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Food-wise, we all have our different definitions of what qualifies as atas (colloquial term for high class).
If you think S$18 for a main course is stretching it, consider those who pay that price for a Soupe de coque au safran (New Zealand "Little Neck" clams soup with saffron and cream) at Au Petit Salut French Restaurant on Harding Road.
Wait, so what are New Zealand "Little Neck" clams? How are they different from those canned clams (which aren't that cheap either) you buy from the supermarket? Well, I don't suppose most of us would taste the difference. However, a hint of exoticness always bodes well in the atas food hunter's book.
The ambience is also one of the most important factors in
determining whether a place deserves our stamp of approval. Foie gras
in a hawker centre just doesn't cut it. Even if the food isn't that
good, the concept and layout of a restaurant should at least make you feel classy.
Here, hooked is going to introduce you a range of chic restaurants, some atas enough for students like ourselves, and others specially catering to the food snobs. How do you find your place in that
spectrum? Look inside your wallet and you'll have a pretty good
gauge.
Wild Rocket
Address: Hangout Hotel, 10A Upper Wilkie Road, Singapore 228119
Telephone: 63399448
Opening Hours:
Tuesday to Saturday: 12pm-3pm and 6.30pm-11pm
Sunday: 11.30pm-3pm (brunch), 6.30pm-10.30pm
Closed on Monday
Website: http://www.wildrocket.com.sg/
Review:
Located at posh Mount Emily, Wild Rocket serves fusion food such as black pepper soft shell crab ($12.50).
Prices average at about $18 for pastas like the Crabmeat Linguini with Chilli Tomato Cream ($18.80).
The most interesting dish, I feel, has to be the Kueh Boloh Tiramisu with expresso ice-cream ($9). If you are sick of the same local or Western food and want a change, this is the place for you.
The decor is simple and pleasant, which provides for a comfortable dining experience. The prices here are pretty reasonable too, so no worries there!
The Atas Factor:
Price-wise, Wild Rocket would be a great place to chill and enjoy good food, with great company. This is one of the restaurants that allow you to feel like you are pampering yourself within your means.
One Rochester
Address: 1 Rochester Park, Singapore 139212
Telephone: 6773 0070
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 6pm-1am
Saturday and eve of public holidays: 6pm-2am
Sunday: 9.30am-3pm (brunch) and 6pm-1am
Website: http://www.onerochester.com/
Review:
Heralded as one of Singapore's first gastro-bars (bars that serve food), One Rochester's best known for the more upmarket crowd it attracts.
Located in what used to be a heritage bungalow, it is surrounded by greenery and water fountains. You can choose to dine al-fresco or indoors where you can enjoy the place's stylish interior decor.
One Rochester boasts 280 wines and 200 cocktails (there are 23 different types of martinis!), so you can be sure you won't go thirsty. The price for a cocktail averages at about $14.
Apart from the drinks, the food is also in a class of its own. One Rochester's executive chef Reif has learnt from well-known food connoisseurs like Gordon Ramsay.
Nibbles can range from $10 for the Rochester Gem to $15 for Rochester's Famous Sinful Pork Crackles. They also serve set dinners that range from $48 - $68++.
If you're looking for drinks with light snacks, One Rochester's prices are pretty reasonable. However, if you decide that one martini just isn't enough, an average meal is about $70 and above.
For a quiet, chill-out place with lovely ambience, it may be worth giving One Rochester a try.
The Atas Factor:
Depending on what you order, One Rochester should generally be within reach for us students.
I would think that what makes One Rochester more upmarket would be its charming ambience and slightly inaccessible location.
Technically, the gastro-bar is within walking distance from Buona Vista MRT. However, as it is pretty much tucked away from the main road, you would be much better off if you have a car.
How is that for a more exclusive clientele?
2am Dessert Bar
Address: 21A Lorong Liput, Holland Village, Singapore 277733
Telephone: 62919727
Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday: 6pm to 2am
Closed on Sunday
Website: www.2amdessertbar.com
Review:
If eating tau huay (bean curd) at midnight is not satisfying enough for you, give 2am Dessert Bar a try.
