VENUE by Sebastian @ Downtown Gallery - New Menu Additions to Chef Sebastian’s Range of Contemporary European Cuisine with Mediterranean and Asian Influences

VENUE by Sebastian at Downtown Gallery, helmed by Chef-Owner Sebastian Ng, has refreshed the menu with new offerings. The casual restaurant's menu highlights contemporary European cuisine with Mediterranean and Asian influences, with items priced very reasonably for its quality.

In conjunction with its 7th anniversary celebrations, diners can look forward to new menu additions and a newly launched three-course dinner menu available from just $58!

Roasted Cauliflower Salad 4.5/5

The Roasted Cauliflower Salad ($18) provided a delightful medley of textures. Combined with toasted almonds and jewelled salad, it was finished with a dollop of mint yoghurt, lending a fresh and minty brightness. The addition of pomegranate added a clever touch of sweetness.

Crispy Potato 4.2/5

A new dish on the menu, this Crispy Potato ($9) was a quick favourite among my dining companions. The crispy, thin shreds of potatoes were paired with toppings of chorizo, sautéed mushroom and a poached egg. We were recommended to break and mix the egg to allow its yolk to coat the dish evenly. It was both slightly earthy and intensely savoury.

Foie Gras Mousse 4.5/5

For a more luxurious starter, go for the Foie Gras Mousse ($19). I loved how it was very simply presented but tasted otherwise. In fact, all that the creamy and rich foie gras mousse needed to be paired with, was their lightly toasted and soft housemade brioche. I would like more bread to make the most of the spread!

Farro & Mushrooms 4.8/5

Calling out to fellow mushroom lovers to try this new Farro & Mushrooms ($26) dish! It was profoundly earthy yet not at all overwhelming, unlike how some similar risotto dishes may be. The bed of farro had a slight chew, done with a generous amount of mushrooms and kombu butter, topped with parmigiano reggiano and a poached egg.

I loved the combination of textures and flavours here. Even though this was meant to be a starter, it would also work perfectly as a main.

Braised 12 Hours Wagyu Beef Cheek Au Jus

While I couldn't take beef, my dining companions sang praises of the Braised 12-hour Wagyu Beef Cheek Au Jus ($38) for its texture. The beef was served with pomme purée and broccolini.

Chilean Seabass 4.5/5

The Chilean Seabass ($42) was tender and flaky. It was served with mushroom-bacon ragout and sat in truffle yuzu butter sauce. The flavours were well-balanced, but the portion of seabass could be slightly bigger.

Iberico Pork Collar 4/5

Our last meat dish was the grilled Iberico Pork Collar ($38). I appreciated the smoky char on the slices, but I found the cuts slightly too chewy. The mint yoghurt lent a refreshing touch.

Pistachio Financier 4/5

Our first dessert featured the nutty Pistachio Financier ($15) paired with a scoop of grand marnier ice cream and tangy raspberry yoghurt dressing. We heard that the dessert components were all homemade.

Pear Tart 4.5/5

Next was the unassuming Pear Tart ($15). It had an impressively light and thin pastry with sweet pear bits within, topped with crumble and paired with Bailey ice cream. The crisp texture was a lovely surprise.

Classic Peach Melba 4/5

Finally, we sampled the new Classic Peach Melba ($15) with vanilla ice cream, chantilly cream and fresh raspberry sauce. This would be a good choice if you're craving for something more sweet to end the meal, although I would have preferred a bit more crunch for texture.

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.


VENUE by Sebastian
Downtown Gallery
#01-02
6A Shenton Way
Singapore 068815
Tel: +65 6904 9688
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Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar MRT (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit E. Walk to traffic junction of Maxwell Road and Shenton Way. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Shenton Way MRT station. Take Exit 6. Walk to Shenton Way. Cross the road. Turn left and walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Revolver @ Tras Street - A New Private Experience Room Concept

Revolver, a popular restaurant in Tras Street, has elevated its dining experience by unveiling its Private Experience Room on the second floor. This expansive haven features a well-operational bar, a meticulously curated wine cabinet, a cutting-edge sound system, a communal dining table, and sumptuous loungers, creating an intimate space for up to 14 diners. Introducing a novel concept, The Spread ($329++ per pax) is an exclusive menu meticulously crafted solely for this distinguished venue.

