Tucked in the corner of Teck Lim Road next to Keong Siak Road is Chez Suzette, a beautiful French cafe which specialises in hearty French food, crêpes, freshly baked pastries, artisanal coffee as well as a range of specially curated French wine.

From the French-style decor and furniture to the plates and utensils, Chez Suzette totally nailed it.

Prices range from S$19 for a Croque Monsieur, to S$36 for a main of Braised Beef Cheeks. There are also other classic French dishes including Escargots (S$16), Traditional French Onion Soup (S$16), and Duck Leg Confit (S$29).

We had the Duck Leg Confit (S$29) which was served with ratatouille. While the skin wasn’t as crisp as we’d like, we enjoyed every bit of the Duck Leg Confit.

Another dish that we ordered was the hearty Rolled Turkey with Mushroom Stuffing (S$22) and it came with mashed potato, baby carrot and a turkey sauce. The Rolled Turkey wasn’t dry at all and it was, in fact, quite tender.

To end off your meal, the signature Crêpes Suzette (S$15)—with a homemade sauce made of caramelised sugar and butter, orange juice, and zest—is a must-order dessert. Top it off with Grand Marnier Flambé (additional S$5 supplement) and watch the staff flambéed the Crêpes Suzette table-side. Get your camera ready!

There is also a retail and workshop space at Chez Suzette which features curated items from local artists and craftsmen.

Drop by Chez Suzette and enjoy a leisure lunch of French classics and wines with your friends.

Chez Suzette
5 Teck Lim Rd, #01-01, Singapore 088383
Tel: 8690 4810

French Fold is a new all-day dining concept by the Merci Marcel group which focuses on  French crêpes, speciality coffee and curated cocktails.

Located at 204 Telok Ayer Street, French Fold is housed between Napolean Restaurant and My Awesome Cafe. You can now have French crêpes for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Photos by French Fold

French Fold aims to offer their interpretation of traditional French galettes as well as an array of French crêpes with modern flavours. Using imported buckwheat flour, the French galettes are gluten-free and paired with ingredients imported from France.

The food is complemented with an extensive drinks list comprising of both alcohol and non-alcoholic options. French Fold is a place where you can have a cuppa in the day and a cocktail during the evening. And all-day French crêpes, of course.

French Fold by Merci Marcel
204 Telok Ayer Street
Singapore 068640

The latest addition to Sunset Way’s cluster of F&B outlets is Summer Hill, a casual French dining bistro that took over the premises of The Tiny Roaster.

Helmed by Chefs Anthony Yeoh and Christopher Soh who used to work for the now-defunct Cocotte at Wanderlust Hotel, you can expect a straightforward menu that focuses on home-style dishes and comforting recipes when you are dining there. Special items and sides are on a weekly rotational basis to keep things exciting so you always have an excuse to go back for more.

For hearty and unpretentious French cuisine that will not break the bank, Summer Hill is indeed an up-and-coming dining destination that is worth checking out.

Boasting an open kitchen concept where you can watch the chefs whip up your meals, Summer Hill is an intimate bistro where diners do not have to pay for service or GST charges. The indoor seating is rather limited as the space is used for displaying their delectable range of French bakes.

The menu features quality French-inspired dishes but the crowd-pleaser is their Signature Roast Chicken (Half – S$23, Whole – S$45). Using only hormone and antibiotic-free birds, the chickens are marinated in creamy herb butter to produce a pronounced flavour which made it brilliant on its own.

The herb butter keeps the meat extremely moist and juicy while crisping the chicken skin to a lovely shade of golden brown. Brown gravy that is made from the chicken bones is given as an accompaniment for the roast chicken to boost the overall flavour.

Another favourite at the bistro is the Croque Monsieur (S$17.50).

What appears to be an ordinary plate of toast is actually grilled sourdough bread that is jazzed up with ham, swiss cheese, bechamel sauce and dijon mustard. The combination of savoury ingredients and tangy mustard worked beautifully together and one bite was all it took for us to sing praises of the chef’s expert culinary skills.

Fans of cheese will enjoy the generous portion of mild-tasting melted swiss cheese atop the grilled sandwich. This hearty dish is perfect for fast lunches or dinner on a busy night.

Other options on their menu include Freshly Baked Croissants (S$1.90 each), Quiche a la Christina (S$8), Dark Chocolate Tart (S$8) and a neat range of premium craft beers brewed by Rye and Pint and locally-made cocktails by Sunday Punch.

