Verre Wine Bar @ Rodyk Street

Located at 8 Rodyk Street, Robertson Quay. Along the same stretch as Bar Bar Black Sheep, Merry Men, Anthesis Cafe etc.

Thought this place was new but alas, it has been around for 2 years now. True. Have not been to Robertson Quay for quite awhile now. Time to get re-acquainted!

Verre's Happy Hour is till 7pm on a Mon-Fridays and 6pm on weekends, where there's a 1-for-1 deal on all wine and champagne by the glass, cocktails and beers. WoOoohOoo, sounds great!

interior

A short perusal of the drinks menu and we're ready to order.

drinks menu

choice of drink

Guy Charlemagne Brut Classic

During Happy Hour, and with every 3-orders of the champagne by the glass which eventually equates to 6 glasses, Verre will serve a bottle for the table. Nice.

Bellini

Ordered some snacks to accompany the pre-dinner drinks.

tarte flambee and fries

Forestiere @$11 - light sour cream, onions, bacon and mushroom

Service was friendly and sincere. Seldom order champagne by the glass, so was a tad surprised when they brought out the bottle. "Did I accidentally ordered a bottle?" I thought. Hahaa, think I was abit suaku.

It's part of the service and for champagne by the glass, it's poured by the table. Thank you to the service staff who attended to us. Sorry if I couldn't catch what you were saying. The Guy Charlemagne Brut Classic tasted fruity, light and semi-sweet.

The tarte flambee was a nice snack though the flavours could be stronger.

Verre is quite cosy and when night falls, the ambiance was pretty nice.

when night falls

wine bar came alight~

Total cost for 2 alcoholic drinks, an iced coffee and snacks came up to $70+ for 3 pax.

Tanuki Raw @ Orchard Central

Located at Level 2 of Orchard Central. Visited on a Wednesday evening. This place has been around for awhile, and why it took so long for me to visit? Because I'd thought that it'll be very crowded here.

Happy Hour is from 5pm till 8pm, where martinis go for $10 and each alcoholic drink will entitle patrons to half a dozen oysters at $2 each.

outdoors, high stool, city view

menu

promo menu

Got myself a mojito for $12 (HH) and half a dozen oyster to share. We weren't hungry. Friend got the saketini for $10 (HH).

saketini, mojito and oysters

The oysters were.... rather flat. Well, can't complain for that price. Friend felt it was quite worthed it. Briny and salty.

oysters @$2 a pop

The alcohol in the cocktails gave us quite a buzz. Had another lychee martini and the third one was a cocktail recommended by the staff. Didn't finish the last one because it had a spicy and non-likeable taste. Had a basket of truffle fries and a plate of salmon sashimi.

The thing about outdoor seats was that it was pretty noisy from the birds between 730 to 8ish in the evening. Had to like speak louder times three, if you want to be heard.

Spent about $43 per pax that night.

[Valentine's Day] Arossa Wine & Grill @ Scotts Square

Valentine's Day is just round the corner, and are you perhaps, looking for a place to have a quiet meal with your loved ones?

Located at Level 2 of Scotts Square, this place may be just what you're looking for. Its Valentine's Day Special Menu would like to invite you to fall in love, all over again, in six plates.

flowers to brighten the day

waiting for love?

"A hungry person, is an angry one." So feed him/her quickly!

complimentary bread served warm, to stave off the hunger pangs

Someone said, "Food is the way to your lovers heart..." But do you know, which food do your partner really really likes?

une amuse

First plate, an amuse to start. A dainty looking Mascarpone Tart with Orange Marmalade. A very light touch, a teaser. Leaves you curious for more...

1st Course: Salmon & Scallop Tartare with Oscietra Caviar

Plate Two, sashimi appetiser. Glad that the salmon and scallop weren't too finely chopped up. Tried spreading some on the bread, and it was actually quite nice.

The aroma of truffle wafted up as the plate for the Third Plate, was set. This is the one dish, that I will not want to share. Nope, non-negotiable.

2nd Course: Roasted Foie Gras with Black Truffle Risotto

closer view of foie gras and risotto

Well-cooked grains, strongly flavoured and my favourite foie gras. Everything about this dish was likeable! Except for one. Its amazingly tiny portion.

But, perhaps, it is to save some stomach space for the Fourth Plate? A pasta course of home-made ravioli.

Pasta Course: Home-made Lobster Ravioli with Bisque Sauce

Much accustomed to minced fillings in ravioli, but here, one could find tiny pieces of lobster meat inside the ravioli. Such luxury. Although its a pasta dish, it still felt quite light.

Plate Five, means you have a choice. The man would probably opt for Braised Beef Cheek in Red Wine Sauce, served with mashed potato while she would probably enjoy the Roasted Seabass with Sauteed Sea Urchin & Persimmon Sauce.

Plate 5, main dish: Braised Beef Cheek

Plate 5: Roasted Seabass with Sauteed Sea Urchin

As expected, the beef cheek was good. Flavourful, firm and slightly gelatinous. Yums. Didn't get a chance to taste much of the seabass though, but it looked pretty.

Of course, the meal should end on a sweet note, hence lastly, dessert.

Plate 6: Chocolate & Hazelnut Semifreddo

Googled and semifreddo is a "light semi-frozen Italian dessert." True. It's mousse-like with chunky hazelnut bits. Not too sweet.

The Valentine's Day Special six plates, can be enjoyed for $120++.

Also sampled some items from the ala-carte menu. For starters, the oysters were really good. Plump and juicy, yet not too briny.

oysters half dozen @$38++

plump and juicy, that screams "Eat me!"

Or, you may fancy the beef carpaccio that was really thin, plenty of rocket leaves and a very good drizzle of balsamic.

wagyu beef carpaccio @$26++

tasty and tangy pork chop

As with occassions, how about some wine? The Zinfandel from California has a nice pinkish hue, sweet and sparkly.

But then, if one is drunk on love, any other drink would've tasted as sweet, yes?

Sparkling Rose @$75++ per bottle

Thank you Arossa and Publicist PR for the invited session.