Update 26 Sep 2019. Back at The English House at Mohamed Sultan Road for delicious unfinished business. I had a memorable roast rump of lamb (the best I've had so far) during my first visit (last year). Today, I am back a second time for their steak which buddy PH highly recommends and scotch eggs which buddy Mike said I must try.
The English House looked the same way I remembered it from my last visit. We can't really put it in a box or convenient category. It looked like a rustic Southeast Asian kopitiam (coffee shop) but chock a block with paraphernalia that are quintessentially English.
Perhaps, it's best described as the marriage of a vintage Southeast Asian coffee shop with an English pub. An unlikely couple but happy together.
The artefacts are from the personal collection of master chef Marco Pierre White who famously returned his 3 Michelin Stars because he felt the Michelin guide is no longer what it once was. MPW was the youngest chef ever accorded the 3 Michelin Star award - Michelin's highest accolade.
The English House Chef de Cuisine Andrew Bennett from Birmingham was Marco Pierre White's protege since was he was 16 years old. In his 14 years with MPW, Andrew has worked in several of Marco's best restaurants including Yew Tree Inn, Box Tree Inn, Pear Tree Inn, White Chequers Hotel, Wheelers of Saint James etc before coming to sunny Singapore.
We started with an English Farmhouse Salad. Picking obligingly at the crunchy sweet lettuce, l was surprised by how the savoury house made salad cream elevated the taste of the bowl of humble vegetables.
I am glad we got this Creamed Spinach with horseradish which I enjoyed a lot. The delicious healthful savoury sweet greens primed us for the carnivore indulgence we came to The English House for today.
More vegetables before the main event - White Asparagus Truffle with Vinaigrette. The new season white Alba truffle was evenly well marbled throughout. The melt on the tongue truffle had a nice oaky smell and a pleasant earthy savoury taste.
Tah Dah ๐
The English House's fabled 45 Day Dry Aged Black Angus Delmonico (with new season white Alba truffle).
Oh my oh my.... the tender strip loin was so engorged with juices that bursts out with every bite, flooding the mouth with rich beefy savoury sweet flavours. The white Alba truffle capped the layers of flavours with exquisite oaky savoury taste and smell to the already marvellous steak.
I
I already ate my vegetables ok..... .
Thanks PH, you are so right about The English House's steaks. (I hope you are equally pleased with the roast rump of lamb I recommended you ๐ )
Yeah... I know normally steak and scotch eggs are not eaten together. But, I am here for unfinished business mah.... . Buddy Mike said I must try as it is nice but different, and I found out why. It's a quail egg with an onsen egg type soft yolk in the core. Indeed, nice and different as Mike said.
At first, I didn't take any pictures of the fries - chips only mah... right? Then I took one mindlessly, and oh... wow... it was super crisp, light and so flavourful savoury with underlying potato sweetness. So, I took out my camera again and hence, this photo of the half eaten bowl of triple fried Beef Fat Chips.
Sir Elton John's favourite dessert, Box Tree Eton Mess. The red and white dessert looked so playfully free spirited and cheerful, just like the flamboyant musical genius. As I dug into the cream and citrussy jam smothered feather light crunchy sweet meringue kisses, my mind was full of Elton John and his beautiful music which I grew up with.
Marco Pierre White shows us how to make Eton Mess here.
Look PH, the brass bucket from the Oakroom ๐
Chef Andrew with renowned artist Tung Yue Nang who did this sketch just before our meeting for lunch ๐๐๐
We had another enjoyable visit to The English House. I realised they now serve breakfast, brunch and Sunday roast which I hope to try next time.
Disclosure: Thank you Chef Andrew for your hospitality.
Now, The English House also serves Hong Kong dim sum ๐ click
29 Sep 2018. We visited newly opened The English House restaurant by Marco Pierre White at Mohamed Sultan Road in Singapore. An English lion in the Lion City.
The restored pre-War conservation shophouse was behind a small leafy, well manicured tropical garden.
We were met at the entrance by Swaran Singh and Sarjit Singh. If you had a double take and think that you had met the friendly doormen before, you are right. Swaran and Sarjit were the iconic doormen at Raffles Hotel for 26 years before they joined The English House, taking a part of ol' Raffles with them.
Oh... The English House has no signboard - it doesn't need any. So, when you are here at Mohamed Sultan Road, just look out for Swaran Singh and Sarjit Singh. Relax, their towering presence is hard to miss - the blue jacketed brothers are better than any signboard ๐
Swaran Singh proudly showed me around the little garden.
The little garden was dotted with English memorabilia here and there like this regal gold 250 year old pub sign which heightened our anticipation of our royal dinner later.
Stepping into The English House Restaurant by Marco Pierre White, a pair of stone statues of winged knights and large medieval motif stone mural caught my eye.
