When I heard about Saveur - a casual restaurant that serves affordable but delicious French food, I told myself I have to visit the place and try the food for myself. Especially when the raving reviews came from a dear friend who's a lover of great food, I knew it must be really good stuff. When I finally visited Saveur a few days back, I was indeed not disappointed. That was an understatement actually - the food was fabulous.
The restaurant located at Purvis Street is elegantly furnished in classic black and white. Love the black decals against the white washed walls, and I especially liked it that the owner boldly splashed his identity as a Christian everywhere in the restaurant.
On one side of the wall, there is a huge heart shape formed by the bible verse from John 3:16 in both English & Mandarin. There is even a portrait of Jesus Christ in the centre if you look carefully.
Obviously, the business is doing very well as the restaurant occupies two units on this street. It's definitely good for the customers - The whole restaurant basically fills up by 6.30pm everyday, a mere 30 minutes after it's open for the evening. A long queue then forms outside the restaurant, but it does not deter anyone - Obviously many people don't mind queuing for good food.
We ordered a few starters to share because they were supposedly too good to be missed. This crabmeat pasta is a new addition on the manu ($7.90) and has a very fresh flavour to it. The black stuff is caviar - Very expensive ingredient used on a starter dish.
The Saveur Pasta ($4.90) is not to be missed. In my opinion, this is more delicious than the crabmeat pasta and is done in my favourite aglio olio style. If you want to have this as a main course, you can request for the restaurant to upgrade it to a bigger portion at $6.90.
This might be the place that serves the cheapest fois gras in town. But the price doesn't compromise the quality. Frankly, I didn't dare to try it, but my friends who did said it was awesome. This pan-seared duck liver is served with apple-infused port wine and vanilla bean ($9.90).
There are several different meats you can choose for main courses. This Chicken Roulade ($9.90) is yummy though my friend feels that the portion is too small. The parmesan sauce is delicious though and the chicken is stuffed with foie gras-infused chicken farce.
The pan-seared sea bass ($14.90) was fresh, sweet and delicious, and is served with saute potatoes with crabmeat, french beans and caper vinagrette.
But I absolutely think that what I ordered was the best. The duck leg confit ($10.90) was superbly done - crispy on the outside and soft & tender meat inside. It was very flavourful, and went perfectly with the mashed potatoes and mushrooms. The mashed potatoes is one of the best I've ever eaten, seriously.
While the main courses and appetizers are awesome at Saveur, I do not quite like their desserts. Tried both the Pistachio Panna Cotta ($6.90) and a dessert similar to Chocolate Lava Cake, but they are not to my liking.
Love the food at Saveur, and think that the customer service is top-notch as well. They don't have the butler type of service at high-class restaurants, but the waiters were prompt, polite and made us feel very at ease. The only thing is you have go early to get seats because reservations are not accepted. I'm salivating just thinking about the Duck Leg confit now. I will surely be back again.
SAVEUR (Bugis)
5 Purvis Street
Talib Court #01-04
Singapore 188584
Operating Hours:
Mon to Sat - 12pm - 2.15pm (last order) & 6pm - 9.30pm (last order)
Sunday - 6pm - 9.00pm (last order)
SAVEUR (Far East Plaza)
14 Scotts Road
Far East Plaza #01-07B
Singapore 228213
Operating Hours:
Mon to Sat - 11.30am - 9.30pm (last order)
Sunday - 11.30am - 9.00 pm (last order)
