Our visit to Le Bistrot du Sommelier began as a mission to try tête de veau, a dish that we learned was rarely available as a special. Fortunately, this rustic French bistro offers a number of other dishes that were all enjoyable, making a second (or many more) visit a certainty. Since it was an impromptu family dinner with G’s brother M and mom A joining us, we were able to sample a variety of starters as well as take on the côte de boeuf, a signature dish.
True bistros are great finds in that they offer delicious and unpretentious food in a casual environment without breaking the bank. There is also the added benefit of being able to order and enjoy wine without the need to have Parker’s latest wine guide handy. Le Bistrot du Sommelier is a fine example of what I mean. Other than the prices (it’s Singapore after all), this really is a welcoming place to enjoy a good rustic French meal without worrying about which fork to use.
While the printed menu options are limited, if you look on the walls, you’ll see the giant blackboard of beef-related offerings as well as seasonal specialties. The Mont D’Or cheese high season had just ended in February, but they still had some in stock, so we ordered a 500 g serving along with an order each of the goat cheese salad, foie gras terrine, and escargot for our starters.
I should also mention that bistro food tends to be very rich and hearty. The foie gras for instance came in a generous block that even for four liver lovers was quite plenty. Similar with the salad as there was a bed of celeriac hidden beneath the greens. Only the escargot came in a measly half dozen serving, but I can forgive them because of the wonderful accompanying sauce. Our downfall though, was the Mont D’Or, baked with onions and ham. Think fondue, but a mild taste and velvety creamy texture with a hint of pine.
By the time we finished appetizers, the women were ready to call it a day, but the heaviest items had yet to arrive. Our mains were a shared 1 kg côte de boeuf that was beautifully cooked medium rare and smothered in onions and whole garlic cloves, and a classic steak tartare that was easily the best I’ve had in Singapore. My only quibble was that it had a bit too much mustard and rough cut parsley. The tartare beef was incredibly fresh with a great texture that would have been more apparent without the over-spicing.
We were all so stuffed that we passed on dessert. Along with the tete de veau, desserts are also on our list of to tries for our next visit. Le Bistrot du Sommelier is reminiscent of my favorite bistro that I always visit when I travel to Grenoble for work. I don’t know or care if it’s the best in town or just average, all I know is that the service is friendly, the food is tasty, and experience memorable.
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Le Bistrot du Sommelier
46 Prinsep St #01-01,
Singapore
+65 6333 1982
