Surrounded by lush greenery and large windows that let in plenty of natural soothing light, Café Quenino at Artyzen Singapore is an inviting dining space that serves up Asian-fusion dishes to tantalise the tastebuds.
Located at Level 1 of the Cuscaden Road hotel, Café Quenino is Artyzen Singapore’s casual dining space where breakfast is served to hotel guests, turning into a cocktail bar at night.
We recently paid a visit to Café Quenino for lunch and had the opportunity to try out the menu.
Café Quenino: A Relaxed Yet Elegant Space
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What struck us as we were seated at Café Quenino was what an elegant and charming space it was. The high ceilings, full height windows and hanging planters brought the feeling of the outdoors indoors.
The design of the hotel is a nod to Villa Marie, a 1940s-era mansion built by avid botanist Tan Hoon Siang that once used to stand on the site. If the name Tan Hoon Siang sounds familiar, it may be because you have come across the Tan Hoon Siang Mist House at the National Orchid Garden.
Dining at Café Quenino
To whet our appetite, we started off with a dish of Fried Okra ($12). They were served perfectly seasoned and fried to golden hue, and accompanied by an aoli sauce for dipping. With a drizzle of lemon on top, the Fried Okra had a satisfying crunch and a burst of flavor in every mouthful.
This was followed by two entrees.
The Ora King Salmon Sashimi ($28) arrived at the table beautifully presented. The dish was a symphony of delicate flavours and artistic presentation. Cut into thin slices, the king salmon sashimi lay gracefully on the plate, adorned with a sauce of chilli, black bean and kalamansi that brought out the freshness of the fish.
Another outstanding dish was the Scallop Otak Dumplings ($28). The dumplings are presented in a luscious coconut bisque that reminded us of a thick luxurious laksa broth. This velvety soup enveloped the senses with its rich aroma, and it balanced off the firm bite of the dumplings.
We had high hopes for our first main dish, the Chicken Kapitan Curry Pot Pie ($28). This was a chicken and potato curry with roti pastry shell. We loved the creative presentation that blends together the ideas of a pot pie with a dish as local as curry and prata. However, that was what it tasted like.
The next dish was the highlight of the meal. The Café Quenino Lobster Pasta ($88) featured a pan-roasted Boston lobster, covered with deliciously creamy choron sauce resting on a bed of al dente pasta.
The tender morsels of succulent lobster meat combined with the luscious sauce made each bite worth savouring. We loved how the sweetness of the lobster intertwined with the tangy notes of the sauce and the texture of the pasta.
To end off our meal, we had the choux pastry with chai filling. It was a sweet way to end the meal.
Café Quenino: Overall Thoughts
Café Quenino at Artyzen Singapore is a nice new spot to sit back and enjoy a relaxing meal along with good company. We enjoyed the high quality and beautiful presentation of the food along with the hotel’s charming ambiance. The establishment also caters to fur parents with an outdoor dining space.
In addition to the breakfast, lunch and dinner menus, Café Quenino also offers afternoon tea.
Find out more about Café Quenino at Artyzen Singapore.
