photos and more here: http://andmorefood.wordpress.com/2013/04/05/amuse-bar-global-tapas-town/

the most impressive dish we had – and their most famous: an egg wrapped in crispy ciabatta and topped with ham. a modernesque blumenthalesque rendition of a ham-and-egg-sammie with unctous yolk and proper ham, served over truffled jus and spinach: terrifically good. if the rest of the meal had followed in this vein, it would have been amazing – but it didn’t.

the restaurant is done up in black and red – modern colours rather in line with the robuchon chain, but which I think looks a little gaudy in the daytime. it was empty when we arrived (rendering my reservation unnecessary), and there was a single waitress who recommended everything on the menu – not a good sign.

we paid too much for the entire meal – in contrast, I think the egg was well-worth it, even reasonably-priced – and were pretty glad we went easy on the ordering. it’s also a good thing there were no celebratory aspirations staked on this meal. not worth coming to, unless merely for the eggs.

photos here: http://andmorefood.wordpress.com/2013/04/03/bistrot-petit-salut-holland-village/

meh lunch sets at this cheaper outpost of the lauded petit salut brand in holland village. I know that lunch sets are sometimes deemed to not be accurate representations of restaurants since they cater to the value-for-money-hour-lunch crowd, but good cooking must be just that, regardless of price. this place is supposed to have decent food – and though it wasn’t bad, I doubt I’ll return.

the mains were of a seared white fish, and possibly braised beef cheek on mash – now these were better, but also by no means impressive. just so-so really, although at the least the beef came in a reasonable portion; just have a look at that tiny piece of fish on a few vegetable sticks.

we chose a crème brûlée and a chocolate tart for dessert, and these were just alright too. the chocolate tart was at least darkly chocolatey, although it came in another nicely-plated but tiny sliver on a huge plate. the crème brûlée didn’t have a decent sugar-top though – instead, there were specks of char on the custard, but no discernible crust. good custard, but a terrible rendition of a brûlée without that experience of cracking a crust.

I sound really grouchy – and I am. lunches outside the barren workplace are an indulgence (especially when public transport eats into your time) and it’s rather disappointing when your expectations are built up by the menu but which don’t translate.