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Basil Alcove – No Frills Fine-Dining

Rating:

By Veron Ang

Most foodies would have heard of this little dining establishment at Middle Road called Basil Alcove. This is a place known for its no frills fine-dining in a coffee shop environment. Unlike most fine-dining restaurants that charge astronomical prices for food that come in small portions, basil alcove charges much more reasonable prices for the same kind of cuisine.

Look, how nice! Wouldn’t this roasted rack of lamb fit right into any classy French restaurant?

Roasted lamb rack (medium rare)

Roasted lamb rack (medium rare)
S$16.80
Rating:

Although the meat was found to be slightly on the tough and chewy side, my dinner partner said that on other days when he had the same dish, it was never the case; that day was just the rare exception. The seasoning had been done very nicely. I am no meat eater but taste-wise, I thought it was pretty good.

Shrimp with orange and basil sauce

Shrimp with orange and basil sauce
S$8.80
Rating:

The shrimp pasta was such a huge serving that we had trouble finishing it! I’m not complaining though. The chef had been very generous and sprinkled the dish with many fresh shrimps and a lot of cheese (I think)! It was certainly very filling and satisfying.

Pan baked cod with beetroot caviar and balsamic onions

Pan baked cod with beetroot caviar and balsamic onions
S$16.80
Rating:

I retain my best compliments for the pan baked cod with beetroot caviar and balsamic onions. The photo simply doesn’t do it justice (we didn’t use the flash and had only candlelight). It was the softest, juiciest, tenderest and most succulent thing. I’m definitely going for the same dish again the next time I head back. Hopefully it would still be there since the menu changes every few months.

Basil Alcove
190 Middle Road
#01-07 Fortune Centre
Singapore 188979
Tel: +65 6333 1461
Service:

Bus services: 56, 131, 147, 166, 857, 980, NR6
Nearest MRT: Bugis

Opening hours:
Lunch: 12 – 3pm (Closed for lunch on Sundays)
Dinner: 6:30 – 10pm

Tags: alfresco/outdoor dining, Bugis, café/bistro, casual, dinner, fine dining, lunch, western

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About the Editor

Veron Ang is the Founder and Chief Editor of Sparklette, a Singapore restaurants guide, lifestyle and travel blog. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in computer science from the National University of Singapore and runs a web design firm at Sparklette Studio. To get in touch, head on over to the contact page or follow @Sparklette and @VeronSG on Twitter.

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Responses Leave a comment

andy
13 comments

is this the little alfresco place..just by the road? :) 1 more day to freedom! yay!
Reply
Posted March 11, 2007 at 11:48 pm
Veron
3438 comments

Right on! Yay!
Reply
Posted March 11, 2007 at 11:51 pm
coolgeek84
2 comments

Hi there,
First of all, real great design man! I love the colour choice as they go easy on your eyes and they are just so pleasing to look at!
I am web designer as well, more of backend programmer actually, doing php/sql stuff :)
Anyways, wanted to point out that there is a minor glitch if I am using my Linux to view your website. The castle at the top of the page (with the maple leaves flying over) is not visible. I am not sure if its a linux thingy or u can change your code. So what I see is just a red box (to the dimensions of the leaves animation) covering up the castle. The leaves are flying around though :p
I tried it through Firefox, Konqueror and Opera browsers. All had same error. Using openSuSE 10.2 if that can provide any clue at all.. =) I can send you a screenshot if you need one. :)
Anyway, its ok even if it isn’t solved. Just wanted to inform u =)
Best Regards,coolgeek84
Reply
Posted March 12, 2007 at 12:01 am
Veron
3438 comments

Thanks for pointing out the glitch. I know exactly what red box you’re talking about because I’ve seen it through the Snap Preview Anywhere screenshots of my website. I guess it can be fixed rather easily by adding the castle image to the flash animation. Anyhow, thanks for liking my design still despite that hideous thing!
So you’re a web developer! I work with php/sql developers very frequently so perhaps we may even work together in future :)
Reply
Posted March 12, 2007 at 12:22 am
coolgeek84
2 comments

Oh yah! Y didn’t I think of that! Anyways, I am developing a site right now too :)

http://www.nearestcarpark.com
But I am in final year now with final year project and all, so kinda stalled right now :(
Will be finishing it once I graduate =) My designing skills are no where near yours! lolz.. So bare with the design :p Anyway, sorry if I am not supposed to post my site here. Not trying to advertise in anyway =) I won’t in the first place becoz its not done yet :) And sure, you are welcome to do whatever u want with me email add. lol. Its used for email, msn, friendster bla bla bla..
Alrite, nite!
Reply
Posted March 12, 2007 at 12:42 am
pkchukiss
82 comments

I WANT that cheese melting lovingly on my tongue right NOW! You know, it might be worth it to undergo surgery to install food flaps inside the mouth so that all those yummy stuff can be stored inside there for slow tasting!
Reply
Posted March 12, 2007 at 12:48 am
Veron
3438 comments

Food flaps inside the mouth! You’re a creative one aren’t you? Even with another 10 years I don’t think I could think of something like that!
Reply
Posted March 12, 2007 at 12:52 am
nicole
15 comments

wow, all that food looks so tempting… haha… hmm i must go there one day and try it out myself :P
Reply
Posted March 12, 2007 at 10:34 pm
py
183 comments

Thanks for sharing. Looks like one more option for me to enjoy food when I am at middle road.
Reply
Posted March 14, 2007 at 8:25 am
lwy
1 comment

Hi, i think basil alcove has no GST and service charge, so a little error on your pricing.
Reply
Posted July 3, 2007 at 1:36 pm
Veron
3438 comments

Thanks for pointing that out. I didn’t get the bill so I just assumed by default that there were those charges.
I have corrected my post. Thanks!
Reply
Posted July 3, 2007 at 1:47 pm