The French bistro also offers private meal services soon that can cater from two to 12 pax so you can host dinner parties at home without the mess.

Summer Hill
106 Clementi Street 12
#01-62
Singapore 120106
Tel: +65 6251 5337
Daily: 11.30am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Clementi

The Wagon is one of the newest but most unassuming restaurant on Tras Street, Singapore. It looks subtle and unassuming from the outside, along the rows of restaurants and shophouses. But if you can locate this gem, you are in for a treat.

When night falls, a huge red neon signboard bearing the words ‘The Wagon’ lights up in full glory. And that is also when The Wagon comes alive. From the brick walls to the copper pans and pots hung up, the interior of The Wagon is chic and fun – all while boasting a very sassy yet casual vibe.

From French-Japanese inspired tapas served on trolley, to the amazing beef platter which features four different premium cuts of Hokkaido beef (dry-aged in-house), to the whole Muenier Flounder, The Wagon is full of surprises and a place that is suitable for all occasions.

Think of it as a spot where you can have great tapas and mains in a relaxed setting. And did we mention that it serves cocktails at S$7 each during Happy Hour? Also, our readers can quote “ladyironchef” to get a surprise dish from the chef.

The kitchen is headed by Chef Makoto Deguchi – he who has cooked at a 1-Michelin Star restaurant in Paris. This explains why his dishes feature a rustic French style while using primarily freshly-imported ingredients from Hokkaido.

What we were sold by immediately was the “wagon” that is being pushed from table to table. The idea is really to surprise diners every time with tapas of the day. The tapas are off-menu and are different every day, with a few mainstays.

What happens is that after you’ve settled in your seats, the wagon would be pushed to you, presenting to you the various tapas and its prices. The team will also verbally introduce every item to you, tell you stories that might interest you, and you can then pick whatever you fancy.

This provides a very personal interaction; think of it like olden day dim sum push carts, but in a fresh alternative with items that you probably couldn’t even guess!

Apart from the rotational items, expect mainstay dishes such as Foie Gras Creme Brûlée (S$12), fresh uni (S$8 for 10g) on Carrot Mousse (S$5), and Shaky Shaky Fries (S$8).

The Brûlée was intensely flavoured with foie gras and this smooth treat is not for the faint-hearted. The uni was undeniably fresh and creamy; just the way we like it.

You can order the fresh uni by weight on its own, but a recommended serving is to have it on top of the Carrot Mousse that is adorably displayed inside an empty uni shell. The textures are incredibly similar and while the taste differs, it complements each other pretty well.

A surprising star for us was the Shaky Shaky Fries, which is vaguely like an upgraded version of McDonald’s Shaker Fries. The burst of umami came immediately upon first bite because of the ultra-tasty seasoning that is imported directly from Miyazaki itself. Potato wedges are used instead, and the broad surface balanced out the saltiness of the snack. For just S$8, we would do this over and over again.

Another tapas to look out for is the Frill Lettuce (S$15) with a side of minced beef. You are to wrap the beef up in the leaves, like how you would enjoy K-bbq. Every lettuce is flown in from Hokkaido, and it was served to us still with the root intact – this is as fresh as it can get; the plant is basically still alive!

On to the mains. Which comes in a regular menu and is pretty much fixed, but no less boring.

One of the most impressive dishes is the Grilled Platter (S$75), featuring four different premium cuts of Hokkaido beef with various accompanying sauces. The beefs are dry-aged in-house and are extremely buttery with a gorgeous marbling.

The cuts might differ daily and you will be served the four best and freshest cuts of the day on this platter. We had the rump, sirloin, tenderloin and top blade – all served atop rosti chunks. The sirloin and tenderloin were the juiciest and most stunningly-marbled.

Then, there is the Muenier Flounder (S$60 whole and S$30 half). It is something that is not commonly seen here in Singapore. Our fish was served whole on the plate and was so well-seasoned, we polished the flounder to the bone (literally).

In case you are wondering, yes, flounder is a common fish breed used in Japanese cuisine, but this white fish is given a makeover here at The Wagon and prepared the French way – flavourful, elegant and so good that you need no condiments.

This main alone will be more than enough to impress. The whole fish is pretty massive, and we recommend half a portion for one person and a whole fish for two, so you can still enjoy some of the small tapas plates from the cart.

