Le Parisien Bistro (2nd review)

Foie Gras

Second Review

This restaurant has introduced foie gras to its menu.  Naturally, I had to try it.  The foie gras was well cooked on the inside, smooth and buttery.  The apricots that came with it was lovely to cut the richness flavour from the foie gras.  Personally, I would like the foie gras to be more seared on the outside but it was fine.

Veal

The veal came in a generous portion.  It was tender and cooked very well.  The gravy was rich and tasty though the veal should be seasoned just a little more.  Though it's better to be slightly under than over salty. 

Creme brulee

I tried the creme brulee and definitely has improved on the texture since I was there the last time.  It is soft but firm, just the right texture.  It's tasty, creamy and what I like most is that I could see the tiny vanilla pods in it, delicious...

Ratings:
Foie gras 8/10
Veal: 8/10
Creme Brulee: 9/10

10 Haji Lane

Tel: 6396-6383

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun 11am-11pm

Le Bistro Parisien

Went for a lunch meeting and my friend suggested this new place.  This charming little french restaurant is around the Arab Street area. 

When we got there, we were greeted by the friendly and vivacious owner, Jean Francois Nordin.  Apparently, I heard that he was living in France a long time ago for 12 years working in the restaurants there and he got started by being a dishwasher to get himself into the kitchen.  I guess that's part of the reason that he speaks fluent french too.  We got our seats and was given the menu.  I like the way it was written.

The Onion Soup ($12) was baked well, along with the lovely crusty cheese on top.  The sweetness came from the onions, like how it should be.  It was very tasty.

The Carrot Soup ($8) was really lovely too.  It was creamy but not too much cream that makes you feel sick.  It had the right consistency to it. 

The cod baked with cream was very nice.  Again, it was just right and not too creamy.  The cod pieces were perfectly baked in the sauce.

Ahhhh... the next dish is my personal favourite.  I would come here just for this!  It is a marrow dish   ($21)  and I am so sure my eating kakis would LOVE it!  The marrow was baked and the gravy was glazed on top of it.  This dish is definitely not for the faint-hearted.  It is not oily as I could tell they didn't add any oil....only the oil that came from the natural fats of the marrow.  It was served with some saute mushrooms.

It is superb as you can see the marrow goodness here :P  The marrow was done perfectly well.  The marrow was smooth, rich and simply succulent.  It is like having the equivalent of our local soup tulang minus the knocking and the sucking :D

As you can see, I polished off the whole plate!  In my opinion, this is a must try! YUMS!!!  I don't think you should have this everyday but hey, some fats will do you good...  This is definitely a dish for someone who lives life with a passion :)

We ordered two different steak to taste the difference.  The US Black Angus Ribeye ($48)  was really tender and tasty.  It came with a 2-4 marbling.  It was well seasoned and extremely tasty.

My Australian Wagyu Ribeye ($98) came with a 8++ marbling.  There's fatty goodness in every morsel.  Delicious, extremely tender and is slightly sweeter than the US ribeye, I think due to the fatty content.  Both were perfectly done medium, pink without being "bloody".  It is indeed a superb cut.  However, I always find Wagyu to be a bit rich for me.  I couldn't finish it, not because it was not good, but because I have a relatively small stomach :D.  But I decided to pack it home to make a fab steak sandwich for dinner later.

Dark chocolate dessert

The dessert (again, I can't remember what's the name) is lovely.  I tried 3 different flavours. The dark chocolate, the raspberry and the coffee and chocolate.  I think it is perfectly executed.  All wasn't too sweet and simply delicious.

Raspberry dessert

Coffee and chocolate dessert

The sponge is soft and goes well with the various flavours.

We also tried the creme caramel.  The soft layer of creme caramel on top was nice.  Again, it's not too sweet though the consistency should be just a tad firmer.  But it was tasty.

This unpretentious restaurant has good quality ingredients and top grade meats.  I heard they will be renovating the upstairs bit during Hari Raya as currently the upstairs deco is not too French.  They also offer set lunch menu at a fab price of $18.90 nett.  That would include a soup, a choice of beef stew or a lamb or chicken dish and a coffee.  All meat are halal.  I realised as well that there's no GST nor service charge here.  They do not sell alcohol but you can BYO.  I will definitely visit this restaurant again.... especially for the marrow! :P

Ratings:

Onion Soup: 8.5/10
Carrot Soup: 8/10
Baked cod dish:  7.5/10
Marrow dish:  9.5/10
US Rib Eye: 9.5/10
Australian Wagyu: 9.5/10
Sponge 3 flavour dessert:  9/10
Creme Caramel: 7.5/10

Service: 8/10

10 Haji Lane
Singapore 189203
Tel: 6396 6383
Tel: 6396 6383
(11am to 11pm)
www.bistroparisien.com.sg

Vivitalia

I decided to try this restaurant after they posted their restaurant on my Singapore Restaurants, Singapore Food Facebook wall.  They are also a halal Italian venue.  I was curious so after picking my daughter up from school, I "conned" her into having lunch here because she does not really like to eat out as she prefers my cooking :)

Vivatalia must be rather new as they still have a few kitchen utensils on the table by the entrance.  It looks more like a casual cafe instead of a restaurant.  There are a few tables by the outdoor area/ balcony.  Some contractors were also seen doing some finishing touches.

My daughter ordered the Cream Chicken Spaghetti ($10.90) as she likes cream sauce pasta.  It was creamy and tasted ok.  Although they could have put a little bit more chicken as I had to look for it.  The ginger and mint drink was a tad sweet as they use cordial mint instead of fresh mint.

My Fish & Chips came in a rather big plate.  It was one big piece of fish and I was pleasantly surprised that the quality of the fish was good.  It was coated with a thin batter and it was not soggy.  The batter could do with a little more salt but it was fine as the fish was nice.  However, the coleslaw that came with it was too little. 

We were halfway through our meal when our order of garlic bread arrived.  They were bits of garlic and I must say it is good. 

When we were nearly done with our meal, a server came with two bowls of mushroom soup.  It was complimentary from the restaurant.  I find the mushroom soup a bit runny.  I think it's the first time I had main course- bread- soup in that order. 

I honestly think they could put some effort on presentation.  The food does not look appealing and looks like it's just slap on the plate.  It reminds me more of a canteen. Tastewise, I think it's not wow but decent.  They are obviously targeting the office lunchtime crowd.  It's also suitable for young children and if I am not mistaken, there's a play area just beside it.  The food should be out in proper order (unless advised otherwise) as I do find it strange finishing my meal with mushroom soup... well, perhaps they are still very new...

Spaghetti Chicken Cream Sauce 6/10
Fish & Chips 6.5/10
Garlic Bread: 8/10

50 Tampines North Drive 2
inside Courts Megastore
Level 2
Singapore 528766
Mon-Sun 10am to 10pm

Tel: 823 283 55