Making our way into the dining halls, the decor shifted to a quaint eclectic blend of English and Straits Chinese. Chinese calligraphy high on the walls, Nanyang coffee shop style round marble tables and chairs with red English top hat, white swan, horned gnome etc.
There were three main sections. This was the first dining hall when we first entered the restaurant.
While waiting for the rest of the party to arrive, Ihad the opportunity to look wandered around the restaurant - I've been here before, long ago. Those of us who partied and shuffled your feet in Madam Wong's before may see shadows of your carefree careless youth in these halls.
Oh... fancy meeting you here, fat boy.... .
Chef Macro Pierce White personally curated the menu at The English House. He is at The English House in Singapore about 10 times a year. When Chef MPW is away, his chef de cuisine Andrew Bennett who had worked with him for 14 years leads the kitchen crew.
Chef MPW was the first Briton and youngest chef to win Three Michelin Stars which he famously returned. He also declined Michelin's offer to include The English House in the Singapore Michelin Guide.
1960s vintage London underground lavatory signs ๐ As long as it is English, anything goes at The English House ๐
The second main dining room. Large marble top round tables, so untypical of English restaurants. The kopitiam chairs have padded leather seats for greater comfort.
The bar at the back of the first dining room.
Needless to say the bar was well stocked with spirits of every kind.
With the right spirits even pigs can fly and there is no speed limit (as long as you don't leave the door lah... ).
Photography buffs would be glad to know that as Marco Pierre White is a Terry O'Neill fan, White displayed his personal collection of the legendary portrait photographer's works at The English House. This is probably the largest collection of Terry O'Neill photographs in the world.
Everyone's here, time to get back to my seat.
We booked dinner for 7pm. Less than an hour later, all the dining rooms in the 150-seat restaurant were fully packed as it was full house this Saturday evening.
For all its elegance, the atmosphere during dinner was casual and welcoming. Friendly banter and laughter can be heard around the restaurant and bar, like in a friendly pub, except that there was no background music. Ok... like an Anglicised kopitiam... .
Five of us, we shared a few starters. This Fillet of Sardines on Toast with vinaigrette of tomatoes (price S$28++) - the distinctive flavour and aroma of omega-3 rich oily North Sea fish was quintessentially English. A great start to the meal to come.
Parfait of Foie Gras au Raisan Sec (price S$35++). Rich creamy smooth savoury goose liver pate capped with delicate sweet tangy jelly.
Mr White's Stuffed Cabbage with fresh tomato sauce (price S$28++). Missed tasting the stuffed cabbage ๐ but love the zesty tangy sweet flavour of the tomato sauce.
Roast Rack of Lamb a la Dijonnaise. This hearty serving feeds 2-4 persons which I thought is a very fair deal at S$165++.
Oh.. how I love this roast rack of lamb. The pink meat was thick, tender and juicy. The natural gamey sweetness of lamb was complemented by delicate yet rich taste of Dijonnaise mustard sauce.
Highly recommend The English House's roast rack of lamb. For lamb lovers, this is a Must.
Grilled Rib of Black Angus Beef (price S$225++). Another hearty serving that feeds 2 - 4 comfortably.
Marvellously beefy sweet 45-day dry aged Black Angus beef served beautifully medium rare with chunky tender braised spiced beef tendons in a shallow pool of dark rich jus de viande (i.e. gravy lah). Generous sides include beef fat chips (potato wedges), buttered leaf spinach.
Stella who doesn't eat beef or lamb chose this Wing of Scottish Skate (stingray lo) a la Grenobloise (price S$48++). Stella liked this which she said was sweet tasting.
Champagne Poached Pear with Creme Vanilla and Cambridge Burnt Cream (crรจme brรปlรฉe). Both desserts were nice, not overly sweet. We can taste the crunchy juicy pear's natural sweetness and the smooth egginess in the Cambridge Burnt Cream.
Happy Birthday Stella ๐
My favourite were these Madeleines - little French cakes with bits of orange inside. The sweetness in the spongy cake was punctuated with tangy sweetness of orange zest.
The reception as we were making our way out after dinner. I am sure we will pass this way again.
๐ We enjoyed ourselves at The English House Restaurant by Marco Pierre White. The English dishes were hearty, "elevated comfort food" as Marco Pierre White so aptly put in typical English understatement. The English - Straits Chinese decor is unique and appealing. The most memorable dish for me was the Roast Rack of Lamb - best lamb ever so far, for me.
(The English House is a "restaurant with rooms". The 18 room boutique hotel will open in early 2019.)
