Sebastian Ng, former chef-partner of the famed Restaurant Ember, first opened his very own outfit in 2017, stylishly titled Venue By Sebastian. The CBD joint dishes out contemporary European cuisine with hints of Asian and Mediterranean flavours. Decked out in austere white with minimal finishings, the restaurant makes for an ideal spot for casual business lunches.
We suggest starting with the roasted cauliflower salad ($18). It’s perfectly seasoned and textured with satisfying chunks of cauliflower in every mouthful. The house-made brioche with foie gras mousse ($19) is one of Chef Sebastian’s signatures, and while the spread is creamy, decadent, and not to mention, abundant, we simply wish there was more bread to go around. Happy problems.
The farro ($26) – a type of grain similar to barley – with mushrooms, kombu butter, poached egg and Parmigiano Reggiano makes for a good sharing starter, especially if you’re walking in ravenous. It’s similar to a mushroom risotto except with an even greater mouthfeel due to the farro grains, and with its serving size, it could very well double up as a main.
Proteins are stellarly executed at Venue, with nothing dry or overcooked. The Chilean seabass ($42) is plump, soft, and pairs excellently with a well-balanced yuzu butter sauce and a savoury mushroom-bacon ragout – definitely our favourite among the mains. Another worthy contender: the Iberico pork collar with kebab spice ($38) which tastes pleasantly similar to satay, except with a softer bite and more char achieved through grilling over applewood. Venue’s signature mainstay is the braised 12-hour Wagyu beef cheek ($38) – the heartiest and most substantial of the bunch. The beef cheek is tender as expected, with velvety pomme puree and broccolini on the side.
The dessert menu isn’t an afterthought here as well. The pear tart ($15) might look plain and unassuming at first glance, but be prepared to be surprised when you sink your teeth into the crumbly pastry and caramelised pear slices. The best part is that it’s paired with homemade Baileys ice cream.
The restaurant boasts a sizable wine list, but if you’re looking for non-alcoholic options for lunch, opt for coffee by Toby’s Estate, or the Refreshing Yuzu ($7) which is a blend of yuzu, mint, sour plum and soda water.
Lunch sets start at $39 for a two course menu and $47 for a three course menu. A three course dinner is also available from $58 – a rare wallet-friendly find in the CBD area.