The Press Room is the best modern European brasserie in the city. Nearly three years after opening its doors, The Press Room still serves unpretentious food made with the finest ingredients. Fresh seafood and poultry are delivered daily, and its crowd-pleasing, classic dishes of French Onion Soup, Plateau de Fruits de Mer, Lobster Risotto, Prime Steak Frites, and Chateaubriand are already well-known to regulars. 

Kris Bandel, the brasserie's head chef, has brought simple French-European comfort food to new heights with exciting, new offerings that ensure a memorable meal. Bandel places much emphasis on using top quality produce and a simple yet beautiful presentation for every dish. 

Heart-Stopping New Dishes

The updated menu is a must-try for all food lovers. Head chef Kris has added fresh flavours and ingredients to some familiar dishes, with several of them taking days to prepare. One of the newcomers, Escargots de Bourguignon with garlic, almonds and parsley requires all the bread you can get your hands on to soak up the delicious almond and butter sauce. 

Another new starter, Salmon and Cod Fishcake is symmetrically presented atop a pool of wilted spinach. The fishcake is light and crisp with just the right amount of beurre blanc to inject a touch of richness  that will leave you wanting more. 

Other appealing choices are the Terrine of Chicken with bacon, garlic, lemon and basil for those poultry fanatics in search of something different, and the Mushroom Crepe with gruyere cheese for a complete  mushroom and cheese indulgence.

Unforgettable Mains

The Rosemary Butterflied Lamb Leg is a new main that has already been creating excitement among  carnivores. Roasted to perfection, the boneless lamb is exquisitely juicy, tasty and tender, and is supplemented with chorizo white bean cassolet that provides a textural and taste contrast to the lamb. One order serves up a generous portion that could easily satisfy more than three diners.  

If you're visiting on a Saturday, the night's dinner special Chargrilled Tenderloin would also be a great option for a main. The very tender, melt-in-your-mouth tenderloin will surely leave you sated and wishing that everyday is a Saturday. For those longing for simpler and lighter pleasures, try their Tuesday dinner special Roast Pigeon with broad beans, peas and pigeon jus.

Chef's Recommendations

Bandel holds all of the dishes on the new menu with high esteem and finds it hard to pick out recommendations. But for the spring days ahead, he suggests the Green Bean and Goat Cheese salad tossed with shallots, figs, and hazelnuts. The figs pair wonderfully with the moist goat's cheese and the rest of the ingredients all come together to make a fresh and vibrant-tasting, crunchy salad. Kris also recommends with vigour a glass of Alphonese Mellot Sancerre La Moussiere 2008 from Loire Valley, France, to pair with the salad. 

For a comforting main, the chef cheerfully roots for the Classic Beef Bourguignon accompanied by a serve of soft, creamy pomme puree with truffles.  A glass of medium-body pinot noir, Michel Magnien Bourgogne Grand Ordinaire, 2007, pairs perfectly with this homey French staple. 

For those who prefer a seafood hearty main, try the Prosciutto Wrapped Salmon with roast leeks, chives and beurre blanc. The roasted leeks offer an interesting counterpoint to the dish, giving it  harmonious, subtle-yet-rich flavours.

Sweet Treats

With such comforting new dishes on the menu, desserts are simple and direct. New to the dessert menu are the Banana and Walnut Glace, and the Vacherin with Vanilla Ice Cream and Strawberry Compote. 

The first offers an extremely creamy-yet-light and sweet blend of banana and walnut accompanied with brandy snaps, while the latter features a stunning red and white presentation composed of meringue and vanilla ice cream topped with fresh strawberry compote. There couldn't be any better way to sate your sweet tooth.

Finest Brasserie in Town

The ambiance of The Press Room is extremely French bistro with a friendly demeanour and a comfortable, relaxing atmosphere. Serving an all-day selection, you can drop in anytime and be assured of good food. 

In addition to the a la carte menu, there is also a popular three-course set lunch during the week, a daily two-course set dinner, and the book-ahead-to-avoid-disappointment Sunday brunch from 10am-6pm.

Complementing the restaurant's hearty fare is an impressive selection of quality wines from around the world. 

The Press Room is arguably what every neighbourhood needs: an easy-going, casual spot for French bistro classics. A fact that has not gone unnoticed by the city's discerning foodies who return again and again to enjoy fabulous food in a unique setting.