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2008-09-26
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(Con't of Part I)As for soup:I’ve only ordered Onion Soup and Lobster Bisque. The onion soup was interesting looking because I was expecting the bread to be soaked in the soup then topped with cheese and baked or grilled to melt and brown off the cheese. But have you noticed how the cheese was melted on the bread and soaked in the soup and looked like the work of muddle! Well, as for the taste of it, the soup wasn’t hot enough and 75-80% of it was onion. The taste of it was acceptable but I was
As for soup:
I’ve only ordered Onion Soup and Lobster Bisque. The onion soup was interesting looking because I was expecting the bread to be soaked in the soup then topped with cheese and baked or grilled to melt and brown off the cheese. But have you noticed how the cheese was melted on the bread and soaked in the soup and looked like the work of muddle! Well, as for the taste of it, the soup wasn’t hot enough and 75-80% of it was onion. The taste of it was acceptable but I was disappointed with it was served and look of the work of perfunctory. Then the lobster bisque, thankfully it wasn’t as big of a letdown as the onion soup. The flavour was acceptable, slight taste of sherry but the consistence was slightly on the watery side.
Then for the Main Course, I’ve tried the following:
Grilled Beef Tenderloin with Onion Gravy: This was deliciously done and the meat was pink and tender in the middle. There wasn’t enough gravy served but the potato was infused with savory flavor of herbs and butter! This was a delightful dish to have indeed.
Braised Beef Cheek in Red Wine Sauce: The stew was thick, warming with strong palate. I actually thought it tasted similar to “beef goulash”. The aromatic and succulent meat was simply luscious.
Pan Seared Cod Fish with Lemon / Capers Butter Sauce: The cod was supple, buttery it was nice however, the sauce could have been improved by adding up some lemon zest and more lemon juice to give it more body and character.
Sautéed Shrimp in Garlic Butter: Another boring dish which was nice but average! (I’m starting to sound like Simon Cowell, “you are a sweet girl with an average voice! Unfortunately I don’t see you as a pop star material and the next American pop idol.” – if you know what I mean!). The Shrimp wasn't fresh but it didn't taste too bad or soggy. All the sauces and taste was starting to taste a bit repetitive.
Seafood Bouillabaise: It tasted like lobster bisque with more salt and some seafood and a dash of cream then stirred. The fish was honestly not that fresh at all and tasted a bit icky!
Sautéed Mussels in White Wine Sauce: This hard an overwhelming fishy taste to it and the sauce was more like flour with butter and milk then a creamy white wine sauce.
Lastly, desserts:
We ordered one dish of everything except “Rhum baba with Fruits” which wasn’t recommended by our waiter. He was very shrewd when we asked him for his recommendations by replying: “I think everything is worth trying from the menu, however, I didn’t like Rhum baba with fruits because…”. Ha~ diplomatica approach (and sly), so he wouldn't have to slag of anything!
We were all very excited when this large tray filled with miniutre desserts was set upon us! But the truth is, I really can’t remember much of anything. I felt the most disappointing part of the dinner was the dessert. Nothing there I’d like to order again and my thought was shared by everyone that attended the dinner.
After this experience, I think “all you can eat” is more fun way of dinning than the usual buffet! The quality of food is better or as good as most hotel's buffet (obviously not comparable to Marriot & Yamm). Morever, I didn’t get any indigestion or enterogastritis after this meal!! For "all you can eat", everyone at the table get to interact with each other as we were busy chit chatting which dish they are going to order, what do you think of the dish you’ve tried, was it worth ordering, who would share what with whom, etc. But with buffets usually a couple of people would go to pick up food and while the other would wait at the table. However, I wouldn’t recommend this restaurant for couples because you won’t be able to try out many dishes. Conversely, if you are in a group of 3 – 6 people, you can try out more dishes on the menu. In a way you can spread out the risk even if you’ve ordered something that doesn’t match your taste, you can always share it with your mates!
But considering, the settings and location of the restaurant, I don’t think it is appropriate for overly large group; after all, it is at a hotel! I felt the quality of the food does live up to most 4* hotel’s buffet. The great thing is that even if the portion of each serving is small, you can order repetitively (great if you have mates that have the appetite that could fit 10 dishes of lamp chop plus beef tenderloin).
The dinner is $389 / head (+ 10% service charge) & + 80 for free flow house wine.
To be fair I wouldn't call this meal a bargain, but I think I'm paying for what it is. My glass was repeatedly filled with water (without having to ask once), my friends that were drinking wine also had their glasses refilled with wine. Everytime when food is served they'd ask you to mind the hot plate. New bread basket was automatically put on our table once we've finished the 1st one, the service was hospitable and attentive, the environment is comfortable with good atmosphere at a convenient location. Mind you the place wasn't brightly lit but it wasn't ridiculously dark either, like places where you have to flash your menu with your cell in order to read it!
La Brasserie does have a fine dinning menu aside from the "all you can eat" menu, which offer similar dishes but at a more refined quality and more generous portion (at a more expensive price). Also I saw their seafood platter served at a table closed to mine which looked droolingly delicious!
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