A few days ago, this was my MSN nick: “My greatest desire now: going ala carte at JAAN hahaha”. At that point, dining in super atas swanky Jaan par André was a dream. Never would I imagine that it would come true so soon!
Located at the 70th level of the Equinox Complex, an awesome view of Singapore and lovely ambience are almost certainly a guarantee. It’s 1 of the little pleasures in life to dine on fine cuisine while enjoying a panoramic view of the city and beyond. Not surprisingly, dinner stretched to a long leisurely 4+hrs.
A tall, narrow vase glass of Grissini Sticks with an Eggplant Dip was served as soon as orders were taken. In parmesan and squid ink flavours, I call these “high class bread sticks”. Don’t underestimate their size, these thin twigs were highly addictive to nosh on!
A glass or two of Pinot Noir ($25++) seems appropriate for the beautiful setting.
Couldn’t resist taking another shot!
Smartly groomed waiters moved discreetly around with a bread basket in hand, offering a free flow of assorted bread. I tried the Onion Roll which was crispy but nothing exceptional. Bread is just bread to me.
Complimentary amuse bouche: Tomato Gazpacho with a scoop of Tomato Puree.
It kicks off the meal to a good start! Cold and refreshing, it whets the appetite for more.
Sea Urchin/King Crab ($58++): Symphony of Mediterranean sea urchin and Alaskan king crab. Served in 3 temperatures and kaffir lime consommé.
Out of the trio, this is my favourite part of the appetiser: a log of sweet and juicy meaty crab wrapped in a jelly-like casing and topped with sea urchin.
The clear kaffir lime consommé is very richly flavored, unlike any I’ve tried before.
Risotto is cleverly hidden under a sea of foam in a sea urchin bowl. I like that risotto is not creamy/mushy; rather, it leans towards the drier side with generous chunks of crabmeat.
Blue Fin Tuna ($56++): Grilled tuna belly “Otoro” on an aubergine ratte potato tartine. Smoked basil oil and aromatic charcoal powder.
For fish lovers, there is nothing quite like fresh grilled tuna. Definitely of a high quality, the fatty tuna belly wasn’t tough at all.
Filet De Goby ($78++): Marble goby baked in salt crust, “Étrille” crab bouillon and its crispy rissole. On Truffle Polenta “Crèmeux”.
I really love everything about this! Goby is not usually served in restaurants and the soft silky texture reminds me somewhat of cod. The fennel, squids and “wanton” ravioli filled with crabmeat were the perfect accompaniments to the fish.
Never will I see polenta in the same light again. Who would have thought that the humble cornmeal can be created into something so sinfully delectable? Of course, the truffle definitely helps! Anything with truffle will taste good to me.
Wild Barracuda ($68++): Wild baby barracuda char grilled, smoked poivrade artichoke, and roasted Brittany wheat.
I stole a sample of this and again, there were no complaints with the execution.
Vintage Chocolate ($22++): Vintage chocolate spice ganache, milk marmalade ice cream. And caramel pull-chocolate. Wow, this was dramatically presented with a flourish. Not only was it visually appealing, it tasted even better! Smooth and very bittersweet, chocolate lovers will love this.
Snickers 2009 ($22++): Snickers version 2009. I’m sure you’ve tried Snickers before. But a deluxe rendition? It’s a far cry from the simple chocolate ball. This version is a potent concoction of peanut butter, chocolate sponge cake and sticky caramel topped with peanut crumbs.
Complimentary Petite Fours: Only the white chocolate popsicle with liquid berry impresses. Nevertheless, it was a nice end to the longest and nicest meal I’ve ever had.
I’m really at a loss at expressing the whole dining experience in words. I mean, there are only so many ways I can say something’s delicious—Scrumptious! Luscious! Mouthwatering!—without sounding like a broken record. Everything was just so wonderful that you have to be there to experience it yourself to understand.
Delicious redefined.
It looked scrumptious indeed! I’m so envious you could go there!
One word: Envious.
the blue fin tuna looks so……..wow!!!
Im starting work @ swissotel the stamford so perhaps i can get a discount to dine there!
hahahaahaaha…..who is the guy????????
how much did u spent in total?
Jaan’s another on my “to-go” list! Lucky girl!!!!!!!! You’re the second in a week to rave about Jaan… Was this the degustation menu?
jaan is also on my to-visit list someday!! You’re one lucky girl!!!!!! It’s the second time I’m hearing the raving reviews of Jaan within a week….heh, must’ve been out of this world good eh! 😉 You went for the degustation menu?
foodaholic: ya the experience was really fantastic! Nope, we went ala carte instead. Degustation menu was too ex!
huiyuan: cool, it’s definitely a must go especially if you get discount!! are you working in one of the restaurants there? can drop by and support you! =)
wy: haha, what made you think there’s a guy?????
puff & angeline: don’t be envious.. go for it someday! =D
hi, lovely review :)..were all these dishes shared? or you one person ate them all? just wondering about the price per person 🙂
They are shared. Though I think I can eat them all! It was that delicious haha. We went ala carte and ordered 3 courses each. Price per person depends on what you order =) Unless you go for the degustation menu which is more than $200++!
I like the way your food photo is taken. What lens and camera you are using? You using a Macro lens?
Hi Leon, thanks! I’m not using a DSLR. It’s just good old canon G10. Still learning the ropes.
omg.. super atas sia.. i wonder if u ran up $300
Hey Kaelyn. Loving your use of your G10 (it’s not that old it’s only been out for a year!) and your eye for good composition. Keep the great pictures coming! Cheers.
Woot..I going to dine there..for dinner..Heard there is a card call Raffles Card is it? Heard can get 50% discount..then i can get the degus..LOL..gonna put Iggy’s on hold LOL..
Cool!!! Must share your experience with me k! Yup its the Raffles Card. I’m so envious you have it! The degus menu will be more affordable with it =D
haha..borrow from my uncle..hope they dunno abt it..LOL..will share the exp..Np..
Impressive blog. My co-workers and I were just talking about this the other night. Also your post looks great on my old laptop. Now thats uncommon. Nice work.
Chef Andre is leaving Jaan next month already 😦 And I didn’t even get a chance to go try! But luckily he will be opening his own restaurant.
Really! Where’s his new restaurant?
the whole dish is awesome….
but somehow i didn’t understand why the chef sometimes put the foamy bubbles in as details of the presentation….
i thought it looks like a spoiled food…
thats why i really hate it