Tag: Singapore

Odette ***

Odette
At The National Gallery Singapore
 1 St Andrew’s Rd, #01-04
Singapore 178957
+65 6385 0498
Official Site

Singapore has long been a gastronomic haven. You can enjoy something delicious and freshly made at a hawker center for just a few dollars, or splurge at one of the city’s many high-end, internationally acclaimed restaurants. The country truly has it all. Michelin-starred spots are scattered throughout the city, along with several entries on both the World’s 50 Best and Asia’s 50 Best lists. Its dining scene easily holds its own against global culinary capitals like Paris, London, New York, and Tokyo. And at the center of it all, its most famous and arguably most decorated restaurant, is the three-Michelin-starred Odette.

Since opening in 2015, Odette has collected just about every major accolade out there. It claimed the No. 1 spot on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list in both 2019 and 2020, appears annually on the World’s 50 Best list, and is a proud member of Les Grandes Tables du Monde. In the inaugural 2016 Singapore Michelin Guide, it earned two stars, and by 2019 it had ascended to the coveted third star.

The restaurant is a collaboration between Chef Julien Royer and The Lo & Behold Group, known for operating some of Singapore’s top dining concepts locally and abroad. Chef Royer sharpened his skills in several Michelin-starred kitchens in France, including the highly regarded Michel Bras, and later cooked at The Greenhouse in London. Before opening Odette, he helmed Jaan in Singapore, which entered the World’s 50 Best under his leadership. Today he remains chef-founder of the one-star Louise in Hong Kong and chef-patron of Claudine in Singapore.

Housed inside the National Gallery Singapore, Odette’s dining room is bright, airy, and soft around the edges. Natural light floods in, bouncing off pale tones and a mosaic floor of broken marble pieces. Round white-clothed tables sit comfortably spaced apart, paired with plush booths and chairs. Through a sliding glass door, you catch glimpses of the kitchen at work. The décor leans toward understated elegance, highlighted by a hanging art installation by Singaporean artist Dawn Ng.

Epicure Menu:

For lunch, I decided to go all in with the “Epicure” menu priced at $498 SGD. Things kicked off with Grignotages, three playful little bites: a cheese donut, a pork taco with wasabi, and an escabeche tartlet. Right after came a silky sabayon egg custard with black truffle and mushroom tea. The earthy aroma hit instantly, and pairing each sip with a bite of brioche slathered in mushroom butter made it even better. A great start.

The first course, MARUKYO UNI – Red Sicilian prawn, Mussel cloud Kristal caviar, felt luxurious. The mussel mousse was rich and creamy with that unmistakable mussel flavor, while the prawns brought sweetness and the caviar added a clean salinity. On the side was a small, delicious uni toast. Next came the SHIMA AJI “CRUDO” – horseradish, rice & seaweed cracker, dill. The fish was laid over a tangy horseradish crème fraîche, while dill showed up in three forms, oil, purée, and fresh sprigs. It was finished with a dusting of buttermilk and horseradish snow for a subtle kick, and paired with crispy rice and seaweed crackers that added a fun, crunchy contrast.

Then came one of Odette’s signatures: the ROSEMARY SMOKED ORGANIC EGG – smoked potato syphon, chorizo Iberco,meuniere. The dish arrived surrounded by a cloud of dry ice smoke, full theatrics. The smoked egg yolk and light potato foam created a comforting savory combination, while bits of chorizo added richness and a slight nuttiness. A terrific dish.

The SCOTISH BLUE LOBSTER – Kyoto miso, endive, sake beurre blanc followed, tender and luscious, dressed in a beurre blanc that was sweet, zesty, rich, and just slightly tangy. After that came the HOKKAIDO STEAMED KINKI – water cress, Morrisseau mussel, pink garlic veloute. The fish was soft, silky, and incredibly delicate. The mussels brought a deep ocean flavor, and the yin-yang sauce, half garlic velouté, half watercress, balanced sweet, smooth garlic with leafy bitterness.

Before the main course, the server presented the whole  KAMPOT PEPPER CRUSTED PIGEON – Corsican peach, rhubarb, amaretto in a wooden box. The pigeon was excellent: tender, full of flavor, and coated in a crust that had a warm, sweet spiciness. The jus was delicious, and the leg meat slipped right off the bone. My server even brought a bun so I could soak up the remaining sauce, a small touch, but a thoughtful one.

A shiso granité sorbet with verbena jelly, green apple, and sorrel refreshed the palate with its bright, fruity acidity. Dessert was the CAVAILLON CHERRY ‘CLAFOUTIS’ – almond, elderflower, vanuata vanilla Odette’s refined take on the classic French dessert. A crisp cylindrical shell held almond sponge with a gentle nuttiness, topped with naturally sweet Cavaillon cherries. It wasn’t overly sweet, perfect for me. The meal ended with Douceurs: frozen lollipops, Japanese fruits, pralines, and chocolates.

The “Epicure” menu was wonderful. Pacing was spot-on, never rushed. The cooking leaned French at its core but blended Japanese and Asian ingredients seamlessly. The dishes were creative, technically precise, and full of bright, clear flavors. I opted for the wine pairing at $295 SGD, which brought selections from France, the U.S., Hungary, and South Africa. The pairings were thoughtful and genuinely elevated the food.

