Wine Universe Restaurant

Wine Universe Restaurant
9 Raffles Boulevard
#01-107 Millenia Walk

http://www.wine-universe.com.sg/

Cheese Fondue Moitié-Moitié Set (SGD $29)

Decent Swiss Plates With Fine Wines

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 8
Ambience & Setting: 7
Food & Beverage: 8
Service: 10
Value for Money: 7
Spent about SGD $90 per person.


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Founded in August 2009 by Claude Dizerens and Dominique Giroud, who both hail from Switzerland, Wine Universe Restaurant is a gastrobar / bistro and wine bar concept that specialises in Swiss cuisine and wines. With an extensive range of wine labels, and excellent, friendly service, Wine Universe Restaurant still manages to pull in the crowds, despite their premium prices.

Ambience at Wine Universe Restaurant benefits from its sidewalk, al-fresco lounge and glass wall open concept. The spacious, warmly-lit area feels open and relaxing, though the weather plays a part in how comfortable it is here. On warm nights, it can be rather uncomfortable, despite the powerful standing fans around. Buzzing with activity, the dynamic energy of the place is attractive and casual chic. The open kitchen also allows diners to watch the chefs at work.

Service at Wine Universe Restaurant is excellent. Staff are friendly, warm, and professional, quickly greeting and seating diners. They show appropriate levels of care, checking for feedback, coming around regularly to clear away empty / dirty plates, asking if you'll like more drinks or desserts. They display good product knowledge, able to briefly describe dishes, and make recommendations. They even make time to engage diners in conversation. Impressed that they remembered us, and even greeted us by name. Great!

Food at Wine Universe Restaurant is largely focused on the cuisine of Switzerland, which has elements of French and German influence. Generally, dishes are tasty, modern European in style, made with fresh ingredients. Portions are medium to large, and rather filling. I love the extensive range of European wines, in particular, Swiss wines which are rather uncommon in Singapore. Prices befit a bistro, and are relatively high. Budget about SGD $90 per person for a meal with drinks here.


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Wine Universe Restaurant Exterior

Wine Universe Restaurant Interior

Kitchen

Seating

Seating

Bull Fight Artwork

The Bread Baguette, Balsamic Vinegar, Olive Oil (SGD $Complimentary) is decent in texture, with a slightly crisp exterior and an airy interior that has a spongy texture. Absorbs the olive oil and balsamic vinegar with some effort. Decent.

Bread Baguette, Balsamic Vinegar, Olive Oil (SGD $Complimentary)

Bread Baguette, Balsamic Vinegar, Olive Oil

The Mid-Joint Chicken Wings (SGD $16) were very good. The small but moist and tender chicken winglets have a savoury salty crust, with clean-tasting, sweet chicken meat. Very addictive! Served with a unique sweet spicy sambal belachan sauce, which complemented it well. Good!

Mid-Joint Chicken Wings (SGD $16)

Mid-Joint Chicken Wings

What I like about the Truffle Oil Fries (SGD $14) is their large, wide, thick cut. Fluffy in texture with good potato flavour and a light coat of salt, I particularly liked pairing it with the tomato ketchup for added flavour. The earthy truffle oil perfumes the fries / chips without being overwhelming. Highly recommended!

Truffle Oil Fries (SGD $14)

Truffle Oil Fries

Loved the Calamari Fritti (SGD $15), with their crisp, crumb batter that crunches satisfiyingly. The meaty sweet squid rings are large and plump, with a delicate freshness. The light but chunky tartar sauce on the side is optional, as the squid rings are tasty enough on their own. Highly recommended!

Calamari Fritti (SGD $15)

Calamari Fritti

The Potage Aux Legumes (SGD $10) is a vegetarian soup / broth, very similar to a Minestrone, just without the inclusion of rice / pasta and beans. Otherwise, the base ingredients remain about the same, featuring a mix of hardy vegetables like carrot, onion, zucchini, and cabbage, in a rich, comforting tomato soup / broth, garnished with parsley. It's good that all the vegetables are fresh. Hearty, with notes of sweet savoury sour, this helps to open the palate nicely. Good!

Potage Aux Legumes (SGD $10)

Potage Aux Legumes

The Basler Rosti (SGD $22) is a classic Swiss dish, with a bed of potato rosti, garnished with spring onions and sour cream, finished with a pork bratwurst sausage, a veal and pork weisswurst sausage, and a side of mustard. I loved the plump, juicy, meaty savoury sausages that have a lovely snappy chew. However, I felt the rosti could be better, while the inside is properly fluffy, the outside lacks that crispy texture. Overall, rather underwhelming.

