A Summer Transformation at Odette
Embracing the Season
Summer has graced Chef Julien Royer’s Odette, a celebrated gem in Singapore’s culinary landscape, with a striking transformation. The restaurant’s interiors have undergone a delightful metamorphosis, leaving behind the soft pastel pinks of spring for a warmer palette steeped in earthy ember shades. Anchored by the familiar soft beige undertones, these updates signal a new phase of relaxed elegance, reflective of both the season and the restaurant’s evolution over its decade-long journey.
A Fresh Dining Experience
Stepping into the refreshed dining room, guests can immediately sense the airy openness. Tables are thoughtfully spaced, enhancing the intimacy of each dining experience while maintaining a feeling of spaciousness. This is a place where every seat claims its own spotlight, a nod from the host’s welcoming words. A notable change includes the shift from long, double-layered tablecloths to shorter single layers, promoting a relaxed ambiance that feels confident and unpretentious—aptly mirroring Odette’s 10 years of mastery in fine dining.
A Breath of Fresh Air
The centerpiece of the restaurant features a new marble-topped wine counter, strategically placed to offer an unobstructed view of the wine experience, right down to the intimate moment of bottle openings. Adding to the allure, an artificial skylight bathes the interiors in a warm glow during the day, creating a soothing moonlit atmosphere by night. Additionally, sound-absorbing partitions and intricate paper sculptures by artist Dawn Ng, inspired by Chef Julien’s culinary artistry, contribute to a sensory feast that extends beyond the palate.
Culinary Evolution
Odette’s summer addition goes beyond aesthetics; the menu has also been thoughtfully reworked following a brief hiatus last year. While the restaurant continues to honor its French culinary roots, Asian influences now find their way into the dishes. This melding of cultures is a natural progression for Chef Julien, given his extensive experience in Asia and Odette’s long-standing relationship with the National Gallery.
Beloved staples such as the Kampot pepper-crusted pigeon and Jeju abalone and foie gras duo remain, intertwining tradition with innovation.
The Menu Highlights
As we journey through the reimagined menu, the first signals of change arrive with the signature bread platter and mushroom “tea.” This classic has stood the test of time, offering a layered tapestry of texture and depth that delights the senses. Following this comforting start is the Hokkaido Botan Ebi, paired with a divine Bafun uni ‘pain perdu’ drizzled in brown butter ‘ponzu,’ which dazzles with its seaside freshness.
However, the show-stopper is undoubtedly the yuzu-kosho-glazed spot prawn, gracefully seated atop dashi jelly and crème fraîche, complemented by a generous sprinkling of Maison Kaviari caviar. This element might seem like an extravagant touch at first glance, but the briny caviar exquisitely balances the sweet prawn flavor, adding depth to the dish.
Contrast in Flavors
Next on the menu is a dish humorously titled Crab Contrast, showcasing a three-way preparation of Norwegian king crab. This dish encapsulates the essence of French culinary finesse with a tarragon Béarnaise and Normandy brown crab remoulade, while also introducing a cheeky fluffy chili crab bun that embodies local culinary identity with a touch of heat.
Familiar Comforts
Guests will find reassuring echoes of Odette’s culinary identity in the perfectly crafted dishes that follow. Silky dumplings cradle succulent langoustine, adorned with seasonal Périgord truffles. A standout among our selections is the Jeju abalone and foie gras duo, presented as Odette’s interpretation of bak kut teh. The aromatic blend of pork broth, shiitake, and yuzu envelops the palate, making for an unforgettably rich experience.
Light and Refreshing Flavors
This season’s flavors prompt a lighter taste profile, allowing for a refreshing culinary journey. One dish, the Scottish blue lobster, veers slightly on the richer side, hinting at sweetness due to the accompanying sake beurre blanc and torched greens.
As we reach the grand finale, we savor an aged duck paired with beetroot slices, cassis, and ‘diable’ sauce—a main that exemplifies subtlety over heaviness, while the irresistible ‘duck rice’ provides a separate delight of perfectly cooked grains, lightly coated, inviting indulgence.
Invigorating Beverage Offerings
An enticing addition to Odette’s offerings is the new Temperance Beverage Programme, featuring creative non-alcoholic drinks crafted from seasonal ingredients. The Beetroot beverage, for instance, is a labor-intensive concoction that blends roasted beetroot with koji, thyme, and pink peppercorn. The resulting drink—a smoky, slightly savory delight—pairs seamlessly with the duck, elevating the dining experience without alcohol.
A Sweet Ending
No culinary experience here is complete without a masterpiece from Pastry Chef Louisa Lim. Whether it’s her signature Loulou Lemon or the delightful Hazelnu-t-ella, featuring Piedmont hazelnut praliné, each dessert is a work of art that tantalizes the senses. Even the pre-dessert palate cleanser and petite fours impress, particularly the dense, crunchy canelles, rounding off the meal beautifully.
The Odette Experience
For its patrons, a visit to Odette is often shrouded in anticipation and high expectations. It’s a space where culinary artistry meets palpable comfort, where every detail speaks of a restaurant confident in its offering, autonomously navigating the fine dining seas. Ultimately, the true beauty of a three-Michelin-star experience may lie not in audacity with every bite, but in the quiet assurance and heartwarming comfort that have made Odette a cherished name in the culinary world.
Explore Odette, nestled within the National Gallery Singapore at 1 St Andrew’s Road, and indulge in the five-course Terre & Mer menu ($368 per person) for lunch, or the seven-course Epicure menu ($498) for lunch and dinner. A vegetarian option, the Nature & Découverte menu ($398 per person), is also available. Open from 6.30pm to 8.15pm on Mondays, and 12pm to 1.15pm and 6.30pm to 8.15pm from Tuesdays to Saturdays, a culinary journey awaits you at this iconic establishment.