The best thing about this place is that it closes at, you've guessed it, 2am. This place attracts mainly the younger crowd. A recommended dessert would be Chocolate ($14) - warm chocolate cake served with orange sorbet.
You can also get Tiramisu and Cheesecake at $15 each. To complement your desserts, wines ($18 for dessert wine) and drinks are sold as well.
The chic interior and dim lights make the dessert bar great for lounging around.
The Atas factor:
You've got to admit $14 for a piece of cake is pretty atas. And compared to those 24 hour coffee shops (which are, by the way, not bad at all), this would be bordering on extravagance.
Au Petit Salut
Address: 40C Harding Road (Dempsey Road- Minden Cluster), Singapore 249548
Telephone: 6475-1976
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday: 11.30am - 2.30pm (last order) and 6.30pm - 10.30pm (last order)
Saturday: 12.30pm - 2.30pm (last order) and 6.30pm - 10.30pm (last order)
Sunday Closed
Website: www.aupetitsalut.com
Review:
The newest branch of Au Petit Salut is housed in a large, but simple stand-alone building near Dempsey Road.
Chef Patrick Heuberger, who has worked in Troigros - a 3-star Michelin restaurant, comes up with Au Petit Salut's menu.
The restaurant is generally quite casual and relaxed. You also have a choice between al-fresco and indoor dining.
Prices range from $30++ for a set lunch consisting of an entree, a main course and dessert, to $98++ for a set dinner. You can also order your main courses A la Carte - prices range from $12 for French onion soup to $148 for grain-fed Black Angus beef that serves 2.
Recommended dishes include Joue de boeuf braisée au vin rouge (red wine braised beef cheeks) ($30) and Le Cassoulet de canard (traditional cassoulet with duck leg confit) ($34).
The prices are quite steep, but this restaurant has received constant favourable reviews. Perhaps this would be a good suggestion for family dinners, at least you won't have to handle the bill.
The Atas Factor:
Pretty atas. Judging from the prices, this place could be quite intimidating for the average university student. It could be the location of the restaurant at the more upmarket Dempsey Road as well. Or perhaps, it's just because it's French.
Garibaldi
Address: 36 Purvis Street #01-02, Singapore 188613
Telephone: 6837 1468
Opening hours:
Open daily: 12pm-3pm and 6.30pm-11pm
Website: www.garibaldi.com.sg
Review:
I confess, I've never been to Garibaldi and I don't suppose I'll be going anytime soon.
This Italian restaurant was given by Singapore Tatler the prestigious title of Singapore Best Restaurant (despite it being grammatically incorrect) since 2004.
Garibaldi serves a set lunch that costs $36++, which consists of an entree, main course and dessert.
Its most expensive dish in the menu would be Beluga (Risotto with langoustine, burrata and 30g of Iranian Beluga cavier), which costs a whopping 580 bucks. The other main courses range from about $20 - $78.
They serve a wide range of desserts. On the menu are traditional desserts such as Tiramisu ($14) and the ever popular Fondente Al Cioccolato (molten lava chocolate cake with nutmeg gelato and raspberry coulis) ($16).
However, if the number of accolades this restaurant has garnered is anything to go by, you have to admit that quality dining has to come with a pretty price tag.
The Atas Factor: Singapore Tatler's favourite restaurant. ‘Nuff said.
Do you have any more atas places to recommend to us? Leave us a comment! HOOKED
Images courtesy of:
http://www.streetdirectory.com/
(Wild Rocket, One Rochester, Garibaldi photos)
http://www.epicurative.blogspot.com/
(2am Dessert Bar, Au Petit Salut photos)
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Written by Guest on 2008-03-31 23:38:31
 | Written by Guest on 2008-04-12 13:45:11
Au Jardin at botanic gardens. Serve very good food. Even their complimentary homemade seaweed crackers tasted darn good! Extravagance though.  |
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