One seasonal item to look out for this Spring is the Sautéed Spring Vegetables (S$28) which features a variety of Japanese vegetables that are so very fresh. Prepared in the simplest of way, the vegetables are cooked over high heat to produce a broth so natural and sweet; the end result is a hearty and healthy dish so intensely packed with Sprin flavours.

And because we always have room for desserts, we went for The Moelleux Au Chocolat (S$15) and Milky Blanc-Manager (S$13). They are lighter dessert choices that would be great if you are already feeling quite stuffed from your tapas and mains.

We could not leave without trying some of The Wagon’s cocktails. As rum-lovers, the Wagon Mai Tai (S$18) takes first place for us. It comprises a mix of Dark and White Rum with Lime Juice, Orgeat, Burnt Orange and Vanilla Syrup for a very complex but well-balanced taste. So similar yet distinctly different from your classic Mai Tai. 

We also had the Pi Pi Piew (S$20) – just because, right? Quirky name, light cocktail. It uses a mix of strawberry and thyme-infused vodka with peach liquor and more for a fruity and refreshing aftertaste.

The Wagon also has excellent happy hour promotions (Mon to Sat, 6pm – 8pm) with S$5 half pints of Kronenbourg Blanc, S$7 cocktails and S$6 Suntory Premium Malt Pilsners. PARTY TIME, GUYS!

Remember to quote “ladyironchef” when you are dining at The Wagon to get a surprise dish from the chef.

The Wagon
55 Tras St
Singapore 078994
Tel: +65 6221 6369
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 12am
Sat: 6pm – 12am
Closed: Sun
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

This post was brought to you by The Wagon.

Laurent’s Café is an underground gem in the heart of Orchard Road offering a menu of brunch items and desserts.

The cafe by renowned French chocolatier Laurent Bernard might be easy to miss as it sits on the basement level of a mall, but if we told you The Heeren, would you know where already?

Beautiful and authentic French fare and world-class desserts are what you can expect from this cosy and inviting space. Laurent’s Café is indeed those under-the-radar spots in town and it might easily be our favourite cafe in the Somerset area already!

And the best part? You can now enjoy 50% off your second main course every day from 6pm to 10pm when you quote ‘ladyironchef’ upon making a reservation. This offer is valid till 31 May 2016. More details at the end of this post.

AUTHENTIC AND HEARTY FRENCH FARE

A decade ago, French chocolatier Laurent Bernard founded his first desserts cafe here in Singapore and ever since, he has been winning everyone over with his artisan chocolate desserts, especially the popular Dark Chocolate Soufflé.

Today, his love for the kitchen has extended to culinary, and Laurent Café is where you can savour his very authentic French fare that are both hearty and affordable. In their menu, expect all-day brunch items, sandwiches, salads and even full-on roasts. You will be spoilt rotten for choice.

The Croque Monsieur Sandwich (S$19) comes in a really generous portion. The toasted breads are stuffed with gruyere cheese, ham and silky béchamel. The exterior has a nice crunch from the toasting, and the filling is a burst of classic French flavours that is no less comforting. Fresh green salad is also served on the side.

The Iberico Eggs Benedict (S$22) has got to be our favourite. While Eggs Ben are becoming all too common, Laurent Bernard improvises his and uses premium Iberico ham instead of the ubiquitous ham types. Together with sautéed forest mushrooms, organic eggs, Hollandaise sauce and homemade English muffin, every bite was an explosion of flavours.

If Eggs Ben ain’t your thing, you have The Farmers Breakfast (S$24) that is a combination of everything delicious.

Organic scrambled eggs, roasted potatoes, sausages, baked bacon, sautéed mushrooms and toasted bread. It was an odd thing but we actually really loved the baked bacon and sausages in this dish. Comforting and lip-smackingly delicious, this dish can do no wrong.

There are pasta choices too, and they include selections such as Spaghetti Carbonara (S$18), Spaghetti Bolognese (S$18) and Spicy Linguine Aglio e Olio (S$19).

We tried the latter and very generous amounts of chilli bits were actually tossed in, so if you love your pasta fiery, this should please! Lots of juicy prawns and plump garlic chunks accompanied the pasta, making it a really filling dish!

Out of all that we’ve tried, the classic French Crispy Duck Leg Confit (S$26) took our breath away. Boy, were we left speechless!

