Les Artistes Bistrot
On May 11, with much anticipation and excitement, we went to the Les Artistes Bistrot for lunch. The restaurant serves only a-la-carte set menu priced from $34++ for 3 courses. The previous day, we had looked through the menu posted on their website (http://www.restaurantnicolas.com/thebistrot.html) and were impressed by the range of items available. With some difficulty (as all the items seemed so delicious), we selected the items that we would be having so that we could try as many different items as possible.
As it turned out, the menu was quite different from the online one. The starters on this menu did not appeal as much to me. As for the main course, the pork belly & cod fillet as posted on the main menu were missing. Most of the items cost an additional S$8 to S$10. Even the dessert list was disappointing. It was very frustrating. For me, if any business has a website, then the information should be up-to-date. This is simply basic internet etiquette. If this cannot be achieved, then it is better not to post it all at.
Complimentary Starter
Salami, duck and garlic toast
Porcini Mushroom Soup
For starters, I selected the Porcini mushroom soup while W tried the Millefeuille (photos shown above). The soup was neither too creamy nor heavy. However, on the taste department, I would rate it as average. The Millefeuille was delicious – delivering harmonious flavours wrapped in the thin and crisp “wanton-like”. The complimentary starter (the middle picture) comprising salami, duck and garlic toast were pretty good too, with the slightly salty salami balancing the more delicate taste of the shredded duck.
Millefeuille
Leg of Lamb
Zingari IGT
Beef cheek
For the main course, I ordered the braised beef cheek while W (my companion) ordered the leg of lamb (photos shown above). The portions were generous. The beef cheek is very flavourful and tender. I love the presentation of this dish too. The mashed potato was served in the cup. The leg of lamb, on the other hand, tasted rather bland. We will definitely not recommend this dish at all. The toscana wine that we ordered matched well with the beef cheek but overpowered the lamb rack. The wine is made in the new world style with plummy and jammy flavours – a rather ordinary wine at S$65 for a half-bottle.
The bistrot has a good selection of wines, although in my opinion, they are somewhat over-priced. The wines are priced close to 3 times retail price. One interesting find is the Didier Dagueneau Silex 2005 at S$390. What was commendable though was that no questions were asked when a customer returned a bottle of seemingly corked / oxidized wine. The waiter simply opened another bottle of the same wine for the customer to sample.
Sugar bowl
Choc Island
Crepe Suzette
Finally, for dessert, I have the Chocolate Island while W ordered the Crepe Suzette. The other desserts are meringue-based and I am not a fan of meringues. My Chocolate Island is a single piece of warm milk chocolate in a bowl of cold white chocolate. A simple but delicious combination. The crepe suzette however is really ordinary. Poor W.
We certainly have expected a lot more from the food by a chef with such an illustrous career as Chef Nicolas. While we applaud the idea of changing the menu to keep regulars happy, we feel that it is important to load the lastest menu online. We are not sure if we will return to the restaurant. Perhaps it is time to try the other French restaurant in town that also serves a-la-carte set lunch and dinner.
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