Basil Alcove

Basil Alcove

Address: 190 Middle Road, #01-07 Fortune Centre
(At the junction of Bencoolen St and Middle Rd)
Operating Hours: Lunch from 12.30pm to 3pm, Dinner from 6.30pm till 10pm.
Tel: 6336 1318
Price: About $20 per person for a main dish, a side dish and drinks.

This is one of my favourite dining places. It's fine food in a not so fine place. Now why do I say that? It's because you dine right by the road side, it's outside fortune centre, the tables are set along the pavement, you can see and hear the vehicles driving past along middle road, pedestrians walking along the pavement walk right beside you as you dine, and the only light you get is from the soft street lights. It's the kind of experience that you all should try someday. I went back there about a few weeks back and the food was as good as it looked.

Pan Seared Salmon ($17.80)

Very elaborate presentation, seems too good to be eaten. Nice crisp salmon skin and it wasn't overcooked. I just like the combination of the colours. More of like what you would see in a fine dining restaurant. Served with mashed potatoes and french beans.

Basilico Duck (Medium-Well) ($16.80)

I had this. Duck is my favourite. I've had a similar duck main the last time I came. Was a totally different experience. This was served without a sauce, but the crisp skin was flavourful enough to be eaten without a sauce. The portions were just right for me, very filling too. Served with mashed potatoes and mixed salad.

This was what I had the last time. There's a tiny spoon with some shallots and bicarbonate of soda. You'll have to pour the contents into the shot glass and it'll generate bubbles. And you could either pour the sauce over the duck or just dip the duck in the sauce individually. Very creative and elaborate and it was only $13.80 at that time.



It was an enjoyable experience overall, didn't have a chance to try their desserts though, they've only just added it in. The sauteed mushrooms were great too since the last time I came before this. Resonably priced haute cuisine with nice cosy ambience. Perfect to bring your date out without burning a hole in your pocket.