Fumée

Fumée
9 Raffles Boulevard
#01-53 Millenia Walk

https://fumee.sg/

Blue Cheese Burger (SGD $20)

Live Music, Modern Singaporean Cuisine, Chill Gastrobar

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 7
Ambience & Setting: 8
Food & Beverage: 7
Service: 8
Value for Money: 7
Spent about SGD $50 per person.

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Named for the French word meaning 'smoke', Fumée is a 3-in-1 gastrobar concept that unsuprisingly, is managed by the owners behind Habanos The Fine Cigar People, the first tobacconist in Singapore. Owners Helen Goh and Natalie Wong established Fumée in March 2016, with the idea that guests could enjoy modern fusion food in a comfortable, relaxing setting.

Ambience at Fumée is modern, artistic, yet relaxing. Their 3-in-1 gastrobar concept of restaurant bar, lounge, and delicatessen caters for social gathering and corporate events, with space for up to 390 people. Vibrant, attractive, artistic touches adorn both the outdoor al-fresco and indoor dining areas, spaced with comfortable modern furniture. Private rooms offer an exclusive space, while LCD televisions screen sporting events. Live bands play on selected days, while the store front features a gourmet supermarket / deli and takeaway counter, highlights include their cured meats and cheese from around the world.

Service at Fumée is friendly and casual. Staff are observant and attentive, quick to greet and seat guests, and I notice they constantly move around to check if guests need anything else. They demonstrate decent product knowledge, able to provide broad descriptions on dishes, but it's best to consult wine sommelier Michele Agostini for advice on drinks. Orders are fulfilled very quickly, typically within 10 minutes. Staff also efficiently clear away empty / dirty plates, and top-up water. The owners, when present, often go around and engage with guests.

Food at Fumée is modern fusion cuisine, a blend of European (American, British, French, Italian), Peranakan, and Singaporean. Chef Wilson Ang uses modern European cooking techniques paired with fresh ingredients to design the unique, heritage inspired dishes here. Generally, dishes are bold in flavour, and served in big portions, which are suitable for sharing, though large eaters can finish individual dishes on their own. Signatures here include their burgers and pasta. Prices are slightly high, comparable to other gastrobars, budget about SGD $50 per person for a meal with drinks here.

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Fumée Signage

Fumée Exterior

Fumée Interior

Store

Bar

Seating Outdoors

Seating Indoors

Seating Function Room

Seating Lounge

Fumée Menu

Quirky Wall

The Beer Suntory Premium Malt (SGD $18) is a traditional Pilsner. It has a light straw golden colour, aromas of grains, corn, and malt, with a clean, light, crisp body that has medium carbonation. Taste is of lemon citrus, hops, wheat, and barley, smooth and sweet with a tinge of sour, almost creamy. Finish is dry and sharp. Refreshing and drinkable.

Beer Suntory Premium Malt (SGD $18)

The Beer Asahi Black (SGD $12) is a Japanese dunkel lager. It has a chocolate brown colour, aromas of malt, molasses, and smoke, with a medium, smooth, crisp body that has strong carbonation. Taste is of roast coffee beans, nuts, and caramel, sweet and nutty with a tinge of smoky. Finish is quick, clean, and dry. With little bitterness, this is a very drinkable brew.

Beer Asahi Black (SGD $12 / $14)

The Beer Kronenbourg Blanc (SGD $12 / $14) is a Belgian white ale. It has a bright golden colour, aromas of lemon citrus, mango, and grains, with a light, clean, crisp body that has sharp carbonation. Taste is of wheat, banana, orange zest, and coriander, sweet and fruity with a light touch of spice. Finish is light, lingering, and dry. Easily drinkable, perfect for warm weather.

Beer Kronenbourg Blanc (SGD $12 / $14)

The Rum Ron Zacapa Centenario 23 (SGD $18) is a premium rum produced by Rum Creation And Products in Guatemala. Created in 1976 to celebrate the hundredth anniversary founding of the town of Zacapa, Guatemala, the rum is made with concentrated first-press 'virgin' sugar cane juice, aged in 4 different types of barrels. The result is a rum with a dark mahogany colour and edges of copper tint; aromas of clove, cinnamon, and smoke; a smooth, rounded, gentle body that feels sensuous and viscous; and tastes of brown sugar, orange, chocolate, and honey. The finish is long and thick, ending with a hint of smoke. Good!

