A new wine and dine destination has emerged at Clarke Quay. VLV has taken over the 1,858 sqm lifestyle venue that used to be The Forbidden City by Indochine where I used to frequent during my banking days. The area where terracotta warriors used to line the entrance is now a spacious unblocked open space courtyard where you can enjoy drinks with light snacks. It did not take me long to get used to the new look at a familiar favourite haunt. All it took were two bottles of Charles Heidsieck Brut priced at S$180 each with great company one weekday evening, and I fell in love with this place all over again.
One thing to note. VLV’s Club Lounge at 6pm while the Courtyard opens at 12pm till 3am. We were there at 4.30pm and the Courtyard was just way too hot to be having drinks al fresco at that time of the day. But from 6pm onwards, the place transforms into a well shaded recluse as the sun sets.
The selection of beverages are quite varied in my opinion. There’s the range of Charles Heidiecks, Dom Perignons, Louis Roederer Cristals and Armand De Brignac Brut champagnes. Go for the 2004 Louis Roederer Cristal Methuselah, 6L priced at S$18,888 but don’t forget to invite us. And if that is too mainstream for you, then maybe the S$1,088 bottle of Armand De Brignac Brut would better suit your taste buds.
There’re also wines, cocktails, spirits, draught beer and non alcoholic beverages. As a single malt drinker, I was not very impressed with the limited single malt list. There was only Kavalan Classic, Macallan Sherry Oak 12 and 18 years all priced from S$238 to S$828 per bottle. But their Japanese Whiskey selection saved the day. There are the Nikka Barrel 50cl (S$208) or the 12 years Nikka (S$428), Hibiki (S$438) or Yamazaki (S$438) available by the glass or bottle.
Light bites are available at the courtyard. What’s not to agree that Calamari goes well during happy hours.
Dining at VLV level 2
We proceeded on to a dinner tasting on the second floor where the lighting was elegantly dim. Seating here is well spaced out so that diners have a sense of privacy and space. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner daily. Lunch is served from 12pm to 3pm while dinner starts from 6pm till 11pm.
Throughout the night Executive Head Chef Martin Foo whipped out dishes after dishes so that we had our fill. Chef Martin has over 25 years of culinary and management experience. He spent nine years at Tung Lok Group with his last appointment as the Senior Executive Chef at Tong Le Private Dining. Before that he launched Tung Lok Signatures as well as Tong Le Private Dining where he started and popularised individually-plated set tasting menus for Chinese fine dining. Chef Martin also spent 17 years at Lei Garden Group.
Chef Martin curates a menu of Cantonese flavours and seafood variations for modern day dining at VLV.
For starters, there was this delicious Canadian Lobster Wonton priced at S$16. Something to order if you enjoy fried wontons.
Oh this crackling pork belly, sinful as it is, is absolutely fabulous. The crispy crackling skin with the soft tender meat. Priced at S$18 for a portion with a plating that befits a fine dining restaurant. Delicious to taste, and beautiful to look at.
We shared half a duck for the the Black Truffle Roasted Duck (as shown in the photo above). The Black Truffle Roasted Duck is available at S$90 for a whole duck.
This claypot Sizzling Romaine Lettuce, priced at S$24, seemingly pricey, tastes fabulous with crunchy greens and freshly sliced prawns that goes well with a bowl of white rice.
What blew many of us away at the table is the Kimchi Seafood Fried Rice. Priced at S$28, this claypot fried rice comes in generous servings of seafood and white bait. The Kimchi taste was not overpoweringly intense. I will be back for more of this dish. My appetite has always been small so the Kim Chi Fried Rice will be perfect for sharing.
Set lunch is also available here.
Desserts at VLV
Even the desserts are well presented. With so much to eat, I barely had the space for any desserts. Everything at VLV has to look good. From dry ice smoked effect to decorative pieces, finishing up your desserts here is also experiential.
The Luo Han Jelly is served in a small coconut and is priced at S$12.
Or if you didn’t already have enough for dinner, go for the Or Nee which is Yam paste with a scoop of ice cream. This is also priced at S$12.
If you asked me whether I would return for more, my answer would be a yes. I like the food. It is comfort food, especially Chef Martin’s noodles and rice dishes. There are many other dishes on the menu which I have yet to try. Dining here will be prefect for business meals, or just with your family or friends.
VLV is located at 3A Merchant’s Court, River Valley Road, #01-02, Singapore 179020. Call +6566610197 or email reservation@vlv.life for reservations.
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