db Bistro Moderne at Marina Bay Sands was my first meal in Singapore. Lauded for its big mouth burgers and some French classic dishes, I was pretty gutted to have not tried the one in Manhattan, opposite the hotel I lived in after missing out on the 3 Michelin Star restaurant Daniel. So when my host suggested to have dinner in MBS’s db Bistro, I was super keen.
db Bistro Moderne at MBS sports a very casual dining layout accented by red/white leather seats, vintage tiles and chic fittings. The menu is extensive and they have introduced a new seafood platter, something which the wait staff were quite keen on selling. Coming from Australia I was totally not biting the bait as I knew good seafood is cheap back home.
The complimentary bread basket:
Looking back when I had it was super delicious because it was 8.30pm and we had not eaten anything since lunch. But thinking it through, the course was at best a decent bread basket with French butter.
Our shared appetiser of Tuna Tartare - main size ($30)
I love my tartare be it steak or fish and the one at db Bistro was pretty good. However, I tend to prefer my tartare with minimal seasoning yet the Harissa marinated tartare proved to be a surprisingly good addition. Its pairing with the cucumber and cool mint yoghurt paired to give the tartare a nice finish. No fishy taste if you are concerned ;)
Duck confit, with a bean cassoulet and watercress salad ($42)
The serve was generous and the perfectly caramelised skin was superb to look at. Its flavours were well-balanced and not overly salted. While the duck confit was a standout by itself, the bitter greens and mediocre bean cassoulet accompanying the dish did not settle well with JH’s palate.
The Original db Burger Burger ($42)
This is easily the most talked about burger in Singapore. Its patty made of fine mince consisting of sirloin filled with braised short ribs and Foie Gras is one of the juiciest in the business. But its $42 price tag excluding tax also gives it bragging rights as it was the most expensive burger I have ever eaten only to be beaten by Robuchon’s Foie Gras burger at Joel Robuchon's Kagoshima and Foie Gras burger at Le’ Atelier. But when it comes to flavour, its was yummy! You get the creamy Foie Gras, juicy mince and finished with a melting note from the fatty ribs.
All in all, db Bistro Moderne was a really decent place for dinner that evening. But was it as good as most people suggest it to be? Perhaps not. Even my dining companion JH who is usually proud of this db Bistro Moderne joint felt poorly about the Duck Confit that night which lacked attention to detail with the poorly finished bean cassoulet and bitter wilted greens. The price tag in addition was not the cheapest too. Without desserts, the price tag came close to a hefty $140.
WenY
