Allô @ Jalan Besar - Indulge In French Cuisine For A Chic Brunch Or Cosy Dinner In Modern Shophouse

The newly opened French restaurant Allô sits along one of the many lanes of shophouses in Jalan Besar. It may seem to be quite an unexpected location at first. Still, the restaurant has done its interior in a chic yet cosy fashion, which makes it suitable for various occasions. When we came by for dinner, there were several groups of diners celebrating Father's Day.

Dinner aside, Allô also offers both brunch and value-for-money lunch sets. The Brunch menu is available on weekdays from 11am to 3pm and all day on weekends, offering classic brunch options such as Eggs Benedict ($23) and elevated dishes like Rosti, Eggs & Minute Steak ($32).

The Lunch Sets, on the other hand, are priced affordably from $15.90 onwards. Available from Tuesdays to Fridays, 11am to 3pm, the three-course weekday set lunch includes a choice of starter, a pasta main and a dessert.

Beverages

The restaurant offers various alcohols: beers, house pours, reds, whites, dessert wines and champagnes. We opted for non-alcoholic beverages of Sparkling Apple ($6) and Citrus Blue Magic ($7.50). The former is made with sparkling water infused with 100% apple juice, while the latter has blue pea flower tea, yoghurt drink and citrus juice.

Salmon Rillette 3.5/5

Our starter of Salmon Rillette ($18) features a rillette made of cured salmon slow-cooked in butter, served with capers, a petit salad and a side of sweet potato chips. My dining companion and I were quite disappointed with this as the rillette was mostly overpowered with a sharp sourness and masked any flavour of the salmon. The sweet potato chips lacked crispness as well.

Lobster Bisque 4.5/5

Thankfully, the next dish fared much better. This Lobster Bisque ($18) was also one of our two favourites of the night. Made in-house from freshly caught lobsters, the bisque turned out luscious and creamy but not overly thick. It was bursting with seafood sweetness and had just the right amount of savoury notes.

My dining companion and I enjoyed this very much and mopped it up quickly with the bread from the complimentary bread basket. I did wish there were bits of lobster meat in it for extra texture, though!

Saucisson Croquettes 3.8/5

The homemade Saucisson Croquettes ($12) came in a portion of three, served with a tangy peanut butter dressing with a touch of heat. We appreciated the crunchy exterior and creamy filling; otherwise, it was average. We also hoped to have a better bite of the saucisson bits in it.

Duck Confit with Pomme Purée & Orange Balsamic Glaze 4/5

Next, we were served our first main, the Duck Confit with Pomme Puree & Orange Balsamic Glaze ($30). The dish uses a whole duck leg roasted in its own fat, served with a side of purée and asparagus.

While I enjoyed the tangy-sweet orange balsamic glaze and the slight crispiness on the duck skin, the duck meat was not as fork-tender as I expected. The meat could be better tenderised, and the mash could be more buttery.

Lobster Risotto 4.5/5

Then came our second favourite of the night, the Lobster Risotto ($32). It was hands down one of the best risotto we have had in a while. The rich lobster stock base had an impressive amount of crustacean sweetness brimming through and was nicely finished with cream to achieve that lip-smacking consistency. The arborio rice was perfectly cooked to a lovely creaminess and further topped with chunks of tender butter-poached lobster meat.

Valrhona Dark Chocolate Feuillantine Cake 4/5

We ended our dinner on a sweet note with the Valrhona Dark Chocolate Feuillantine Cake ($15). Made of dark chocolate covertures on a base of feuillantine and crumbles, the chocolate portion was rich without being cloying. The accompanying scoop of yoghurt gelato gave a refreshing and tangy touch.

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.


