Xperience Restaurant Tasting Session

Xperience Restaurant Tasting Session
35 Robinson Road
Level 1 Sofitel So Singapore

Opening Hours:
Daily: 6:30am - 10:30pm


http://www.sofitel.com/gb/hotel-8655-sofitel-so-singapore/index.shtml

This was an invited media review. I did not pay for the meal during the free hosted tasting session, but I did pay the standard price during subsequent visits.
Attended with representatives from HungryGoWhere, Fundamentally Flawed, The Arctic Star, and Chubby Botak Koala.


Fine Modern Fusion Cuisine Crafted Around Textures

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 7
Ambience & Setting: 8
Food & Beverage: 9
Service: 8
Value for Money: 7
Budget about SGD $70 ++ per person.

Bespoke French sophistication and modern Singaporean chic combine within a heritage building in the new Sofitel So Singapore. Opened in May 2014, this luxury boutique hotel in the Central Business District (CBD) boasts unique design elements from acclaimed designers Karl Lagerfeld and Isabelle Miaja. Similarly, Sofitel So Singapore in-hotel restaurant, the Xperience Restaurant, promises a fine, bespoke, first class culinary experience.

Sofitel So Singapore Facade

Sofitel So Singapore The Lion's Seal Emblem

The Glory Of Water & The Little Black Jacket, By Karl Lagerfeld

Lobby Floral Centerpiece

Metallic Dog - Pug

Hexagon Theme

Lobby Easy Chairs

Ambience at Xperience Restaurant is modern contemporary, with an elegant casualness. This stylish yet relaxed gastro-bar destination incorporates many of the themes from the boutique hotel, such as hexagonal patterns and bold colours. Furniture is modern chic, with a mix of colours such as blue, pink, red, white, silver, purple, and black. The tables and chairs are comfortable and spacious, but noticeably lower than normal height, which gives your thigh muscles a good workout whenever you stand or sit! Lighting is via spotlights, which creates a contrast of bright and shadows. The floor to ceiling windows and open concept creates a sense of space, making for a casual, relaxing, welcoming atmosphere, with a touch of sophistication. I particularly like their unique sequin pillows!

Xperience Restaurant & Bar Signage

Xperience Restaurant

Xperience Bar

Service at Xperience Restaurant is befitting a fine dining establishment. Staff are friendly and welcoming, not just greeting you at the entrance, but proactively offering to assist if you're carrying bags. Staff also display basic knowledge about the various main ingredients in each dish, being able to provide basic descriptions, and make recommendations. During the meal, service is unobstrusive, though I note staff will walk by to check discreetly. They'll also serve ladies, and those sitting on the outside of communal tables first. Staff will offer to clear away dishes before serving the next course, but I also notice they don't check for feedback, and there isn't much conversation engagement.

Communal Dining Table & Buffet Display Table

Dining Tables

Food at Xperience Restaurant is a modern fusion of European (French, Italian) and Asian (Chinese, Japanese, Singaporean) influences. The menu is crafted around textures; be it Silky, Crunchy, Zesty, Juicy, Crispy, Saucy, or Smoky. In fact, staff will actually make recommendations on textures of a dish based on how you're feeling! Each dish is presented as a work of art, and besides the highlighted texture, individual plates are also crafted to contain a surprising contrast of flavours. Although Xperience Restaurant has a fine dining status, portions are substantial and filling, though prices reflect its artisan crafting. Do budget about SGD $25 for an appetizer, about SGD $40 for a main course, and about SGD $20 for a dessert.

Salt & Pepper Mixture

At Xperience Restaurant, executive chef Anne-Cecile Degenne brings her decade of culinary expertise and creative flair to bear in crafting a journey of textures and senses for each diner. This young and dynamic French chef is Singapore’s first female hotel executive chef, hailing from the city of Bordeaux, in the Aquitaine region of France. Alongside chef Anne-Cecile Degenne, Xperience Restaurant will also feature guest chefs from time to time.

