Maison Boulud
I still remember the days when I would pop into db Bistro & Oyster Bar at Marina Bay Sands for their famous db Burger before catching a show at the Sands Theatre. It was a casual, open concept bistro that served its purpose rather well. Good food, convenient location and just enough time to finish dinner before the curtain went up.
That chapter ended in 2024 when Chef Daniel Boulud introduced Maison Boulud, moving to a new waterfront location along the South Promenade. The restaurant now occupies two levels, including an upstairs terrace overlooking Marina Bay. A more elegant setting and a different dining experience from its predecessor.
This time, I was there with Audrey for another father and daughter dinner date. The menu was refreshingly straightforward, with a three course dinner at $75++ per person. Not an overwhelming list of choices, which made ordering rather easy.
We both started with the Lobster Bisque, a classic French soup prepared with Maine lobster, Armagnac, potato leek, crème fraîche and chive oil. Rich, creamy and comforting, just what one would expect from a traditional French kitchen.
For mains, Audrey and I tried the Linguine Pasta with roasted zucchini purée, sundried tomatoes, ricotta cheese and olive powder, and the Coq au Vin, a French classic of chicken braised in red wine with bacon, mushrooms and farfalle pasta. We also ordered an additional Roasted Duck Breast to share, served with two toned zucchini, cherry Bordelaise sauce and zucchini blossom. A nice opportunity to enjoy three rather different interpretations of French cooking.
Desserts took us in different directions. The Honey Roasted Apricot came with apricot lemon thyme jam and almond ice cream, while the Duo of Artisanal Cheeses offered a savoury finish with traditional accompaniments. I always appreciate having cheese as a dessert option, especially in a French restaurant.
One lovely surprise was the complimentary freshly baked financiers. These little French almond cakes were absolutely delightful and turned out to be one of the most memorable bites of the evening. A simple gesture from the kitchen, but one that left a lasting impression.
Maison Boulud is certainly a different experience from the old db Bistro. More polished and refined, yet still rooted in familiar French classics. Most importantly, another enjoyable evening catching up with Audrey over good food. And this time, there was no theatre curtain to rush for!
