It was a pleasure to return to Quenino at Artyzen Hotel, which has just been recognised as a MICHELIN-selected restaurant. Guided by Melbourne-based Chef Victor Liong and led by Chef Su of Indian-Chinese heritage, Quenino offers a richly layered, multicultural dining experience with a strong Asian focus. We were there to enjoy the latest iteration of their menu. We were pleased to find out that in addition to their Discovery Menu ($200++ per guest), Quenino has also introduced an à la carte menu, giving diners the freedom to curate their own experience.
Quenino Prelude- Tamarillo Tart 4/5
The first bite of the Quenino Prelude is the Tamarillo Tart, where a crisp tartlet is topped with tamarillos from the Cameron Highlands, paired with rasam gel, balonglong and chilli caviar. I liked that they showed us the actual Tamarillo fruit to smell and touch!
Quenino Prelude- Spiced Yam Dumpling 4.2/5
The second bite is a Spiced Yam Dumpling, drawing inspiration from both Indian vadai and Chinese dim sum wu kok. Encased within its crisp, golden shell is a savoury filling of prawns and poached oysters, enhanced with oyster kijap.
Octopus 4/5
Next came a beautifully plated salad starring Australian Octopus, loosely inspired by Sotong Kangkong. Instead of kangkong, however, the dish features a medley of locally sourced herbs and flowers such as pea tendrils and sweet potato leaves. It is finished with sweet soy sauce espuma, tempeh cream, green mango and Jicama terrine, crispy fish snacks, and macadamia nuts, giving us a playful, textural dish that is both vibrant and intriguing.
Indonesian Mud Crab 4.5/5
The next course of Indonesian Mud Crab was one of my favourites of the evening, a bold and flavourful take on both the hairy crab and the local classic white pepper crab. On top of the egg white custard is rich mud crab and roe, turmeric white peppercorn sauce, fragrant deep-fried shallots, puffed grains, and a savoury touch of cured egg yolk.
Amur Caviar 4.2/5
For something more indulgent, you can opt for the Amur Caviar (supplement +20), sourced from Yunnan, China. It’s elegantly served on a silky bed of dragon chive custard, with scallop mousse, razor clams, and a touch of fermented chilli. A luxurious dish for true caviar lovers, but personally, I found the Indonesian Mud Crab course more memorable.
Green Lip Abalone 4.8/5
The Green Lip Abalone resembles a piece of Yong Tau Foo, but with a creative twist. Instead of stuffed beancurd, the abalone is filled with prawn and green chilli, then delicately wrapped in veiled bamboo fungus. It’s served with a rich brown butter sauce infused with Chinese Angelica herbs. A fusion dish where East meets West, executed flawlessly.
Peach and Young Gingerflower Popsicle 4.2/5
As a palette cleanser, we were served a Peach and Young Ginger Flower Popsicle topped with cured and candied peach, edible flowers, and served on a dish of dry ice. It was a light and sweet floral interlude that was both visually pleasing and refreshing.
Stone Axe M9 Wagyu Striploin 5/5
Every dish had been delicious thus far, but the highlight for me was this Stone Axe M9 Wagyu presented with Variations of Garlic. The Stone Axe M9 Wagyu Striploin was juicy, tender, and delightfully marbled, but what truly made the dish outstanding and unique was the imaginative presentation of garlic in five distinct forms. There was jungle garlic dust, a tangy pickled garlic sprout salad, airy black garlic foam, and Quenino’s house green garlic chilli sauce, playfully presented in a fast-food-style packet.
Adding a local touch, the dish also came with a warm pink garlic broth inspired by Bak Kut Teh, the beloved herbal pork rib soup. A very clever celebration of garlic that complemented the Wagyu beautifully and gave guests a lot of personal choice as to how to best enjoy their beef.
“Fried Rice” 4.8/5
Another standout on their menu is the “Fried Rice”, a creative reinterpretation inspired by three Southeast Asian rice dishes: Fried Rice, Mui Fan, and Nasi Ulam. Guests are presented with condiments carefully arranged in a ring. There is ham floss, house-made X.O. sauce, Chinese olive relish, pickled bean sprouts, cucamelon, spring onions, coriander, garlic sesame crumbs and fried moringa leaf. The rice is then ladled into the centre, inviting guests to sample each condiment with the rice individually, before mixing it all up to enjoy.
Green Chilli Ice Cream 4.2/5
The Green Chilli Ice Cream dessert draws inspiration from Chef Su’s Chinese New Year traditions and the familiar ingredients she often finds at home during the festive season. It features pineapple, almonds, and bakkwa, while the ice cream delivers an extra creamy texture due to the inclusion of yoghurt and cheese.
Petit Fours and Mignardise 4/5
The Petit Fours and Mignardise showcase the effort put into the curation of the menu, right down to the very last bite. First, we have a crispy waffle infused with black sesame and sea salt, drizzled with fragrant shallot oil. Then, there is a tartlet inspired by Minjiang kueh, but featuring corn, peanut and salted egg yolk instead. On a bed of edible cocoa, we also had Kumquat and Sour Plum Sweets, as well as Bittersweet Chocolate Bonbons filled with rich black sesame paste, crafted in collaboration with Singaporean pastry chef Janice Wong.
As with my first visit to Quenino, the food remains unique and deeply flavourful, thoughtfully crafted with a deep respect for local ingredients and familiar tastes. The elegant ambience makes it an ideal setting for a special occasion, and with the introduction of their à la carte menu, there’s now even more reason to consider Quenino for your next night out.
Photographed and penned by Shermine. Through her pictures and stories, she shares her journey of savouring new flavours and experiences. Note: This is an invited tasting.
Quenino
Artyzen Singapore
Level 4
9 Cuscaden Road
Singapore 249719
Tel: +65 6371 6030
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Nearest MRT: Orchard Boulevard (TE Line), Orchard (NS, TE Line)
Opening Hours:
Tue: 6pm – 1030pm
Wed-Sat: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 1030pm
(Closed on Sun and Mon)
Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard Boulevard MRT Station. Take Exit 1. Walk to Cuscaden Road. Turn right onto Cuscaden Road. Walk down Cuscaden Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]
2) Alight at Orchard MRT Station. Take Exit 11. Walk down Orchard Boulevard towards Four Seasons Hotel. Take the walk path beside Four Seasons Hotel to Cuscaden Road. Walk to the junction of Cuscaden Road and turn left onto Cuscaden Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]