Valentine’s Day Dinner at Odette
For our first Valentine’s Day celebration as a married couple, my wife and I decided to celebrate this special occasion at the one and only Odette, which is known around the world with accolades in the Michelin Guide, Asia’s Top 50, and World’s Top 50.
A trio of beautiful starters welcomed us at the start of our evening’s culinary journey.
Next item on our dinner menu was an umami filled Mushroom Tea served in a cute little mushroom bowl complete with a wooden cap.
While we waited for our 1st course, a plate of warm bread was served comprising of a selection of sourdough, baguette, and brioche.
1st Dish - Hokkai Uni & Iwashi Duo: Kristal caviar, Apple, Finger lime.
Uni and caviar dominated this dish as we were overwhelmed with the flavors of the ocean, packaged in delicious morsels that helped to tantalize and excite our taste buds.
2nd Dish - Normandy Brown Crab: Nashi pear, Avocado, Wasabi Oil.
The delicate layer of pear jelly encapsulated the firm and meaty brown crab, balanced by the creamy avocado and wasabi oil.
3rd Dish - Rosemary Smoked Organic Egg: Smoked potato syphon, Chorizo Iberico, Meuniere.
The 1st dish of the night with visual theatrics as we were served a classic dish of bacon and eggs accentuated by smoked rosemary at the bottom of the serving bowl to engage our senses.
4th Dish - Raviole De Langoustine: Shiso, Black Truffle, Bisque.
Excitement filled the air as the chef picks up a piece of black truffle and keeps shaving it onto our dish until it almost covers our hearty langoustine enclosed in a thin raviole shell. With the raviole swimming in the rich bisque, I was surprised by the lightness of the dish, all thanks to the shiso lying underneath the raviole shell.
5th Dish - Bouillon ‘Paysan’: Foie gras, Abalone, Shiitake.
Combining two of the most luxurious ingredients in the world resulted in an umami rich broth filled with layered textures, from the crunch of the abalone to the softness of the foie gras.
6th Dish - Wild Atlantic Turbot: Stuffed morel, Swiss chard, Vin jaune.
Another beautiful gift from the ocean with the stuffed morel adding a much needed crunch to contrast with the soft delicate turbot which breaks effortlessly at the slightest touch of my fork.
7th Dish - Kampot Pepper Crusted Pigeon: Beetroot, Black garlic, Confit leg.
Before the medium rare pepper crusted pigeon is served on our plates, the chef teased us by presenting the alluring meat in a diorama contained in a wooden box.
Once served, we were drawn into the deep hues of red and purple presented on the plate and astonished by the depth of flavors and texture contained in the well crafted meat with the beetroot and rosemary helping to underline the earthy tones for the entire dish.
Before desserts are served, we could either select from the usual offering of coffee and tea or choose from non-caffeinated botanical brews. As my wife and I are huge fans of experimenting with botanicals at home, we optioned for the brews which were so comforting and soothing. A small little icy treat accompanied our drinks which helped to cleanse our palate for the final dishes of the night.
8th Dish - Yuzu Tart: Sable Breton, Shiso, Basil.
A refreshing dessert with so much flavors and textures layered on top of each other to create a visually stunning masterpiece.
As a little surprise to celebrate our recent nuptial, the chef presented a special chocolate dessert which magically disappear into this cocoa fan’s tummy in a matter of minutes.
We end our tasting menu with four desserts where the ice lollipops ended up as our favorite amongst the selection.
Final question of the day: Was the meal worth the dent to your wallet and the long wait on the dining reservation list?
In my opinion, a visit to Odette is like opening an elegant music box with a beautiful ballerina dancing to its own beat. Every mechanical gear and revolving disc is tuned and timed to perfection to deliver its best performance. Each dish on the tasting menu is well executed and delivered in a beautiful setting that is worthy of its reputation and accolades. A visit to Odette is an exclusive culinary experience reserved for special celebrations and occasions that I would highly recommend. Just book in advance and dress up for your date. You will not be disappointed.
