A quick walk passed the alfreso area of District 10 Bar & Restaurant at UE Square (located across Robertson walk) would have me dismissed it as just another after-work watering hole, if I did not venture deeper into their premises which also houses an indoor bar, dining hall and private dining room. Recently revamped, the new spruced up look of this District 10 flagship outlet (the other outlets are at Star Vista and Clarke Quay) is of absolute chic gorgeousness, reflecting a gastrobar concept which is contemporary yet suitably cosy for dinner and drinks in a relaxed ambience.
While I may not be the best person to fully appreciate the 80 different labels of wine which District 10 has to offer, I'm sure it will appeal to wine connoisseurs out there, especially with prestigious labels from Europe such as Antinori and Tenuta.
The choices of exotic gin cocktails from watermelon to sugarcane inspired concoctions are greater in appeal to me, and my recommendation would be the D10 Punch ($34), which is a blend of Moscato wine, crème de cassis, dark rum, apples, strawberries, mixed berries and ginger ale. Very refreshing and easy to drink, each jar is sufficient for three or four people to share.
Also making a guess that with happy hours running daily from 11am to 8pm featuring 1-for-1 promotion on draft beer, housepour spirits, housepour wines by the glass and gin tonics plus pizza of the day at only $10 nett, it would make many people happy everyday!
District 10's menu has also been refreshed as the group's Executive Chef Luca notches it up with more gourmet offerings, as well as bringing over signature favorites from the closed Bonta which is still searching for a perfect new location.
Starters, pizzas, pastas and mains (prices start from $13 to $45) make up the bulk of the dining menu, while the al fresco menu offers bar bites like Homemade Duck Spring Rolls with Sweet Chilli Dressing ($12) and Fried Calamari with Wasabi Mayonnaise ($12). Locally-inspired creations including Pandan-Coconut Pancake with Gula Melaka Syrup ($9) and Pizza with Wagyu Beef Cheek Rendang ($29) are available during weekend brunches.
Our dinner started off fantastically with a very memorable District 10 Homemade Bread (complimentary) with sundried tomatoes, feta cheese and walnuts. Wonderfully aromatic, the bread was warm, soft with a light crust. Simply lovely!
A starter definitely worth ordering is the Pan-fried Goose Liver ($20). Quite a generous serving at reasonable price, the goose liver was a perfectly-seared slab of indulgence with luscious melt-in-the-mouth fattiness. The wild berries sauce and a drizzle of balsamic syrup provided some respite from the richness, accompanying the goose liver beautifully.
Next, we had the Green Asparagus ($18) which was much simpler in comparison, but no less enjoyable when combined with fried sunny-side-up and sage butter. But I thought the price was slightly on the higher end for a rather ordinary dish. Also well received by our table is the Burratina Cheese ($18) dressed with peas, sun-dried tomato puree and extra virgin olive oil.
The Homemade Angel Hair Pasta with Lobster ($38) arrived glistening in a cheerful shade of bright orange from its coat of tomato sauce and topped with chunks of lobster. Looks promising but the texture of this angel hair came across as a tad too mushy and clumpy for my liking, personally preferring a more al dente bite.
Though I enjoyed my portion of Homemade Foie Gras Ravioli ($34), a decadent treat of goose liver stuffed in little pockets of pasta which was superbly flavorsome in a blend of parmesan sauce and scamorza cheese, it has proved to be uncomfortably surfeit after a while. I can't imagine finishing a whole plate on my own. Still worth a try but sharing it with your dining companions would be the better way to go.
I'm craving for some awesome Natural-cut Fries Deep-fried in Goose Fats as I'm writing this! Served as a side to the Signature Black Angus Beef Striploin with Fried Egg and Black Truffle ($36), ooh... it was so divinely yummilicious and very much threatening to steal the thunder away from the prime beef itself lol. Grilled over hot charcoal, the beef would be most ideal in medium-rare doneness.
Equally delectable is the Crispy Goose Leg Confit ($36), served over a bed of comforting soft potato mousse. But eventually, it was the Roasted Atlantic Cod Medallion ($32) which stole my heart away with its moist tender flesh which only needs a dash of Spanish smoked parika and herbs oil to accentuate its freshness.
The crowd-pleaser dessert would be the Traditional Italian Tiramisu ($14) but my recommendation would go to the Cinnamon Apple Fritters ($12). Encased in a outer layer of crispy goodness, the sharpness of green apples within was excellently invigorating to the senses with each bite. The taste was well balanced with a dusting of icing sugar and rounded up with notes of cinnamon.
That concluded my meal on a feeling most high and I told myself, I will come here again just to have this once more. With an overall above-average food standard, vibrant contemporary vibes and convenient location, I really have no reason not to.
Thanks to FoodNews for the invitation and District 10 for the hospitality.
District 10 Bar & Restaurant (UE Square)
Address: 81 Clemenceau Avenue, #01-15/16/17 UE Square Shopping Mall, Singapore 239917
Contact: +65 67384788
Website: http://www.district10.com.sg/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/District10BarandRestaurant
Opening Hours
Lunch: 11.30am - 2.30pm (Mon - Fri)
Brunch: 11am - 3pm (Sat, Sun & Public Holiday)
Tea: 2.30pm - 5.30pm (Mon - Fri) / 3pm - 5.30pm (Sat, Sun & Public Holiday)
Dinner: 5.30pm - 11pm (Sun - Thu) / 5.30pm - 1am (Fri & Sat)
I was there too :) I pretty like the angel hair pasta. Similarly, if I were to choose, Cinnamon Apple Fritters would be my preference!
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