Waterfront eating at Boat Quay with tastes from throughout Europe

Personal, recent, handcrafted. These 3 descriptions come instantly to thoughts once I recall my lunch at La Belle Époque. Nestled in a scenic nook on Boat Quay alongside the Singapore River, this elegant restaurant has but to be open a 12 months however is making waves for the best causes.

At the helm stands superstar chef Firdauz Nasir, as comfy within the warmth of the kitchen as he’s in entrance of the digital camera. Chef Firdauz presides over a comparatively cosy setup. The restaurant has alfresco seating for 20, indoor seating on the primary degree for 10, indoor seating on the second degree for 30 and patio seating for an extra 12.

That intimacy pales compared to the private care and a focus that goes into creating each dish, irrespective of the scale and complexity.

Close to each ingredient is ready in-house, together with the sauces. Each herb you espy in your plate was, till fairly just lately earlier than that second, swaying within the breeze in La Belle Époque’s herb backyard. Every morsel of meat served undergoes a painstaking curing course of below their roof.

Curiosity piqued and urge for food whetted, I used to be able to dig in.

What I attempted at La Belle Époque

La Belle Époque has simply revamped its à la carte menu. It’s not an arbitrary change for change’s sake however a considerate course of impressed by buyer suggestions. My first style of it was the bar.

Violette Sour (S$20) is available in a martini glass stuffed virtually to the brim. Widges natural gin, elderflower liqueur, Tempus Fugit Violette, recent lemon and egg white create an opaque white concoction that I discovered thrilling.

It was vibrant and sunny exterior and I used to be already having my second cocktail of Butterscotch Sgroppino (S$20). It’s made with Tried & True natural vodka, Madagascar vanilla gelato, butterscotch liqueur and Prosecco. This was like a cross between a milkshake and cocktail. Light drinkers like me, this one’s for you!

Our drinks had been a nice accompaniment to the Charcuterie and Cheese Platter (S$40). You can go for any 4 picks of chilly cuts and cheeses. The Smoked Salmon gravlax chilly smoked with pink wooden with lemon, orange and dill was notably excellent, as was the Comte Rivoire, a kind of exhausting cheese which abounds with nutty and caramelised flavour. 

What was refreshing was the addition of the candy orange, grapefruit pores and skin and the watermelon rind, which not solely enhances the flavour however can also be a part of the restaurant’s efforts to create zero waste recipes to advertise sustainability. The stunning array of colors on the platter was simply the cherry on prime.

A contact of the ocean adopted, within the type of Seabream & Chips (S$25). Fried to absolute perfection in gentle and crispy easy batter, the tempura seabream was simply divine. No fishy odor or style in any respect. The sides of french fries, garlic aioli and lemon wedge had been preferrred.

Arriving subsequent at our desk was the Barbecued Lamb (S$26). This super-tender grilled lamb shoulder turned out to be my favorite dish at La Belle Époque.

It is ready to simply the best thickness so the meat is simple to chop and eat whereas nonetheless substantial. The sauce was unimaginable and the creamy mashed potato even higher. I cleaned my plate!

I don’t fancy duck however the Canard du Ciel (S$29) of braised duck leg, duck breast and seared foie gras didn’t possess the extreme flavour that turns me off. The pommes yam (puree) and coriander port wine sauce had been so effectively executed, although! Both my eating companions adored this dish and it was simply their favorite of the afternoon.

From the ‘Communal’ part of the menu got here Poulet Rôti (S$32). This is French entire roast hen with potato salad. Super moist and delicate, the hen meat was elevated even additional by the wonderful particular marinade. Still, it was ready gentle sufficient that you could have this as a shared dish whereas nonetheless having fun with your personal foremost.

Chef Firdauz, please add extra marinade! It was simply too good!

An afternoon of highlights was dropped at a detailed by the Aux Chocolate Tart (S$15). With bourbon cherries and mascarpone mousse, this candy and dense, chocolatey tart has an intense cherry flavour. That addition of cherry makes this particularly fascinating.

Final ideas

“La Belle Époque is a wonderful waterside spot to chill,” I assumed to myself as I leaned again in my comfortable chair after my style of their incredible new menu. A lightweight breeze was blowing, birds had been actually chirping and delicate ripples on the river’s floor caught the daylight mesmerisingly.

What a day of discovery. Memories of the Barbecued Lamb nonetheless entertain me and I lengthy to uncover the key of the marinade from the Poulet Rôti. La Belle Époque is effectively value a return go to.

That might come ahead of I’d initially thought with their Christmas Menu Set Course (S$78++) of amuse bouche, appetiser, foremost and dessert.

The Le Chou-Fleur De Wellington is Cauliflower Wellington with crispy brussel sprouts and greens demi-glace. I discovered the crust very gentle and flaky and it was simply filled with cauliflower.

Banofee Pie is saccharine heaven with dulce de leche, roasted banana, chocolate snow and cinnamon tart. This was not too heavy however very candy, identical to it ought to be. Presentation smart, a ten on 10.

The Black Fruit Cake turned out to be my favorite dessert of the day. It’s a spiced tuile coated in cinnamon snow, served with vanilla ice cream. Good fruit cake is difficult to return by in Singapore. What we often get could be very dry however this was gentle, fruity and never overly candy. I cherished that the cinnamon powder gave it a Christmas-y really feel!

Expected injury: S$30 – S$80 per pax

* This article was dropped at you in partnership with La Belle Époque.

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