If you missed the memo that The English House opened in Robertson Quay late last year, chances are, you haven’t stumbled upon the restaurant in the meantime. Why? Because it looks like a private residence! We thought it was high time to discuss this hidden gem – celebrity chef Marco Pierre White’s first restaurant in Asia – and a few reasons why it’s a must-visit.
#1 The décor alone is something to see!
The English House occupies the ground floor of two beautiful restored conservation shophouses on Mohamed Sultan Road. The surrounding overgrown foliage and the total lack of signage not only give this place some mystère, they also create the feeling you’re in an English countryside cottage. Head up the stairs through the greenery and you’ll find yourself in a serene outdoor patio before stepping through the candle-lit entry hall.
It’s soon becomes clear that every detail has been pored over to perfectly blend eclectic British flair with Singapore’s colonial-style charm. Marco Pierre White is passionate for interior design and handpicked every detail himself, bringing over materials, furnishings, books and antiques from England, many from his own personal collection. Local-inspired touches can be seen from the building’s Straits Chinese architecture down to the Carrera marble-topped dining tables inspired by Chef White’s favourite chicken rice stall on Purvis Street.
Vintage curios and memorabilia from England adorn almost every corner of the space, with conversation pieces aplenty – from the grand entrance’s wall sculpture sourced from the movie set of Enigma to the private dining room’s wooden table taken straight from the Rolls-Royce boardroom in the 1940s. You’ll also find the vintage silver trolleys used in Chef White’s original three-Michelin-star restaurant, an antique foosball table at the back, and – for extra flair – bright yellow male and female symbols taken from a 1960s tube station restroom. It’s like dining in a private museum!
And, you certainly won’t find a wall without a black-and-white celebrity image by British photographer Terry O’Neill – everyone from Kate Moss and Elizabeth Taylor to David Bowie and The Rolling Stones grace the walls – or comic illustrations by Marco’s favourite cartoonist, Raymond Jackson (JAK). English pop culture is further tied in through the restaurant’s playlist, with Beatles hits and James Bond theme songs playing in the background. (If there were a love letter in the form of an eatery, this would be it!)
#2 There’s a new prix fixe menu
Look forward to The English House’s new prix fixe menu available on Tuesdays to Saturdays from 5.30 to 10pm. Priced at $75, the four-course set menu includes three canapés, an appetiser, a main course and a dessert. Appetiser highlights include potted duck with green peppercorn, classic prawn cocktail à la russe, beef tea en croute and omelette “Arnold Bennett.” For mains, try the grilled fillet of black Angus à la escargot, braised ox cheek à la bourguignon, braised lamb à la printaniere or roast chicken à la forestiere.
#3 It offers a family-friendly Sunday roast
On weekends, diners can enjoy a Sunday roast featuring British classics and mouth-watering meats. Offered on Saturdays (11.30am to 3pm) and Sundays (11.30am to 7pm), the four-course roast menu ($75) includes three canapés, an appetiser, a main course and a dessert. Highlights include smoked mackerel brandade, croustade of eggs with truffles, foie gras parfait served with en gelée de madère and toasted sourdough, roast fillet of black Angus, honey roast pork belly Marco Polo, truffled creamy polenta, traditional shepherd’s pie, sherry trifle “Wally Ladd,” Cambridge burnt cream (crème brûlée) and classic apple crumble with vanilla ice cream. Bonus points for the fact that each kid under 12 at the roast dines free with a paying adult!
#4 It’s vegetarian and vegan-friendly
The English House has a dedicated vegetarian menu catered to meat-free guests, health-conscious diners and those who are looking for a guilt-free indulgence. Highlights include the asparagus with truffles ($30) and woodland mushrooms on toast ($30) appetisers, and the truffle risotto with fresh rosemary ($49) as a main course. Vegan dishes are available upon request.
#5 It’s an English-style drinking den
At the back of the shophouse, you’ll find a dedicated gin room with around 60 different gins you can try, plus a separate whisky room, too. The cocktail menu features 20 signatures, each named after a lord or duke; for instance, the Earl of March ($22) is the restaurant’s take on an espresso martini, while the Lord Bath ($28) is the bar’s version of a French 75. There’s an extensive wine list, too. Cheers!
The English House is located at 28 Mohamed Sultan Road. For reservations, call 6545 4055 or email info@theenglishhouse.com.
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