Babette – Restaurant & Bar beckons to lovers of good food and libations, to lovers, friends, families and colleagues. Jazzing up the Jalan Besar locale, the 64-seater Babette nestled within the new 4-star Parc Sovereign Hotel is hip with its urban industrial swank, but not just a novelty –it’s committed to serving unpretentious food that do justice to the ingredients involved.

Confit Salmon & Soba ($17)

It was such a joy conversing with owner (also a Radio DJ who does a Sunday morning (11am) show with Mediacorp’s 987FM) who speaks of food with so much zeal and knowledge. The name “Babette” was inspired by the 1980s Danish film titled “Babette’s Feast” a charming film about how a good meal can right wrongs, and how a good chef can transform a dinner into a love affair. The metaphors in the film about food, love and relationship, and how a good meal can transcend language and culture, has inspired him and with Babette – Restaurant and Bar, he aims to bring a simple, honest and unpretentious dining experience to diners.

House-baked Banana Bread with Ice Cream (Dessert of the Day)

The menu draws inspiration from familiar flavours in comfort dishes, but often with an inventive ‘Babette twist’. Main dishes at Babette marry French techniques with Japanese ingredients. Finicky gourmands will be pleased to know that a range of sauces are made in-house daily by strict standards.

Beers, wines and cocktails also play an equal focus. Names of cocktails are mostly named after the characters of the film “Babette’s Feast”. Soon after you settle down at Babette, pause for preprandial libations and have them complemented by delectable bites while giving ample time to perk up the palate.

Take advantage of the Happy Hour promotion: bucket of 5 for $39 (choose from Hoegaarden, Tiger, Heineken, Corona, Moritz and Foster’s)

Roasted Avocado ($12)

The harbinger of good things to come is surely the starter of Roasted Avocado. Avocado is scooped out of its contents, mashed and combined with diced aburi salmon and tomatoes, filling the emptied avocado shell with the reinvigorated combination.

Bacon Tempura with Yuzu Mayo ($10)

Topping the charts in the appetiser segment is the Bacon Tempura –juicy meat with a light, fluffy and crispy crust.

Charred Cauliflower ($8++)

The Charred Cauliflower served with a tangy and creamy yuzu veloute has its own unique brand of charm that could potentially convert veggie haters.

Grilled Octopus Salad ($17)

The Grilled Octopus Salad is promising with Mediterranean octopus braised in Japanese sauce with a caramelised, smoky and succulent outcome.

Steak & Foie Gras Donburi ($28)

Japanese influences are more evident in the mains, as they arrive mostly in the style of Donburi (a Japanese dish consisting of fish, meat, vegetables or other ingredients served over rice).

The Steak & Foie Gras Donburi elevates the humble Donburi; marbled cut sirloin steak is paired with pan-seared foie gras. Done perfectly medium-rare, juicy and succulent with a lovely sear, I had absolutely no gripe that wagyu (my favourite type of beef) was absent in this dish.

Matcha Lava Cake ($12)

We have come across Chocolate Lava Cakes umpteen times (some with flair, some failing miserably). The Matcha Lava Cake is sensational.

The green tea infused white chocolate fondant flows with molten goodness when sliced through. The matcha flavour is intense without being overwhelming, in perfect harmony with the sweetness of white chocolate. Served alongside is a scoop of vanilla ice cream topped with azuki red bean. The kitchen is unable to do multiple quantities of this dessert at once, hence the waiting time could prolong if orders heap up. Totally worth the wait though.

Babette – Restaurant & Bar
165 Tyrwhitt Road, Singapore 207569
Tel:
Website: babette.com.sg

Opening hours: 11am to 10pm daily