The Place A relatively new hotel in the CBD, Xperience at Sofitel So Singapore is the lobby restaurant of the hotel serving up modern European cuisine. With its central location and cosy ambience, I can imagine the restaurant to be a popular choice for business lunches.

The Food With a focus on French creations packed with local influences, Xperience has recently revamped its menu to include new additions as well as retain its all-time favourites such as the Lobster & Scallop Laksa Risotto and Foie Gras & Truffle Siew Mai. The new menu all about pairing contrasting flavours and creating surprises in each bite.

To celebrate the launch of the new menu, Xperience Restaurant is offering 25% off the total a la carte food bill, available for weekday dinners and weekends only. Offer is valid from 22 May to 31 July 2015.

The Pan Seared Foie Gras, Beluga Lentil and Hazelnut ($21) is a good start to the meal. Surprisingly, the Foie Gras goes well with the lentils and hazelnut, which showcases an overall balanced flavour.

The other starter which got the table excited was the Truffle Pao with Short Ribs Stuffing ($25). The truffle aroma of the Asian Pao was unmistakable, while the short ribs lends it a nice French touch in this fusion dish.


For mains, the Grilled Beef Tenderloin, Mushroom, Asparagus and Condiments ($36) scores on its side dishes. While there is no surprise element to the succulently grilled grass-fed Black Angus tenderloin, I particularly enjoyed its refreshing pairing with the asparagus & basil purée, which is drizzled with balsamic vinegar & yuzu reduction.

The Cauliflower and Mushroom Texture ($23) was one of the most delightful dish of the meal. For someone who doesn’t relish in cauliflower, the presentation caught me by surprise as it is prepared in three forms – purée, grilled and fresh. The cauliflower purée is my favourite rendition of the vegetable, not too creamy and it brings out the freshness of the flower as well. As a mushroom lover, the bunashimeiji mushrooms, dehydrated king oyster mushrooms and Vietnamese rice paper dusted with mushroom salt are nice and creative compliments to the Cauliflower.

Desserts wise, the White Chocolate and Yuzu Crémeux ($16) is another highlight of the meal. I always think of White Chocolate as the much sweeter cousin of Dark Chocolate, thankfully the citrusy Yuzu sorbet managed to lend a balance to the chocolate sweetness.

Rants Be warned. There are no carparks (only 4 lots to be exact) at Sofitel So Singapore and their taxi stand hides sneakily at the back alley.

Will I return again? Living up to its name, Xperience brings you on a culinary journey fusing together French food with Asian elements. I will be keen to recommend this to the CBD folks – centralised location, with good food and not to forget their rooftop Hi-So Bar (which is getting a tad too crowded every Wednesday!).

Make your reservation instantly at Xperience here.

TheRantingPanda says:
Taste bud: 4/5
Hole in the pocket: 4/5
Ambience: 3.5/5
Overall Experience: 4/5

Xperience
Sofitel So Singapore
35 Robinson Road, Singapore 068876
Tel: +65 6701 6800

Opening hours:
11.30am – 2pm / 12 – 2pm
Monday to Friday: 11.30am to 2pm; 6:30pm to 10.30pm
Saturday to Sunday: 12 to 2pm; 6:30pm to 10.30pm

Ranted by The Ranter