Cygnet by Sean Connolly brings a sizzle of Manhattan to the streets of Singapore

Adding to Singapore’s vibrant dining scene, Cygnet’s upcoming launch is set to have your taste buds buzzing. Officially launching on 15 Sep 2024, their curated team of chefs and mixologists, helmed by the acclaimed chef and restaurateur, Sean Connolly, will be bringing the electrifying vibe of New York steakhouses to the streets of Singapore.

Tucked away in the newly-launched QT Singapore (formerly Hotel Telegraph), I was lucky to be among the first few to sample Chef Sean Connolly’s culinary work of art. Here are some highlights:

Starting with appetisers, the Devilled Eggs (S$12) made for a fun presentation, served in swan feet egg cups (playing to the origin of Cygnet). They showcased eggs perfectly-cooked with a rich, creamy filling with an almost silky texture. The caviar on top made for a fun flavour explosion, washing my palate with a wave of ocean-like saltiness.

Next, we have the Tableside Steak Tartare (S$34). The dish is prepared and served tableside, giving you a feast for your tongue and eyes. A lot was happening simultaneously, flavour-wise. It gave me a full-force flavour explosion with notes of savoury, tangy, and salty lingering on my palate.

Moving on to the mains, I tried the Ricotta Gnocchi, Orgy of Mushrooms (S$36). This dish was rather apropos with its medley of mushrooms delicately seasoned to contrast the rich creaminess of the ricotta gnocchi, which had a smooth and velvety texture – an absolute stunner and vegetarian-friendly!

I was also presented with the T-bone Stone Axe, AU, Wagyu X Angus, MBS5 (S$282) from their Steak Library. The T-bone is very much a sharing portion, recommended for 4 to 5 people. Stone Axe Wagyu is known for its quality meat, exquisite marbling, and near-perfect fat-to-meat ratio… so I knew I was in for a treat.

Needless to say, this dish did not disappoint. The meat was cooked to a perfect medium-rare, allowing me to fully appreciate the textures and flavours. It was genuinely melt-in-your-mouth tender.

The sauces provided – Red Wine Jus and Black Pepper – also made for the perfect accompaniment, each boasting a rich flavour profile that surprisingly did not overwhelm the dish. The sides – Smoked Mash, Creamed Spinach, and Honeycomb Mac and Cheese – were equally exquisite and simply elevated the steak to another level.

For desserts, everything presented was just the perfect amount of sweetness for me, earning the classic Asian compliment, “It’s nice because it’s not too sweet.”

The Strawberry Romanoff (S$22) was a nice boozy treat complemented by tart strawberries. The New York Cheesecake (S$20) was a classic staple done right with its signature velvety creaminess. Lastly, their freshly baked Madeleines (S$12) were “as light as air,” to quote Ross from Friends.

Of course, I would be remiss to miss out on their drinks selection. I got to indulge in 2 of their speciality cocktails. The Everything is Better Naked was an almost savoury cocktail given the prominent smokiness from the Mezcal.

On the other end of the spectrum, their take on a New York Sour boasted a sweet flavour profile, almost reminiscent of an apple crumble, making it more of a dessert cocktail and easy on the palate.

Needless to say, I am counting down the hours before Cygnet opens to the public. It may not be an everyday haunt for me, but it would be my next go-to if I’m feeling a little fancy and want to spoil myself (or my loved ones) with quality dishes done right.

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