Dinner @ Dempsey Cookhouse & Bar
For DH’s birthday in April this year, I planned our dinner at Dempsey Cookhouse & Bar, a new restaurant in the hip Dempsey area by world-renowned Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten who has a Michelin starred restaurant in New York. It was difficult to get a reservation. I booked more than 2 weeks ahead and couldn’t get a table for a Saturday night. There was only a Table for 5 on Sunday at 6.15pm. No more later time slot until after 9pm. Such is the popularity of this new restaurant.
The restaurant is housed in an old Amy barrack which has been refurbished. In fact the whole Dempsey area was an old army camp in its previous life. The old colonial style buildings adds charm to this are and to the restaurant.
There are outdoor sitting area or indoor dining. The outdoor tables are seldom occupied in hot and humid Singapore. I thought it may be full in the evening after sunset with people having drinks and wanting to smoke, but when we left that evening, they are still empty.
The interior of the restaurant was beautiful. Huge lanterns hand from the high ceiling. The all white interior with hint of black and black and while checkered flooring blends well with the colonial architectural style of the building. Garden style chairs and tables give the place a casuanyet classy atmosphere.
Table setting was pretty was lighted tea light and flowers. We decided to get a bottle of Margaret River’s Devil’s Lair (SGD125) to celebrate this occasion. DS1 joined DH and I for the wine. While DS2 and DD had their mocktails.
We each ordered an appetizer. DD, DS1 and I decided to go for Foie Gras. DS1 and I had the Sauteed Foie Gras with Olives and Lychee (SGD19). I always like pan fried foie gras and was not disappointed with this.
DD likes foie gras too. On this occasion, she decided to try the Foie Gras Brûlée with sour cherry and Pistachio (SGD18). She said it was good.
DH had the Yellowfin Tuna Tartare, with Avocado, Ginger Marinade and spicy radish (SGD18). I had a taste of it and it was very very good. Fish was fresh and the ginger marinade gives it a refreshing kick. The radish is sliced thin and arranged on the Tuna like a flower. Very pretty.
DS2 had the simple pea soup (SGD13). It was simple and well done.
For my main course, I had the Mushroom, Farm Egg pizza with Garlic Oil (SGD19). The crust was thin and the mushroom and egg combination with the garlic oil was delicious. I couldn’t finish it and shared it was the rest. Everyone likes it.
DS1 and DD decided to have pasta. DD went for the Tagliatelle with Fried Garlic, Jalepeno, Pasley, Basil & Ricotta (SGD19). She did not like it at all. She found it too bland.
DS2 had someone more conventional. He had Teh Rigatoni with Meatball and smoked chili tomato sauce (SGD22). He said it wa a good and he didn’t find it spicy.
DH went for the Grass Fed Beef Tenderloin (SGD38). He said it was ok but a little dry.
DS1 had the Poscuitto wrapped Pork Chop With Glazed Mushrooms (SGD32). He said it was tender and good.
Overall we were not too impressed with our main course. We much preferred our appetizers. Then it came to dessert.
I went for the Mixed Berry Pavlova with Berry Sorbet (SGD14). I love Pavlova as I really love meringues but it is not commonly found in Singapore. Given the humid weather in Singapore, it is not easy to maintain the quality of meringues. The Pavlova here is excellent. The meringue is light and the slight sour berry sorbet gives it this dessert the right balance.
DD had the salted caramel sundae with popcorn, peanuts and hot fudge (SGD14). She was overwhelmed by the large 3 scoop serving at first but it was so good, she finished it all!
DH had the Baked Alaska (SGD13). I had informed the restarting that we were celebrating his birthday when I made the reservation, so they wrote the “Happy Birthday” greeting on his dessert plate. The servers all joined in singing the Happy Birthday song when they brought out the dessert. DH said that the Baked Alaska was good.
DS1 had the Chocolate Cake which was iced with Toasted Marshmellow Meringue (SGD13). He said it was pure indulgence!
DS2 had the Almond Toasted Creme Brûlée with Pear Sorbet (SGD13). He said it was good and he liked it.
All of us enjoyed our dessert. In fact, we all felt that the appetizers and desserts will be the reason for us to come again, but the main courses were pretty disappointing in comparison. Total bill came up to SGD480 which is very reasonable considering we had ordered a bottle of wine. The reasonable price in such a lovely setting is probably what make this restaurant so popular and difficult to book.
When we left, the exterior of the restaurant wa a beautiful lighted up. A very charming look. Definitely a place to take someone special without burning a hole in your pocket.