Rum Ron Zacapa Centenario 23 (SGD $18)

Loved the Whisky Auchentoshan Three Wood (SGD $18), a distinctive Scotch single malt whisky that is triple distilled, spending 10 years in bourbon casks, 1 year in Oloroso sherry casks, then Pedro Ximenez sherry casks. This gives it a rich, deep amber colour, with aromas of sherry, toffee, cranberry, and figs. On the palate, the texture is smooth, heavy, and viscous, with tastes of hazelnuts, chocolate, stone fruit, and cherry. The finish is short but superb, with a little mint, ripe plums, molasses, and wood, lacking in bitterness. Water and ice seems to tame the flavour somewhat, I'd prefer it without either. Extremely good, a memorable beverage for me. Refined, elegant, yet bold and wild. Highly recommended!

Whisky Auchentoshan Three Wood (SGD $18)

Whisky Auchentoshan Three Wood

The F1 Winglets & Crackers (SGD $10) is best shared as a bar snack, but otherwise, there is little cause to order this. The chicken winglets are meaty and savoury, with a slightly crisp skin. The crackers are crunchy and warm, and make a good base. Decent.

F1 Winglets & Crackers (SGD $10)

The Salmon Rillettes (SGD $8) are served with crisp slices of French baguette bread. Love the smoky sweet flavour of the roasted Norwegian salmon, and its flaky, meaty texture. Some capers, cornichons / pickled gherkins, and a spot of herbs complete this aromatic chilled appetizer. Worth ordering!

Salmon Rillettes (SGD $8)

Salmon Rillettes

The Duck Rillettes (SGD $8) are served with crisp slices of French baguette bread. While this classic French appetizer features tender shreds of pulled duck confit, along with carrots and onions, the rather sour savoury taste didn't appeal to me. Wish it was less creamy, and more savoury instead.

Duck Rillettes (SGD $8)

Duck Rillettes

The Beef Pastrami (SGD $7) was underwhelming. While the pickled pearl onions and gherkins are properly sour sharp, the lightly smoked, slow roasted Australian wagyu beef topside lacks that robust, meaty, savoury flavour. While the texture is very tender, the lack of depth of flavour makes this a poor pastrami.

Beef Pastrami (SGD $7)

Beef Pastrami

Beef Pastrami

The Pork Saucisson (SGD $5) is pretty good. This dry cured French pork is sweet salty, with hints of garlic and pepper. Love the chewy texture and the little bits of fat within, keeping the meat moist. Worth ordering!

Pork Saucisson (SGD $5)

Pork Saucisson

Pork Saucisson

Loved the Mentaiko Scallop (SGD $22), which features 7 meaty, bouncy sweet, scallops plated in a shell. The seared Canadian scallops take on a smoky flavour, which is enhanced with bold, savoury sweet salty mentaiko sauce / marinated fish roe sauce, and globules of briny fish roe. Highly recommended!

Mentaiko Scallop (SGD $22)

Mentaiko Scallop

The Hot Dog & Fries (SGD $6) is both affordable and good value for money. I like that the chicken cheese sausage is tender, savoury salty, and juicy, with a snappy casing. Chef has also taken the effort to toast the hotdog bun, giving it a nice, slightly crisp exterior, while the interior remains fluffy and soft. This classic American snack is served with Cajun spiced shoestring fries, which are decent. Worth ordering!

Hot Dog & Fries (SGD $6)

Hot Dog & Fries

The House Fish & Chips (SGD $22) are a spin on the British pub grub. A large, fresh fillet of tai / sea bream fish, with tender, sweet flesh is wrapped in a crisp Asahi beer batter. And I really mean wrapped, the batter isn't stuck to the fish at all, it comes off easily. Tasty and satisfiying, made more so by the light dusting of Cajun spice, a mix of salt, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, onion powder, cayenne pepper, oregano, thyme, and red pepper flakes. Served with decent Cajun spiced shoestring fries, and a tangy zesty tartar sauce on the side. Worth ordering!

House Fish & Chips (SGD $22)

House Fish & Chips

House Fish & Chips

What I like about the Orecchiette Bolognese (SGD $19) is its semi-dry sauce, done classic Italian style. The al-dente ear shaped orecchiette pasta noodles are garnished with a meaty, savoury sweet, wagyu beef minced meat and roma tomato sauce, which is thick and rich. Topped with fresh baby spinach and shredded parmesan cheese, this is a simple, satisfiying, comfort plate. Good!