Crispy skin and a warm interior, the duck fats left the meat still juicy, and the baked Lyonnaise potatoes on the side looked more than unassuming but were surprisingly very flavourful. If you are not the biggest fan of duck, this might covert you to one.

Other mains to choose from are Braised Pork Belly (S$25), Burgundy Beef Stew (S$22) and Provencal Chicken Thigh (S$23), so there is something for everyone, no matter what meat you prefer.

SIGNATURE CHOCOLATE TREATS & MORE

No matter how full our tummies were, we will not pass up any chance of getting some of Laurent’s chocolates.

A classic dessert dish that is well-loved by many is the Homemade Waffle (S$13) that is served with ice cream, berries and cream. The Liege waffles are baked to a lovely texture that is slightly crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.

And how can we leave Laurent’s Café without a serving of the famed Dark Chocolate Soufflé (S$18.50)?

If you haven’t had Laurent’s soufflé, you haven’t really had a soufflé. Perfectly puffed up and served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and cream, the eggy dessert is definitely the best rendition you can get in town.

Laurent’s Café also has a selection of desserts and cakes on display to have in-store or to go. Of course you have to try the signature Strawberry Tart (S$11.10) and Pure (S$11.10) if it is your first time.

The former had the sweetest Korean strawberries surrounding it and the reason Korean strawberries were used, is because they are currently in season. The chefs at Laurent’s Café will only use strawberries that are in season for their desserts at any point in time to ensure the best quality and freshest sweetness. We were also told that they will not sell this tart completely if no good strawberries are in season.

Well, what can we say? Just one bite and we were completely sold.

The Pure (S$11.10) chocolate mousse cake is basically every chocolate lover’s dream. Made from Chuao beans (a kind of high quality cocoa beans from Venezuela), the cake wins our heart with the rich but balanced chocolate center.

Take 50% off every second main dish every day from 6pm to 10pm* only at Laurent’s Café when you quote “Ladyironchef” and ‘like’ Laurent Bernard’s official Facebook page. This promotion is applicable for any main course on the menu and the 50% off promo code only applies to the second dish that is of same or lower value.

*Reservations are required for dining on weekends and you have to quote “Ladyironchef” upon making your reservation. For walk-ins on weekdays, you have to quote “Ladyironchef” upon seating to enjoy this special offer.

Mileslife is our favourite app to accumulate miles through everyday spending. You can earn 2 miles for every dollar spent at this restaurant. Download and try Mileslife out now! You can use our code ‘Ladyironchef‘ upon your first spending to get 1,000 miles.

Laurent’s Café
260 Orchard Road #B1-02C
The Heeren
Singapore 238855
Tel: +65 6235 2340
Daily: 9am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

This post was brought to you by Laurent’s Café.

Au Chocolat, opened by the folks behind Ku De Ta and Catalunya, occupies a huge space at a corner of Marina Bay Sands. It is divided into two sections: a retail confectionery store where you can find all sorts of delicious snacks – such as slice cakes, cupcakes, gelato, truffle – and fun merchandise. The other half is the bistro which has an all-day dining menu.

We have been to Au Chocolat many times, and tried quite a few items from the bistro and confectionery. Here are some of the highlights.

The menu is huge, running from handmade crepes ($16-20), to breakfast food ($15-22), finger food and snacks ($12-18), soup and salad ($11-20), burgers and sandwiches ($16-25), pasta ($23-25), entrees ($22-32) and desserts ($16-18).

We started with their Truffle Fries ($15), a generous serving of crispy fries drizzled with fragrant white truffle oil and seasoned with truffle sea salt. The Mushroom Bite ($14), next to arrive on the table, was rather run-of-the-mill. For the price, we would rather get another portion of the truffle fries.

We have heard a lot about Au Chocolat’s Ultimate Benedict ($22), so we knew we had to give it a try. Pancakes formed the base of the dish, and it was topped with spinach, tomatoes, crispy bacon, roasted ribeye steak, roasted chicken and two poached eggs. It has a generous drizzling of red wine and dark chocolate infused hollandaise sauce.

Each of the ingredient was good on its own, but when you put everything together, it became too overwhelming. Simply put, we were not too impressed.

Our favourite entree is the crispy Duck Confit ($27), which comes with potato mash, white wine poached pear and topped off with a tangy chocolate orange sauce. It was one of the best duck confits that I have had in recent times. Definitely one of the must-order dishes when you are dining at Au Chocolat.

