Violet Herbs

Singapore Restaurant Week was from 24 Oct to 1 Nov and my choice this time round was Violet Herbs, a new age semi-formal fine-dining restaurant offering European cuisine with Asian influences. Helmed by Chef Edward Hoe with about two decades of culinary experience, the restaurant has its own herb garden growing up to 20 different kinds of herbs. As the name suggests, herbs are used extensively in its dishes and splashes of violet – chairs and sofa seats stood out against wooden tables, floor and frames (of pictures on one wall and mirrors on another), could be seen on the first floor of the two storey shophouse on Tras Street. Visited last weekend and we had for appetiser, Parma Scallops and Mushroom Cappuccino with truffle foam and chives. The former was succulent and served with burnt figs on bland sweet potato purée, trout roe caviar and melon gel while the latter was strangely bitter.

Brasserie Gavroche

I have not, until recently, been to Brasserie Gavroche helmed by Chef Frédéric Colin who was born and brought up in Paris. According to the website, its cuisine is "timeless – classic dishes prepared from the heart". Located along Tras Street with Café & Bar Gavroche and Fleur De Sel, the place had a rustic shop front atypical of a French restaurant. As I opened the weather-beaten door and stepped in, was struck by the contrast. While there was still an old world charm about it, the interiors however exuded Paris ambience. A wide mirror spanned one side, with old photos in gold frames on white walls. Below which were red cushioned bench seats paired with wooden tables and chairs with backrest, some with armrest too. Old-fashioned red and white napkins were neatly folded and placed, together with glassware and metal cutleries, on white table cloths. Combined with the mosaic tiled floor and framed-up menu, it oozed the laid-back feel of a French brasserie.

Fleur De Sel

Do not confuse French restaurant Fleur De Sel with Brasserie Gavroche or Café & Bar Gavroche. The former, by chef-owner Alexandre Lozachmeur who has worked in three Michelin-starred Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée Restaurant in Paris and at Au Petit Salut and Brasserie Les Saveurs in Singapore, opened last year wheras the latter are by Chef Frédéric Colin. All are located along Tras Street with Italian, Japanese and Spanish restaurants – Gattopardo Ristorante Di Mare, Sushi Mitsuya and Bam! Tapas Sake Bar respectively. Fleur De Sel has an open-concept kitchen with counter seats, and natural light streaming into the charming shophouse from the skylight. There are also wooden tables with white table cloth or runners and unless you are sitting at the bar counter, chances are you will be sitting on wooden chairs with cushioned seats and backrests.