db Bistro Moderne, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

New Year saw us in Singapore and what better place to have dinner than at Marina Bay Sands!

After scanning through the celebrity chef restaurants, we decided to have dinner at db Bistro, as the menu piqued our interests.

“db Bistro Moderne offers an exciting mix of traditional French bistro cooking with contemporary American flavors, and a world-renown collection of signature burgers. Chef Daniel Boulud reinterprets the classic Parisian bistro while sharing the energy and style of his acclaimed db Bistro Moderne in Midtown Manhattan.” - http://www.dbbistro.com/singapore/about/

Let’s start with the appetizers!

Prosciutto Ham, 20 grams (SGD 35)

Gaj: The ham was nothing short of amazing! I have always loved prosciutto and this did not disappoint! Definitely will have seconds!

Shiv: A fantastic way to start our meal – the prosciutto was cured to perfection, with a good balance of brine and meat. It was not too dried out, and the accompanying rocket salad and bruschetta made for a magnificent marriage of flavours.

Kav: Generally love prosciutto, but this one just elevated that feeling of love to obsession. Savoury, brine-y goodness!

Seafood and Vegetable Aioli, Olive Oil Poached Cod, Tiger Prawns, Market Vegetables, Garlic Aioli (SGD 18)

Gaj: The cod was very disappointing as it lacked flavour and the garlic aioli was equally flavourless. The prawns were alright, but unfortunately, it was not enough to make up for the disappointment.

Shiv: The prawns and mussels were fresh and the assorted vegetables were dressed well. However, the unacceptably stale cod completely put us off this one! And, is it just me, or who serves breadsticks at a place like this?!?!

Kav: Shock through my heart!!!! Bad Bad Bad!!! Cod was dried out (It’s an oily fish, hardly needs any help), garlic aioli - blah blah blah, the rest - blah blah blah

Escargots Persillade, Herbed Garlic Almond Butter Roasted Tomatoes (SGD 25)

Gaj: Not the best escargots that I have had, but the herbed garlic almond butter sauce was divine!

Shiv: Good, but certainly did not blow my socks off! The earthiness of the herbed-almond butter provided a nice contrast to the pungent garlic flavour, but the texture of the flesh itself wasn’t as palatable as can be. I have certainly tasted better. (Try: Acme Bar and Coffee)

Kav: Loved this dish, garlic-almond butter was earthy and savoury at the same time, which made for an explosion in my mouth.

Oliver’s Alsatian Tarte Flambée Fromage Blanc, Bacon, Onion (SGD 18)

Gaj: This was a simple dish and it was good!

Shiv: Nice take on the classic Italian pizza, this French favourite was sublime in its simplicity. The chef relied on the perfect union of gruyere, bacon and thinly-rolled bread dough to carry the dish, and rightfully so, as it needed little else.

Kav: The most amazing part of this dish was that there was almost nothing in it. Just goes to show that the medley of a few key ingredients makes for an incredible dish. Cheese, bacon, chives & onion... Yum!!!

Now on to the mains!

Saffron Tagliolini, Fresh Spanner Crab, Tomatoes, Chili Italian Parsley, Lemon and Olive Oil (SGD 38)

Gaj: This dish was really disappointing, the crab was not infused in the pasta and the lemon and olive oil was not enough to carry the dish. Overall, there was a general lack of flavour.

Shiv: This dish looked and sounded better than it actually tasted! The pasta lacked oomph, and the spanner crab, which was expected to do all the work in rendering flavour to the dish, fell short of doing so. Shame!

Kav: Agree with Gaj that there was a general lack of flavour. I din get no crab flavour, y’all! This made for bland pasta!

Duck Confit, Brussels Sprout Marmalade, Roasted Potatoes, Grilled Sweet Onions, Natural Jus (SGD 36)

Gaj: The duck confit was amazing! The flesh just fell off the bone and the accompanying sauce was nothing short of perfection! Really really good!

Shiv: Possibly the best duck confit I have ever tasted! The duck was beautifully brined, and the skin was crisped to a perfect brown. The flesh was sublimely savoury and moist without being too lardy, making the meat magnificently moreish. This main DOES NOT NEED sauce or sides, for that matter.

Kav: This was just so fatty, greasy and salty, and the skin… Mmm… So help me god if I have to be that sinful again!!! The skin was just cooked perfectly, without being dried-out, and accompanied the tender duck meat beautifully.

The original db Burger, Sirloin Burger filled with Braised Short Ribs and Foie Gras served on a Parmesan Bun (SGD 42)

Gaj: True to its reputation, this place does serve world-class burgers! This is definitely one of the best burgers that I have ever eaten. The meat was done perfectly, and who knew foie gras and beef would make such a good couple!

Kav: What on earth?!?!?! Are you telling me that I have been through 28 years of life, and not tasted only the most incredible meat in the world? %$#!$!$%! It was truly the most amazing burger I have ever tried. The patty was so juicy and savoury, with just the right cook (medium rare – no better way, trust me.), and the flavours that came through, ooh… It was almost like having a pork and lamb patty all at once. TOOOOOOOO GOOD!!!

