Recently, I stumbled upon the existence of a restaurant called “Poulet” in Singapore. This establishment is apparently garnered quite a reputation for its French roast chicken, a culinary delight named after the French term for a young bird, specifically a young hen, more commonly known as “chicken.”
Curiosity piqued, I embarked on a quest to uncover the wonders of Poulet. I decided to give it a try after reading rave reviews about the restaurant on Google.
Poulet
Nestled within the vibrant cityscape of Singapore, Poulet has been captivating taste buds since its establishment in 2012. It has 11 locations throughout Singapore to-date, including one at Raffles City. I visited the Raffles City outlet after running some errands in the area. The restaurant is easy to get to by train, as it is located just a short walk from City Hall station. City Hall station is accessible by the East-West Line (green) or North-South Line (red).
Poulet is known for its fresh, high-quality ingredients and its commitment to using traditional French cooking techniques. Funnily enough, although it embraces the essence of French cuisine, its origin is actually from the culinary scene of Singapore.
The Food
The restaurant’s menu features a variety of dishes, including roast chicken, salads, pasta, and desserts. Naturally, given their fame for their roast chicken dish, it was only natural that I found myself compelled to experience it firsthand.
Half Roast Chicken with Black Pepper Cream Sauce + 2 sides – $22.90
Their signature roast chicken is available in two sizes—half chicken or whole chicken. Initially, I had concerns that even the half chicken might be too much, but the serving size turned out to be just right. The chicken itself wasn’t excessively large.
When it comes to flavour options, they offer a selection of four variations – mushroom cream sauce, cranberry sauce, diane sauce or black pepper sauce. If you order together with sides, you get to pick from the many options of side dishes. They have French Fries, Baked Beans, Potato Wedges, Mash Potato, Mac & Cheese, Truffle Mash Potato, Aglio Olio (Small), Mixed Salad, Saute Mushroom, Roasted Brussel Sprouts, Butter Corn, and French Onion Rice.
I opted to try their black pepper roast chicken with Mash Potatoes and Mac & Cheese for sides. I must say that their chicken is at another level. It was a tender and juicy bird that was far from dry. As for the sauce, I agree that it can get jelak after awhile. I think this is because the sauce is on the sweeter side. If you are sensitive to sweetness, you may want to ask for the sauce on the side.
1 pax Feast – $28 (+$2 for a drink)
This is part of their 3 course feast promotion. This enticing offer encompasses a harmonious trio: one starter, one main course, and one dessert. You can also add $2 to complete your meal with a drink.
My friend tried their Clam Crostini for starters, Chicken Carbonara for mains, and a Pineapple Panna Cotta to finish.
Starter – Clam Crostini
The Clam Crostini came in a pair, so I got to try one. It was a toasted garlic baguette, topped with baby clams, buttery garlic and crushed almonds.
What should have been a symphony of textures and flavour, ended up a disappointment. The first disappointment was the texture of the bread – a hard and unforgiving bread that fails to yield under the pressure of each bite. To compound the letdown, the clams themselves carry a taste that betrays their origins—an oceanic aftertaste that hints at a lack of freshness.
Main – Chicken Carbonara
Next up – the Chicken Carbonara. A dish that held promise but fell slightly short of greatness. It consisted of spaghetti, chicken chunks, turkey bacon, and sous vide egg, topped with parmesan cheese, in a homemade cream sauce.
The homemade cream sauce paired well with the pasta. The chicken was tender and added depth to the dish, while the turkey bacon imparted its distinct salty notes. However, despite the harmonious blend of ingredients and taste, something felt missing – an intangible element that would elevate the dish from good to truly great. Perhaps it’s a hint of additional seasoning to bring out the flavours more vibrantly, or an element of surprise that would make it truly memorable.
Dessert – Pineapple Panna Cotta
To be honest, I’ve never tried panna cotta till I visited Poulet. Panna cotta is an Italian dessert made with cream, sugar and gelatin.
Poulet’s interpretation of panna cotta takes on a delightful twist by incorporating tantalising elements of flavour and texture. Atop the panna cotta, you’ll find a charming medley of pineapple bits and crushed biscuit. The lusciously sweet panna cotta finds companionship in the bursts of tropical sweetness from the pineapple, while the slightly salty crushed biscuit provides a delightful crunch.
Whilst it was not bad, it’s a dessert that I wouldn’t order again. I just didn’t like the overall flavour of the panna cotta. Then again, it’s just my personal preference.
Verdict
Overall, the food at Poulet is good. The signature roast chicken is a must-try, and the sides are were good. The prices are reasonable given the portions, and the service is friendly and attentive. If you’re looking for a good place to enjoy a classic French meal, Poulet is a great option.
Good chicken is hard to find, and Poulet undoubtedly serves one of the better chickens around. However, I prefer my chicken to be packed with heat and spices. As such, although the food were generally good, I wouldn’t come back. For chicken with heat, my go-to place would still be Nandos.
Check out also:
- Nostalgic Hometown Curry Noodles at Nov.station @ The Commerze, Irving, Singapore
- Taste Good 好味小厨 @ Sim Lim Square, Singapore
- Twyst @ Raffles Place MRT Station, Singapore
My Rating
80%: Ambiance
75%: Price (value for money)
75%: Taste
90%: Location
90%: Service
82%: Overall Rating
Opening Hours
Open daily from 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM
Address / Contact Information
+65 6336 3119Poulet
Raffles City
252 North Bridge Rd
#B1-65/66
Singapore 179103