Service at Odette was outstanding. The staff were young, sharp, warm, and carried this effortless mix of casual and professional. They explained each course clearly without sounding rehearsed, and we even shared a few laughs throughout the meal. Afterward, I had the chance to visit the kitchen, where Chef Royer was present. He chatted for a few minutes, took photos, and expressed genuine gratitude. His humility stood out.

Wine Pairing:

At $498 SGD ($376 USD) for the menu and $295 SGD ($223 USD) for the wine pairing, this is definitely a splurge, right in line with top dining rooms across the U.S. and Europe. Singapore is an expensive city, and a meal at this level naturally comes with a premium. It’s the kind of place you come to celebrate something special or simply to experience one of the world’s top restaurants.

With three Michelin-starred options in Singapore alone, diners are spoiled for choice. But with all its accolades, Odette continues to be the restaurant many people point to when they think of Singapore’s dining scene. My visit lived up to the hype. Warm service, a relaxed but elegant setting, a celebrated chef who’s genuinely friendly, and, most importantly, fantastic food. Odette absolutely earns its reputation as one of the world’s great dining destinations.

Putien (Kitchener Road)

Putien (Kitchener Road)
127 Kitchener Road
Singapore, 208514
+65 6295 6358
Official Site

What began as a humble coffee shop has since blossomed into a restaurant empire. Putien is a Singaporean chain specializing in Fujian cuisine, now with over eighty locations across Asia, including outposts in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, and multiple venues throughout Singapore. The flagship and original location on Kitchener Road stands apart as the only one to have earned a Michelin star, holding one star from 2016 to 2024.

The dining room is bright and refreshing, dominated by blond wood tones that give the space a clean, welcoming feel. Tables are dressed in crisp white tablecloths and spaced comfortably apart, making the room feel relaxed rather than crowded.

Putien’s menu is extensive, offering plenty of choice. Dining with a group allowed us to sample a good cross-section of dishes. Dinner began with complimentary crispy seaweed snacks while we studied the menu. Dishes arrived as they were finished cooking, which kept the pacing natural.

The Stir-Fried Yam stood out for its contrast in texture—gelatinous on the inside with a nicely fried outer layer. An off-menu Bean Curd with Mixed Vegetables was prepared especially for our vegetarian companion. The tofu was delicious, paired with impressively fresh vegetables whose flavors came through clearly. Everything was bathed in a brown sauce that delivered a satisfying savory sweetness without being heavy.

The Fujian Red Mushroom Seafood Lor Mee, which the menu notes contains thirteen fresh ingredients, was a true seafood delight. Served in a generous bowl, the milky, slightly watery broth carried deep earthy and savory notes, enriched by an abundance of seafood and noodles.

The Pan-Fried Yellow Croaker was pan-seared, then gently braised in a lightly sweet soy-based sauce. The fish was crusted beautifully on the outside, while the flesh remained soft and delicate. The sauce infused the fish with a balanced salty-sweet flavor, showing careful, confident cooking. The Deep-Fried Chicken with Garlic featured ultra-crispy skin and remarkably moist meat. The garlic was present and aromatic but never overpowering, allowing the other seasonings to shine.

The food here is straightforward, nothing flashy or overly complicated, but everything is well executed, flavorful, and made with very fresh ingredients. Portions are generous and ideal for family-style dining. For a party of six, the meal came to about $200 USD, which felt very economical for the quality and quantity.

Service was solid and efficient, with capable staff who kept everything running smoothly. Overall, Putien is an excellent choice for anyone seeking honest, delicious Fujian cooking in a comfortable, pleasant setting—proof that simplicity, when done right, can be deeply satisfying.

Les Amis ***

Les Amis
1 Scotts Rd, #01 – 16 Shaw Centre,
Singapore 228208
+65 6733 2225
Official Site

It’s hard to fathom that in a wealthy, cosmopolitan city like Singapore—where there’s no shortage of top-tier and expensive dining options—fine dining was once confined almost exclusively to luxury hotels. That only changed in 1994, when a group of friends with a shared passion for haute French cuisine opened Les Amis (which fittingly means “friends” in French). It became Singapore’s first independent fine dining restaurant, and its success paved the way for the creation of the Les Amis Group, which now operates a collection of restaurants in Singapore and abroad. Over time, Les Amis has become nothing short of a Singaporean institution.

When the Michelin Guide launched its inaugural Singapore edition in 2016, Les Amis was immediately awarded two stars. Three years later, in 2019, it joined Odette in receiving the coveted third star. The restaurant also holds a prestigious five-star rating from the Forbes Travel Guide and has been a regular fixture on the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list.

Much of this acclaim can be credited to Chef Sébastien Lepinoy, who took the helm in 2013 after the closure of Cepage, a one-Michelin-starred restaurant in Hong Kong also run by the Les Amis Group. A protégé of the legendary Joël Robuchon, Chef Lepinoy trained at several Michelin-starred restaurants in France, including the iconic Jamin in Paris. He eventually became Robuchon’s right-hand man, later serving as chef de cuisine at L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon in Hong Kong, which earned two Michelin stars under his leadership in 2009.

