Lunch at The Wine Company @ Dempsey

14D Dempsey Road, Dempsey Cluster, Singapore 249688

Tel: 6479 9341

Website: http://www.thewinecompanyonline.com.sg

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewinecompany

Our usual monthly Wine Friday fell on a public holiday, so we decided to meet for brunch at The Wine Company @ Dempsey area.

Interior was dim and intimate, adorned with tasteful art decor items such as vintage lampshades, huge wineglasses and carpets. The alfresco area looked serene as well, surrounding the front and back of the bistro, amongst greenery.

Service was pleasant and as efficient as one man could manage. Menu items was a surprise assortment of both Western and Asian dishes, from vinegar trotter to spam fries to melon with prosciutto to pasta dishes; a contemporary fusion concept at play.

We started with Pepper Seared Tuna (SGD $9. 90), thick slices of succulent tuna with robust black peppercorn coating, giving it a fiery kick.

Salt and Pepper Calamari (SGD $9.90) was another personal favorite, gently fried till golden brown and crackling in texture.

The Deep Fried Crispy Pork Belly (SGD $7.90) lent crunch to every bite, marinated in Nam Yee fermented red beancurd; served with pineapple cubes.

Cantonese-styled Nam Yee Chicken Wings (SGD $9.90) was average in taste - a blend of sweet and savoury from the fermented red beancurd marination; the inner area was still very red, probably from premature thaw?

For mains, we had the Pig Trotter Beehoon (SGD $6.90) - huge pieces of tender pig trotter marinated with a sweet sauce; the bee hoon (vermicelli) was immersed in tbe same dark sweet sauce. Not bad, but would have been much better with a savoury sauce.

The Yong Tau Fu Capellini (SGD $8.90) was composed of al dente capellini pasta and our local favorite yong tau fu pieces, such as beancurd, green chilli, bittergourd and surimi topped with fermented black bean sauce. This was pretty tasty and filling.

Following that, we enjoyed a Chacuterie Board (SGD $24.90 for half / SGD $34.90 for full) - comprising truffle salami, pancetta, prosciutto, chicken liver pate, cheddar cheese, morbier cheese, gherkins, olives, mustard, jam, walnuts, dried figs, crackers and sliced baguette. A good assortment of items for slow indulgence; immensely enjoyable.

Finally, the Chocolate Molten Lava Cake (SGD $12.90), a decadent and tasty cake with lava that flowed beautifully. Vanilla ice cream and strawberries were served on the side.

For wine, we started with the Steigelmann Gimmeldinger Meerspinne Riseling Kabinett Halb-tr (2014), at SGD $59.90 a bottle. Loved the crisp fruity notes of this semi-sweet wine.

Then we moved on to the reds - Bushmanspad Estate Shiraz (2015), also at SGD $59.90 a bottle, with delicious notes of cherries, dark chocolate and spiciness.

Overall dining experience at The Wine Company was not bad; food was decent but decor was pretty. Wine list was comprehensive and good enough too.