For full review and photos: http://gninethree.com/2013/04/25/saveur-far-east-plaza/
Saveur has long been synonymous with affordable French cuisine since the successful start-up of their flagship eatery along Purvis Street. With their no reservation policy, the waiting time before one gets a table has been at least half an hour and even up to an hour during peak hours. The full house which is bustling every single night speaks volumes about their popularity and appeal to the masses.
About a month ago, to meet the high demand for Saveur's recipe of quality French fare at inexpensive prices, owners Joshua Khoo and Dylan Ong opened a second branch right in the heart of town, at level 1 of Far East Plaza. I personally never got down to the Purvis outlet as the queues have been a large deterring factor so I was extremely psyched to hear about a second outlet opening.
Moving onto the food itself...
Saveur's Pasta $4.90
This highly raved about appetizer, also a Saveur signature, won me over instantly with its elegant presentation and how every single strand of pasta was twirled neatly in its characteristic roll. The key to thoroughly enjoying this exquisite dish is to first 'untangle' the pasta before mixing it all up so that every part is covered with the concoction of chilli oil, minced pork sauce and finely-chopped sakura ebi. An extremely refreshing and oriental take on regular pasta and this was sure memorable.
Duck Leg Confit $10.90
My choice of main was a slightly flattened duck leg confit sitting on a bed of homemade potato mash and sauteed shitake mushrooms on the side. A superbly crisp browned skin with succulent salty meat which was also fork tender and delectably delicious. Mmmmm.. I am getting hungry just thinking about it right now! And for just $10.90, this was an absolute steal and a must try! The mashed potatoes too were creamy and smooth, complimenting the French classic perfectly.
Pan-Seared Sea Bass $14.90
My sister's pan-seared sea bass was another winner with its freshness and rich flavours. I especially enjoyed the diced saute potato crabmeat that added a salty rustic touch to the overall dish. One does not usually get such good quality fresh fish at a mere $14.90 price tag. For a more premium alternative, go for the Cod at $24.90, which is still unbelievably affordable for cod in my opinion.
Pistachio Panna Cotta $6.90
My first time trying a Pistachio-flavoured panna cotta and I loved that distinct green colour and nutty flavour. Topped with ground and caramelised pistachio nuts, I had a great time spooning through the glass and enjoying the lush and creamy textures of this cooked cream dessert that did not have a overly sweet note. And even my sister who does not have a sweet tooth, finished every last bit of it.
Chocolate and Hazelnut $7.90
And being the chocoholic I am, I had to order the Chocolate and Hazelnut which reminded me of Nutella and Kinder Bueno with its description. True enough, the silken smooth chocolate mousse brought me back to memories of eating straight out of a Nutella jar but even better. With the crunch of crushed hazelnuts, sourness of the broken raspberries and crackling of roasted rice puffs, this delightful chocolate dessert was a colourful medley for the eyes and in the mouth. I would order this again in a heartbeat.
Overall, I had an extremely enjoyable time at Saveur and thankfully I did not even have to queue to get in! And while the restaurant does get crowded during lunch time, there isnt much of a waiting time for patrons. Service too is quick, with the food served efficiently and fast. I will definitely be back for more pocket-friendly French fare at Saveur soon to try more items on their menu!