Restaurant Review: Indulgent Eats- Absinthe

I'm always on the lookout for nice food. Why waste calories on the norm when you can get much better. Before you form any preconceived ideas that i'm a brat and only eat at atas restaurants, let me highlight to you that i do hawker as well. My idea of good food is good tasting food. It doesn't have to be expensive. In fact, some expensive restaurants have failed me miserably e.g. ilLido. Trust me, you can get much better italian for the same price or less. 

During the Restaurant week promotion this year, while discussing which restaurants to dine at, several of my friends couldn't stop raving about Absinthe. I didn't managed to get a booking there but sampled the menu at its sister resto OSO and it was good. I knew i had to try Absinthe soon.

My opportunity came when i was planning S's surprise birthday celebration (we did a staycation at the New Majestic Hotel, read about it here). Absinthe was the perfect choice- it was just opposite our hotel. How convenient!

I went for the Menu Absinthe which is a 6 course meal (if you include the coffee at the end? Is that even a course really?). This is so typical of me- Variety first. Stomach space second. Besides there's the boy to finish up my food for me :)) And the smart S anticipated that already so he only ordered an appetizer and his main. :)

Bisque de Homard

Lobster Bisque for the boy. Creamy rich seafood with chunks of fresh chewy lobster flesh. I didn't taste much of it because he finished EVERYTHING. He didn't even offer me much. :(

Carpaccio de Saint Jacques, Marinade Citron et Tuile à l'Encre de Seiche

Scallop Carpaccio, Squid Ink Tuile and Lemon Dressing- Sweet succulent scallop flesh. Granted it's not as good as the fresh ones at the markets in Hokkaido but it sure cuts close. The lemon dressing is refreshing with the rock salt and pepper crunch and mint leaves of sort.

Gambas Flambées à l'Absinthe, Pignons de Pin et Petite Salade 

Sautéed King Prawns Flambéed with Absinthe, Pine Nuts and Herb Salad. The dish is quite small but just about the right portion. It's a tomato cream base that is not too heavy. Slightly bland and no hint of Absinthe at all? Prawns were fresh and crunchy like fei cui xia (if there's even such a thing).

Foie Gras Poêlé, Blinis et Cerises Griottes

Pan Fried Foie Gras, Morello Cherries and Blinis- My favorite dish!! Foie gras with cherries is the best combination ever. I like that it is a little charred on the outside (hence the crispiness) and the interior just melts (how can it not? it's pure fats anyway!). The creamy texture is contrasted by the tangy sourish sweet cherries. And the little bliny just soaks all that juice and essence up. My mouth is watering just thinking about it...  

Boeuf Wagyu Grillé (8+), Millefeuille de Pomme de Terre, Petits Légumes et Jus Naturel

Grilled Beef Wagyu, Potato Millefeuille, Baby Vegetables and Natural Jus. Steak has to be done medium rare to maintain the juice and the soul of the cow. I kid you but this steak is extraordinary. There is no gravy with the steak but it is moist and flavorful. Must be some secret marinate that was used or some technique that sealed the flavor in. Blew my mind.

Cabillaud Rôti, Risotto au Crevettes, Emulsion de Feuille de Kaffir 

Roasted Black Cod, Prawn Risotto and Kaffir Lime Leaf Emulsion. I'm not a fish fan but this comes recommended by the server. It was the cod or the milk-fed veal fillet. I was leaning towards the latter but that would be quite predictable. As usual, fresh ingredients. Very light despite the cream based risotto (that was cooked perfectly). A little bland. I'm quite a savory food person. 

Forgot to take pictures of the desserts because i was busy texting our friends who were waiting at CM-PB to complete the surprise celebration. It was a citrus flavored Blanc Mangé with Almond Tuile.

Brownie and chocolate cake @CM-PB. The chocolate cake was surprisingly good. Moist and rich. Should try this some other time.

Absinthe
48 Bukit Pasoh Road, Singapore 089858
Tel: +65 6222 9068
Lunch : 12pm - 2:30pm (Mon - Fri)
Dinner : 6:30pm - 10:30pm (Mon - Sat)

They'd be moving to 72 Boat Quay come Jan 2012! Bookmark it please.