Singapore’s first "fine dining wellness restaurant", Frunatic in Orchard Road, serves omakase menus designed to combat diseases, boost energy, strengthen muscles and detox – but we didn’t like it
Confession time: I am a sinful foodie. I’m admittedly more of a chicken-and-waffles kind of guy than a salad guy, and it doesn’t help that my only form of keeping fit is dancing at a club (and the gluttony-fuelled supper after, naturally). This is, of course, a lifestyle choice, and a luxury that I am fortunate enough to possess ’til my beer belly eventually starts to show. The point is: I wouldn’t normally and consciously choose healthy eating unless I had a good reason to, but Frunatic at Palais Renaissance made a strong case – or so I thought.
Marketed as Singapore’s first-ever “fine dining wellness restaurant”, Frunatic puts elevates healthy eating when it comes to its nutritional and body-cleansing menu choices. The ‘healing’ value of the meals here isn’t unfounded – Frunatic has taken great care in designing a dairy-, gluten- trans-fat-free menu with the help of nutritionists, dieticians, and even physicians well-versed in traditional Chinese medicine. Presented with an eight-course omakase menu (with a price tag of $108.80++), I was hoping to feel rejuvenated, re-energised, or perhaps, even experience an epiphany that “fine dining wellness cuisine” was what I had been missing from my life.
Then the ‘dishes’ came – first, a ginseng chrysanthemum tea brewed with alkaline ionised water (said to enhance muscle endurance), followed by a mango and apple electrolyte smoothie spiced with ginger root (said to lower blood pressure). And just like that, after a couple of slurps, the first quarter of my fine dining omakase feast had concluded. Needless to say, if you’re looking for a filling meal (assuming you have a big appetite like I do), this shouldn’t be your go-to destination.
I’ll be honest: As someone who doesn’t traditionally relish toxin-dispelling green punch juices (the fourth course) and diabetes-reducing cranberry pistachio fibre bites (the fifth; truth be told, this had the texture of a muesli bar), I wasn’t particularly chuffed about the meagre, mildly-flavoured servings here, regardless of the countless health benefits I was acquiring with every bite.
And yes, I didn’t expect to feel immediate effects from just one sitting either – Frunatic has “therapeutic wellness set packages” for repeat diners, with $888 for 10 meals and $6,000 for 100. Would you fork out that kind of cash for your health? You be the judge.
If dehydrated pineapple slices topped with pecan nuts and sprinkled with dill (these were really dry), brown rice bowls (generous, but bland), and vegan berry cheesecakes are right up your alley, maybe you’ll show more love for this daring concept than I possibly could.
For now, I’ll take my chances on good ol’ char kway teow.
Frunatic, B1-06 Palais Renaissance, 390 Orchard Road, Singapore 238871, p. 6276 0288.
Looking for more healthy eating options? Check out these best juice bars, salad bars, quinoa dishes, poke bowls, and healthy cafes in Singapore.