Free-flow bread (freshly baked in-house), a menu with a purpose and European dishes with a contemporary nudge – did we mention the free-flow bread?
Tucked away in a quaint spot in The Grand Park City Hall, Tablescape is quite a pleasant surprise. We’re all for hidden restaurants but this definitely caught us off-guard. Bathed in a charming neoclassical aesthetic with contemporary pink, turquoise and gold accents, the restaurant truly respects the century-old conservation shophouse. It’s versatile enough to hold both business lunches and intimate dinners with your SO right in the heart of the city. Double yes.
Reimagined European classics with a modern twist
Chef Armando Aristarco takes on the Executive Chef role for the first time and it’s evident that he’s a natural. Dishing out European classics a modern twist, Chef Armando also accentuates the little things take makes a visit to Tablescape an unforgettable one. Take the menu – the vague description of each dish is an attempt to encourage conversation with your server. And the Gueridon service? This tableside ritual where your dish is finished and presented from push trolleys is a great #throwback to the past.
Mmm…freshly baked pillowy goodness
We’re getting to the dishes in a minute but we also have to give major props to the bread basket served before service. Bread is freshly baked in-house from a rotation of a whopping 14 choices, including squid ink brioche, black sesame brioche, coriander, flaxseed, onion bread, polenta, potato roll and rye – served with a choice of salted or unsalted house-churned butter. YUM!
Stalwart starters include beef ($20), a platter of tender black Angus beef tataki, with pumpkin done two ways – in the form of roasted cubes and puree; and a white pepper foam for aroma. The egg ($28), is slow-cooked at 62°C and served with asparagus, black summer truffle from Umbria and – wait for it – a pool of indulgent 24-month-aged Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese fondue. This is where the bread comes in handy to mop up the rich and creamy sauce. Can we get a hallelujah?
The creamiest risotto with no cream
Chef Armando gives us a creamy risotto ($28), sans the cream but alleviated with pan-seared foie gras and house-smoked duck. No cream? We thought that Chef was pulling a fast one on us as the risotto is so, so creamy. The trick is to cook the rice slowly with stock until the starch is released from the rice – and use cauliflower, cooked in milk.
Those with a large appetite should try the Iberico pork chop ($42). Perfectly cooked and grilled in a Josper Oven, the Iberico pork was tender, big on flavour with char-grilled spots simply hit the spot.
Bring your second stomach for dessert
But wait, there’s more. If you’ve never had a good souffle before, this must be corrected immediately with the Valrhona chocolate souffle ($16). Tip: don’t spend too much clicking pictures as it’s best eaten warm. Non-chocolate lovers can opt for the refreshing Champagne jelly ($14), a dish from the dessert trolley that’s topped with fresh assorted berries, mascarpone cheese and garnished with candied orange peel.
Planning for a romantic date-night or catch up with your crew? No matter the company, Tablescape will treat you just right.
Tablescape, Level 3, 10 Coleman Street, Grand Park City Hall, S179809
