Pulsii French Bistro @ Tras Street - $19.80 Steak Frites Lunch Special

Nuzzled among the heritage shophouses of Tras Street, Pulsii French Bistro is a chic yet unpretentious dining spot that brings a touch of Parisian bistro charm to the edge of the CBD. Helmed by Chef Daisuke Yoshikawa, whose culinary experience includes time in Michelin-starred Japanese kitchens, the restaurant presents a menu that marries classic French techniques with Japanese ingredients and a distinctly modern approach.

The menu ranges from approachable small plates to more substantial mains, with dishes showcasing Chef Daisuke’s precision and affinity for open-fire cooking. For the weekday crowd, Pulsii also offers a 2-course set lunch at $20 or $35, making it an attractive option for a leisurely yet reasonably priced meal.

One of the biggest draws, however, is the Steak Frites Lunch Special at just $19.80++. Available from Monday to Saturday, only 20 portions are offered each day, so early arrival is recommended.

Bread and Yuzu Cheese Spread 3.5/5

We started with some Bread and Yuzu Cheese Spread, a simple yet pleasant bite to ease into the meal. The bread provides a soft, comforting base while the yuzu-infused cheese spread adds a gentle citrusy brightness, giving the otherwise creamy spread a refreshing lift.

Shima Aji Carpaccio 4.5/5

The Shima Aji Carpaccio ($24) makes a light, refreshing starter. Thick slices of Japanese Shima Aji are served with ponzu and mustard vinaigrette, pairing the fish’s naturally clean, subtly sweet flavour with pleasant acidity. The Shima Aji has a firm yet delicate texture, while shaved fennel stem and microcress add freshness and a slight crunch. The mix of Japanese ingredients with French-style presentation gives the dish a refined yet uncomplicated character, keeping the quality of the fish as the focus.

French Onion Gratin Soup 4.2/5

A comforting classic, the French Onion Gratin Soup ($16) is built around onions slowly cooked down until deeply caramelised, sweet, and jammy. The resulting broth is rich and intensely savoury, with the natural sweetness of the onions shining through. Topped with toasted bread and a generous layer of melted cheese, the soup delivers plenty of textural contrast — from the bubbling, gooey cheese to the bread that soaks up the deeply flavoured broth. It is hearty without being overly complicated, and certainly one for those who enjoy the comforting flavours of traditional French bistro cooking.

Lamb Skewer 4/5

The Lamb Skewer ($20) takes a more rustic direction, with the lamb cooked directly over an open woodfire flame. The high heat creates a nicely charred exterior while helping to retain the meat’s natural juices. The smoky notes from the woodfire add depth, giving the lamb a robust grilled character without overwhelming its natural flavour. Served with Japanese egg yolk, the yolk’s richness provides a creamy accompaniment to the smoky lamb, making this a satisfying small plate to share.

Japanese Kinmedai 4.2/5

For the mains, the Japanese Kinmedai ($58) showcases Chef Daisuke’s Japanese-French approach particularly well. Kinmedai, a prized deep-sea Japanese fish, is known for its rich, fatty flesh and delicate texture. Here, the fish is cooked over an open woodfire, allowing the skin to develop a beautifully charred exterior while keeping the flesh tender and moist. It is served with savoy cabbage tapenade and a dry vermouth cream sauce, which brings a combination of earthy, vegetal and creamy flavours to the plate. The smoky char from the fire complements the fish’s richness, while the sauce adds another layer of savouriness without masking the Kinmedai’s delicate character.

Steak Frites 4.2/5

Pulsii’s standout value proposition is its Steak Frites Lunch Special at $19.80++. Available Monday to Saturday at lunch, the special includes a 250g steak, crispy fries, and a seasonal green salad with Pulsii’s signature dressing. Only 20 portions are available each day, first come, first served, until sold out.

For the price, the portion is particularly generous. The steak is cooked over an open flame, leaving a nicely seared, charred exterior while keeping the centre tender and juicy. The open-fire cooking also lends the meat a subtle smokiness that works particularly well with the classic bistro-style preparation. The accompanying shoestring fries are crisp and golden, providing the essential crunchy counterpart to the juicy steak. A fresh seasonal salad rounds things off, adding some acidity and freshness to cut through the richness of the meat and fries.

Mille-Feuille with Vanilla Ice Cream 4.2/5

To end, the Mille-Feuille with Vanilla Ice Cream ($15) offers a classic French dessert with a satisfying play on textures. The puff pastry is baked until crisp, buttery and caramelised, creating delicate layers that shatter with each bite. Sandwiched between the pastry are smooth, creamy layers that contrast beautifully with the pastry’s crispness. Served alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream, the dessert gains another dimension as the cold, creamy ice cream slowly melts into the warm pastry. The combination of buttery pastry, creamy filling, and vanilla makes for a comforting, indulgent finish without feeling excessively heavy.

For those working around the CBD, the $20 or $35 2-course set lunches make Pulsii worth considering for a weekday meal. At the same time, the $19.80++ Steak Frites is particularly hard to overlook for its generous 250g portion and limited daily offering.

