The Wine Company
14D Dempsey Road
6 Sentosa Gateway
#01-08 Sentosa Boardwalk
1 Netheravon Road
#01-04 Village Hotel Changi
http://www.thewinecompanyonline.com.sg/
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| Yong Tau Foo Capellini (SGD $8.90) |
Fine Wine & Dine Experience
(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 8
Ambience & Setting: 7
Food & Beverage: 8
Service: 8
Value for Money: 8
Spent about SGD $52 per person.
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Established more than a decade ago in June 2003 by founding partners Victor Szechenyi, Belinda Lim, Dan Yeong, and Mizuho Pawlowski, The Wine Company is now among the most established wine restaurants in Singapore. Offering an extensive selection of over 300 wine labels sourced from over 50 wineries worldwide, The Wine Company also serves up a decent menu of Modern Singaporean dishes to complement their drinks.
Ambience at The Wine Company is heavy on wood, rather like a private wine cellar. The place is dimly lit, with comfortable couches, rattan-backed chairs, and sturdy wooden tables lined up neatly. Woven rugs, in vibrant shades of red, hang on the walls as decor. Most times, the place is rather quiet, and lends well to inimate meals. I also like the various wine bottles stacked on the shelves along the walls, this allows diners to easily browse the labels available.
Service at The Wine Company is attentive and efficient, though it seems there's only at most 1 or 2 staff around. Despite the lean manpower, staff are polite with guests, paying good attention, and assist in fulfilling requests quickly. Because the menu has detailed descriptions, there's little need for staff to display product knowledge, though we found they're relatively unsure of current promotions. However, they are quick at clearing away empty / dirty plates. Orders take a short while to fulfill, even during non-peak periods.
Food at The Wine Company is Modern Singaporean fusion, a blend of Western and Asian ingredients and flavours. The result is unique bar snacks, appetizers, and main courses which you won't find anywhere else. Generally, taste of most dishes here is passable and decent. Portions are nicely sized for individuals. What stands out is the extensive variety of wine labels, I was more interested in seeing how the different wines paired with the fusion flavours. Prices are mid-range, comparable to most restaurants. Budget about SGD $52 per person for a meal with wines here.
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| The Wine Company Exterior |
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| The Wine Company Interior |
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| Seating Outdoors |
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| Seating Indoors |
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| Seating Lounge |
The Salt & Pepper Squid (SGD $9.90) have fresh, bouncy squid rings, having a light sweet flavour. The light coating of batter is slightly crisp, with notes of salty and peppery, yet it's nicely balanced. Decent enough.
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| Salt & Pepper Squid (SGD $9.90) |
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| Salt & Pepper Squid |
We were divided over the Pepper Seared Tuna (SGD $9.90). On one hand, the bold notes from the pepper crust lends a burst of flavour, and the coat sticks really well. On the other, the tuna fish slices were marinated in soy, giving it a light salty sweet flavour, however, it lacks the signature freshness.
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| Pepper Seared Tuna (SGD $9.90) |
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| Pepper Seared Tuna |
The Deep-Fried Crispy Pork Belly (SGD $7.90) is an indulgent sharing appetizer. The cubes of pork belly have a good amount of fat and a nice chew, a juicy and savoury sweet interior, and a crisp exterior coated with spice, which lends a pleasing mouthfeel. So unhealthy, yet so good.
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| Deep-Fried Crispy Pork Belly (SGD $7.90) |
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| Deep-Fried Crispy Pork Belly |
The Nam Yee Chicken Wings (SGD $9.90) were disappointing. While the chicken has a lovely savoury flavour from the fermented red beancurd used to coat the skin, the actual meat wasn't completely cooked when served.
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| Nam Yee Chicken Wings (SGD $9.90) |
Loved the simple yet varied options in the Charcuterie Platter (SGD $24.90 Half, $34.90 Full). Featuring a selection of 30g truffle salami, 30g pancetta, 30g prosciutto, 30g chicken liver pate, 40g cheddar cheese, 40g morbier cheese, pickled gherkins, black and green olives, yellow mustard, strawberry jam, dried figs, walnuts, plain crackers, and baguette bread slices. Good!