Now for the best part of the meal... Desserts!

Profiteroles (SGD 15)

Gaj: This is definitely the best profiteroles that I have ever tried - the chocolate sauce was soo good, I must have died and gone to heaven – totally AMAZEBALLS!

Shiv: Tasty, but not the best I’ve tried (La Vie En Rose makes ‘em better!). The pastry was fluffy, and filled adequately with custard, and the chocolate ganache topping coated the pastry balls nicely, without overwhelming the dessert.

Kav: One of the best profiteroles I have tried, as the chocolate was smooth and a tad bitter (just the way I like it) and the cream puffs were light and fluffy, which carried the heavy ice cream and chocolate perfectly. Also, love the fact that it was not too sweet, as most profiteroles are.

Crème Brûlée (SGD 12)

Gaj: Very very good crème brûlée. Would definitely have seconds! Yums!

Shiv: A very well-executed dessert! The subtle orange-flavour infusion and the texture of the custard base were perfect, without being too egg-y. Also, the burnt caramel layer on the top was flambéed faultlessly – no annoying burnt bits! One of my favourites of the French dessert variety, db’s version hit all the sweet spots. Only wish it came in a larger portion!

Kav: Probably one of the best crème brûlée I have tried, in a long time. It was creamy and smooth, without being overly sweet, plus the flambé was done just right, without burning the sugar, that is.

Verdict: WOK ON!

PRICE: Expensive. SGD426.07 for 7 dishes, 2 desserts, 4 glasses of wine and 1 fruit juice. However, this is expected for an establishment such as db Bistro Moderne, not to mention, it is one of the cheaper celebrity chef restaurants at MBS, Singapore.

AMBIENCE: Cosy, warm with a modern bistro vibe – perfect for a date or business lunch/dinner, or even for family get-togethers. There is also a 15-seater bar as well as an informal lounge area for casual dining and a private room seating up to 20.

SERVICE: Food arrived promptly and the service was excellent, despite the restaurant being very busy for New Years Eve. Kudos to the staff of db!

FOOD: Good. The original db burger, duck confit and desserts are a MUST TRY!

db Bistro Moderne

B1-48 Galleria Level (across from the theater)

Marina Bay Sands,

10 Bayfront Avenue

Singapore

Tel: +65 6688 8525

Website: http://www.dbbistro.com/singapore/

Opening Hours:-

Lunch
Monday - Friday 12:00pm - 5:00pm

Weekend Brunch
Saturday - Sunday 11:00am - 5:00pm

Dinner
Sunday & Monday 5:30pm - 10:00pm
Tuesday - Saturday 5:30pm - 11:00pm

Sassorosso, Lorong Yap Kwan Seng

As usual, it was an impromptu decision to dine here. A friend, who is also a renowned restaurateur, suggested we try this place and therefore called Mr.Giovanni, the chef/owner to make a last minute reservation.

Walking in, you are greeted by this incredible view of the Petronas Twin Towers. The place was cozy and had a modern setting. The chef/owner, a pleasant chap, was there with his wife and cute little son.

If you like a side of fresh air, there’s always the al-fresco dining option with a nice view.

They also cater for private events of up to 85pax indoors, 35pax in the private room and 60pax outdoors on the terrace.

Sick of Sunday brunches…well now you can have brunch on Saturday instead… hehe. They have a special brunch menu which can be found on their website.

For starters, we had what was recommended by the chef/owner… However, please bear in mind that these dishes cannot be found in the à la carte menu, so you will have to check with your waiter to see if the chef can prepare these for you.

Complimentary bread basket.

Kav: Loved the thin crispy ‘papadom’ like bread. Yum!!!

Mien: Love the variety provided. I am a bread person, and hence loved all of them!

Shiv: There was an assortment of breads-all quite nice. My favourite was the crispy, buttered and herb-ed variety. Very flavourful, and in no need of the olive-oil-balsamic dressing.

Dish #1: Burata Mozzarella.  Fresh air-flown Burata cheese with wild rocket and fresh tomatoes. (RM48)

Kav: There’s never a combination like cheese, tomatoes and fresh herbs. It was so simple yet fresh, creamy and simply scrumptious.

Mien: AMAZING!!! The Mozzarella was so so fresh! Carried the dish! Loved it!

Shiv: This one was simplistic, and yet so damn delicious! Very fresh and sumptuous-the burrata was a worthwhile indulgence, and the accompanying rocket and tomatoes were super fresh and made for a perfect harmonious marriage of ingredients.

Dish #2: Gratinated eggplant parmigiana: layers of eggplant, tomato, mozzarella. (RM28)

Kav: Most eggplant parmigianas are way too cheesy. This one however was just the right balance of stringy cheese, eggplant and tomatoes (which were not too sweet). Perfection!!!