With its stylish setting, approachable pricing and a menu that blends French and Japanese influences, Pulsii French Bistro offers a refreshing dining option along Tras Street — whether you’re dropping by for a quick business lunch or settling in for a more leisurely meal.

Note: This is an invited tasting.



Pulsii French Bistro
55 Tras Street
Singapore 078944
Tel: +65 96898407
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Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line), Maxwell (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 12pm - 2:15pm, 6pm - 11pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Tras Street. Turn right onto Tras Street. Walk down Tras Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Maxwell MRT station. Take Exit 2. Turn left and walk down Tanjong Pagar Road. Turn left onto Tras Street. Walk down Tras Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Vineyard @ Hortpark - All-You-Can-Eat A La Carte French Buffet at $58

Vineyard at Hortpark serves up French cuisine with a touch of local flair. The restaurant is currently running a promotion for its All-You-Can-Eat à la carte French Buffet at $58++ (U.P. $98++). The menu entices with a range of starters, including classics such as Duck Rillette and Moules Marinières, comforting soups and salads, and mains featuring iconic dishes such as Duck Leg Confit and Steak Frites.

Gruyère Cheese Zucchini Croquette 4/5

The Gruyère Cheese Zucchini Croquette arrived golden and crisp, with rich, oozy cheese complemented by julienned zucchini. The filling could have been less wet for a better texture, and given its richness, a mustard-based sauce might have worked more effectively than the French ranch drizzle to cut through and balance the flavours.

Country-Style French Duck Rillette 4.5/5

One of our favourites was the Country-Style French Duck Rillette — meaty and unctuous without being overly fatty.

Mushroom Pâté 3/5

The Mushroom Pâté with Apricot Compote was delectable, though we found it slightly on the sweeter side.

Ah Hua Kelong Mussels Marinière 4.8/5

Embracing the ethos of farm-to-table dining, Vineyard also sources produce locally, creating dishes such as the Ah Hua Kelong Mussels Marinière. The white wine butter sauce was incredibly full-bodied and flavourful, making this an excellent showcase of our local mussels.

Vegetable Garbure Soup 5/5

The humble Vegetable Garbure Soup was another highlight of our experience. A traditional dish from Gascony in southwestern France, it was prepared with GG French Poulet broth, giving the soup a full-bodied depth of flavour, gently laced with subtle smokiness from the chunks of smoked ham. Brimming with vegetables, the wholesome soup also featured Ravioles du Dauphiné, adding an extra layer of texture and richness to the dish.

Vineyard Salad 5/5

Vineyard Salad was a plateful of wholesome ingredients that delighted with both freshness and textural crunch. Homegrown greens, watermelon radish, cucumber, and tomatoes brought refreshing notes, complemented by the earthy sweetness of roasted beetroot and bursts of zest from orange slices. Creamy feta cheese balanced the greens beautifully, while candied walnuts imparted a moreish, sweet-nutty and satisfying crunch in every bite.

French Duck Leg Confit 4.8/5

For mains, the standout was definitely the French Duck Leg Confit, one of the better versions I have had in a long time. The moist and tender duck meat contrasted beautifully with its crisp exterior, brilliantly complemented by a zesty L’Orange sauce. The accompanying duck-fat-roasted potatoes also hit the right spot, with their fluffy interior and lightly crisped exterior.

Oven-Roasted Great Hill Free Range Chicken Leg 4.5/5

The succulent Oven-Roasted Great Hill Free Range Chicken Leg was another crowd-pleaser, paired with a mustard brown sauce that elevated the dish with tantalising savoury notes. It was served with the same indulgent duck-fat-roasted potatoes, which were equally satisfying.

Steak Frites 3/5

As for the Steak Frites featuring a Grass-Fed Striploin, while the steak itself was enjoyable, the brandy peppercorn sauce did not quite complement the meat as well as we had hoped. What truly stood out were the handcrafted French fries, reminiscent of exceptionally good double-fried Belgian fries cooked in beef fat.

Limoncello Tiramisu 4.2/5

For dessert, the Limoncello Tiramisu was a delight. Crafted with lemon curd, finger sponge, and limoncello, it offered bright citrusy notes, beautifully balanced by a contrasting caramelised, buttery sweetness from the Speculoos crumbs.

Altogether, it had been a satisfying dining experience marked by a few memorable highlights that made it well worth a visit. This à la carte French buffet is available for dinner only on Monday to Friday and all day on the weekends.

Photos and words by Si An. A homebody who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, the smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food.


Vineyard
Hortpark
33 Hyderabad Road
#02-02
Singapore 119578
Tel: +65 6479 7977
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Nearest MRT: Telok Blangah (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 1130am - 3pm, 6pm - 10pm
Sat-Sun: 1030am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Telok Blangah MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to the bus stop at Telok Blangah MRT station (Stop ID14161). Take bus number 61, 93, 97, 100, 120, 166 or 963. Alight 4 stops later. Walk to Hyderabad Road. Walk up Hyderabad Road. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 15 minutes. [Map]