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| Charcuterie Platter (SGD $24.90 Half, $34.90 Full) |
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| Charcuterie Platter |
The Yong Tau Foo Capellini (SGD $8.90) is an interesting modern fusion take on a Singaporean classic. Featuring 160g of thin, long capellini pasta noodles, done al-dente with a slight bite, served in a sweet salty fermented black bean sauce. Garnished with a mix of fish paste stuffed tofu beancurd, bitter gourd, fish cake, brinjal / eggplant / aubergine, and green chili. Lovely flavours, though the sauce is rather bold, instead of delicate. Would order again. Good!
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| Yong Tau Foo Capellini (SGD $8.90) |
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| Yong Tau Foo Capellini |
The Pig Trotter Bee Hoon (SGD $6.90) is only available at lunch, and is among their more popular modern fusion dishes. Featuring 80g of thin, long rice vermicelli bee hoon noodles, garnished with Chinese Hokkien style braised pig trotters in a robust dark soy sauce, Chinese 5-spice, and herbs braising sauce. The chunks of pork meat, fat, and tendon have completely absorbed all the flavours of the sauce, becoming incredibly tender and fall-off-the-bone in texture. Notes of sweet salty savoury, really nice. Good!
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| Pig Trotter Bee Hoon (SGD $6.90) |
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| Pig Trotter Bee Hoon |
The Chocolate Molten Lava Cake (SGD $12.90) is served with fresh slices of strawberries, chocolate sauce, crushed peanuts, and a quenelle of smooth, milky vanilla ice cream. But the star is the rich chocolate cake, with a moist texture and robust sweet chocolate flavour to the sponge cake. Cut in, and the thick, gooey chocolate oozes out sexily. Super shiok. Highly recommended!
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| Chocolate Molten Lava Cake (SGD $12.90) |
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| Chocolate Molten Lava Cake |
The Wine Steigelmann Gimmeldinger Meerspinne Riesling Kabinett Halbtrocken 2014 (SGD $55.90 per bottle) is a white wine, produced by winemaker Thomas Steigelmann in the Gimmeldinger Meerspinne winery, in the Palatinate region of the Rhineland-Palatinate state of Germany. Made from 100% Riesling grapes, it has a bright, clear, green yellow colour, with aromas of green apple, passionfruit, apricot, and granadilla. Body is smooth, light, and lively, with tastes of acacia honey, honeydew melon, peach, and crysthanamum flowers. Finish is quick and clean. Distinctly fruity sweet yet well balanced, very pleasant and refreshing.
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| Wine Steigelmann Gimmeldinger Meerspinne Riesling Kabinett Halbtrocken 2014 (SGD $55.90 per bottle) |
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| Wine Steigelmann Gimmeldinger Meerspinne Riesling Kabinett Halbtrocken 2014 |
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| Wine Steigelmann Gimmeldinger Meerspinne Riesling Kabinett Halbtrocken 2014 |
The Wine Bushmanspad Estate Shiraz 2015 (SGD $59.90) is a red wine, produced by winemaker Arthur Basson in the Bushmanspad Estate winery, in the town of Ashton in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Made from 100% Shiraz / Syrah grapes, it has a deep, dark, red purple colour, with aromas of redcurrant, raspberries, toffee, and cloves. Body is smooth, silky, and rounded, with tastes of dark cherry, chocolate, blackcurrant, and nutmeg. Finish is juicy and meaty. Refined with sweet savoury spicy notes, very elegant and pleasing.
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| Wine Bushmanspad Estate Shiraz 2015 (SGD $59.90) |
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| Wine Bushmanspad Estate Shiraz 2015 |
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| Wine Bushmanspad Estate Shiraz 2015 |
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CONVERSATION