Senso Bistro: Half price promotion

January 7, 2009 | 29 Comments

The Singapore Flyer is touted as the world’s largest observation wheel, even higher than London Eye. Our nation’s pride. Minor breakdowns before were already ominous signals that a catastrophe will happen one day. Alas, the dreadful thing finally struck. How the mighty has fallen. The management should have already looked into and made backup plans, but it failed anyway. Now, time for us to do some self-reflections and damage-recovery.

While the flyer remains closed for investigations, the ones to suffer the backslash are the restaurants and other tenents. Senso Bistro, is coming up with a 50% promotion off all their a la carte menu from now until the flyer starts operating (date unknown yet).

The natural vibe of the restaurant, with its simple layout and decorations, provided a good place for either a causal lunch, or nice dinner without burning a hole in the pocket.

Not to mention there’s also al fresco dining, which would be ideal for dinner, with the sea breeze and eating under the stars making it a romantic affair.

The waiter kindly asked us whether we’ll like some garlic bread ($4) while waiting, but he failed to mention it’s not free. Naturally when he offered us bread i thought it was complimentary. There’s no free lunch in this world. All right, it’s not so much about the money, we are talking about principle, like shouldn’t they at least inform us the bread wasn’t complimentary? Next time, don’t be shy, ask!

With ten selections to choose from the Pizze menu, we were spoilt for choices. To be on the safe side, we went for the popular Hawaiian ($18 before 50% discount). The paper-thin pizza was huge, with eight slices easily filling up the four of us. The ingredients of pineapple, cooked ham were very generous. The only gripe? I lamented the fact that the pizza did not have enough mozzarella cheese. Still, with the promotion, it’s definitely a steal at just under ten bucks. It made the one I’ve at Galbiati looked pathetic.

Grilled tuna loin coated in fresh herbs. The Tonno ($24 before 50% discount) was a disappointment really. The fish was over-cooked, making the meat too dry and hard. I liked the side vegetables that came with it, lightly stir-fried, the greens were crunchy and fresh.

When asked to choose between the T-bone steak and veal loin, the manager recommended the latter for the delicate taste and tender texture. Veal loin is the meat of calves, and at Bistro Senso, the pan-fried veal loin scaloppine ($24 before discount) can be done in three different methods. Ours were ‘alla Pizzaiola’ with tomato and mozzarella cheese. The whole taste was like having a steak-pizza. A refreshing combination, but the meat was not tender enough, and came across as too tough. And since we had pizza already, now i’m wishing i chose the other method of breaded and golden crispy instead.

And how can we not have any pasta from an Italian bistro? The Ravioli ($18 before 50% discount) was essentially lobster and crab pasta served with assorted seafood ragout in tomato and basil sauce. This was actually my first time having a ravioli pasta. The tomato and basil sauce was flavourful and strong in taste. The prawns and squids were fresh, but to be frank, I didn’t quite enjoy ravioli. I still preferred my pasta to be spaghetti or linguine. Personal taste.

I was eagerly anticipating the desserts, well most people would find tiramisu ($8 before 50% discount) boring and chose some other interesting options. But there was no way I’m going to miss out trying the popular Italian dessert from an Italiano joint. The mascarpone cream was too light, and the espresso taste was not strong.

Another famous Italian dessert, Pannacotta ($8 before 50% discount). The bouncy texture was evident, but i couldn’t figure out what’s in the double cream flan. The raspberry coulis did provided a contrast with the pannacotta.

The last one, Creme brulee ($8 before 50% discount). The oven-baked egg custard of the Italian dessert did taste rather like our Chinese egg tarts. The caramelised sugar on top of the dessert wasn’t burned enough, and lacked the torched burnt taste.

Total bill was $65.91 for 4 person after a 50% discount. Although i wasn’t very impressed with the food, but with the promotional prices, the food is really cheap! The pizzas and pastas are like 9 bucks each, and the main course 12 bucks. The soothing ambience with the inexpensive price means that you should visit Senso Bistro before the Singapore Flyer reopens. Talk about patriotism, and national pride.

Senso Bistro
30 Raffles Avenue
#01-03 Singapore Flyer
Tel: 63388550
ps: Call to check whether the 50% promotion still exist before going down.

