Food Review: Zenden

4th Level Gallery Hotel, 76 Robertson Quay
Tel: 68498686
Opens daily from 11am to 12 midnight (1 am on Fridays, Saturdays and Eve of Public Holidays)
http://www.galleryhotel.com.sg/

In a place where traditional East meets contemporary West, Zenden (also formerly known as the G Café & G Club) offers its patrons the total package of wining and dining in style (It is a restaurant by day and a lounge at night).

Akin to a perfect fusion of the two totally different cultures, Zenden’s interior design oozes class but is yet, deceptively simple. By day, steel workman-like chairs (dressed up in funky pink and yellow covers) and suspended table-tops sparingly dot the Zen-like minimalist-styled main dining area. Also, three e-Mac computer terminals with free broadband internet access are located near the far end, offering diners the attractive option of surfing the Internet while enjoying their meals. By night however, the restaurant transforms into a kaleidoscope riot of colours and lights, with a table-top bar that springs into life and a huge dancing area earlier cleared of all table and chairs. Salsa nights are even conducted once every month!

Food-fare wise, Zenden derives its influence from Singapore’s rich gastronomic heritage in both the East and the West, and it is renowned for reinvigorating classical Western and Asian into modern contemporary cuisine.

Must try appetisers include the Carpaccio of Salmon (S$12.50) and its Curried Prawn and Mango Salad (S$10.50). While the Carpaccio of Salmon consists of thin slices of fresh salmon previously cured with home-made marinade, the side garnishes of crispy shirshamo fillet and ginger / apricot salsa is guaranteed to make any diner go weak in the knees. Ditto the Curried Prawn and Mango Salad, a dish of prawns mixed in curried mango sauce and accompanied by Indian pappadum sprinkled with cashew nuts.

Diners will also find it hard to resist popular main courses like the Panfried Cod Fish (which also happens to be Zenden’s award winning Chef William Koh’s signature dish). Consisting the most tender cod-fish one will ever find, this dish is topped in a garlic and sun-dried tomato paste and is served with a rice cake and garden salad. Other main courses like the Oven-Baked Scallops and Prawns (S$20.50) and the Lamb Paupiette (S$15) are also recommended. And for the more Asian-inclined diner, the Stir-fry Thai Style Fried Rice (S$10.50) comes recommended as well.

Finally, to top off the perfect meal (be it lunch or dinner), diners will find themselves spoilt for choice from a wide variety of exotic desserts. However, recommended desserts come in the form of the Pancake with Chestnuts (S$6) and Mixed Fruit Crumble (S$5). The former comes with stewed chestnuts soaked in toffee sauce and wrapped in pancake (with a generous dollop of vanilla ice cream thrown in for good measure) while the later consists a scoop of vanilla ice cream mixed lightly with stewed fruits and topped in warm buttered crumbles! Oooh…

Evening diners also have the option of creating their own 3-course Set Dinner (Appetiser or Soup/ Main Course / Dessert) from a variety of Appetisers, Soups, Main Courses and Desserts from its A La Carte menu. Prices range from S$29+++ per head to S$37+++ (inclusive of a glass of house selection white or red wine) per person.

The other main attraction of Zenden is its easy accessibility. It is located in the midst of the trendy Robertson Quay entertainment hub, is a mere 20 minute drive from Changi Airport and is easy access to most prominent entertainment areas in Singapore.

Carpaccio of Salmon

Baked Scallops and Prawns

Panfried Cod Fish

Lamb Paupiette

Pancake with Chestnuts

Zenden