Brian Kennett
Amateur Chef and Foodie Extraordinaire
Cafe Gavroche @ Tras Street
This is one of those – you HAVE to come and try places. There’s actually three restaurants here, two next door to each other and one across the street. And today for lunch we went to the one across the street. I introduce you to Cafe Gavroche @ Tras Street. A little up there in the price-ometer, but worth EVERY single cent in my reckoning. This really is a must try, we’ll be back and I reckon we’ll be trying the other two in the chain too. It really was THAT good.
Here she is. An absolute stunner of a restaurant. The in Cafe Gavroche decor is incredible, Shut your eyes for a moment and you could imagine you are sat in Paris in a back-street somewhere. OK OK, then the humidity and heat kick and of course you realise actually where you are. But still. The staff were incredible. We were served by a top guy who was actually on his first day, and a lovely lady. They made this a great experience, so many many thanks to them for this. Food will come in a moment don’t worry.
Cafe Gavroche is at 66 Tras Street. Give them a call on +65 6225 4869
I have to say this place has one of the smallest kitchens I have ever seen in a fully functioning restaurant. Which made the food quality even more impressive. How they churn this out from there is quite incredible. But to the, what we ate.
You are going to love this – we sure did!!!
6 d’Huites Cadoret Fines de Claire No3
Or is more commonly known as 1/2 dozen Cadoret oysters No3.
Mary, Ollie and I all concur on this statement. The very best oyster we have ever eaten. These were incredible. Served with a little red wine vinegar and shallot dressing. I had mine with a squirt of lemon and some salt and cracked pepper though. Oh man these were incredible. Not fishy at all. Briney yes. But with that citrus kick and the S&P vibe too – just a WOW moment. As Tine Turner would say; “Simply The Best!” Without doubt. It will take some searching to find better.
Tartine d’Oeufs Brouilles Tapenade et Tomates
Also known as French-style open-faced country bread with scrambled eggs, tapenade olives & tomatoes.
Again nicely done Cafe & Bar Gavroche @ Tras Street. A big slab of in-restaurant baked country bread. Slathered with olive tapenade, light fluffy scrambled eggs atop that, and then fresh sweet sweet tomatoes atop that. I think a little finely sliced basil thrown in the toms. Yummy indeed. A meal on its own. The 5 combinations together worked so well.
Assiette de Charcuterie
I can’t say basically, as this was far from being basic. But it was a platter of pork rillette, pork terrine, saucisson rosette and cured hams.
What a platter of meats this was. To die for in fact. The pork rillette was a heart stopping moment. The pork terrine right there with it. We all stopped talking for a while when eating this. So so good it is not funny. The parma, chorizo style ham, garlic saucisson and salami were not far behind either. Sitting the meat on the lightly toasted home made rustic bread takes it to another level as you get crunch, and a nutty flavour from the bread. Jesus – hands trembling as I type. A superb food experience.
Foie Gras Terrine
As it says, but served with toasted bread.
I have never eaten silk, but if ever I do I assume it will be like eating this. Foie gras terrine. Sounds so simple. But this was as complex as a complex thing could be. Served with the onion accompaniment you can see in the foreground. I just asked Ollie what he thought was in this, as I thought potentially cloves. He nailed it. “Dad it tasted like French onion soup, but sweet, and with no liquid.” Yep that sums it up nicely. That was well nice, BUT the foie gras terrine. Let me say it again. The foie gras terrine. Dribbling now. Again smear some of this on your toasted bread and BOOM, BOOM, BOOM. I would have this on my death-row list of things to eat before they push the button. It is just one of the very best things I have chomped on. If you don’t order this when you come to one of the restaurants you should be whipped in public. This is a MUST HAVE!!!
Fromage Blanc Artisanal de Normandie, Compote d’Abricots
Artisan fromage blanc from Normandy with apricot compote.
I scanned the deserts. Yep I, me, The Semi-naked Chef scanned the deserts. Not my usual style as you know to eat desert. But I spied this. Cheese and apricot. Sounds interesting. It must be savoury. I might give this a go. Holy shit. A come to Jesus moment. We all had one spoonful of this and in unison said; “We need to order another one!!!” And we did. Yes we had two. No desert hits the mark from now on as a bench-mark has been set. The cheese was soft and creamy, the apricot compote slightly tart but sweet at the same time, and then topped with roasted almonds and some secret ingredient – a sort of crunchy powder that was sweet and savoury in one. This is die die must try, this is shiok, this is something you have to eat – you have to. Your life will be missing something if you do not have this at least once. It is that good.
We also had their home-baked on site croissants – a chocolate one for Amy, and a plain one for Jude. Amazing. These both disappeared in the blink of an eye, believe me. Light and fluffy, a little crunch, and buttery as buggery. YUM!!!
Cafe Gavroche
@ Tras Street is well up there in my reckoning as one of the best in Singapore. If you want a French outing, and treating yourself you simply must come to one of the three locations – breakfast, lunch or dinner you just must. Some of the very very best food ever consumed. Wonderful. Chef Frederic Colin you should be proud of yourself and your team. The Semi-Naked Chef says so.