A commendable dish is the Steak Frites ($35). I was not expecting much of the pan-seared ribeye steak, if only because many places tend to serve mediocre steaks, so I was pleasantly to find that this was really good. It was a perfectly cooked steak which was juicy, tender and well seasoned. Plus, it was accompanied by tasty truffle fries and red wine sauce on the side.

Other enticing options on the entrees menu include a delicious corn-fed Roasted Chicken ($24) and the rich and flavourful Boeuf Bourguignon ($26).

We also had their Stuffed French Toast ($18). Two slices of brioche bread filled with berries and mascarpone cheese. There is nothing wrong with this dish, but other than the pretty appearance, there is little about it that stands out.

Dessert lovers will surely go crazy at Au Chocolat here. Among the six options under the dessert section, we had the Au Chocolat Tower Cake ($18), a huge six layers of moist chocolate cake served with a vanilla gelato; and the Caramel Apple Skillet ($17) – which was a baked caramel pecan cake drizzled with salted caramel sauce. If you have been on a hunt to find the best chocolate cake in Singapore, you must try Au Chocolat’s rendition.

Besides that, we have also tried many different desserts from Au Chocolat’s pastry counter over several visits. The noteworthy ones include the Chocolate Tart, Red Velvet Cheesecake, Kalamansi Cake and Peanut Butter Cheesecake.

What makes Au Chocolat a place you can return to again and again is that its all-day menu provides plenty of options for everyone. Furthermore, it opens till late everyday, making it a great venue for dinner, or to hangout for desserts with a group of friends.

Au Chocolat
2 Bayfront Avenue
#01-03 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
Tel: +65 6688 7227
Sun to Thu: 10am – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 10am – 12 midnight
Note: This was an invited media tasting.

From a stall in a coffee shop to a full-fledged restaurant at Purvis Street, Saveur Restaurant has done a good job serving inexpensive French food. The long line of hungry patrons during meal times is a testament to its popularity. But does Saveur live up to the hype? Is it worth queuing up?

People love Saveur because it offers cheap and decent French food. There’s a trade-off, though. Portions are very small, so you have to order more dishes to share.

The main courses are averagely priced at $10, with a few special items at $24.90. Yes, so affordable, but because of its puny portion, you end up ordering more – which leaves you spending more than you normally would for a meal.

I wasn’t particularly impressed by the offerings, and while I appreciate that they offer decent French food at pocket-friendly prices, I am not in a hurry to come back.

Having said that, it is probably impossible to find another place that serves a good duck confit at $10. So, if you are on a budget, check out Saveurs. Remember to go early, or be prepared to queue.

Saveur Restaurant
5 Purvis Street #01-04
Tel: +65 6100 1788
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 9.30pm

For more recommendations, read my list of Singapore’s Top 20 Inexpensive Restaurants

Since Cocotte opened its doors at Wanderlust boutique hotel, I’ve heard both good and bad things about the French Restaurant. Some of my friends spoke at length about its signature Poulet Roti, and Roast Pork Collar. There are others who told me to forget about it as they felt that food was overpriced, and most of the dishes were mediocre.

Even though I wanted to try their food, I decided to wait a while. It turned out to be a pretty long wait as it took me until recently to visit them. My good friend Jolene told me that she had a splendid lunch at Cocotte. I trust her tastebuds so I reckoned it’s time to drop by.

After having lunch there, I have to agree. Cocotte serves pretty good French Food, and the 3 course executive set lunch at $29++ is definitely worth a try.

The set lunch (only available on weekdays) allows you to choose from five appetisers, four main courses, and four desserts. It also includes coffee/tea.

The five appetisers include starter of the day, Chicken Liver Mousse, Rosette, Pear Salad, and Pork Rillettes. We didn’t take very long to decide on the Salad and Pork Rillettes. Both dishes were decent, but nothing to write home about.

The selection of the main courses was challenging. Three dishes – Pan Seared Chicken, Duck Confit, and Pan Seared Seabass – called out to us. We already knew that we wanted the Duck Confit, so it was down to choosing between the chicken and the fish.

Jolene told me that the Pan Seared Chicken that she had was very good. But my dining companion and I did not feel like having chicken that day, so we decided to give it a miss, and ordered the Seabass instead.