Please share your experience and recommend us other good dishes to eat at The English House ๐
Read more about Chef Marco Pierre White ๐ click
Restaurant name: The English House
Address: 28 Mohamed Sultan Road, Singapore 238972
GPS: 1°17'35.1"N 103°50'28.9"E ๐ 1.293094, 103.841346
Waze: The English House by Marco Pierre White
Tel: 6545 4055
Hours:
Sat 8:30am - 3pm, 5:30 - 11pm
Sun 8:30am - 8pm
Mon Closed
Tues 11:30am - 3pm, 5:30 - 11pm
Wed 1:30am - 3pm, 5:30 - 11pm
Thur 11:30am - 3pm, 5:30 - 11pm
Fri 11:30am - 3pm, 5:30 - 11pm
Non Halal
Date visited: 29 Sept 2018, 26 Sept 2019
Return to Johor Kaki homepage.
Swaran Singh proudly showed me around the little garden.
The little garden was dotted with English memorabilia here and there like this regal gold 250 year old pub sign which heightened our anticipation of our royal dinner later.
Stepping into The English House Restaurant by Marco Pierre White, a pair of stone statues of winged knights and large medieval motif stone mural caught my eye.
Making our way into the dining halls, the decor shifted to a quaint eclectic blend of English and Straits Chinese. Chinese calligraphy high on the walls, Nanyang coffee shop style round marble tables and chairs with red English top hat, white swan, horned gnome etc.
There were three main sections. This was the first dining hall when we first entered the restaurant.
While waiting for the rest of the party to arrive, I
Oh... fancy meeting you here, fat boy.... .
Chef Macro Pierce White personally curated the menu at The English House. He is at The English House in Singapore about 10 times a year. When Chef MPW is away, his chef de cuisine Andrew Bennett who had worked with him for 14 years leads the kitchen crew.
Chef MPW was the first Briton and youngest chef to win Three Michelin Stars which he famously returned. He also declined Michelin's offer to include The English House in the Singapore Michelin Guide.
1960s vintage London underground lavatory signs ๐ As long as it is English, anything goes at The English House ๐
The second main dining room. Large marble top round tables, so untypical of English restaurants. The kopitiam chairs have padded leather seats for greater comfort.
The bar at the back of the first dining room.
Needless to say the bar was well stocked with spirits of every kind.
With the right spirits even pigs can fly and there is no speed limit (as long as you don't leave the door lah... ).
Photography buffs would be glad to know that as Marco Pierre White is a Terry O'Neill fan, White displayed his personal collection of the legendary portrait photographer's works at The English House. This is probably the largest collection of Terry O'Neill photographs in the world.
Everyone's here, time to get back to my seat.
We booked dinner for 7pm. Less than an hour later, all the dining rooms in the 150-seat restaurant were fully packed as it was full house this Saturday evening.
For all its elegance, the atmosphere during dinner was casual and welcoming. Friendly banter and laughter can be heard around the restaurant and bar, like in a friendly pub, except that there was no background music. Ok... like an Anglicised kopitiam... .
Five of us, we shared a few starters. This Fillet of Sardines on Toast with vinaigrette of tomatoes (price S$28++) - the distinctive flavour and aroma of omega-3 rich oily North Sea fish was quintessentially English. A great start to the meal to come.
Parfait of Foie Gras au Raisan Sec (price S$35++). Rich creamy smooth savoury goose liver pate capped with delicate sweet tangy jelly.
Mr White's Stuffed Cabbage with fresh tomato sauce (price S$28++). Missed tasting the stuffed cabbage ๐ but love the zesty tangy sweet flavour of the tomato sauce.
Roast Rack of Lamb a la Dijonnaise. This hearty serving feeds 2-4 persons which I thought is a very fair deal at S$165++.
Oh.. how I love this roast rack of lamb. The pink meat was thick, tender and juicy. The natural gamey sweetness of lamb was complemented by delicate yet rich taste of Dijonnaise mustard sauce.
Highly recommend The English House's roast rack of lamb. For lamb lovers, this is a Must.
Grilled Rib of Black Angus Beef (price S$225++). Another hearty serving that feeds 2 - 4 comfortably.
Marvellously beefy sweet 45-day dry aged Black Angus beef served beautifully medium rare with chunky tender braised spiced beef tendons in a shallow pool of dark rich jus de viande (i.e. gravy lah). Generous sides include beef fat chips (potato wedges), buttered leaf spinach.
Stella who doesn't eat beef or lamb chose this Wing of Scottish Skate (stingray lo) a la Grenobloise (price S$48++). Stella liked this which she said was sweet tasting.
Champagne Poached Pear with Creme Vanilla and Cambridge Burnt Cream (crรจme brรปlรฉe). Both desserts were nice, not overly sweet. We can taste the crunchy juicy pear's natural sweetness and the smooth egginess in the Cambridge Burnt Cream.
Happy Birthday Stella ๐
My favourite were these Madeleines - little French cakes with bits of orange inside. The sweetness in the spongy cake was punctuated with tangy sweetness of orange zest.
The reception as we were making our way out after dinner. I am sure we will pass this way again.
