La Cantine - Homely, Feel Good French Food

Closed

The food here invoked a homely feel in me, in which the smooth, subtle flavours and texture made one feel happy and cosy, just like the feelings when back in home after a day's work. However, the quality of the food is definitely of restaurant standard, full of mild, complex flavours that explore new frontiers that one's taste buds can go to. I went to try the highly raved onion soup with high expectations and it did not disappoint with its myriad of pleasing flavours. The Hokkaido scallops are firm and juicy, easy to chew, even the vegetables and mushroom that accompany the scallops taste great. Baba Au Rhum is a very powerful dessert, filled with rum that awaken one's senses (though I felt a bit drowsy after that) and the vanilla cream added subtle dimension to the overall taste.

The service is nice and friendly. Can tell that they are very busy during the afternoon, always on the move, though it is still possible to get their attention. The decor of the place feels, well, casual, classic and a bit eccentric. My only complaint is on the chairs used at the bar top, where the back of the chair is hollow in the centre, so I cannot put my bag behind me since it can slip through the hollow part and fall off.

With exception to the chairs, everything else is all good, I'll like to go back again.

This post was written when chef Bruno Ménard was the head chef.

My Thoughts: Lovely!

Note: Regretfully, this place is no longer in operation.

Tatsu Teppanyaki - Entertaining

A meal here is not exactly cheap, but the entertainment value and service that come with it, make up for it. The chef actively engaged us in conversations and showed his skills with his cooking utensils, like juggling and flipping the egg, throwing the salt holder into the smoke absorber above, etc. The food is quite nice, especially the rice which did not had any hard and bitter bits found commonly in garlic fried rice, and kurobuta, an item the restaurant gladly changed for us since we do not eat beef.  Nicely and mildly flavoured. Though do not expect the food to be mind blowing good. The taste is of the more safe type, that seeks to please instead of to excite or stand above the rest. Enjoyed the meal there because of the combination of entertainment, interaction and food.

Service is pretty good. Ambience is well, clean. Nice place for a teppanyaki experience.

My Thoughts: Pretty Good

Shifted to Asia Square and then back to Chijmes.