Comments

29 Responses to “Senso Bistro: Half price promotion”

Sihan
January 7th, 2009 @ 12:40 am

wow.. sounds like a really good deal with the 50% off. The view looks not bad too. Anyway, you came across the resturant double bay at raffles city? I’m dining there soon.. hehe. Let you know my verdict alright?
Yin San
January 7th, 2009 @ 1:16 am

hi i luv to read ya site… Thanks for posting reviews and pics.. the pics looks very good:)
I’ve heard of pasta brava from watching makansutra one day and hoping to go there soon.. If u’re planning to dine there, do let me know how it goes:)
thanks a lot:) it’s at craig rd/st tanjomg pagar area hapi new yr:)
Nate
January 7th, 2009 @ 5:44 am

Really lovely pics, and a great deal too! Wish I could eat there…

Nates last blog post..Homemade Pineapple Tarts, Part 2
elaine
January 7th, 2009 @ 9:56 am

how come the panna cotta’s tri-coloured? lol.

elaines last blog post..Island Creamery
didally
January 7th, 2009 @ 12:01 pm

How did you know about the 50% promotion?

Looks like a nice place for dinner in the alfresco area.
Nic (KHKL)
January 7th, 2009 @ 1:28 pm

great promo! hmmm, any public transport there?

Nic (KHKL)s last blog post..Tell-A-Tale (Part 25): Lost In Transition
keropokman
January 7th, 2009 @ 2:14 pm

having taken both the Eye and Flyer, i think i enjoy the Eye more

hmm 50% off deals are hard to come by. might try it out. 50% off in taste too, by the way you describe it. hehe..

keropokmans last blog post..All Time Favourites Kopitiam @ IMM
ladyironchef
January 7th, 2009 @ 7:31 pm

sihan: yeah its very cheap! haha. the pizza is big for 9 bucks. ya i heard of the new Aussis double bay, went by it before too. yeah looking forward to your review, if it’s good then i’ll go too. haha

Yinsan: Hello thanks for leaving your first comment! yay! yeah i know about pasta brava at craig road, but somehow haven try it yet. recently i got pasta crave, might check it out soon, but i heard it’s not very cheap though. haha. happy new year to you too!

nate: hahahaha thanks!! you guys made pineapple tart, with a kitchen aid! wow. i’m using kenwood’s. haha

elaine: yeah that’s the thing, i don’t know what colouring they used for the panna cotta, tried asking the manager but he wasn’t sure too. lol

didally: haha heard from a friend who saw it from the newspaper i think. yeah but probably at night la, day time too hot. haha

nic: hahaha yeah great promo. ya there’s shutter bus from city hall i think, but a friend who been to the flyer before told me the shutter bus service took too long, so i didn’t bother to wait, took a long walk from marina square.

keropokman: wow you been to the eye too? cool! yeah if u wanna try it must go asap, if not once flyer open no more promotion. taste wise is not fantastic la, but the price do make it worth trying
Foodies Queen
January 7th, 2009 @ 9:09 pm

Cool! Tks for the review!

Foodies Queens last blog post..217. Mushrooms 3-in-1
Yyn
January 7th, 2009 @ 9:46 pm

hhmmz.. for LIC to post such negative reviews about a place, i believe it is not worth going if it is not on a 50% promo. Seen your previous reviews, u r quite a positive person on overall and holds back any negative lashing comments.
I’ve been past Bistro Senso B4, but the interior does not seem to be on par with the price they r charging. Did not appeal to me.
nevertheless, despite the food not tasting too Fabulous, u still made all the pics look Great! always an eye pleasure to see ur Food Pics
continue to Snap Snap Snap! and review! =D

Yyns last blog post..Viet Food Va Va Voom!
Ping
January 8th, 2009 @ 12:03 am

Nice pics! Wow…50% off…biz must be very tough. Yup…many F&B outlets are indeed doing all they can juz to cover cost.