Basler Rosti (SGD $22)

Basler Rosti

The Eglifilet (SGD $25), also known as Lake Perch Fish Fillet, is a traditional dish of Switzerland. Prepared in the classic countryside style, this rustic dish features fillets of freshwater perch fish, coated in a light flour batter, then pan-fried till golden brown on the outside, while the inside remains tender, flaky, and smooth, with notes of savoury salty. Served with elegantly carved, boiled young potatoes, in a bright, zesty sharp, sour savoury cream sauce, known as beurre blanc citronné. This is made with lemon juice, mayonnaise or butter, and white wine. Clean, delicious flavours, utterly appealing. Enjoyed every bite of this light dish. Highly recommended!

Eglifilet (SGD $25)

Eglifilet

Eglifilet

The Cheese Fondue Moitié-Moitié Set (SGD $29) is served with a fresh Garden Salad, a basket of Boiled Fingerling Potatoes that are firm and waxy, a large Bread Baguette Basket, and a huge pot of Cheese Fondue Moitié-Moitié. The fondue is a blend of gruyère cheese and vacherin cheese, being warm, thick, and gooey in texture, with a cheesy salty savoury flavour. Fantastic sharing dish, more filling than it appears. Highly recommended!

Cheese Fondue Moitié-Moitié Set (SGD $29)

Cheese Fondue Moitié-Moitié

Cheese Fondue Moitié-Moitié

Bread Baguette Basket

Garden Salad

Garden Salad

Boiled Fingerling Potatoes

Boiled Fingerling Potatoes

Dip the chunks of bread or potatoes into the gooey melted cheese, coating every inch of it in deliciousness. The balance is just right, and makes you want to go back for more and more... so addictive. Delish!

Dipping

Dipping

Dipping

As The Matterhorn Liquid Dessert (SGD $18) is a modern fusion dessert, it features a scoop of fruity apricot sorbet, soaked in Abricotine apricot brandy liqueur, garnished with mint leaves. Notes of intense sweetness is tempered by the fiery bitter alcohol, resulting in a palatable, delightful mouthful. Good!

The Matterhorn Liquid Dessert (SGD $18)

The Matterhorn Liquid Dessert

The Wine Chasselas Fendant Terra Helvetica 2012 (SGD $15 per glass) is an uncommon Swiss white wine, produced by Giroud Vins winery in the Sion district, in the Valais canton of Switzerland. It's made from 100% Chasselas grapes, and has a clear, pale, green yellow colour, with aromas of peppermint, green apple, lime, and grapefruit. Body is light, crisp, refreshing, with tastes of pear, honeydew melon, chalk, and elderflower. The light, delicate sweetness, low acidity, and dry fruity floral palate is gentle, like cool, crisp, winter air rolling off the mountains.

Wine Chasselas Fendant Terra Helvetica 2012 (SGD $15 per glass)

The Wine Konrad Wines Hole In The Water Sauvignon Blanc 2014 (SGD $15 per glass) is a new world white wine, produced by Konrad Wines winery in the Blenheim town of the Marlborough region of New Zealand. So named because the area it's cultivated in is dry compared to the wetter surroundings, it's made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes, and has a brilliant, pale, straw green colour, with aromas of lime, green apple, gooseberry, and passionfruit. Body is light, lively, and elegant, with tastes of grapefruit, lychee, guava, and stone. The high acidity has a good grip, with a crisp, lingering finish. The layers of flavour build upon the palate, nice complexity.

Wine Konrad Wines Hole In The Water Sauvignon Blanc 2014 (SGD $15 per glass)

The Wine Giroud Pinot Noir De Chamoson 2012 (SGD $17 per glass) is an uncommon Swiss red wine, produced by Giroud Vins winery in the Conthey district, in the Valais canton of Switzerland. It's made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes, and has a dark, deep, purple ruby colour, with aromas of cherries, cloves, strawberries, and oak. Body is medium, rounded, juicy, with tastes of raspberries, blackberries, star anise, and plum. The deep, robust sweet earthy notes, low tannins, and lingering finish give this a luxurious, elegant, refined feel.

Wine Giroud Pinot Noir De Chamoson 2012 (SGD $17 per glass)

The Wine Chateau Ducluzeau Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 (SGD $21 per glass) is an old world red wine, produced by Chateau Ducluzeau winery in the Listrac-Médoc commune of the Gironde department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of France. It's made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, and has a rich, robust, ruby red colour, with aromas of raspberries, redcurrants, blackcurrants, and cherries. Body is powerful, rounded, tight, with tastes of plum, toasted bread, blackberries, and chocolate. This strongly aromatic tipple is flattering, fruity, and fatty, with strong earthy notes, giving it a sophisticated feel.

