(Closed) The Royal Mail Unveils Newly Revamped Menu
June 11, 2014
After two successful years, The Royal Mail Restaurant & Bar presents a face-lift in its well-loved a la carte offering, re-establishing the restaurant’s position in Singapore’s dining landscape as a unique Modern British Cuisine dining destination.
Group Executive Chef Micail Chepi and his team have introduced new starters, mains, roasts, sides and desserts which are an impeccable combination of British classics with a modern twist. H
The dinner kicked started with two Amuse Bouche that is changed regularly. We were served with a refreshing glass of avocado mousse with green apple slices and a spoonful of scallop with orange jam and olive cavier.
Even though Pan Seared Foie Gras ($24) was beautifully paired with scented honey mustard with riesling jus, the combination of camembert cheese didn’t quite work well for me. It’s too heavy to have both together and it feels like these two ingredients are trying to outwin each other in terms of flavour.
On the other hand, Baby Octopus & Bay Scallops ($28) works well for me with a mild wasabi aioli to perk up the dish a little. Lying on top of the coral seabed, the tender octopus goes well with the popping ikura and squid ink crust.
Starters in the new menu reflect the various influences behind the menu and showcase the team’s fine skill and creativity. The Sous-vide Half Maine Lobster served with Japanese pumpkin, Crispy Jamon Iberico de Bellota and Honey-Mustard with Riesling Jus is an outstanding example of the team’s keen palate and attention to sourcing the finest ingredients.
Lobster Linguine ($28) was perfectly al dente and the garlic, semi dried tomatoes, chilli oil are pleasant marriage with the noodles. I love its palatable and honest-to-goodness lobster flavour. Squid ink espuma added some visual treat to what seems like a normal plate of pasta.
The Royal Mail does pretty good roasts and they offer 3 different cuts for roast prime ribs – English (200g $48), Classic (280g $58) and Royal Mail (340g $68). I obviously took the smallest English cut. Sliced to a thin piece, my medium rare steak has a perfect pinkish colour meat served with sauteed brussels sprout with molthen blue cheese, pine nuts, roast whole garlic, yorkshire pudding and veal jus.
Pan roasted Kurobuta Pork Chop ($48) is suitably succulent and juicy, without that “porky” smell that pork can sometimes have. Caramelized apple and apple jus add a touch of sweetness. The Royal Mail also serves a variety of sides to go with the mains and roasts. Some of the sides we tried include Truffle Risotto ($14), Duck Fat Baby Potato ($8), Casserole of Mushrooms ($8), Braised Green Lentil ($6) etc.
Good for sharing is the Roasted Deboned Fish of the Day ($52 / 700g). On the day of dinner, we had the whole seabass served with grilled lemon, garlic confit and scallion. A simple dish that really preserves the delicate flavor of the meat. The lemon gave the fish some zing but doesn’t compromise on taste.
Unfortunately, the Chocolate Fondant ($18) could have done better with a more flow-y lava. The freeze dried raspberry chocolate crumble did taste good with Tahitian vanilla ice cream.
Their Eton Mess has been the restaurant’s signature dessert since the restaurant’s opening. This mainstay dessert finds its origins in Briton’s famed boarding school Eton College, where the dessert is served at the school’s annual cricket game and has been known by its name since the 19th century.
The Royal Mail also offer daily bar promotion.
Monday – 1 for 1 full pint draught beer
Tuesday – 1 for 1 all cocktails
Wednesday – 1 for 1 single malt whiskies by the glass
Thursday – All martinis at $5++
Friday – House pour liquor by the glass at $5++
Saturday – 1 for 1 on house pour liquor by the bottle
Sunday – 5 bottles of selected bottled beers at $35++
Just for fun, if you are at the lift lobby of the Ascott, you will be able to see a vintage brass mail chute, which is the inspiration for The Royal Mail concept, providing guests with a touch of Old World elegance from the days of letter-writing.
The Royal Mail Restaurant & Bar
Address: The Ascott Raffles Place Singapore, 2 Finlayson Green
Tel: 6509 3589
Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 630am – 1030am, 12pm – 3pm, 630pm – 11pm
Sat: 7am – 11am, 630pm – 11pm
Sun & PH: 7am – 11am
