Bistro Du Vin

Located along the Shaw Centre, this charming French bistro by Les Amis Group has probably one of the best value lunch set. For only $28++, you get an appetizer, main course and dessert. I was pretty skeptical on trying out Bistro Du Vin initially as I’ve heard both positive and negative comments about the food here. Fortunately, this visit had been surprisingly delightful.

The complimentary Baguette came warm and crusty. Spread some butter on the toasted baguette, this is certainly a great start to the meal ahead.


Cream of Pumpkin with Garlic-cheese Croutons

Friend is an avid fan of pumpkin soup and I’m not surprised that she chose this for appetizer. The cream of pumpkin was mild and sweet with the garlic-cheese croutons that certainly add on flavor to it. In fact, I find the soup really nice and addictive that I wished that I have one bowl myself!

Scrambled Eggs with Smoked Salmon
 
The scrambled eggs were done perfectly, just the way I like, with the right consistency and texture. And the smoked salmon definitely complement well with the eggs.

For the main course, friend had the French Duck Leg Confit (+$6), served with Brussels sprouts and mustard sauce.

The duck confit was very crispy on the outside, with the skin tasty and flavourful. However, there’re some parts of the duck confit which was slightly overdone which result in burnt parts on the skin. Fortunately, the tender meat managed to save the slight imperfection. Bistro Du Vin’s duck confit was not bad, but I still feel that The Black Sheep Café does a better duck confit, and also the best I’ve tasted so far.

While the duck confit didn’t impress me much, my main course certainly did. I had the Catch of the day, which is Pan-fried Norwegian Salmon with fennel and capers.

Now this is the real deal. Salmon was done excellently, crispy on the inside, and a melt-in-the-mouth texture on the inside. Cutting through the meat revealed a fresh pinkish undertone. This is absolutely brilliant. I wished I can tell you how awesome this is but you just got to try it out yourself. I was lucky to be able to get the Norwegian salmon because just minutes after I placed my order, it was sold out for the day (replaced by panfried seabass)! In fact, I saw one table of four who all had the Norwegian salmon as their main course. Friend was eyeing my salmon throughout the meal while I was happily indulge in heaven. But of course, I did share some with her.:)

Both main courses come with French fries, or you may change it to mashed potatoes. Nothing fanciful, but I like the crispy fries. ;;)


The desserts on the lunch set didn’t appeal much to us so we decided to change to other desserts on the ala carte menu.

Grand Marnier Souffle served with vanilla ice-cream (+$4)

The soufflé was extremely light and fluffy with the Grand Marnier discernible but not overwhelming. The simplest pleasure indeed.

Chocolate Fondant Cake served with vanilla ice-cream (+$4)

It’s been such a long time since I’ve been “wowed” by a chocolate lava cake. The chocolate fondant cake was remarkable. Rich, bitter and thick chocolate lava flows out instantly upon the first bite. Cake was soft and moist and chocolate lava remains flowy even to the very last bite!

Seriously, I can’t find any flaw in this dessert. And I shall declare this as my favourite chocolate fondant cake of the year! Besides, for less than $10 on the ala carte menu, I thought this is a pretty good deal for such a terrific chocolate fondant cake!Yumm..

The service here had been very pleasant but I only have one issue with the noise level. The restaurant can get pretty noisy with the lunch crowd and this makes conversation extremely difficult. But with the satisfying meal I had, I don’t think it’ll be long for me to come back again.;)

Bistro Du Vin
1 Scotts Road,
#02-12 Shaw Centre
Tel: 6733 7763