-14
200 Victoria Street
Singapore 188021
Tel: +65 68370301
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miam.sg
Website: http://miam.sg/
Nearest MRT: Bugis (EW Line, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 10pm

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