Singapore - To Eat 10thApril2016 (Labyrinth)

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Singapore - To Eat
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Labyrinth
Nearest MRT Esplanade

 

Click here for ABBA location of Labyrinth 8 Raffles Avenue, #02-23 Esplanade Mall, 039802
Labyrinth is a fine dining restaurant, serving up scale versions of traditional favorites in creative new ways.

Ordered On:

10April2016
Experience Menu

Starters of:

 Street Snacks of
Kaya Butter 
Radish Cake

*More of a kaya cookie with a sweet condensed milk interior. It tasted more pandan really. Pretty interesting and nicely presented. The dishes were came served in traditional Tiffin Tins which was a nice touch. Nothing much to scream over the radish cakes*
Rojak
Nasi Lemak
 
*The Rojak was pretty good. All the flavors of Rojak packed into that tiny mouthful. It still retained that distinctive crunch from the fritters and had all the right flavor profiles. The Nasi Lemak was ok. I'd rather have the real thing thou. The anchovie chilli isn't too spicy.*

*Off menu addition. It wasn't very memorable as to what it was. Its pretty much a cracker with salmon eggs and some salted rice crispies at the bottom.*

Hokkaido Scallop, Squid, Dried Anchovies "Bak Chor Mee"
 

*Very nicely presented. It looks like Bak Chor Mee and has the distinct flavor profile as well. The difference here is that everything seen here is seafood! The noodles are made from the squid (which was fantastic), while the meat is dried Anchoives. The traditional fish cakes are now Hokkaido Scallops. An classy take on a traditional meal.*
 Quinoa, Chicken Mousseline, Clay Potato. "Hainanese Curry Rise"

*They were trying to emulate the garden soil, stone and a garden theme. It is very pretty to look at and understanding their story behind it, but there's nothing Hainanese about it. The chicken is a tiny morsel in the squid ink died exterior. Flavors are okay.*

Soft Shell Crab, Chilli Crab Ice Cream "Labyrinth Chilli Crab"
*Their Signature Dish*

*This was really beautifully presented and the house's signature dish. The mix of hot soft shell crab mixed in with the cold chilli crab ice cream was surprisingly really good. The whole concept of the sea and ocean was really nice and they did highlight the relatively small and almost insignificant serving of caviar. The 'sea foam' wasn't strongly flavored and did not bring much to the whole dish. The clear winner was definitely in its presentation and the soft shell crab with the chilli crab ice cream sauce.*
Red Garoupa, Lobster Claw, Teochew Broth "XO Fish"

*The Red Garoupa was cooked well with the undeniable element of the XO fish soup. The two major draw backs were the under-seasoning of the fish and the overpowering XO. Though the alcohol was burned off, the ratio of it could be too much for the avaible broth, leaving too strong of a XO taste.*
Wagyu Ribeye (80g), Satay Espuma, Onion Gnocchi. "Satay Beef" 

*A good cut of beef for sure. The flavors worked okay but preference has always been to enjoy such a good cut of beef straight up. To full fill the satay dish, they did have the satay sauce which in my opinion was too sweet and would have taken much away from the quality meat.*
Pineapple Sorbet Pallet Cleanser

Gula Jawa, Red Bean & Coconut Spheres, Har Gow Skin "Chendol XLB"

*A cute presentation. A delicate packet with the flavors of traditional Chendol packed into one. There's a pseudo burst of flavor when one takes it whole, similar to the sweet goodness of Onde Onde.*
Dark Chocolate, Peanut Butter, Earl Grey Tea "Reese's Chocolate"
 
*A 'simple' but very elegant finisher. Served up in beautiful glass ware. The chocolate cigar has its tip nitrogen frozen to give off the burning end effect. The cold earl grey tea was a nice touch*
Total: SGD245 Fed 2

Being a fine dining establishment, of course greater critic would ensue to justify the top dollar one is paying for.

Atmosphere in all honesty was a little dreary. Dark colors and somewhat 'cold' feeling to the place.

Service wise was prompt and not rushed with each course served timely, giving a consistent flow to the dinner 'performance'. Staff on hand knew their products well and did recommend how best to enjoy the dish. However, not all presenters were equal. Some were merely rogue regurgitation of the information at speed, leaving customers at a loss. Others had passion in their voice and slowly 'selling' and doing justice to the dish served before oneself.

Food wise, which is what its all about. More pretty to look at than to enjoy. For many of the dishes, with the exception of their signature soft shell crab and desserts, their original counter parts would have been better. More looks and reconstruction of traditional dishes with high end ingredients over the flavors of the dish. An interesting performance and artful interpretation of the dishes, thou not all of them wowing the pallet.

The place does give a unique elevated point of view of local Singapore dishes. Its more edible art than gastronomic adventure. 

ABBA Details
They only do set meals there and both parties must choose from the same set meal.
Within the set meal, customers may opt for the 4/5 course meal. They need not be the same.

Click here for ABBA location of Labyrinth 8 Raffles Avenue, #02-23 Esplanade Mall, 039802