Les Bouchons at Rochester Commons offers familiar French bistro favourites and wines at the quieter end of Singapore’s Queenstown district.
You can’t get more French than Les Bouchons. Well-known for its French classics, the bistro chain has offered a taste of Parisian living since 2002 with its first outlet in Ann Siang Hill. That was followed by its Robertson Quay outlet in 2006, testament to Singapore’s desire for quality, yet affordable French fare.
Les Bouchons at Rochester Commons ups the Gallic ante. Their newest outlet is located in a refurbished two-storey colonial bungalow that even comes with a pétanque court where you can play a casual game over a few pastis shots.
More importantly though, the Rochester Commons eatery offers the same relaxed and cosy ambience we’ve come to associate with Les Bouchons. Expect the many familiar favourites from Ann Siang and Robertson Quay to make an appearance here, from the French Onion Soup and Burgundy Escargots with Garlic Butter, to their indulgent Tartare de Boeuf. And who can forget Les Bouchons’ iconic Super Entrecôte, a glorious hunk of perfectly grilled Black Angus ribeye?
But the new Rochester outlet also comes with its own signatures that aren’t available at its sister outlets. There’s the French Ceps Soup with Truffle Oil, a silky smooth truffle-infused number bursting with the earthy flavours of the prized mushroom. Or the Foie Gras Terrine “Maison”, a decadently unctuous starter that demands to be eaten with some toast spread with the accompanying onion chutney.
For beef lovers, there’s an exclusive special here too. The Grilled Sirloin Wagyu is perfectly seared Japanese Hokkaido Black Wagyu MB +6/7, juicy and meltingly tender to the bite.
But our ultimate favourite from Les Bouchons at Rochester Commons has to be the Poulet aux 40 Gousses d’Ail, also an exclusive here. This Provençal classic is a fricassee that sees whole French poulet cooked down with 40 cloves of garlic. Here Les Bouchons Executive Chef Mickaël Cornac adds plenty of French shallots as well for additional sweetness and depth of flavour, resulting in a stew that’s stunningly delicious. The accompanying free-flow hand-cut fries? An absolutely bonus too.
As can be expected for a proper French outfit, Les Bouchons at Rochester Commons come with a tight but well-curated wine list. It’s a little lean (especially for a French restaurant) but most French winemaking regions are represented here. If you’re having the chicken, opt for the Terroirs 2019 Riesling from Alsace; it’s a fabulous pairing.
Will we come back? Let’s put it this way. We don’t normally order chicken when we dine out. But we’d gladly travel the entire way across the island to Rochester Commons just for this chicken fricassee.
Les Bouchons (Rochester Commons)
Address 10 Rochester Park, Rochester Commons, Singapore 139221 (Google Maps link)
Opening Hours 12pm to 2pm and 6pm to 10pm on Tuesdays to Thursdays; 12pm to 2pm and 6pm to 10.30pm 10.30pm on Fridays; 12pm to 3pm and 6pm to 10.30pm on Saturdays; 12pm to 3pm and 5pm to 9pm on Sundays; closed on Mondays
Tel (65) 6904 8972
Web www.lesbouchons.sg/rochester
Facebook Les-Bouchons-Rochester
Instagram @lesbouchonsg
[…] Unfortunately the hotel’s F&B tenant has not officially started operations during our visit, but dining options are boundless at nearby Star Vista. Some of our favourite F&B concepts are all there – Beauty in The Pot for some hotpot action, Ippudo and Imakatsu for Japanese eats, and Zaffron Kitchen for Indian, for example. There’s also Les Bouchons Rochester within a stone’s throw, if you’re looking for some French bistro favourites. […]