Luckily, the Pan Seared Seabass which came on a bed of summer vegetables in a seafood nage, was good. I particularly enjoyed the seafood broth; it was light, fresh, and very comforting. The Seabass was also nicely seared.

Cocotte’s Duck Confit (top up $9) was easily one of the best that I’ve had. Crispy, flavourful, and very delicious. I’d return just for this.

For desserts, we had Tarte Au Citron and Creme Brulee. The Tarte Au Citron was a tad too sweet for my liking. The Creme Brulee, on the other hand, was nicely done, and we ended our lunch on a nice note.

If you are looking for a nice place to have lunch, I’d recommend Cocotte Restaurant. Besides the 3 course executive set lunch, they also have a communal set lunch for 3-4 pax at $156, and it includes dishes like Fried Tripe, Roast Pork Collar, Braised Beef Cheek, and Sole Meuniere.

I am planning to come back with a few friends to try the communal set lunch. But if you beat me to it, do leave a comment and let me know if they are worth the trip.

Cocotte
2 Dickson Road
Ground Level Wanderlust Hotel
Tel: +65 6298 1188
Mon to Sat: 12pm –2.30pm
Mon to Thu: 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Fri & Sat: 6.30pm – 11pm
(Closed on Sun)

For more recommendations, read my list of Best French Restaurants in Singapore

One of the French Restaurants that I’ve always wanted to try, but have not gotten the chance to visit until recently is Bistro Du Vin at Shaw Centre.

Bistro Du Vin by the Les Amis Group has been making a name for itself since opening in 2009. My friends have always raved about the classical French Food that they serve. I went there for lunch a while back and I have to say that the set lunch is absolutely a steal at $30++/pax.

What I like about the three-course set lunch at Bistro Du Vin is the variety that they offer. It has six items each for appetisers, main courses and desserts.

I am still saving up for the air ticket to Paris, so for now I can only satisfy my French food craving by eating at a French Bistro in Orchard road.

After taking a glance at the menu, I immediately knew that there was no way I could resist the Pan-fried Foie Gras with prune compote (supplement of $6). I took a bite and I could feel happiness entering my body. The Foie Gras was good, but the scrambled eggs were even better.

There is only one word to describe the Scrambled Eggs with mushroom & chorizo – scrumptious! I’d come back just for this (hopefully they don’t take it off the set lunch menu).

Other appetisers include: Tuna and Lemon Pasta, Duck Rillette, Foie Gras Terrine, Escargot, and Tomato Soup.

When we were there for lunch, the six main courses on the set menu were Chicken Leg, Roasted Pork Chop, French Duck Confit, Pan-fried fish of the day, Braised Oxtail, and Char-grilled US Angus Ribeye. There was also “blackboard specials” like the Roasted Spring Chicken, Braised Duck Leg, and Char-grilled Striploin.

My dining companions had the Roasted Spring Chicken wrapped with ham and Fish of the day. Both were not too bad, but it was the French Fries ($3 side order) which stole the show. There was no truffle oil, or any secret ingredients – just really good French Fries.

I had a hard time trying to decide between Char-grilled US Angus Ribeye (supplement of $10) and the French Duck Leg Confit. I eventually went for the latter. It was one of the better Duck Confits that I’ve had, and the portion was just right for a not-so-heavy lunch.

For desserts, there was Creme Caramel, Dark Chocolate Mousse, Coconut and Passionfruit Sorbet, Warm Pear Tart, Profiteroles and selected cheese on the set lunch menu. We used the elimination method and chose three desserts.

My favourite was the lovely Pear Tart with vanilla ice cream, while my friends found the pairing of Coconut and Passionfruit sorbet intriguing.

All in all, Bistro du vin by the Les Amis group serves a value for money 3-course set lunch at $30++. I will definitely come back again to try some of the classical French food like the Coq Au Vin and Pot Au Feu on the ala carte menu.

Singapore Food Blog Review
Bistro du vin
1 Scotts Road
#02-12 Shaw Centre
Tel: +65 6733 7763
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10pm

For more recommendations, read my list of best French Restaurants in Singapore

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The Little India area is a mini paradise for French food. Besides The French Stall along Serangoon Road, you also have Cocotte French Restaurant in Wanderlust hotel. And of course, The Black Sheep Cafe at Mayo Street.

The small French cafe can probably seat around 30 guests, a nice cosy place for a quiet dinner. The menu is relatively small, with only 4 appetisers, 6 mains, and 3 desserts.

