Western Generally

It was the first time that I tried a duck foie gras. At first glance, this S$26.00 dish looked like two slices of cake that also came with sugar-glazed onions and four pieces of baguette toast. As much as innards might not be my preferred diet, this experience was very satisfying because the foie gras tasted really creamy and gentle after being spread evenly on the baguette. The caramelised onions might be helpful to neutralise the taste a bit, but to be honest it was kind of optional to garnish.

Fret not if you would think that the Homemade Duck Foie Gras Terrine came in huge portions, as it could serve at least two persons, with the baguette available as eat-all-you-want. Just be mindful that you would likely have a main course waiting for you after this.

Available from Monday to Thursday, 5.00pm to 7.00pm, L’Entrecôte offered Fine de Claire Oysters at only S$2.95 per piece (U.P.: S$5.00). With limited stock daily, these oysters were freshly-shucked upon order and tasted really sweet, which was a beautiful contrast from the salt-water that remained on the shell.

Oysters would probably be one of the most enticing items in the menu to pair with a lovely glass of gin and tonic.

It was interesting to read previous reviews on this item, as I felt that the oysters were fresh and shucked upon order. These Japanese oysters might not be as plump as I would have desired, but they were still very delicious and heavenly.

What really surprised me was the small bottle of Brass Lion Hot Sauce that accompanied the seafood. It had a very potent kick of spice and lime which could be a better substitute of Tabasco sauce. And I wonder if there could be some traces of gin in the sauce… I wonder.

Perhaps it wouldn’t hurt to just check with the crew on the origin of the oysters and when they were brought in. I did my homework and I really didn’t regret sharing this with my drinks partner, thanks to Burpple Beyond 1-for-1 deals.

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The ignorant me just realised that Dancing Crab had been offering lobster rolls for quite a while already. Who would have also known that they specially made their own brioche buns to “kiap” the Boston lobsters?

Going for S$41.80 for two lobster rolls with a serving of fries, a set of this could be an appetiser to be shared by two persons. I would probably have hoped that the brioche buns could be more buttery, but the lighter flavours could just be a nice prelude to all the saucy combos that were more deserving as the star of the meal. And for those who would like something different for the regular carbs, the fries could be upgraded to truffle fries or sweet potato fries with just S$1.00.

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The Steak & Frites (S$22.00) seemed like something good to order here, with 220g of Angus striploin and a large serving of hand-cut fries and some salad by the side.

Perhaps it was owing to the fact that this was a place that also served lots of alcohol, the food were a bit too heavily seasoned with salt, so both the steak and the fries were salty. It was also a shame that the hand-cut fries were not crispy, so it was somewhat more towards the sautéed finish. Having the touch of greens by the side was much appreciated, but I just wondered if the vinaigrette was also too densely-flavoured as opposed to having something to cleanse the palate a bit from all the heavy flavours.

Not sure if it would be possible to ask for less or no salt on the fries. Feeling the salt granules resting on my lips was not the coolest thing of this meal.

Many would have registered the taste profile of brussels sprouts as a bitter vegetable, but the Brussels Sprouts (S$10.00) was a wonderful sharing dish that tasted differently. Sautéed with sea salt until slightly charred, the bitterness was not only reduced significantly, but also sort of transformed to an attractive savoury note. By the way, it kind of drew a resemblance to some perfectly stir-fried kale.

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I would think that the Spicy Prawn Soup (S$12.00) might be the perfect item to order after a night of booze. Being deliciously tangy and rich in tomato flavours, the soup was thick enough to also warm the stomach and whet the appetite a bit. The crunchy fresh prawns would add a nice contrast to the texture of the soup.

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In their Bangers & Mash (S$22.00), there was an assortment of chicken and pork sausages, a generous scoop of mashed potatoes, some greens and some onion rings, making it perfect for sharing or for pairing with a pint of beer (or two).

Although the flavours were really quite average, I would suppose that the dish was suitable for kids or for sharing if one wasn’t picky with the meats and carbs.

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For those who would fancy strong tangy flavours for their weekend brunch, Cheek Bistro had this Shakshuka that was quite worth the try. Atop the tomato puree and chick peas were two runny eggs and a dollop of yoghurt.

Given there were only two slices of sourdough that came with this dish, I ended up having to make sure that I coated the bread thickly before sending it into my mouth. Interestingly, the dish might seem small but it was actually quite filling, thanks to the chickpeas buried inside.

Adding chunks of chorizo into the diet was optional, but it was actually a good-to-have, just to have traces of meat in this meal.

It was kind of funny when reviews of Josh’s Famous Onion Rings revolved around its greasiness more than its greatness.

But this S$3.90 was a nice starter for a group of 4, with super-crispy batter and an onion ring that can be bitten off easily. And it was best enjoyed while it was warm.

Too oily? Just ask for some serviettes to blot the oil away, since this was an oil-fried item anyway.

While the taste of seafood was sufficiently strong in this bowl of Clam Chowder (S$11.50), I found the diced potatoes given out of proportion against the bowl of soup. As much as I would enjoy potatoes any time, this was a bit too much for me and it might not have value-added much to my meal.

On a weekday afternoon, it took me about 1 hour from queuing to having my food served at the food collection point.

The hype was largely about fresh seafood imported from Maine for their rolls. But the Lobster Roll (S$25.50) also attracted curious diners after the business’ success in US and Japan. Other than the natural taste of the lobster, I found the lightly-buttered buns perfectly done up to the point whereby the crust was crispy and the bread was airy. The mayo and lemon butter gave the roll some light flavouring, but there was also a slight chance that they would turn the bun soggy. In other words, it would be most preferred to be consumed on the spot.

Seats were really limited, as it appeared that the restaurant had maximised the space with or without safe management measures in place, but the tall stool seats was quite a relaxing configuration for diners to savour the rolls and watch people walk by. If there was a pint of beer on the table, I could almost imagine myself having a relaxing moment in a seafood shack by the beach.

Was it worth the time and effort queuing up? I reckon that it was worth the try to taste freshness in a sustainability-driven restaurant, but if the queue outside the mall exceeds 5 groups, perhaps it would be safer to wait for the hype to ease off, or for a second restaurant to open somewhere else (hopefully).