Affordable French food in town? And at Far East Plaza?
I would not say that was on my Orchard Road food checklist, but Ma Cuisinette has opened at Picnic Food Hall, bringing dishes such as Bouillabaisse, Mussels in Cream, Baked Chicken Gnocchi and pastas into a food court setting.
Ma Cuisinette was previously known for its Greenwich V outlet, and has also opened a Chinatown stall (5 Banda Street near Chinatown Complex) and this Far East Plaza outlet.
The name Ma Cuisinette means “my little kitchen”, while “Père et Fils” on the signboard means father and son.
The stall is run by French native Laurent and his son Alain, who moved into the casual food court space after starting with a fuller French bistro-style concept.
Orchard has no lack of restaurants, but not many places where you can get a plate of seafood pasta or baked gnocchi at food court prices.
The menu here is not purely French though, and perhaps that is also the practical side of running a stall.
You get Classic Salad ($8), Caesar Chicken Salad ($9), Mozzarella Salad ($9.90), Surf & Turf Salad ($10), Chicken Provencal ($9), Bouillabaisse ($12), Mussels in Cream ($12.90), Seafood Gnocchi ($12.90), and Baked Chicken Gnocchi ($11.90).
There are also pizzas and pastas such as Margherita Pizza ($12), Hawaiian Pizza ($14.90), Mushroom & Ham Pizza ($14.90), Pepperoni Pizza ($14.90), Seafood Tomato Sauce Pasta ($9.90), Creamy Chicken Ham Carbonara Pasta ($9), and Chicken Aglio Olio Pasta ($9).
The Seafood Tomato Sauce Pasta ($9.90) came in a wide-rimmed plate with mussels, clams, prawns, shaved cheese, herbs and a lemon wedge. Quite a bit of effort there for under $10.
The tomato sauce was tangy and lightly sweet, with some seafood flavour coming through from the shellfish.
While it may not be the best around (the sauce could be more deeply rich), though the presentation, portion and ingredients made it feel fair for the price.
The Baked Chicken Gnocchi ($11.90) arrived in a paper-lined tray, covered with melted cheese, herbs and shaved cheese, with bits of browned cheese on top.
This was more comforting than refined. The gnocchi was soft, the sauce was creamy and cheesy, and the chicken pieces made it feel more substantial.
After a few mouthfuls, it did get quite heavy-tasting, so this may be better for sharing.
While online reviews so far have been pretty mixed, I thought the portions were decent, and the stall does offer something unconventional from the usual food court choices.
Ma Cuisinette
Picnic Food Hall @ Far East Plaza, 14 Scotts Road, #01-08 to 14, Singapore 228213
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
Ma Cuisinette
Picnic Food Hall @ Greenwich V, 1 Seletar Road, Singapore 807011
Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm (Mon – Sun)
Ma Cuisinette
5 Banda Street, #01-52, MR1, Singapore 050005
Opening Hours: 10am – 9pm (Daily)
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