Saints & Sinners
Someone said to me the other day, “Your eating patterns are unspeakably sinful.” Well, I never claimed to be a saint (and certainly not about food). Fortunately, I’m in good company with my loved ones. Yet another notch on my ever-expanding foodie belt was a 12-course dinner at Saint Pierre (#01-01 Central Mall, 3 Magazine Rd., 6438-0887) for my darling sister’s birthday. We stuffed our faces with dishes such as pan-seared foie gras accompanied by caramelized balls of green apple and a stunning port sauce and sous-vide veal tenderloin with coffee-liquorice tapenade, sage-scented veal tongue brunoise and wild mushrooms, crafted by newly appointed chef de cuisine Arnaud Tabarec (who’s worked with culinary icons including chef Jacques Lameloise of three-Michelin-starred Relais et Chateaux Lameloise in Chagny).
Let them Eat Cake!
Another vice of mine is a severe addiction to desserts. When it comes to the sweet stuff, I’ve been known to unabashedly scoff down more than my fair share. One of my favorite little bakeries, Classic Cakes (41 Sunset Way, 6762-8019), makes some mean sea salt caramel brownies ($3.80). Aside from blueberry cheesecake ($5.80), coffee cake ($4.80) and profiteroles tower (from $55), their mille crêpes (from $7) are also lip-smacking good. I have a real weakness for the original, filled with a subtle vanilla bean cream, although there are also chocolate chip, apple and durian flavors. Pastry chef Charles Quek has recently introduced a lemon curd and caramel chiffon ($5.30), which I’m itching to try.
Bubbly Brunch
Gattopardo Italian Grill & Pizzabar (Hotel Fort Canning, 11 Canning Walk, 6338-5498) has launched its Sunday Champagne brunch ($128) from 11am-3pm. With a buffet spread of South Italian fare ranging from quality salads and specialty cold cuts like mortadella and bresaola, to fresh seafood including shucked oysters, it sounds like an ideal way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon.
Tea Party
For those of you who have time for a spot of afternoon tea (lucky buggers), be sure to stop by the Tea Lounge (The Regent Singapore, 1 Cuscaden Rd., 6733- 8888). On weekdays from noon-5pm ($36), they offer afternoon tea with a variety of finger sandwiches and freshly-baked pastries including their legendary scones. Pick from blackcurrant, apple raisin or original, and pile on some Devonshire clotted cream and scrumptious lemon curd. Their weekend high tea buffet ($44) from 1:30-5:30pm presents an impressive spread of nibbles such as pork pate and duck rillettes and heartier options like smoked salmon and mushroom quiche, slow-roasted leg of lamb and seared tuna with scallops. To top it all off, expect a variety of delectables including passion fruit soufflé with caramel sauce, chocolate yuzu tart and pavlova, complete with a gelato, crepe and Belgian waffle station.
Turn the Tables
For those of you with a hankering for simple, well-executed dishes, give Tables by the Bay (G/F Keppel Club, Bukit Chermin Rd., 6375-5516) a go. On my visit, chef Kenny Yeo crafted a refreshing salad of grilled red and yellow watermelon cubes, feta cheese, mint, basil oil and aged balsamic vinegar ($14), as well as Taiwanese grilled apricot bao mushrooms with arugula and truffle oil ($16). The standout for me was the sautéed angel hair with prawns, shio konbu (seaweed) and garlic ($24), tossed in an intoxicating shellfish-infused oil (think tiger prawn, crab and lobster).
New Digs
If you missed KHA (38 Martin Rd., 6476-9000) during their relocation from the original HortPark location, you’ll be pleased to know that it’s back to business as usual for the Thai eatery. Now at Martin No. 38 (Yenn Wong’s newest baby), this new locale will also be home to the second rendition of Graze (4 Rochester Park, 6775-9000) and gourmet food store Provisions, both slated for an end-of-the-month opening. Watch this space for more details.