Established in July 2009, Bistro du Vin is the casual French dining brand under the illustrious Les Amis group of restaurants and eateries that include the flagship Michelin 3-star Les Amis, Lino, among others.
When the door opens, you will most likely be greeted by Philippe Pau. Known as Ah Pau/Char Siew Pau to most chums, this Mr Bean lookalike was born in Bordeaux and was originally supposed to carry on the family tradition in the French Navy. However, due to his rebellious nature, he followed a close friend’s advice to join the F&B industry instead in 1982 at the age of 19.
We started with the classic French appetiser – Burgundy escargots baked with garlic herbs butter. Snails are purged, killed, shelled and cooked with garlic butter, chicken stock or wine, and then placed back into the shells with the butter and sauce for serving. The ingredients (meat and shell) are sourced separately these days and reconstructed in the kitchen. Bistro du Vin served theirs in ceramic ramekin.
The modern version of this soup originates in Paris in the 18th century, made from beef broth, and caramelised onions. Soupe à l’oignon or traditional Emmental gratinated French onion soup where onions get slowly cooked until sweet and caramelised, then simmered in rich broth until they’re practically falling apart. To finish it off, toasted bread is added to give it that lovable crisp-gone-soggy texture and a generous amount of Emmental cheese is melted on top.
Steak frites is a simple dish of beef steak alongside strips of deep-fried potato. Its origins trace back to France and Belgium, and it is a mainstay in the cuisine of both countries. Char-grilled Black Angus grain-fed ribeye & fries with red wine sauce was done medium rare, the cut of beef was not the tip-top however. The excellent cooking compensated the shortfall.
Afterthoughts
With its array of traditional dishes from all across France, Bistro du Vin is fully committed to delivering a truly authentic dining experience in a French bistro. No effort or expense has been spared in creating an ambience typical of a similar establishment in France, from the furnishing right down to the convivial service style, music and memorabilia decorating its walls.
The food here was solid, deeply rooted to their origins in France. Any more French, you need to buy a plane ticket to France. Very popular and often booked out for lunch and dinner, so a reservation is a must.
Bistro Du Vin
1 Scotts Rd, #01-14 Shaw Centre, Singapore 228208
Tel: +65 6733 7763
Date visited : Feb 2022
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