Mien: Love parmigianas and this blew my mind! Delicious, and not overwhelmingly cheesy.

Shiv: The best of our starters. I typically do not enjoy gratinated dishes, but this was an exception. All flavours were very well-balanced, with no one overwhelming the others (a feat where cheese is involved!). A definite must try here.

Dish #3: Bruschetta. (RM22)

Kav: Bruschettas were fresh tasting. Not the best I have tried though.

Mien: Simple.

Shiv: Tasty in its mediocrity. I probably would not order this again, simply because there’s a lot of variety to choose from the starter menu, and this was not very memorable, although it did have some good savoury notes to it.

Now on to the portata principale or main course.

Dish #4: Sri Lanka live crab penne with olive oil, garlic, fresh basil leaves and prawns bisque. (RM38)

Kav: Never liked penne, regardless of the preparation, as it is extremely hard to flavour and ends up tasting more of flour than anything else. This one was no different, as the pasta lacked flavour. The crab died in vain. RIP Sebastian.

Mien: The penne was bland and lacked flavour. As a whole, this dish was nothing to shout about! Would not order it again!

Shiv: I expected so much from this dish, with its promise of luxurious ingredients, but to my disappointment, it was bland and bordering on insipid. Among my complaints: too little crab flesh, the sauce did not coat the penne well, and the prawn bisque lacked flavour.

Dish #5: Squid ink tagliatelle with scallops, broccoli, olive oil, garlic and chilli. (RM42)

Kav: A….wait for it………….MAZING!!!!! The best squid ink pasta I have tried, with just the right amount of tanginess complementing the seafood flavour from the fresh scallops. Just impeccable!!!

Mien: THIS WAS TOO GOOD! Love the combination of scallops with garlic, olive oil and chilli.

Shiv: One of my favourites of the pasta variety, this one deserves all the praise it can get. The use of tagliatelle was genius, as it soaked up the flavourful and extremely palatable broth. Scallops were also very fresh. I highly recommend this one!

Dish #6: Sassorosso pizza - tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, escargots, marinated mushrooms, prawns and fresh basil. (RM46)

Kav: Nice crust and flavoured well, however I could hardly taste the escargots. Good pizza though!!!

Mien: The crust is thin, very authentic. This particular pizza was mediocre as I felt it lacked flavouring. I wouldn’t order the same flavour, would try a different one, as I am confident the pizzas here are good, as they have got the fundamentals right – the crust!

Shiv: Fantastico! The pizza was chock-full of savoury ingredients, each bringing its own unique blend of flavour to the dish. The crust is also worth mentioning, as it was thin and not chewy. My only gripe was that the escargots used were scarce.

Time for some Dolce (Dessert)…

Dish #7: Sassorosso tiramisu. (RM18)

Kav: Mmmm….the Mascarpone was divine, with perfect texture and just the right amount of sweetness. The perfect balance of coffee soaked sponge fingers and cream cheese. I could write a thesis on this dessert to be honest, because that’s how much I loved it!!!

Mien: OMG!!!! ONE OF THE BEST IN THE WORLD!!! Everything was right! Just phenomenal!

Shiv: Probably the best tiramisu I have ever tried! Super authentic and each layer was prepared with a lot of thought and care. The Mascarpone layer was not too creamy, nor too egg-y and the coffee-soaked Savoiardi was just pukka! You can “pick me up” anytime with this one! ;-)

Dish #8: Cheesy vanilla crème brule. (RM16)

 

Kav: Holy Mother of GOD!!! This dessert was just sooo creamy and delicious. Again, the perfect texture and not too sweet.

Mien: Not big on crème brule, but this was delicious! Would definitely order it again!

Shiv: An excellent rendition of this classic! Again, very authentically prepared with no adulteration of the custard base with foreign flavours – they kept it simple with traditional vanilla. Also, the top caramelized layer was torched to perfection!

Verdict: WOK ON!

PRICE: Expensive. RM299.30 for 3 starters, 3 mains and 2 desserts – 4pax.

AMBIENCE: Minimalist and modern. A bar and wine cellar adorn the otherwise simple décor.

SERVICE: Excellent. Our waiter was very attentive and informative. Also, the chef /owner (who is very passionate about his art, we might add!) visited our table and took time to recommend special selections based on our preferences.

FOOD: Delicious and authentic Italian food, with a lot of attention paid to flavour and freshness of ingredients.

SASSOROSSO

9 LORONG YAP KWAN SENG
50450, FEDERAL TERRITORY OF KUALA LUMPUR

Tel: +603- 21666428

Email: ask@sassorosso.com.my

Website: http://www.sassorosso.com.my

Opening hours:

Mon-Fri: 12pm-3pm (Set lunch & Ala Carte menu) & 6pm-11.30pm (Ala Carte & Dinner Specials)

Sat: 12pm-3pm (Saturday Brunch) & 6pm-11.30pm (Ala Carte & Dinner Specials)

Sun: 6pm-11.30pm (Ala Carte & Dinner Specials)