My friends are terrific to eat with, mainly because they are gamed for anything. Six of us went to The Black Sheep Cafe for dinner, and we tried the entire menu.

For starters, we had the Pan Seared Foie Gras ($22), Caesar Salad with Garlic Prawns ($12.50), Baked Brie Cheese ($12.50), and Daily Soup of Prawn Bisque ($6.50). The clear favourite was the Baked Brie Cheese, I’d skip the run-of-the-mill Caesar Salad and Prawn Bisque if I ever come back again.

Besides that, I also enjoyed the Pan Seared Foie Gras. But then again, I am biased towards anything-foie-gras.

The small portions reminded me of La Petite Cuisine. For those of you with big appetite, you would probably need to order an extra starter/main to share.

We continued with the six main courses: Crispy Pork Cheeks ($24), The Black Sheep Shank ($22.50), Duck Confit with Apple Rosti ($22.50), Beef Special – Tenderloin ($32-38), Meat Special – Lamb Chops ($32-38), Fish & Seafood Special – Snapper ($22.50-32).

The Black Sheep Cafe’s Duck Confit is by far one of the best I’ve had. It was lean and crispy, and very delicious. Unlike most French Restaurants in Singapore that charge $30 upwards for this dish, the one here is reasonably priced at $22.5. Definitely worth a try.

Another dish that I’d order again is the Crispy Pork Cheeks. The tangy sauce complimented the tender pork perfectly. The other dishes were decent, nothing spectacular. If pork and duck are not your favourite meat, I’d choose the lamb chop over the lamb shank.

To end off the French dinner, we had the Souffle, Tiramisu and Flourless Chocolate Cake. The souffle was the highlight out of the three. Orange Martini Souffle may take a long time to come, but when they reach your table and you dig in with a spoon – it’s instant happiness.

Given that I’ve tried the entire menu at The Black Sheep Cafe, I probably won’t be rushing to come back any time soon. But I’d recommend the place if you are looking for a restaurant that offers affordable French Food in Singapore. Try the Baked Brie Cheese, Duck Leg Confit, Crispy Pork Cheek, and Souffle.

For more recommendations, read my list of the Best French Restaurants in Singapore

Singapore Food Blog Review
The Black Sheep Cafe
35 Mayo Street
Tel: +65 9272 1842

Operating Hours
Mon to Sat: 11am – 3pm, 6.30pm – 11pm
(Closed on Sun)

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Updated: The restaurant is no longer in operation.

Located at Robertson Quay, Brasserie WOLF is a casual French bistro under the management of the Esmirada Group of Restaurants. With the appointment of new Head Chef Claudio Sandri, Brasserie Wolf had recently launched a new ala carte menu.

It consists of classic French dishes like the Beef Bourguignon, and Traditional Bouillabaisse Soup. Prices range from $15-$26 for appetisers/soup, $26-$48 for main courses and $10-$15 for desserts.

With dim orange lighting, vintage overhanging lamps and plush leather seats, the interior of Brasserie Wolf is cosy and spacious. The restaurant can easily accommodate 90 people indoor and I like the fact that it is not too pretentious.

For starters, I had the Traditional French Onion Soup ($14). It was rich and cheesy, just the thing you need to start the meal on a bright note. My dining companion had a Tomato Gazpacho which was not from the menu.

I’d have gone for the Pan Seared Foie Gras ($26) if not for the fact that my dining companion was not a fan of goose liver. Since it was impossible to finish half a dozen of Burgundy Snails ($15) on my own, I gave that a miss too.

To make up for it, Chef Claudio served us his signature Fresh Artichoke Heart ($18.50). Composed of Smoked Salmon Mousse, Poached Egg, Caviar, and Mustard Vinaigrette, the appetiser was so pretty that we did not know how to start eating it.

Next up on the menu, I had the Crispy Duck Leg Confit ($32) with Braised Puy Lentils. Brasserie Wolf’s rendition of the French dish was decent, but it was not the best I’ve had.

For the record, I love Duck Leg Confit. But if I must choose between Brasserie Wolf’s Duck Leg Confit and Beef Bourguignon, I’d go for the latter.

The fork-tender Beef Bourguignon ($28) was braised to perfection. Together with the sides of Bacon, Mushroom, Baby Onions, and Carrots, the beef was so good.