Les Amis is located in the Shaw Centre, a shopping mall, but has its own street-level entrance. The bi-level dining room exudes understated elegance, with soaring ceilings, glittering crystal chandeliers, velvet red walls, polished granite floors, and thick carpeting that softens the space. Round tables, dressed in crisp white linens, are paired with plush beige leather chairs, an interior that radiates quiet sophistication.

The restaurant offers a three-course lunch, along with a four-course prix fixe, tasting, and special menus available during both lunch and dinner. For this visit, I chose the four-course prix fixe, priced at $415 SGD. As I looked over the menu, a warm loaf of freshly baked bread and French butter arrived, followed by a canapé of tomato tart, made with Le Jardin de Rabelais tomatoes from the Loire Valley, confit with cauliflower, and seasoned with thyme, basil, and sea salt. It was juicy and bursting with flavor.

Next came the amuse-bouches. The first, a Les Amis signature: chilled angel hair pasta topped with Kristal caviar. The noodles were al dente, dressed lightly with chives, seaweed, sherry vinaigrette, truffle, and crowned with a generous scoop of caviar for that luxurious, buttery salinity. A delicate shiso blossom added a subtle floral touch. The second amuse revisited the same premium tomato in the form of a cold soup layered with cucumber jelly and diced cucumber for crunch, topped with tomato foam, peppercorn, and olive oil. I was instructed to scoop from the bottom to get every layer in one bite, each spoonful was bright, fresh, and textured. On the side, a tiny croissant filled with anchovies added just the right touch of savory salinity.

My first course was Caviar on Roseval Potato Petals with Condiments and Fresh Herbs. The presentation was striking, a generous mound of caviar atop thinly sliced, slightly sweet Roseval potatoes. Sour cream and capers brought tang and acidity, while smoked salmon added a gentle smokiness. Every element played harmoniously together in this luxurious, well-balanced dish.

The next course was Sea Urchin Soufflé with Tarragon and Dill, served with a Crustacean Sauce. The sauce, made with cognac and tomato, was rich and aromatic, perfectly complementing the light, airy soufflé. Delicate yet deeply flavored, it was pure indulgence for uni lovers.The kitchen then sent out a complimentary vegetable course—silky, sweet Nantes carrots from Brittany glazed with finesse. Simple, but a standout in its own right.

For the main course, I chose Roasted Challans Duck Breast from Vendée with glazed Mont Ventoux cherries, one of Les Amis’ signatures. Cooked to an ideal medium-rare, the duck was tender and succulent, its skin crusted with juniper, coriander, bay leaves, honey, and sake for an aromatic, subtly sweet profile. The duck jus added depth, while the glazed turnips with peppercorn and scallions brought a gentle spice. The warm, dark cherries from Provence added a lush, fruity sweetness that tied the dish together.

A sorbet cart arrived to refresh the palate, and I sampled an array of flavors, coconut, strawberry, melon with white wine, lemon yogurt, raspberry, and herb. Each was crisp, bright, and wonderfully refreshing after the rich courses before it.

Dessert was Baba infused in aged rhum agricole & citrus, accompanied by a lightly whipped creme fleurette  or “Rum Baba”, Les Amis’ take on the French staple. The sponge cake was soft and moist, infused with cinnamon honey and lemon, glazed with apricot, and soaked with aged rhum agricole from Martinique. Inside was a cloud of crème fleurette flavored with Tahitian vanilla from Bora Bora—a wonderful sweet, boozy finish to the meal. The petit fours, canelé, apricot tart, and housemade chocolates, closed things out beautifully.

Though technically a four-course menu, the experience felt closer to eight courses with the amuse-bouche and extra touches. The cooking was precise yet never fussy—classical French flavors with modern refinement. Every dish showed an incredible attention to quality, sourcing, and execution. Even the bread program stood out for its craftsmanship.

While there’s no official wine pairing for the prix fixe, I asked the sommelier to curate one. The selections were spot-on: IWA 5 Sake with the sea urchin soufflé, and Monthélie Premier Cru Domaine Jean-Claude Ramonet 2020 with the duck both excellent pairings.

Service was impeccably polished. At first, the tone felt a bit formal, but as the meal progressed, it relaxed into a natural, comfortable rhythm. The staff were attentive without being intrusive, timing each course seamlessly and anticipating needs before I could ask. Watching them operate with such precision across the dining room was impressive.

Wine Paring:

There’s no question that Les Amis is a special-occasion destination. At SGD 415 for lunch, it’s among the priciest meals in Asia, but it delivers an experience that easily matches the world’s best three-star restaurants. The cooking, service, and sense of occasion make it a meal to remember.

Three decades in, Les Amis remains at the forefront of Singapore’s fine dining scene, an enduring institution that continues to evolve while staying true to its French roots. In a city where restaurants open and close in a blink, its longevity is proof of something rare: unwavering excellence. It’s the kind of restaurant worth flying halfway across the world for easily one of the best meals anyone can have.