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]

Spizza Mercato @ Capitol Piazza

Spizza Mercato, a new concept by The Senso Group, is located at the basement of Capitol Piazza. If you have been to Italy, you should have been to a “Mercato” before – the marketplaces typically found near fountains in piazzas all across Italy. I’m not sure whether it is by chance, Spizza Mercato is found to be just right beside a fountain. How apt.

Unlike the usual Spizza outlets, this restaurant comprises a retail section which offers gourmet products and kitchenware. While waiting for our food to come, I eagerly hop over to take a look (I have a thing with kitchenware!). With the pretty looking crockery, pots and pans, I fall in love with this corner instantly. It jazzes up the ambience by a notch. The shelf has almost of what you need to cook an authentic Italian fare. For a start, you can try recreating Spizza Mercato’s dishes by using some of their ingredients such as pastas, flour and pre-packaged sauces and soups. Cooking utensils are available as well, including individual pizza ovens! Wine and coffee lovers can choose from their Italian Wine selections or bring home Illy coffee pods.

Burratina 3.8/5

For antipasto, we had the Burratina ($22) for the evening. The Italian burratina cheese, imported from Italy, is served with Parma ham and a side of rucola salad. I like this combination. The savoury parma ham and the sharp rucola leaves brings out the milky flavour and creaminess of the cheese really well.

Insalata Greca 2.5/5

Insalata Greca ($12.80) their version of greek salad pales in comparison. It was too ‘airy’ for me.

Donna Pizza 3/5

Customers’ needs have been heard in Spizza Merato. Gluten-free pizzas are now readily available. Hooray for many! Despite Gluten-free, flavours are not lost in this Donna Pizza ($23).  I only wish that the ingredients can be slightly more generous, but thanks to the thin crust, I didn’t feel it was too doughy.

Gondola Isabella 2.8/5

Vesus the Donna Pizza, I find the Gondola Isabella ($25), any pizza can be made into the gondola, slightly too doughy. Perhaps it has turned cold by the time I tasted it, the cheese was kinda lumpy when we unravelled the inside. Extremely cheesy, it is meant for cheese lovers.

Green Spinach ‘TRIANGOLI’ 4/5

Compared to their pizza, I was more impressed with their pasta offerings. Handmade at the outlet itself, which was unexpected from a chain establishment. Green Spinach ‘TRIANGOLI’ ($18) was a favourite among many tonight. Together with the mushrooms in porcini & cream sauce, you may be surprised how a meatless dish can be so delectable. Each tender little pocket stuffed with spinach. The thought that the flavour of the spinach may be overwhelmed by the sauce, but it isn't. It is not easy to find a good triangoli. Many fail to get the right balance of the dough and stuffing, as well as cooking it to the right bite.

Squid Ink Taglierini 4.5/5

Squid Ink Taglierini ($20) is one of their signatures. Served in homemade Tomato Sauce with a generous portion of seafood, this dish is a must-try. I enjoy the lightness of the taglierini, which also comes with the right bite, firm but not hard. The tangy tomato sauce makes it even more appetising.

Panna Cotta 3/5

For desserts, we had Panna Cotta ($8) and Lemon Tart ($6.50) I much prefer the Panna Cotta. Its sweetness was just nice for me, while I find The Lemon Tart was slightly too cloying. For ladies, I would recommend two to share.

Lemon Tart 2.8/5

For a chain concept, I find their pastas quite exceptional. Its relaxing ambience adds on to the experience too. However, if you still want to have a Spizza’s meal at the comfort of your own home, easy-to-grab food items are available for takeaway or can be pre-ordered via Spizza’s mobile application or website then self-collected.

Written 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.


Spizza Mercato
Capitol Piazza
13 Stamford Road
#B2-52
Singapore 178905
Tel: +65 67021835
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spizza.sg
Website: http://www.spizza.sg/pages/mercato
Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1030am - 1030pm

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