Casual, excellent food at Venue by chef Sebastian Ng

Wong Ah Yoke

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Former Ember chef Sebastian Ng is back with his own restaurant Venue and fans of his cooking will be glad to find that he is still in good form after a three-year break.

Joining him at Venue is Jonathan Lee, formerly at Artichoke Restaurant, and their menu brings back some old favourites from Ember as well as new creations.

It's a casual restaurant with an open front and an open kitchen, so everything is in plain sight to anyone walking past.

The vibe is bright and breezy.

To order, diners tick what they want on an order form - like in Chinese dim sum and noodle eateries. All dishes are meant for sharing.

Here is a first take review on some of the dishes on offer.

Watermelon, Onions, Herbs, Extra Virgin Olive Oil ($5)

A refreshing start for lunch, with watermelon slices topped with onions and chopped herbs and drizzled with olive oil. Simple, but an interesting match of sweet and savoury flavours.

Spanish Gem Lettuce, Light Anchovy Dressing, Parmigiano Reggiano ($9)

The crispy lettuce leaves are shrouded in white shavings that look like shredded coconut but are actually shaved parmigiana cheese. The anchovy dressing adds a moreish flavour.

Cauliflower Fritti, Spicy Mint Aioli ($10)

It's amazing how the chef gets the vegetable so crispy outside and soft inside. It tastes good on its own with a mildly spiced batter, but the aioli makes it even better. A must-try.

Raw Hokkaido Scallop, Daikon, Yuzu Vinaigrette, Shiso Cress ($17)

It doesn't look like there's much scallop, but when you eat the dish, you find the balance of vegetables and shellfish just right.

Crispy Home Made Tofu, Foie Gras-mirin Sauce, Iced Lettuce ($14)

A nice dish though the tofu is not much different from what you find in Chinese restaurants. The sauce is delicious though, and the sprigs of crispy and refreshing ice lettuce are a nice touch.

Wood-grilled Chermoula Chicken, Lemon ($15 per leg).

Delicious grilled chicken that is well-seasoned and juicy. A few drops of lemon juice brighten up the flavours, but the chicken tastes good without too. Each order is a leg chopped into two pieces. Order enough for everyone to get a piece.

Very good meat grilled to your choice of doneness. Medium rare would be just right. The salsa verde tastes too green for me though and the herbs are rather overpowering. Add sparingly. Or skip it.

Iberico Pork Jowl, Gremolata, Lemon ($18)

Simple dish of grilled pork that works through its good flavour. It was a bit tough the first I eat it but just right the second time.The gremolata works well here.

Grilled Octopus, Burnt Butter, Capers, Bean Puree ($27)

Again, this is too chewy the first time. The second time, the chef confits it longer to get it softer and it is great. It is not too soft either, and the burnt butter adds a nice smoky flavour.

Chilean Seabass, Mushroom-bacon Ragout, Truffle Yuzu Butter Sauce ($32)

The seabass is cooked just right, but it's the sauce that really hits the spot. Creamy and full of umami, it makes you want to lick the plate.

My favourite dish. The angel hair pasta still has a bit of bite, a texture that can be achieved only through precise timing. The truffle oil is used very sparingly, just enough for you to get a whiff of it - which is how it should be used. Available for dinner only.

Angel Hair Pasta, Sakura Ebi, Konbu, Chilli ($24)

This is served warm. A classic that still works. But it's not as good as the cold pasta, so if you are ordering that, leave this for another meal. Also available for dinner only.