Food looks yummy & attractive with your special touch ; )Oh … didn’t they serve complimentary foccacia like most Italian restaurants?
Zaylene
January 8th, 2009 @ 10:18 am

Yea I do have to agree with Yyn on this! So I guess I’ll probably give Bistro Senso a miss. Besides, there are other restaurants at the Flyer which serve better food. =)

&Oh! I’m gonna check out Pasta Brava soon too! x)
Fen
January 8th, 2009 @ 4:03 pm

The moment I saw your entry yesterday, I made a call to Bistro Sense to check about the promotion… Wanted to drop by last evening but alas, Yuan ended work late…

The restaurants @ Singapore Flyer are pretty sad case… Already, biz was not very fantastic based on the news report dated in July 08 and luck just don’t seems to be on their side during the festive period… Hopefully, things will be better this year for all the tenants @ Singapore Flyer…
loop
January 8th, 2009 @ 4:22 pm

I only tried the chinese rstnt so far. Was thinking of trying other rstnt. I hope they don’t go bust before I get to go over again.
banquet manager
January 8th, 2009 @ 6:15 pm

Anytime a waiter offers you something, you must assume there is a price attached to it, whether it’s a soda or garlic bread.

banquet managers last blog post..This Just In…
noobcook
January 9th, 2009 @ 10:57 am

50% sounds like a good deal! your food photography is beautiful =) Have a delicious 2009!
Foodiegymmie
January 9th, 2009 @ 11:31 pm

wah.. 50% off! i like discounts! XDXD

hopefully this weekend i have time to drop by! and this first picture of the garlic looks very nice… managed to capture the crisp exterior and looks so buttery on the inside!
ladyironchef
January 10th, 2009 @ 12:23 am

foodie queen: yeah no problem : )

Yyn: Wow, did my review sounds very negative? actually the food is average la, not fantastic. without the promotion, i dont think i will go, but with the half price, i thought it’s still acceptable. pizza’s not too bad. haha yeah thanks!

ping: yep business is kind of hard at the flyer, it’s quite a distance walk from marina square. thats why, i thought they will serve complimentary bread. haha

zaylene: hahaha let me know about pasta brava!

fen: ya i also hope the business can continue to sustain there. so are you going soon? before flyer re-open. haha

loop: seafood paradise? i been wanting to try that too, for their crabs. haha

banquet manager: yeah thanks for the advice, i learnt my lessons.

noobcook: hahaha it is a good deal considering the pizza’s like 9 bucks only? thanks, have a food-ful year ahead!

foodiegymmie: hahahaha you can eat to your hearts content. yeah i like the bread photo too
Yyn
January 10th, 2009 @ 12:11 pm

Heez, its ok lar, an honest opinion from your heart, shows in your review, which is good!

Yyns last blog post..Viet Food Va Va Voom!
layla
January 10th, 2009 @ 8:20 pm

50% OMG!!!!!!!! ok i’m going tmr HAHAHAH
Michelle
January 10th, 2009 @ 9:09 pm

I went there yesterday after reading your food review, i had the pannacotta and it’s only yellow in color with only a strawberry. The panna cotta sucks. No wonder Senso bistro had to organise this promotion
ladyironchef
January 10th, 2009 @ 11:04 pm

Yyn: hahahaha thanks!

layla: yeah before the flyer opens during cny

michelle: thanks for leaving your comment. yeah like i say the food isn’t fantastic, but given 50% i thought its worth trying, once. lol!
Michelle
January 10th, 2009 @ 11:58 pm

yeh just once.
eme
January 11th, 2009 @ 3:01 am

hello!! =) oh man seems like is a bad choice to dine there..i actually wanna dine with my bf next week…thanks to your comments
cheers
ladyironchef
January 11th, 2009 @ 8:56 am

michelle:

eme: hello! maybe you should go and try, after all what michelle and i didn’t like, u might just like it, taste is subjective after all. besides with the 50% promotion, its very cheap, and i thought the pizza are decent. haha.
eme
January 12th, 2009 @ 3:04 am

Alright i shall give it a shot than! =p
ratatouille
January 12th, 2009 @ 4:16 pm

well always remember, price is usually proportional to quality
ladyironchef
January 12th, 2009 @ 7:53 pm

eme: yeah man, try already let me know okay!

rattaouile: haha actually okay la, its acceptable for the price, just that maybe i was expecting something more
julie
January 16th, 2009 @ 6:03 am

is this senso bistro opened by the same folks at the senso over at ann siang hill? i suppose not right, cos the ann siang one is supposed to be really good.

julies last blog post..Peperoni Pizzeria, Greenwood Fish Market& Bistro, Shimbaishi Soba, Dessert Story, Madam Saigon, Ah Chew Desserts