Weets Eats: Delectable food at La Brasserie
It is too easy to be wowed by the physical space occupied by La Brasserie at the equally splendid The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore.
The restaurant returns after renovation, with 10m-high windows.
While someone like me wonders how they manage to wash the curtains, the rest of the world will bask in the stunning view of Marina Bay.
Even before you taste the first morsel, you will already be taken by from the opulence and grandeur surrounding you.
Do not worry, the lobster a l'Americaine ($68) lives up to the surroundings.
Live Boston lobster claws are blanched and the remaining parts are poached, pan fried and simmered, then added to angel hair pasta .
The portion is generous and the presentation enticing and rustic.
But it is the taste that will win you over.
The lobster is fresh and sweet, and the sauce robust and tangy.
Another highly recommended lobster dish is an old one, the signature lobster and scallop carpaccio ($33).
It is an over-the-top luxe dish, with black truffle oil and lime juice dressing drizzled over thinly sliced lobster and Hokkaido scallops.
TRUFFLE
And why not just add more truffle to finish the dish?
French classic supreme de canard confit ($39) is always a treat, as is this version.
The duck is beautifully cooked. The skin is so crisp and the accompanying items are good as well.
Another classic is the grilled cote de boeuf ($99, serves two).
The Australian A4 wagyu rib-eye is grilled in a Josper over Japanese binchotan charcoal as well as black cherry wood.
I am not a fan of steak so I could not appreciate the subtle notes smoked into the meat.
But speaking as someone who believes the more value the merrier, the heft of this dish makes me happy.
Never underestimate the vegetarian option.
The aubergine caviar tartine ($19) reflects the restaurant's cuisine du soleil influence, inspired by the South of France and characterised by Mediterranean flavours and a lighter touch.
Mediterranean black eggplant is baked till charred, then mixed with chopped Roma tomatoes.
This is an aromatic dish with the added creaminess of buffalo mozzarella.
It feels like summer in your mouth.
Bites
AUTHENTIC CARIBBEAN
If you are craving food from Jamaica, you need to go to Bedok. Run by a Jamaican, Mike's Caribbean Food (Bedok Marketplace, Tel: 9232-2247) offers classics such as goat curry ($8) - which could be the spiciest thing you will taste in the eastern part of Singapore - and jerk chicken ($10). Mike's is one of a handful of interesting food outlets at Bedok Marketplace. It will be worth spending a day eating there.
MICHELIN-STARRED KUSHIKATSU
For the first time here, Rokukakutei (Odeon Towers, Tel: 6266-1077), which has a Michelin star, is serving kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers of meat, seafood and vegetables). There are Omakase Skewers ($134) and
ushiage + selected wines marriage ($288) menus too.
MAKAN MASH-UP
New Ubin Seafood (63, Hillview Avenue, Tel: 9740-6870) has paired mod-Sin chef Shen Tan with Ah Hua Kelong to present a Truly Singaporean Makan Session ($98) on Aug 23 at 7.30pm.
Dishes include smoked pork and mussels pasta with durian tampoyak belachan and gong gong vadai.
BLACK PEPPER BURGER
McDonald's Black Pepper Mayo Chicken with Egg Burger (from $3) combines a chicken patty and black pepper mayonnaise with lettuce and an egg between lightly toasted sesame buns.
For $5, get medium french fries and a small glass of Coca-Cola with your burger.
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