When walking through the doors of Brasserie Astoria, one can understand why Victoria Concert Hall was chosen as the location of the restaurant. Singapore’s oldest concert venue parallels the location of Brasserie Astoria’s flagship in Sweden, a carefully restored building that was once Astroria Cinema. The restored Swedish building, which dates back to the 1870s, recalls a time when Stockholmers, eager to escape the harsh realities of war and depression in the 1920s, flocked here to entertain and socialise.
Singapore diners can now experience the grandeur of this sought-after dining destination, thanks to the Frantzén Group, led by renowned Swedish chef Björn Frantzén. This is the Group’s second foray into Singapore since its three-Michelin-starred fine-dining restaurant Zén opened in November 2018.
Brasserie Astoria is a traditional but “more casual and accessible” brasserie that aims to bring back the spirit of grand dining halls with flambé trolleys and tableside service. It’s posh, but it also serves pizzas.
The main dining hall, decked with retro furniture under dim lighting and a high ceiling, instantly transports guests into another world – although a closer look at the artwork reveals rather eclectic choices (a collage of popular superheroes and Hollywood stars sits in the private room).
An extensive a la carte menu is executed by Singaporean head chef and Zén alum Emil Cecil Ess. Dishes include Raraka, the Swedish answer to rosti, featuring crisp Agria potatoes topped with vendace roe, and Toast Astoria, a nod to traditional Swedish Toast Skagen with mounds of Baltic prawns and Norwegian king crab dressed with wasabi aioli and served atop crisp sourdough.
For mains, we highly recommend the Whiskey Flambéed Beef (served tableside) and Grilled Spring Chicken “Buffalo Style”. There is also a respectable list of seafood and vegetable dishes such as Moules a la Creme (mussels beurre blanc), Grilled Monkfish Tail “Rossini” and Artichoke a la Barigoule. Then there are the Truffle “Le Blanc” and Kebab (with duck confit) pizzas.
Desserts include Sesame Soft Serve Ice Creme, Banana Creme Brulee and, our favourite, Waffle Ice Cream, served with pistachio waffle, oolong ice cream and raspberry. Brasserie Astoria also offers an extensive wine list and a unique cocktail menu featuring a Nordic focus with Asian influences.
Brasserie Astoria is at 11 Empress Place #01-01, Singapore 179558.
