You’ve seen tableside guacamole, tiramisu and salad; but have you ever seen tableside steak tartare? Cygnet by Sean Connolly is a new neo-classical steakhouse tucked within the boutique hotel, QT Singapore, in the CBD; and they’ve got premium steak cuts, seafood platters and course meals from $58++ per person!
The moody and charming restaurant space at Cygnet features modern and chic interiors, with marbled furnishings and also an open kitchen concept. They’re known for their premium steak cuts, but what’s interesting from the steak offering is their Tableside Steak Tartare ($34), where the dish is wheeled directly to your table on a trolley and prepared tableside on the spot!
Complimentary Bread
Tableside Steak Tartare, $34
For the tableside experience, you get to witness the steak tartare being prepared fresh before your eyes: the staff will add all the condiments for the tartare into an iced mixing bowl, before adding in the chopped tenderloin steak. They’ll also get to add freshly-ground black pepper and Tabasco sauce according to your personal taste. The steak tartare was well balanced, tender and not gamey; and the addition of tangy capers, chives and pickled cucumbers helped to add some freshness to it, balancing out the “rawness” perfectly—definitely a must-order if you’re a steak tartare lover.
Steak Frites, $48
Lobster Frites, $62
As for the other steaks, our Steak Frites ($48) were unfortunately a little overdone and slightly tough in some parts, so we definitely recommend digging into the steaks as soon as they’re served for maximum tenderness. For seafood lovers, you can opt for the Lobster Frites ($62) that comes with half a Boston lobster doused in a buttery, garlicky, herb sauce. We liked the fragrant aroma of dill from the butter; but portion-wise for the lobster is pretty small, especially for the price point.
Seafood Platters, from $78
New York Cheesecake, $20
Strawberries Romanoff, $22
You can also get seafood platters (from $78++ per person) with seasonal freshly-shucked oysters, poached jumbo shrimp and lobster rolls. Desserts were pretty classic, like the American-style chunky New York Cheesecake ($20) that’s topped with raspberry compote and the Strawberries Romanoff ($22) which was basically like a strawberry sundae. While the desserts were not the most inventive or creative, they were executed well, and dessert lovers will definitely enjoy the sweet ending to the meal.
Across the board, it’s safe to say that Cygnet is not for an everyday affair, as prices are pretty steep. But the elegant and intimate decor make it a great spot for date nights or special occasions. If you’re looking for a slightly more pocket-friendly option at Cygnet, you can go for their 2 or 3-course lunch sets from $58++ per person.
Taste: 7.5/10
Price: $$
Favourite dishe(s): Tableside Steak Tartare
Would we come back: Only if we’re looking to splurge for special occasions!
Cygnet by Sean Connolly
Address: 35 Robinson Rd, Singapore 068898
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday, 12pm-3pm & 5.30pm-11pm; Saturday, 5.30pm-11pm
