Pamplemousse

The moniker Pamplemousse –- which means grapefruit in French -- is inspired by an addictively citrusy pamplemousse-scented handwash from France, but Pamplemousse Bar & Bistro (“Pamplemousse”) is, by no means, a grapefruit-themed restaurant.

Classic French cuisine peppered with Asian –- at times Japanese and occasionally Southeast Asian -- touches by chef/proprietor, Adrian Ling, anchors the sharp menu, which sprinkles more than a dose of pleasant surprises.

Thin sheets of beef carpaccio are drizzled with a yuzu-scented sesame oil dressing and flanked by Chinese pears instead of parmesan reggiano; while black cod is served basking in a piquant curry leaves-streaked cream broth.

But the highest plaudit goes to the homey bistro mains executed with finesse and aplomb. The duck confit with braised red cabbages had us rapt with its subtly salty and appropriately crusty skin embracing a well-rendered meal that falls apart with the prod of a fork while steak frites, a bistro mainstay, impresses with its profound truffle-laced Madeira sauce on a generous hunk of grain-fed black angus ribeye steak.

All these for just S$58++ for a three course dinner, or S$48++ for two courses.

Did we mention that chef wannabes may sign up for Pamplemousse’ once-a-month Debutant Chefs programme?