The Seared Cod ($35) was excellent in my opinion. The simple preparation of the dish highlighted the freshness of the Cod. So much so that my dining companion was actually reluctant to share the fish.

It was a shame that we were too full to continue eating. Otherwise I’d definitely order the Traditional Bouillabaisse Soup ($36).

For desserts, we skipped the ubiquitous Valrhona Warm Chocolate Cake ($15) and had the Chocolate & Coffee Liegeois ($13). The cold dessert was visually appealing, and the presence of Valrhona Chocolate Sauce added bonus points too. But I felt that it was nothing impressive, and did not justify the price tag. We also had a selection of macarons which were run-of-the-mill. On hindsight, we should have gone for the Creme Brulee Vanilla ($10) instead.

Chef Claudio had just arrived in Singapore from London to helm Brasserie Wolf. I’m certain he will slowly find his way to satisfy everyone with his straightforward French cooking.

Personally, I feel that prices are slightly steep for a causal French Bistro. But having said that, Brasserie Wolf serves simple and good French food. Amongst the dishes that we tried, the Traditional French Onion Soup and Beef Bourguignon are definitely worth ordering. Dessert is probably Brasserie Wolf’s weakest link. I’d suggest skipping it and go to Laurent Bernard or Canele Patisserie to have your sweets.

If you are looking for French food in the Robertson Quay area, check out Brasserie Wolf and say hi to Chef Claudio.

For more recommendations, read my list of the Best French Restaurants in Singapore

Singapore Food Blog Review
Brasserie Wolf
80 Mohamed Sultan Road #01-13
The Pier @ Robertson Singapore
Tel: +65 6835 7818
Note: This is an invited Media Tasting.

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Located at Chip Bee Gardens, Chez Petit Salut is the sister restaurant of Au Petite Salut, and it is a great option for causal dining if you are craving for French food.

Like the main restaurant at Dempsey road, the French bistro offers two different set lunches: 3 course set lunch at $30++.

We had two normal 3 course set lunches and for starters, we had the Salmon Tartar, which was light and refreshing – the perfect appetiser to start our lunch. When it comes to escargot, there are typically only two reactions: a) I love it or b) eew snails are so disgusting! My lunch partner belonged to the latter camp, and refused to touch the escargot so I had everything to myself.

It took us a while to choose the main course. You could have the excellent Onglet Beef with French Mustard Jus and mashed potatoes, or the Penne pasta with roasted vegetables, or the catch of the day. It is impossible to not be tempted by the Chicken Leg Confit and the Braised Lamb Shoulder, and it’s hard to say no to my favourite Mushroom Risotto.

We eventually settled on the Mushroom Risotto and the Catch of the day which was an Escolar. The fish was very fresh and well-cooked, it fell apart nicely when we teased it with a fork. The portion was quite small for guys, but it is probably just nice if you don’t want to fall asleep in the office after lunch.

As much as I love risotto, I’d usually avoid this dish when it comes to choosing a main course for set lunches. It seems a little silly to choose risotto when there are meat and seafood on the menu. But I was glad that I ordered Chez Petit Salut’s Mixed Mushroom Risotto with light cream emulsion and Parmesan Cheese. It was rich, and creamy: thick flavourful rice done al dente, with the earthiness of the fresh mushrooms giving it an additional flavour.

I think this is easily one of the best risotto that I had before.

Amongst the six desserts available on Chez Petit Salut’s set lunch menu, we didn’t want the Fresh Fruit Salad, Homemade Strawberry Shortcake, and Financer with chantilly cream, so it left us to choose two desserts between the classic Creme Brulee, Choux Buns and Homemade Cheesecake.

We agreed that the Gateau au Fromage Blanc was too good to miss, and since I had Au Petit Salut’s creme brulee before, we went for the Choux Buns with vanilla ice cream.

Filled with vanilla ice cream and glazed with a sweet and thick coating of chocolate sauce, the choux buns were gone before you could pronounce profiteroles. While they were not fantastic, we wanted to end the meal on a sugar high, and the Choux Buns did just that.

The Homemade Cheesecake was accompanied by a mixture of fruits, a delightful end to a great lunch at Chez Petit Salut.

For more recommendations, read my list of French Restaurants in Singapore

Chez Petit Salut
44 Jalan Merah Saga #01-54
Chip Bee Gardens Singapore
Tel: +65 6474 9788
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village