๐ We enjoyed ourselves at The English House Restaurant by Marco Pierre White. The English dishes were hearty, "elevated comfort food" as Marco Pierre White so aptly put in typical English understatement. The English - Straits Chinese decor is unique and appealing. The most memorable dish for me was the Roast Rack of Lamb - best lamb ever so far, for me.
(The English House is a "restaurant with rooms". The 18 room boutique hotel will open in early 2019.)
Read more about Chef Marco Pierre White ๐ click
Restaurant name: The English House
Address: 28 Mohamed Sultan Road, Singapore 238972
GPS: 1°17'35.1"N 103°50'28.9"E ๐ 1.293094, 103.841346
Waze: The English House by Marco Pierre White
Tel: 6545 4055
Hours:
Sat 8:30am - 3pm, 5:30 - 11pm
Sun 8:30am - 8pm
Mon Closed
Tues 11:30am - 3pm, 5:30 - 11pm
Wed 1:30am - 3pm, 5:30 - 11pm
Thur 11:30am - 3pm, 5:30 - 11pm
Fri 11:30am - 3pm, 5:30 - 11pm
Non Halal
Date visited: 29 Sept 2018, 26 Sept 2019
Return to Johor Kaki homepage.
I enjoyed my dinner there too! It was me and my partner's anniversary. Though we had already booked dinner somewhere else, I couldn't resist suggesting to him to go to The English House instead. But since it wasn't opened on Sunday, we went on Monday instead, and had two anniversary dinners (I am not complaining ;) ). we went within the first week of their opening. I was surprised, but very happy to get a reservation.
ReplyDeleteHaving read so much about the effort Marco Pierre White has put into the place, and being the busybody I am who loves to look at how people transform and preserve spaces, we arrived early for dinner to have a browse around. The space was very different to the Madam Wong's I remembered frequenting for Lady's nights when I first moved here. It was like a personal museum showcasing his eclectic but tasteful collections. I especially enjoyed the collection of Raymond Jackson “JAK” cartoon prints and his vintage carousel pieces. I also liked that he brought bits of his different restaurants with him to Singapore, and even the vintage carvery trolley from Savoy. Definitely adds to the charm of the place.
Though we had steak the night before at Skirt, my partner couldn't resist having steak again. We had the stuffed cabbage, dry-aged Angus beef for two, and the Champagne poached pears with panna cotta. We washed it down with a very good bottle of their recommended Malbec, and enjoyed our dinner thoroughly. The steak was a touch more done than we would have liked it, but still good, nonetheless. I have always found poach fruit to be overrated, but the poach pear here was definitely well done and worth ordering.. and the panna cotta served with it was smooth and yums! I wished I had more stomach space or was with a larger group so that I could try more items like the fish cake and shepherd's pie, which were my favourites when I lived in the UK.
Service was spot on from front of house Kate, Manager Jo, Bar Manager Andreas, and our server (oh dear.. I forgot her name! Me bad! Jasmine..?). Conversations flowed easily, and they accorded us a tour of the space. We were initially surprised that it was not more crowded than it was, but learnt that they had intentionally controlled the booking numbers while they sorted out their service. Well, we appreciated the generous attention we received, and the surprise 50% off on our food bill (they offered this during their first week or so in appreciation for putting up with their initial teething problems.. I couldn't spot any problems, but thank you very much).
It is definitely pricier than the average dinner, but dining here is an experience, and seeing that there are plenty of options for sharing, it works out to be pretty reasonable for the quality of food served. We'll definitely be back again to try the other items on the menu, and I hear they will be starting their Sunday roast service soon!
Thank you very much PH for sharing your experience with us. You have a great eye for detail ๐ I didn't know that that silver carvery trolley was from Savoy ๐ I also missed a good picture of the vintage brass buckets for chilling wines. Like you, I shall be back.
ReplyDeleteOh yes.. the brass buckets from Oakroom (I believe), and the carvery were in the adjacent dining (shop) space, where their private dining area is. Did you see the table from the original Rolls Royce Boardroom in the private dining room? Look out for the JAK cartoon print with him in it. They are hilarious! They are apparently waiting for one more container of stuff to arrive to fill the space ๐ . So wait a bit before going back.
DeleteI need to go back with more people to have the lamb!
I did not go to the private room ๐ when you go back for the lamb, jio me ok? ๐
Deletedinner at English House, Marco Pierre White’s new Singapore flagship. Generally excellent but a few areas for improvement for a restaurant of this caliber. Oysters & rack of lamb excellent, scotch eggs different & tasted better than looked. dessert trifle a good English standard. Staff could do with a bit of refinement - hovered a bit & not too confident at times. Nice decor, fair wine list & prices. Allow $200 per head for dinner
ReplyDeleteThank you Mike, I am still craving for their rack of lamb :-D Next time I shall try the scotch eggs too.
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