Prawn Balchao Monaka 4/5

Burrata Tokri Chaat 4/5

Rock Oysters 4/5

Our dinner began with a trio of exquisite snacks. With their briny essence, the Rock Oysters were paired with a smokey chipotle chutney, yuzu juice, and moilee espuma, creating a sea-inspired overture. The Burrata Tokri Chaat, nestled in a delicate tart shell, featured layers of soft cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, chimichurri, and caviar, a harmonious medley of flavours. Completing the trio, the Prawn Balchao Monaka, a Goan-inspired delight, balanced the sweetness of prawns with a spicy and sour paste.

Japanese Hamachi, Pickled Daikon "Pani Puri" 4.2/5

Next, we savoured the Japanese Hamachi with Pickled Daikon for the small plates, offering a Pani Puri-inspired twist. The Hamachi, known for its fresh and clean taste, was a canvas for the diverse array of flavours that followed. Each bite revealed a nuanced symphony – the buttery richness of the fish, the tangy notes from the pickled daikon, and the zesty finish that lingered, inviting another bite.

Delhi Paneer, Winter Spinach, Shishito Pepper 4.2/5

The Delhi Paner tandoor-baked to perfection, masterfully marries the robust flavours of tandoori cooking with the lush creaminess of paneer, all harmonised by a Winter Spinach mash and the gentle heat of Shishito Pepper. The inclusion of Shishito Pepper is a stroke of genius, adding a mild heat that builds gradually, enhancing the overall experience without overpowering the other elements. It's a subtle heat that complements rather than competes, allowing the tandoori essence to shine.

Japanese King Crab, Gunpowder 4.2/5

The Grilled Japanese King Crab is the epitome of seafood opulence. The crab's natural sweetness was accentuated by the aromatic embrace of gunpowder spices, creating a symphony of flavours. Perfectly grilled to preserve tenderness, each bite was a revelation, marrying smokiness with the delicate richness of the crab.

Whole French Turbot, Spiced Dust 3.8/5

Anticipation hung in the air as the Whole French Turbot made its grand entrance, shrouded in the alluring aroma of spiced dust. The olfactory prelude promised a sensory extravaganza, yet the tasting experience fell short of the aromatic build-up. Although the fish exhibited exemplary texture — firm and moist — the expected infusion of spiced nuances remained elusive. Regrettably, the flavours of the fish appeared somewhat muted, lacking the aromatic depth anticipated from the tantalising spiced dust.

Mayura Station Tomahawk, ABC Sauces 4.5/5

The pièce de résistance of the evening was undeniably the Mayura Station Tomahawk, grilled to a perfect medium rare. With its intricate marbling, this pinnacle of wagyu excellence bestowed upon each bite a heavenly tenderness and a lavish, buttery flavour that lingered on the palate, marking it as the undisputed star of the night.

Comte Kulchette, Black Perigord Truffles 5/5

Stealing the limelight, the star was undeniably the Comte Kulchette, adorned with the richness of Black Perigord Truffles. The flatbread, baked to perfection in the tandoor, cradled a harmonious medley of flavours. Stuffed with comte cheese, truffle puree, stracciatella, mushroom confit, and a generous shaving of Black Perigord truffles, it delivered an exquisite interplay of textures and flavours that was nothing short of extraordinary — a symphony for the taste buds, creating an indulgence that transcended the ordinary.

Japanese Mush Melon Chaat 4.5/5

Grilled Orange 4/5

In a grand finale of sweet delights, the dinner reached its zenith with the entrance of the dessert maestro — the sweet Japanese Musk Melon adorned with the tantalising essence of Chaat masala and a surprising twist of Grilled Orange. Delving into the orange, its meticulously grilled skin presented a novel gustatory experience, revealing an extraordinary way to relish citrus.

Saffron Cheesecake 4.8/5

The dinner at Revolver culminated in an extraordinary encore — the Saffron Cheesecake. The cheesecake redefined indulgence, boasting a molten, lusciously cheesy body that was nothing short of divine. The enchanting infusion of saffron added a regal touch, elevating the dessert to unprecedented heights. The cheesecake's crowning glory, a delightful biscuity base, provided the perfect foundation for the best cheesecake ever eaten.

Sea Buckthorn Marshmallow 3/5

The soft and pillowy Sea Buckthorn Marshmallow, a canvas of sweetness, was transformed into a sublime dessert by adding sea buckthorn. It imparted a delightful tartness, orchestrating a harmonious dance with the inherent sweetness of the marshmallow.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Revolver
56A Tras Street
Singapore 078995
Tel: +65 62232812/ 96685119
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Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sat: 1030am - 4pm, 5pm to 11pm
(Closed on Mon)

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