Brasserie Gavroche @ Tras Street

unassuming entrance

Replacing Table 66 is Brasserie Gavroche and helming the relatively new restaurant is the Executive Chef, Chef Frédéric from St Regis. As part of the birthday celebrations, I had the pleasure of dining there with the rest of the chums. Brasserie Gavroche is easy to miss without a signboard. Cosy surroundings with a french flair - from the french lady who looks every bit a model with high chiselled cheekbones, skinny jeans and impeccable fashion sense to the waiter who exudes a certain Jude Law charm. Oh yes the chef too is a head turner from the few glances I stole him.

peekaboo

A peek into a different world of its own.

The restaurant was partially filled early into the night but as the night drew on, the place was filled.  The waiters are like what online reviews say - a tad snotty with constant nudging for wine orders.

filled

One of the many filled.

menu

Menu that was truly hard to handle - too huge infact!

specials

Specials of the day!

table

Rolled up napkins always gets me psyched.

parmesan choux puffs

Complementary parmesan choux puffs, yums!

bread

Bread basket that came along.

butter

Unsalted butter to go with the remaining toast.


egg



Poached eggs on toast with bacon and red wine reduction ($15)


Poached eggs were a tad overcooked though bacon and toast was awesomely executed.

escargots

Burgundy snails baked in their shell with parsley and garlic butter ($19)

A simple no frills dish with six snails. Tasty much, the parsley and garlic butter complemented the snails so well, perfect with Poilane bread! I used to place Poilane bread high on the pedestal but these were truly ordinary.


razor clams

Sautéed bamboo clams and Iberico ham ($25)

The best of the trio of appetizers attempted - robust flavours displayed with chewy bamboo clams and richly flavoured iberico ham. Loved the unctuous finish of this otherwise simple concoction.

chunk


Pan-roasted Angus sirloin with Béarnaise sauce and French fries ($38)

The slab arrived on the chopping board with Bearnaise sauce - simply plated. The thick chunk pleased the carnivore in me supremely.

beef

I requested for medium (though by french standards it really should have been medium rare) and arrived that way. Rich in beef flavour and wonderfully tender, I loved my sirloin to bits. Bearnaise was great with it.

fries

I loved my crispy fries truckloads! Though salty but I found the heart to finish it. Comfort food at its best.

seabream

Pan-seared fillet of sea bream with Provençale ratatouille ($33)

atlantic cod

Atlantic Cod with cabbage, tarragon and crème fraiche ($38)

I stole bites of these which were somehow on the salty and fishy side. Do not think fish is quite their specialty though one of their recommended eats is Grandpa Henri's Fish Quenelle in Crayfish sauce.

mussels

Steamed mussels with white wine sauce and French fries ($38)

The size of the casserole is enough to wow. Mussels cooked in white wine broth, as simple as it sounds can go in so many directions. As much as it is a Belgian favourite, the French pretty much nailed it. Flavourful broth in absolutely fresh mussels. YUM!

mille feuille

Puff pastry layered with vanilla cream and strawberries ($14)

Otherwise known as mille feuille and pronounced mull-faye (hooray when the waiter got me at the first pronounciation!) These dry pastry layers with custard and bland strawberries barely caused a smile. Not the best, for sure.

birthday love

The chums so thoughtfully and kindly got me a birthday cake, chocolate cheese cake and definitely worth every single pimple bent a popping the next few days.

chocolate blackforest

Dense chocolate cake with a light custard and best of all, macarons that were the closest I ever imagine getting to the french loves. Nailed the density and flavour so well!

madeleines

Hot off the oven, freshly baked madeleines for all. Beats Delifrance hands down!

Service is somewhat lacking in this cosy french gem - I would expect that in France, slightly aloof. That being said, the lady boss or manager is one helluva good looker, almost like a model plucked off the runway with her sharp dressing sense and toned bod! Without an ounce of fat on her chiseled features, I wonder how many non-eating moments I spent secretly admiring her. The droolworthy does not stop there, one particular waiter reminded us of Jude Law...in charisma.

Boy! It is one of those dining experiences that will stick on because of their beautiful people! Food does not disappoint either, just pick wisely.

Brasserie Gavroche
66 Tras Street

Comments