Gordon Ramsay Crashes Out Of World's Top 50 Restaurants

Gordon Ramsay's flagship restaurant has fallen out of an influential list of the top 50 restaurants in the world, denting the chef’s once unimpeachable reputation.

Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, a small venue in the heart of Chelsea, has long been considered one of Britain’s finest, if not its best.

However, it would appear that dishes such as quail and foie gras pithivier with wild mushrooms, confit leg and celeriac remoulade, no longer impress the critics as they once did.

For the first time since Restaurant magazine started publishing its annual survey of the top restaurants in the world, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay has failed to make the top 50. In fact, the restaurant, last year ranked 13th, dropped out of the longer top 100 list altogether.

A spokesperson for Gordon Ramsay Holdings said: "Gordon takes all these sort of surveys with a pinch of salt. As always, Gordon regards his thousands of customers as his most valued critics. They are his judge and jury." Source

NEW! Fish & Co. Express @ Downtown East

Fish & Co. has opened its first seafood express concept in Singapore. Located at Downtown East, the restaurant will offer inexpensive seafood and burger value meals (all at S$5.95) to cater to families, students and the working crowd. Fish & Co. Express also brings to customers new fish burgers such as the Teriyaki salmon burger, Jap mayo burger and the sambal burger – a burger with a local twist featuring fish crowned with spicy chilli sambal, crispy ikan bilis and cucumber.

Excerpt from Asiacuisine E-zine, Volume 11, Issue 05 | 30 Jan 09 - 05 Feb 09

Norwegian Chef wins the Olympics of cooking

Chef of the year 2001 and 2002 in Norway Geir Skeie has cooked his way up to the top spot at the Bocuse d’Or in France. Dubbed the Olympics of cooking, the chef beat out competitors from Sweden, France and twenty-one other countries and walked away with a cash prize of 20 000 euros (S$39 520) and a golden statue of master chef Paul Bocuse, whom the competition is named after. Japan, the top ranking Asian team came in eighth while Singapore, represented by chef Jason Tan came in 18th at the competition.

The five and a half hour contest involves creating dishes using Scottish Aberdeen Angus beef, fresh cod, scallops and wild shrimp from Norway. This is the fourth time a Norwegian chef has won the top prize in the twelve years this competition has been in session.

Excerpt from Asiacuisine E-zine, Volume 11, Issue 05 | 30 Jan 09 - 05 Feb 09

Singapore's Most Romantic Restaurants

Mimolette
A secluded getaway surrounded by lush greenery.
Address: 55 Fairways Drive
Tel: 6467-7748
Signatured Dishes: Pan Fried Foie Gras ($30++); Pan-Seared Angus Tendorloin ($40++), Angel Food Cake ($14++) and Signatured Mimolette dessert.

Prive
A panoramic sea view from the marina plus customised cocktails served by fun bartenders who can entertain your date with magic tricks.
Address: Marina at Keppel Bay, 2 Keppel Bay Vista
Tel: 6776-0777
Must-have cocktail: The Habibi, which means The Beloved ($16). It has hints of saffron and citrus, and evokes Arabian mystery and love.

Il Lido Italian Dining & Bar
A snazzy Italian restaurant by the sea with a view of the Straits of Singapore and a sprawling golf course.
Address: #02-00 Sentosa Golf Club, 27 Bukit Manis Road
Tel: 6866-1977
Must-have cocktail: The Il Lidotini ($18+++), a cocktail made of Absolut Mandarin, Campari and Red vermouth, which is an Italian signature.

Jaan
Sky-high dining with a stunning view of the cityscape.
Address: 70F Swissotel The Stamford, 2 Stamford Road
Tel: 6837-3322
Signatured dishes: Alaskan king crab topped with royal snapper carpaccio; spicy gazpacho sorbet with fresh herb salad; Grade 9 wagyu beef with herb pistachio, wasabi potato cream and beef jus; caramel "snicker" bar with bourbon vanilla ice cream.

Kha
Modern Thai cuisine. Plus the lush outdoorsy setting will make you think that you are almost in Bali.
Address: #02-02 Hort Park, 33 Hyderabad Road
Tel: 6476-9000
Wine to order: "The Ned" Sauvignon Blanc 2008; it boasts great gooseberry notes. It's a rare find in Singapore as there are only limited quantities available. Best of all: It's a steal at $90 per bottle when other Sauvignon Blancs of this quality will cost over 100 bucks in a restaurant.

Woods By The Wine Company
A tucked-away forest-like enclave in Dempsey and a dinner bill that won't make you see red.
Address: Tanglin Village, 14-2 Dempsey Road
Tel: 6473-5428/ 6479-9341
Signature dishes: The oyster shooter with Bloody Mary, which is not just aphrodisiacal but very refreshing. Our chocolate molten lava cake is their top-seller and never fails to impress. These are part of our top-seller and never fails to impress. These are part of our three-course Valentine's Day menu ($75), which comes with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine.

Sapphire
Dining on a hilltop while watching the sunset over the ocean.
Address: The Jewel Box, 109 Mount Faber Bar
Tel: 6377-9688
Must-have cocktail: G.H. Mumm Champagne garnished with sugar-coated fresh strawberries ($27.60). It's an instant hit with the ladies.

Au Jardin
Modern European cuisine by chef Galvin Lim - the only Singaporean chef inducted into the pretigious Cotes des Bordeaux association - served in a black and white colonial bungalow.
Address: EJH House, Singapore Botanic Garden Visitor Centre
Tel: 6466-8812
Champagne to order: Bruno Paillard Rose Champagne NV ($210). This is from a boutique grower, which makes it all the more exclusive.

The Cliff
An over-the-top experience that's hard to beat. Think limousine service, a personal butler, and even diamonds.
Address: The Cliff, The Sentosa Resort and Spa, 2 Bukit Manis Road
Tel: 6275-0331/ 6371-1425
Best seat in the house: The balcony tables at the lower deck of The Cliff. As the restaurant is perched high atop a cliff, it offers a spectacular view of the South China Sea and an amazing sunset view.

Blu Restaurant & Bar
A stunning view of the cityscape - plus the option to dine in the privacy of the restaurant's wine cellar.
Address: 24F Shangri-La Hotel 22 Orange Grove Road
Tel: 6213-4598
Signatured dishes: For ladies, the Textured Lobster, which features lobster in roasted, foam and reduction versions, accompanied with tarragon, parmesan and mustard. For gentlemen, the Caviar Waffle, a combination of Asturia caviar, creme fraiche, chives and egg inside a small buckwheat waffle. These are part of the Valentine's set menu, which is priced at $398++ per couple.

Excerpt from Her World Singapore Magazine, February 2009 Issue

Editor's note: I bet these restaurants will be filled up during Valentine's Day.