Winestone rolls out new wine-friendly modern European menu

Modern European restaurant Winestone in Novotel on Stevens unveils a new chef in head chef Eugene Li, and a renewed menu on reimagined Mediterranean classics.

We love Winestone at Novotel on Stevens for its range of affordable wines, but the last time we were there the food was, to be frank, off the mark. Unfortunately at that time the restaurant was in the midst of dealing with the departure of its head chef, so the food that was coming out of the kitchen was lacklustre, to say the least.

Thankfully those woes are over, with Winestone appointing Novotel’s senior sous chef Eugene Li in March this year to head the modern European restaurant. Chef Li was formerly from Joel Robuchon at Resorts World Sentosa Singapore, Black Bird Bar & Grill in Brisbane, and Dempsey Cookhouse Singapore, and he brings that experience and expertise to reinvigorate the contemporary Mediterranean offerings here at Winestone.

Not that he rocked the boat too much. Chef Li, when tasked to relook at the restaurant’s menu, was sensitive in retaining many of the beloved favourites that regulars come often for. In fact many of the popular dishes survived the cut, such as the Baba Ganoush ($8++) of creamed eggplant served with Lebanese style flatbread, as well as the dependable Fish and Chips ($16++). He fine-tuned them, of course, but they mostly retained in both form and spirit.

But there are a number of new dishes, many of them pay tribute to fresh seafood. The new Pan-Seared Cod Fish ($38++) and Pan-Seared Turbot Fish ($32++) both celebrate the ocean bounty of the Mediterranean, and we love so the seared golden crust of the fish filet while retaining the moist tenderness of the flesh within.  We’re even bigger fans of the Rigatoni Prawn ($26++), with delectable and juicy whole prawns well well seared and tossed with the al-dente tube-like pasta in a cheesy tomato sauce.

If you’re vegetarian, you would love that, wherever possible, Winestone not only has many vegetarian options but is also most happy to provide vegetarian alternatives to a number of other dishes on its menu.

Winestone continues to have one of the most affordable wine lists in any restaurant – much less a hotel-based one. You’re looking at a Terre Forti Trebbiano Chardonnay or Sanvgiovese Rubicone from Italy at just $6++ per glass or $20++ per bottle. It certainly has far pricier offerings – how about a Chateau Quintus from Bordeaux at S$750++ per bottle? – but by and large you can easily get by here spending under $80 per bottle of wine and have a great evening with wine without breaking the bank or getting too… stoned.