Allô
72 Desker Road
Singapore 209595
Tel: +65 88979230
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Nearest MRT: Jalan Besar (DT Line), Farrer Park (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Sun-Thu: 11am - 3pm, 6pm - 1030pm
Fri-Sat: 11am - 3pm, 6pm - 12midnight
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Jalan Besar MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk straight down Jalan Besar Road to Desker Road. Turn left onto Desker Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Farrer Park MRT station. Take Exit F. Walk to Roberts Lane. Turn left onto Roberts Lane, walk to Serangoon Road. Cross the road and walk down Desker Road. Walk down Desker Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Kuan Zhai Alley (宽窄巷子) @ Capital Square - Modern Authentic Sichuan Restaurant, Bringing Your Dining Experience To The Next Level

Kuan Zhai Alley (宽窄巷子) at Capital Square is an extraordinary addition to the culinary scene in Chinatown, Singapore. This modern authentic Sichuan restaurant showcases the bold and vibrant flavours of Sichuan cuisine and celebrates its rich cultural heritage. Upon entering, you are immediately transported to a refined Chinese dining experience with its lavish interior design that exudes elegance. The attention to detail extends to the meticulously plated dishes, each a work of art.

Arctic Bay Scallops with Mushrooms 4.2/5

One standout dish is the Arctic Bay Scallops with Mushrooms ($38). It takes a unique approach by shredding and deep-frying the scallops, which are then delicately dressed in chilli oil. The resulting texture is reminiscent of dried squid, creating a delightful sensory experience.

Auspicious Shrimp Cake 4/5

The Auspicious Shrimp Cake ($78) is made from fresh prawns formed into a paste and coated in a thin crust. These delectable cakes are deep-fried to a perfect golden hue. Accompanied by an orange-infused mayonnaise and a spiced chilli dipping sauce, every bite is a symphony of flavours that elevates the enjoyment.

Lychee Shrimp Balls 4.2/5

Another interesting creation is the Lychee Shrimp Balls ($26), which are playfully presented hanging on a tree for diners to pluck from. These shrimp balls are delightfully springy and infused with the delicate essence of lychee. Pair them with the accompanying orange-infused mayonnaise for a burst of contrasting flavours.

Spicy & Peppery Chicken 3.5/5

While the Spicy & Peppery Chicken ($58) aims to showcase the popular Kou Shui Ji (口水鸡) dish, the execution falls slightly short. The chicken leans towards the drier side, and both the spicy and peppery sauces lack the expected intensity. It's a dish that could benefit from bolder flavours to capture the essence of Sichuan cuisine truly.

Cabbage with Pork Belly 4.2/5

In contrast, the Cabbage with Pork Belly ($22) embodies simplicity at its finest. Stir-fried to a delightful crunch, the sweetness of the cabbage harmonises beautifully with the fragrant pork belly, resulting in a satisfying and comforting dish.

Braised Fish with Sour Cowpeas 4.5/5

One of the meal's highlights is the Braised Fish with Sour Cowpeas ($168). Served in a simmering pot, the fish is perfectly cooked to a moist and tender texture. The accompanying sauce strikes a delightful balance of sweetness, spiciness, and tanginess, creating an incredibly appetising combination.

Chinese Brush Pastry 2.8/5

For dessert, the Chinese Brush Pastry ($36) arrives in a captivating presentation resembling a traditional Chinese brush set. The edible pastry tip allows you to "write" with chocolate sauce as if practising Chinese calligraphy. While visually captivating, the dessert needs to improve in terms of flavour and live up to the overall dining experience.

Kuan Zhai Alley aims to elevate Sichuan cuisine into a fine dining realm, evident in its exquisite presentation and attention to detail. However, it's worth noting that the price point leans towards the higher end, which all diners might not easily embrace. Whether Singaporeans will fully embrace this fine dining approach to Sichuan cuisine remains to be seen. Still, it undeniably offers a unique and memorable culinary experience for those willing to indulge.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Kuan Zhai Alley (宽窄巷子)
Capital Square
23 Church Street
#01-02 to 08
Singapore 049481
Tel: +65 81008577
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Nearest MRT: Telok Ayer (DT Line), Raffles Place (EW, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 3pm, 530pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Telok Ayer MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk straight down Telok Ayer Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Raffles Place MRT station. Take Exit D. Walk to Church Street. Cross the street and walk towards Telok Ayer Street. Turn left onto Telok Ayer Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]