Diner’s Choice 2017 has this 2-star Michelin restaurant on the list. It’s in the same building as Isetan Orchard but you have to go to the back of the building (parallel to Orchard).
It has a low-key entrance with the impressive awards just outside the door to keep you busy while waiting for opening time. As soon as you walk in, the most charming of staff in their black suits and confident, warmest smiles welcome you in.
French food can sometimes be intimidating specially when you don’t understand all the words on the menu but each and every staff that came by make every effort to make you feel comfortable. You would feel they were delighted to answer your questions.
My very knowledgeable main server , Manoj, gave me an express education on the menu, ingredients, food origins, sauce differences.
From the many choices for first, second, and main courses…
… Manoj helped me to sort through the French and figure out what I wanted and then he volunteered to print out for me my choices so that I could appreciate the components better. Here were my final answers:
I love their hand soap and fresh orchid in the washroom.
Wine to choose from:
The amuse bouche on a handsome cutting board: Red pepper mousse bite and an aged Comte cheese wrapped in air-dried ham.
Les Amis makes their own bread for each service. It comes with large cubes of Le Ponclet unpasteurized hand-churned salted butter from Brittany, France. I had truffle croissants.
La Mise En Bouche:
Very delightful Salmon Facon Gravlax topped with caviar enveloping some cheese.
The combination of textures, flavors, colors, ingredients on this Camus Artichoke and White Tuna Belly in a Belle-epoque Salad… This is Salad! Voila! It was absolutely perfect. Hello, Artichoke, my darling! I am up in the clouds wishing I could have this everyday.
Pan seared duck foie gras from vendee with seasonal grapes and crisp almonds: Divine. It was a huge, plump serving. The almonds give a nice contrasting crunch and the grapes delightfully cut into the richness of the firm, perfectly seared foie gras.
Troncon of line-caught turbot paired with classic sauce duglere and confit potatoes was flavorful. But I was extremely satisfied with the preceding dishes that I couldn’t finish this generous serving.
Sugar Sphere with Glazed Chestnuts of different textures with plombieres style ice cream was a stunning, sweet finish. It looks like a sugar chef with outstretched arms saying “Tada!!!”
But wait, there’s more: In-house Canele, Chestnut Tart, and French Chocolates with Hazelnut Center. I didn’t know where I could put these after a very satisfying filling lunch. On my head? Haha. I just had to take these home and they were still so good the next day!
And a fantastic surprise came: Chef Sebastien Lepinoy with a moist and lovely cake for me to continue to savor this memorable… no, not just memorable… unforgettable meal at Les Amis.
Exquisite and healthy French Food, Service Par Excellence. No wonder the Michelin Stars! I’m sure more coming!
And when I went home, Les Amis had even gone one step ahead to put into words what I felt. I felt like singing Lalala Means I Love You!
BUTTERFLY IN THE SPRING 