The French Ladle
2 Pandan Valley (Inside Pandan Valley Condominium)
#01-206
Singapore 597626
PRICE: $$$
RATING: ?????

What kind of restaurant here in Singapore charges NO GST and NO service charge? Very few do, that’s for sure.

The French Ladle is located, bizzarely, in a residential area called Pandan Valley estate. This makes it really inconvenient for me to go to during the day (I need to be in a mall, indoors, so I can nap the kids after lunch) and so it was for a girly dinner date instead that I went.

It’s a cozy joint with warm service, very patient and polite. They boast very reasonable prices for French comfort food, and I thought the food was excellent.

(all pics using my iPhone, hence the average quality!)

They gave us a complimentary amuse bouche, which I was so surprised by. It was unexpected and such a lovely touch! I can’t remember what it was exactly, but it was mostly raw salmon – delicious 🙂

They also provide a complimentary warm bread basket with salted butter. It’s pretty impressive – complimentary water, amuse bouche AND bread basket… and no service charge! All cafes and restaurants around Singapore really need to take tips from The French Ladle.

Truffle fries with parmesan cheese and truffle mayo. What sane person could read this on the menu and NOT order this? Thankfully, I am a normal human being and thus ordered it like my life depended on it.

OH IT IS GOOD.

Crisp fries with a rich scent of truffle, and scattered with sharp Parmesan. The dip was creamy and chilled, and paired beautifully with the fries. This is a must-order, your meal just won’t be the same without it!

I normally am rather adverse toward fatty meats.. that squishy creaminess of fat really GROSSES me out! It’s just so… weird! But, I took a chance with Confit de Pork (slow-cooked pork belly wrapped in potato, with mashed potato and tomato gastrique sauce) and was rewarded with a plate of heaven.

The pork was gorgeously soft. Melt-in-your-mouth proportions. I will admit, I found the layers of fat gross (still can’t get over it, sorry!) and cut it all out and ate just the meat. It was wonderful that way, and I enjoyed the thin layers of potato wrapped around the pork.

The mashed potato, which they’re famous for, was incredibly creamy and buttery, and really hit the spot. It’s also available as a side dish and I reckon you should get it if your main dish doesn’t include it. I wasn’t as impressed with the sauce the pork came with, as it came in the teeniest portion. I would actually have preferred the traditional apple-based sauce.

My girl friend had the Risotto aux Champignon (wild mushroom risotto, truffle scent, with salad). When it arrived, I remember thinking “Where’s the risotto??” It’s hidden at the bottom of the dish 😉 If I were to order this myself in future, I’d ask for NO salad and more risotto.

We had their house wines, both of which I’ve forgotten the names of. My red was subtle and smooth, and I was surprised that it was served chilled, but it worked.

I enjoyed my dinner at The French Ladle, in particular the good food and excellent service. I’m planning to take Chris there on a dinner date soon, or the kids as well for a weekend brunch!