Reowned and award winning Owner-Chef Pang Kok Keong unveils Le Jardin D'Antoinette at the swanky shopping destination along Orchard Road at Palais Renaissance. This is the group's 4th outlet and also the brand's Parisian flair concept's largest outlet.
Le Jardin D'Antoinette's main dining area modelled after Versaille’s expansive outdoor garden, is a unique round-shaped dining space decked out with ornate vintage furniture featuring an abundance of floral accents such as flower print upholstered seats, and surrounded by trellises hanging with vines, lush topiary and exuberant oversized floral arrangements.
Thanks to the invitation from Six Sense Communications & PR Consultancy and Ellena for extend the invitation, I am very privileged to be hosted by the friendly and soft spoken Owner-Chef Pang himself. We were at Le Jardin D'Antoinette to savour some of the new offerings from their refreshed menu. Of course not to be missed was Chef Pang's new 2012 collection of irresistible Asian-inspired desserts and pastry.
Classic French Onion Soup 4.2/5
The Classic French Onion Soup ($16.50) was made using chicken and veal broth with caramelized onions. It was accompanied by cheese toasts made from Antoinette's signature 24-hour baguette. Traditionally the soup is covered with a layer of cheese and broiled to brown before serving. At Antoinette, this is substituted with a cheese crust cover made from combo of parmesan and gruyere cheese. The richness of the soup had a tad of tangy taste which was quite enjoyable that paired well with the sweetness of the caramelized onions.
Tartine de Nicoise 4/5
The Tartine de Nicoise ($26.00) was crowned by a bed of butter lettuce, french beans, tomatoes, olives, a three-minute egg, anchovy and seared tuna on top an open face levain sandwich. The star was the levain bread made from a proprietary yeast starter and takes 18 days to make. The bread was soft and fluffy with a tangy flavour amid a hard crispy crust.
Confit de Poitrine de Porc 4.5/5
The Confit de Poitrine de Porc ($36) or simply Pork Belly Confit was cured in a mixture of sea salt, brown sugar and aromatics, and then cooked, covered in duck fat for 90 degrees Celsius over 12 hours. I noticed the crackling skin was a bit darker in colour which made me wonder if it was because of the used of brown sugar during the curing process. The melted in the mouth pork belly was served with garlic mash, seasonal vegetables, and mustard sauce.
Bouchees aux fruits de mer 3.5/5
My first impression of the Bouchees aux fruits de mer ($30) resembles the chinese yam basket. The puff pastry case came with a luxurious seafood medley of scallops, prawns, squid and mussels sauteed with white wine and cream. We were quite impressed that the pastry was cooked perfectly considering the number of layers involved. Unfortunately, I felt that the ingredients didn't come together as one and it was kind of complex or difficult to savour the seafood and pastry as a whole. I would gladly have the seafood and pastry separately.
Prawn Crumble Pasta 4.5/5
The Prawn Crumble Pasta ($26) was rather unique for me. First the used of parsley pesto to the more common basil pesto. Next was the used of homemade anchovy crumble that was sprinkled on top of the pasta. I was quite impressed with the pasta that had both textures and flavours working harmoniously together.
Kyoto 4.2/5
Besides a wide repertoire of savoury items, Le Jardin D'Antoinette also has a exquisite selection of desserts that Antoinette is well known for amid its luxuriant setting. After a hearty meal, we got to try 4 of Chef Pang's new 2012 collection of Asian-inspired desserts and pastry.
Kyoyo ($9) a light but dense Japanese matcha mousse cake made of green tea mascarpone mousse, chestnut cremeux, almond crumble, green tea finger sponge. I do not really have a sweet tooth and the balance of sweetness was just right for me.
Chloe 4/5
Chloe ($9) is a white chocolate vanilla mousse on a light sponge cake and almond sable combined with refreshing and fragrant yuzu cremeux. Best to enjoy with a cup of tea to wash down the sweetness.
Tarte Exotique 4.2/5
The Tarte Exotique ($8.50) was probably the favourite desserts among the four we tried. A luscious gula melaka cremeux, finger sponge and a light coconut mousse crowned with a delicate mango and passion fruit coulis sphere sitting on an almond base. The technique and used of Asian flavours in the subtle dessert just demonstrate the chef's talent and prowess in his forte.
Forbidden Fruit 4/5
The Forbidden Fruits ($9) has beautiful layers of green apple mousse, vanilla caramel apple and green apple jelly, complemented with maple cremeux on a financier cake. The layers of texture was rather new to me and took a while for my palate to settle in.
With the opening of Le Jardin DAntoinette at Palais Renaissance that comes with a much bigger seating capacity that can accommodate up to 94 guests, it is great to see classic French food can be enjoyed readily at affordable price.
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Le Jardin D'Antoinette
Palais Renaissance
390 Orchard Road
B1-08/09/10C
Singapore 238871
Tel: +65 6735 6392
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/antoinette.sg
Website: http://www.antoinette.com.sg/
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)
Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm
Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit E. Walk towards Wheellock Place via ION. Exit Wheellock Place and turn left towards Liat Tower. Cross the road at the traffic light junction and turn left towards Royal Thai Embassy. Palais Renaissance is right after Royal Thai Embassy. Journey time about 10 minutes.
2) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk towards Shaw House via underpass. At the road level, walk along Orchard Road towards Royal Thai Embassy direction. Palais Renaissance is right after Royal Thai Embassy. Journey time about 10 minutes.