Artisanal Bread & Butter

Artisanal Bread & Butter

The Pan Seared Foie Gras, Beluga Lentil And Hazelnut (SGD $21) represents the Silky texture, and features a decadent slice of foie gras, on a bed of nutty Beluga lentils from the United States Of America, and aromatic roasted hazelnuts, garnished with hazelnut tuiles / crisps. The rich, smooth foie gras is perfectly pan-seared, almost melting in the mouth, pairing exceedingly well with the nutty, earthy lentils and crunchy hazelnut crisps. Indulgent, highly recommended!

Pan Seared Foie Gras, Beluga Lentil And Hazelnut (SGD $21)

Pan Seared Foie Gras, Beluga Lentil And Hazelnut

The Truffle Pao With Short Ribs Stuffing (SGD $25) represents the Juicy texture, and features soft Chinese style bao / buns, infused with charcoal and truffle paste, which lends an earthy, smoky taste. The beef short ribs stuffing is sous vide to perfection, resulting in tender, soft, and absolutely fragrant meat. An excellent fusion of earthy and savoury, each bite a delight. Best shared, as it's very filling!

Truffle Pao With Short Ribs Stuffing (SGD $25)

Truffle Pao With Short Ribs Stuffing

The Cauliflower And Mushroom Texture (SGD $23) represents the Crunchy / Flavourful texture, and features cauliflower done 3 ways; grilled, puree, and fresh. Presented like a landscaped garden, the grilled cauliflower slices and fresh cauliflower slices sit on a bed of cauliflower puree and cream, with a medley of vegetables including buna-shimeji / brown beech mushrooms, dehydrated king oyster mushrooms, and Vietnamese rice paper dusted with mushroom salt. Each mouthful is a soft, pleasant crunch, with bright bursts of fresh, salty, and sweet.

Cauliflower And Mushroom Texture (SGD $23)

Cauliflower And Mushroom Texture

The Grilled Beef Tenderloin, Mushroom, Asparagus And Condiments (SGD $36) represents the Juicy texture, and features a beautiful grass-fed Black Angus beef tenderloin, tender, moist, and incredibly savoury and flavourful. The grilling is inconsistent though, as staff didn't ask beforehand, I received a piece that was rare, while my fellow diners had pieces that ranged from medium, to medium well. Served with lightly grilled, crunchy asparagus, and earthy mushrooms (straw and king oyster), on a bed of fragrant asparagus and basil puree, decorated with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar with yuzu reduction that lends a fruity zest. A scoop of sun-dried tomato and olive paste sits on the side, and can be paired with the beef for a different flavour profile.

Grilled Beef Tenderloin, Mushroom, Asparagus And Condiments (SGD $36)

Grilled Beef Tenderloin, Mushroom, Asparagus And Condiments

The Banana And Passion Fruit (SGD $17) dessert possibly represents the Crispy texture, and features a Chinese style, sugar glazed rolled wafer, thin enough that it cracks with a satisfiying crunch, yet thick enough to hold the sweet, creamy filling of banana and passion fruit. Inspired by the local Singaporean dessert of Goreng Pisang, the taste profile is very similar, though enhanced with the zesty passion fruit. Accompanied by a scoop of gula melaka / palm sugar ice cream, this dessert is not overly sweet, still being rather pleasing.

Banana And Passion Fruit (SGD $17)

Banana And Passion Fruit

The White Chocolate And Yuzu Crémeux (SGD $16) dessert possibly represents the Zesty texture, and features a deconstructed plate of tart yuzu sorbet in between creamy white chocolate mousse and golden baked white chocolate tuile / crisps, garnished with raspberries, mint, and white chocolate powder. Representing the colours and tastes of summer, the sweet, caramelized white chocolate tuile pairs really well with the tangy, sour yuzu sorbet, and rich white chocolate mousse. Diners can create their own flavour experience with this modern dessert.

White Chocolate And Yuzu Crémeux (SGD $16)

White Chocolate And Yuzu Crémeux

Overall, dining at Xperience Restaurant is a true gastronomic experience, of textures, tastes, and sights. While commanding a premium price, Xperience Restaurant has lived up to expectations in serving artfully plated dishes with bold, surprising flavours and themed textures, in an elegant, casual environment with friendly, professional staff. This makes Xperience Restaurant especially worthwhile for special occasions!

Reserve a table now @ Xperience Restaurant