Celebrity chef Justin Quek is opening a new restaurant in Tang Plaza! Aptly named JUSTIN, the gastro cafe serves modern Asian fusion with familiar flavours in French preparations.
French Bistro-Style Interior
The restaurant will officially open on 16 August 2023 and is located at the top floor of Tang Plaza.
It boasts a stylish blue and white colour palette reminiscent of French cafes, with a touch of Asian decor.
JUSTIN Menu
The menu ranges from brunch to dim sum to dessert! Their starters range from Mushroom Cappuccino with Praline Toast ($16) to Pan Roasted French Duck Foie Gras Escalope ($26).
The mains feature items like Braised French Corn Fed Chicken In Jura Yellow Wine ($35) and Chef Justin’s famous Fresh Crabmeat Capellini “LKY” ($30), a dish he cooked for late Prime Minister Lee Kwan Yew.
For those who like variety, sharing plates are available in Asian and French styles. Try the Wok Fried Kampot Black Pepper Australian-Fed Beef ($40) or French Fries Scented with Truffle Dust And Grated Parmesan ($18).
Dessert options include a Flourless Souffle ($18) and Kapok Banana Split Fritters with Salted Gula Java Ice Cream ($16).
They are also open for Brunch with items like Croque Madame ($20), plus bar bites for drinks including Grilled Fresh Chicken Liver with Raspberry Vinegar Sauce ($10 for 2 sticks).
Scrambled Eggs
You can get Scrambled Eggs ($20) with sourdough as an item on the brunch menu. We got to try it with Pronto caviar and champagne sauce as a topping (an additional $20).
These were the creamiest and richest scrambled eggs we’ve tried, with an almost melt-in-your-mouth texture. There were also notes of the butter, complete with the saltiness of the caviar.
Wild Mushrooms, Poached Egg Parmentier
Another brunch item is the Wild Mushrooms, Poached Egg Parmentier ($28). A Parmentier is a French preparation of potatoes, almost like a creamy potato sauce.
The base is sauteed mushrooms with cured Iberico pork for a savoury flavour, complemented well by the creamy egg yolk and a slight earthiness of the Parmentier. It’s served with sourdough bread to scoop everything up!
Housemade Iberico Pork Char Siu Fried Mantou
The Housemade Iberico Pork Char Siu Fried Mantou ($18 for 3 pieces) featured char siu and pickled vegetables, reminiscent of a banh mi!
We enjoyed the fattiness of the meat, cut through by the tang of pickled cucumber. Our only complaint was that the mantou was too oily – it would probably be much better enjoyed freshly fried.
Salade De Printemps
The Salade De Printemps ($28) is one of their signature dishes, which featured an artful display of vegetables and couscous. Each element had its own flavour and texture, ranging from sweet tomatoes to crunchy asparagus topped with basil oil.
The combination of the different vegetables was quite appetizing and we appreciated the effort that went into the plating!
Korean Ikan Bilis “Myeolchi” Fried Rice
A unique take on the homely Kampung-style fried rice, the Korean Ikan Bilis “Myeolchi” Fried Rice ($23) was made with Korean anchovies!
All in all, it was well-executed fried rice. Each grain was fully coated in a fragrant oil and a strong wokhey. The additional sambal sauce (which is from Chef Justin’s retail brand) was the star, adding a punchy, flavourful spice.
Fresh Crabmeat Capellini “LKY”
The Fresh Crabmeat Capellini “LKY” ($30) is Chef Justin’s star dish. He had cooked it especially for Lee Kwan Yew for over 20 years!
The dish features thin noodles tossed in oil infused with garlic, chilli and crab shells, creating a very appetizing fragrance. It had a strong umami and crab flavour; without being too oily or overwhelming. We think it could have a stronger seasoning to bring out the flavours better.
Crepinettes of Pig Trotter “Perigordine”
The most memorable dish for us was the Crepinettes of Pig Trotter “Perigordine” ($42). It featured braised pig trotters, mashed potatoes and thyme jus (gravy).
The pig trotter was braised till melt-in-your-mouth tender, infused with a deep umami flavour. This paired perfectly with the buttery smooth potato mousseline and crunchy carrots!
Desserts
We got to try a few classic French-style desserts, starting with the Freshly Baked Fine Apple Tart on Crepe Pan ($40). The crunch of the flaky pastry and thin apple slices was pleasant, plus it wasn’t too sweet! Perfect with their housemade vanilla ice cream.
For something refreshing, try the Pineapple Carpaccio, Calamansi Sorbet ($15). It looked simple with thinly shaved pineapple infused in syrup and lime zest – but was surprisingly good! The syrup removed the acidity of the pineapple while complementing it with a citrusy flavour.
The Classic Crepe Suzette ($33) was made fresh by Chef Justin, with a flambe of Grand Marnier. We quite enjoyed the combination of orange, butter and slight smokiness of the alcohol without any of the punchiness.
Another well-executed dessert was the Freshly Baked Fiancer ($12 for 6pc). These were served warm, with a crisp outside and fluffy buttery interior. We recommend this with their coffee from the Australian brand Vittoria Coffee.
Asian Fusion Cuisine In Orchard
Chef Justin’s French background shines through in his dishes, expertly merging them with Asian flavours. We enjoyed the dishes but think it’s better suited for special occasions at its price point.
JUSTIN
Level 4, TANGS @ Tang Plaza, 310 Orchard Road, Tang Plaza, Singapore, 238864
All-Day Dining: Open daily, 12.30pm-11pm
Brunch: Mon-Thur: 11am-12.30pm, Fri-Sun & Public Holiday: 10am to 12.30pm
Afternoon tea: Open daily, 2.30pm-5.30pm
Social Hour: Sun-Thur, 5pm-8pm
For reservations, justin.sg@justinquek.com / Call: +65 6908 3003 / WhatsApp: +65 8347 0999
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