Orecchiette Bolognese (SGD $19)

Orecchiette Bolognese

Despite bearing the name of the Singaporean hawker favourite, the Fumée Hokkien Noodles (SGD $28) bears little resemblance to its namesake, though I can see how that inspired this. A base of savoury smoky linguine pasta noodles, tossed in olive oil, garlic, ginger, and bird's eye chili / chili padi, flavoured with a sweet, shellfish seafood broth. Garnished with fresh sweet deshelled tiger prawns / shrimp, smoky savoury grilled squid rings, plump briny salty clams, and a large, bouncy, smoky sweet scallop. Actually pretty good as a dish. Worth ordering!

Fumée Hokkien Noodles (SGD $28)

Fumée Hokkien Noodles

Fumée Hokkien Noodles

The Fumée Chicken Rice (SGD $20), despite bearing the name of a classic Singaporean hawker dish, bears little overall resemblance to its namesake. A base of perfectly al-dente risotto rice, chewy with a slight bite, fragrant and sweet savoury from being infused with truffle oil and lemongrass, giving it a refreshing flavour. So tasty, really good! Topped with an oven roasted half chicken, which has sweet tender meat that comes easily off the bone, while the skin is crisp with notes of savoury salty, totally delicious. Worth ordering!

Fumée Chicken Rice (SGD $20)

Fumée Chicken Rice

Fumée Chicken Rice

The burgers are their signature items here. Tried the Blue Cheese Burger (SGD $20), with warm soft fluffy burger buns that sandwich a large, hand formed wagyu beef patty that is grilled to a nice medium rare, being tender, moist, savoury salty, and tasty. Finished with salty meaty bacon, and a sharp pungent blue cheese. Perhaps too strong, the cheese slightly overwhelms the more delicate flavours here. Served with decent Cajun spiced shoestring fries, pickled gherkins, and tomato ketchup on the side.

Blue Cheese Burger (SGD $20)

Blue Cheese Burger

Blue Cheese Burger

The Love Apple (SGD $9) is a beautiful modern dessert. A sour raspberry coulis coats a creamy green apple mousse. Within, a rich cream cheese and sweet apple compote sits over a crunchy spiced biscuit crumb base, with a side of raspberry gel. Resembles an apple outside, with pretty and distinct layers inside. Intense in sweet sour flavours, this rich dessert is best shared. Good!

Love Apple (SGD $9)

Love Apple

Love Apple

The Red Wine Poached Pear (SGD $14) features a whole Peckham pear, slow poached in a spiced red wine (cloves, cinnamon, orange zest), till the flesh turns tender and has absorbed all the essence of the wine. Served with crunchy roasted crushed hazelnuts and a creamy vanilla ice cream, the chilled poached pear has a lovely earthy sweet taste. Good!

Red Wine Poached Pear (SGD $14)

Red Wine Poached Pear

Red Wine Poached Pear

The Berries Zabaione (SGD $9) is only available on the dessert menu during lunch hours. The Zabaione is a classic Italian dessert, made with egg yolks, sugar, and a sweet wine, usually Moscato or Marsala wine. Whipped into a custard, it's traditionally garnished with strawberries, blueberries, peaches, and served in a champagne glass. The version here is light, airy, and creamy in texture, like eating a soft custard cloud. Served in a bowl, along with strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries. I like that the custard is lightly torched, which brings out the bold caramelised taste. The contrast of fruity, sweet, and sour is appealing. Good!

Berries Zabaione (SGD $9)

Berries Zabaione

Got the Chef's Surprise Cheese Sampler Platter (SGD $20), which comes with 4 random types of cheese, chosen by chef. The Cheese Mimolette 24 Months (SGD $11) is a mature cheese, with a semi-firm texture, and a buttery nutty flavour. The Cheese Manchego (SGD $8) is a goat cheese, with a semi-soft texture, and a fruity sweet, tangy nutty flavour. The Cheese Bleu d'Auvergne (SGD $9) is a blue cheese, with a soft buttery texture, and a pungent savoury tangy flavour. The Cheese Brillat-Savarin (SGD $8) is a mild cheese, with a dense creamy texture, and a milky tangy flavour.