SUPERTREE by IndoChine is perched atop the tallest tree in the garden, allowing guests to enjoy drinks and intimate dinners under star-lit skies while having the best view of the surrounding area.
The view is breathtaking. There is a 360-degree unobstructed view of the entire Gardens By The Bay area as well as the nearby Central Business District. The bistro is the only establishment atop the Supertree Grove, one of the most identifiable icons of the Marina Bay area in Singapore.
I arrive just before the sun sets and head straight to the alfresco rooftop bar area. This is the perfect time when the evening sky bursts into a glorious riot of colours. I like to just stand there and watch as darkness creep in and then the entire Raffles Place skyscrapers start illuminating one by one. After Mother Nature’s light show, I move down one level to the fully air-conditioned dining area. While ordering, I stress to the serving staff that I need to finish dinner before 8.45pm.
The menu offers a wide selection of Indochinese, Western and fusion dishes. After much deliberation, I finally decide on four dishes comprising a three-piece appetiser, soup, main course and dessert. The restaurant has a minimum spending policy of S$80 (RM252) per person during dinner.
I think my request must have reached the chef as my appetiser arrives quickly. It consists of three bite-sized morsels to tempt my tastebuds.
The delicious, full-bodied oyster with chilli lime and lemon dressing is simple and yet sumptuous. It is so fresh that I can also imagine myself at the Tasmanian shore shucking the mollusc myself.
Next is the crispy silver threadskin and scallop roll. The roll is very delicate and I have to gingerly hold it as I take my first bite. The marinated scallop filling goes very well with the accompanying sweet chilli dip.
The third and final piece on my white rectangular plate is the interesting combination of minced chicken and roasted organic brown rice wrapped in thin rice paper. The chicken pieces are well marinated and I like how the chef cleverly combines the rice crumbles with fresh garden salad to produce a tantalising earthy flavour.
The after result of the appetiser has me looking forward to the rest of the meal with great anticipation.
I have tried many versions of the cream of mushroom soup in the past but I must give the chef credit for attempting an Asian touch by incorporating lemongrass. The bite sized rice cracker is surprisingly hard and difficult to bite.
I prefer to let mine float in the soup for a few minutes to soften as well as absorb the lemongrass flavour. I apply pressure occasionally to make sure that the cracker is soft enough before I eat it.
The main dish is not a typical surf-and-turf combination. I am torn between eating either the lobster or the duck first. Both look equally tantalising. In the end, the halved wild caught Atlantic lobster wins the tussle. The chef has baked it to perfection and I like the marinade that makes the flesh a very tasty treat. I do not believe in wasting food and unabashedly grab the solitary claw with my hands to give it a gentle and yet firm twist.
The exoskeleton falls apart to reveal a reddish white flesh which I eat with much relish. The smoked duck is only slightly salty and I enjoy each slice by taking apart the crispy skin and enjoying it on its own before consuming the flesh.
Both sections have their contrasting flavours and texture. By separating them I get to enjoy both without confusing my palate. The salted roasted baby potatoes are very soft and I eat them whole with their skin intact.
I am feeling rather full after the main dish. My ensemble has so far proven to be amazing and I can appreciate the high standards here at the restaurant. Only the freshest ingredients will find their way to the table. The restaurant also showcases a menu that is nutraceutical where the food items served contain health-giving additives.
Furthermore, the restaurant has an eco-friendly practice where no endangered species are served.
Apart from the menu, great care has also been taken during the construction period where green wood made from rice husks and recyclable PET plastics are used instead of unsustainable hardwood timber. This place employs a heat exchange system that uses the hot air from the air conditioning system to heat up the interior when it gets too cold.
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My culinary adventure reaches its finale when I am served dessert. The coffee creme brulee is one of the most popular desserts here. It is such a treat when combined with the vanilla ice cream and thick Vietnamese coffee syrup. I savour each spoonful, hoping that it will last forever.
I take a quick glance at my watch and realise that it is time to leave. It is already 8.35pm. I have another 10 minutes to reach ground level and enjoy my free after-dinner show. I grab my bag containing a small foldable mat and take the lift down.
There is already a large crowd in the vicinity. I walk around to find a strategic spot to lay my mat and lie down. The Garden Rhapsody is an entertaining combination of music and light which happens daily at the Supertree Grove. There are two sessions. I suggest taking the second one as the first, at 7.45pm, is always very crowded.
Fast facts
• SUPERTREE by IndoChine
18 Marina Gardens Drive, #03-01, Gardens by the Bay, Singapore 018953
• Email: rsvp-supertree@indochine-group.com
• Tel: +65 6694 8489
HOURS
Lunch noon-5pm (Mondays to Sundays)
Dinner 5pm-11.30pm (Sundays to Thursdays) and 5pm to 12.30am (Fridays to Saturdays)
FOOD
Asian fusion cuisine at the top of the Supertree grove 50 metres high. Choose between the main dining area and rooftop bar.
pick Baked Wild Caught Atlantic Lobster, fresh seasonal oysters and coffee creme brulee
PAY
Rates are inclusive of GST and additional surcharges. There is a minimal spending policy in place during dinner.
MOOD Comfortable and cosy
SERVICE
Friendly and courteous
I say...
Go give it a try