Scott Webster takes his art seriously. It’s not just about having an intimate knowledge of ingredients, or mastering every cooking process in the book. For the head chef of Osia Steak & Seafood Grill, it is carried right up to the final stage — presenting an irresistible “picture” on the plate. And for lunch on Tuesday, I had the good fortune of experiencing his art when he introduced his black truffles menu.
Available from 5 to 25 August, Osia Steak and Seafood Grill’s black truffles menu is a four-course meal that comprises soup, appetiser, entrée and dessert.
the soup
Lunch didn’t start with a cup of coffee. It was the mushroom and black truffles soup in disguise. My eyes were soon convinced by my nose of this as the rich aroma of the black truffle wafted from the cup. For someone who hasn’t tried black truffle before, it was awesome to find that just a thin slice of black truffle was sufficient to bring a rich earthy taste to the soup. And the humid soil and wild rice that laced it added interesting texture on the palette.
the appetiser
Next came the steamed green asparagus appetiser. To be honest, I’ve never been a fan of asparagus, and so I was a little apprehensive. To my surprise, I found myself liking it. The bacon beurre blanc lent a fragrant and sweet bite to the crunchy asparagus. There was none of the raw tang that I dreaded. The 62°C hen’s egg held the promise of a runnier yolk and kept it. A subtle shaving of black truffle added a smokier profile to the dish.
the entree
Then came the main course — the Angus beef tenderloin. Coming in medium-rare, its soft red center and expertly smoked outer was familiar yet delightful. The black truffle featured more strongly here, giving the beef an extra garlicky scent. The vegetables provided balance with sweetness from banana shallots and steamed broccoli seeds. I felt the butternut puree was a little too heavy though.
the dessert
The meal ended with Osia Steak and Seafood Grill’s signature dish — hot chocolate soup. You’re probably thinking molten lava cake, and you’re not entirely wrong. The difference is a thinner mouthfeel from the French Valrhona chocolate. And then there’s a twist in the form of black pepper ice cream, rather than plain vanilla.
The Black Truffles four-course menu is $198 per pax. Individual dishes are available a la carte. Osia Steak and Seafood Grill is located at Festive Walk, Resorts World Sentosa. Lunch is served from noon to 2.30pm, dinner 6pm to 10pm.