Wine Chateau Ducluzeau Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 (SGD $21 per glass)

The Wine Famille Quiot Domaine Houchart Cotes De Provence Sainte-Victoire Rose (SGD $75 per bottle) is a rose wine, produced by Famille Quiot winery in the Côtes-De-Provence Sainte-Victoire terroir, Alpes-De-Haute-Provence department, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte D'Azur region of France. It's made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, Cinsaut grapes, Shiraz / Syrah grapes, Grenache grapes, and has a limpid, clean, blush pink colour, with aromas of cherries, strawberries, raspberries, and slate. Body is light, youthful, clean, with tastes of grapefruit, papaya, redcurrants, and peach. Fresh, with medium high acidity. Finish is dry yet lingers on.

Wine Famille Quiot Domaine Houchart Cotes De Provence Sainte-Victoire Rose (SGD $75 per bottle)

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Update Oct-2017: Returned to Wine Universe Restaurant for a friend's birthday celebration, and found that the menu has changed, and expanded.

Ambience at Wine Universe Restaurant remains relaxing and casual, but on warm nights, it's still stuffy and uncomfortable to linger here. Service at Wine Universe Restaurant remains excellent, staff are still professional and display great product knowledge, very pleased with the engagement. Food at Wine Universe Restaurant remains focused on Swiss cuisine, though they now offer a greater selection of tapas, and fusion Modern Singaporean fondues.

Menu 2017

Menu 2017

The Cheese Fondue La Fribourgeoise Set (SGD $58) may be a renamed classic cheese fondue, but it's just as delicious as before. A large, steaming, 2 person portion of Cheese Fondue La Fribourgeoise (a mix of 50% vacherin cheese, 50% gruyère cheese, and white wine), rich and gooey thick in texture, is served with a Bread Bowl, Boiled Fingerling Potatoes, but now lacking the Garden Salad, except on request. Fun and satisfiying to eat.

Cheese Fondue La Fribourgeoise Set (SGD $58)

Boiled Fingerling Potatoes

Bread Bowl

Cheese Fondue La Fribourgeoise

Dipping

The Bruschetta (SGD $10) features crisp toasted baguette bread, spread with a sharp garlic spread, topped with fresh diced tomatoes and basil leaves. Juicy sweet and bright on the palate. Good!

Bruschetta (SGD $10)

Bruschetta

The Calamari Fritti (SGD $16) remains as good as before, the meaty sweet squid rings are still large and plump, with a delicate freshness. Coated in a crisp, crumb batter that crunches satisfiyingly. Good!

Calamari Fritti (SGD $16)

Calamari Fritti

The Lake Perch FIllets (SGD $15) are derived from the Eglifilet main course, but sized as a tapas instead. The golden brown breaded fillets of freshwater perch fish remain tender, flaky, and smooth in texture, with robust savoury salty flavour. Actually makes a pretty good bar snack, I can see why they created this!

Lake Perch FIllets (SGD $15)

Lake Perch FIllets

The Mid-Joint Chicken Wings (SGD $16) remains tasty, with the small, moist, tender chicken winglets retaining a savoury salty crust, with clean-tasting, sweet chicken meat. Still a decent appetizer.

Mid-Joint Chicken Wings (SGD $16)

Mid-Joint Chicken Wings

The Grilled Sausages (SGD $16) is a combo sausage platter, consisting of snappy savoury French Mustard Bratwurst, bouncy mild German Weisswurst, and chewy spicy Bio Chorizo sausages. Nicely meaty, satisfiying meat dish for carnivores.

Grilled Sausages (SGD $16)

Grilled Sausages

Loved the Wagyu Beef Cubes (SGD $22), though I think the portion was rather small. A 140g platter of tender, juicy, medium rare wagyu beef, served with yellow mustard and sea salt on the side. Each cube is a delicious morsel that nearly melts away in the mouth, coating the palate with bold savoury salty flavour, very enticing. Good!

Wagyu Beef Cubes (SGD $22)

Wagyu Beef Cubes

The Wine Brut De Brut Chardonnay Giroud 2012 (SGD $10 per glass, $65 per bottle) is an old world Swiss sparkling wine, produced by Giroud Vins winery in the Conthey district, in the Valais canton of Switzerland. It's made from 100% Chardonnay grapes, and has a clear, bubbly, pale yellow colour, with aromas of green apple, lemon, orange, and oak. Body is rich, smooth, and rounded, with tastes of grass, grapefruit, vanilla, and granny smith apple. This delicate aromatic tipple is elegant, fruity, and sweet, with mild citrus notes, giving it a luxurious feel.

Wine Brut De Brut Chardonnay Giroud 2012 (SGD $10 per glass, $65 per bottle)

Wine Brut De Brut Chardonnay Giroud 2012

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