Just a while back, we had been flooded by American television and cooking that taught us that burgers should be our staple. Now, every other restaurant seems to have introduced some kind of brunch menu that offers variations of the same dishes. So when we came upon Roadhouse, our suspicions came up, what can this rustic-looking restaurant offer?
We could not be more wrong because just a step into this homely sun-lit restaurant, a certain authenticity stamped on our hesitation. Taking over the space that Cafe Hacienda used to dwell, Roadhouse introduces our all-time favourite diner food so often seen on American network television programmes that whetted our appetites. In a rustic yet contemporary setting, Roadhouse serves up mouthwatering dishes that is strong in character and flavour. So with their introduction of a new menu, we could not be more excited to try.
We are all familiar with Pigs in a Blanket, but have you heard of Shrimps in a Blanket? Roadhouse included this eclectic creation in their new menu and it is a definite must-try. Here, jumbo ships are wrapped in a sweet and salty maple roasted bacon and roasted. The shrimp,when paired with the sticky caramelized sauce, heightened the freshness of the seafood that contrasted delightfully with the crunchy bacon. And if you found the pairing a tad rich, a roasted tomato and jalapeno salsa provided the necessary zest.
The Cajun Chicken Salad was the perfect warm salad to have a balmy afternoon. Tender Cajun chicken chunks, still warm from the grill provided the richness to crisp selection of rocket tomatoes. Tossed in a sweet homemade honey-mustard dressing, the salad was peppered with crunchy cashews that provided texture and surprise in every bite.
Already a crowd-pleaser, Roadhouse offers an extensive selection of burgers and sandwiches that are made on their in-house Josper grill. When we first heard of their use of the Josper grill, our ears perked up immediately! What is it, you may ask? The Josper (pronounces Hosper) is the latest in-thing with famous chefs around the world. With its mechanics of combining an oven and a charcoal grill, it cooks your meat in half the time with the thick walls keeping the heat in. As a result, your meats would be cooked perfectly despite using half the time intended.
Naturally, we had to select a burger to sample the effectiveness of this grill! The Simply Brie-vine Burger offered an interesting play of ingredients with the usage of grilled poached pear and brie cheese on a wagyu patty. The sweetness of the fruit played up the sharp salty flavour cheese that melted under the heat of toasted bun. Together with the wagyu patty that had that wonderfully charred flavour and tender beefiness on the inside, there was a full 15 minute pause in the lunch conversation. No doubt because of the grill, the juices stayed sealed in the patty and the fats were cooked until it melted with the slightest pressure. I think we have run out of adjectives for ‘delicious’.
For vegetarians, Roadhouse also has a varied offering. The Mushroom Melt Quesadilla had our vote. Underneath a crispy shell, we found an abundant medley of buttered mushrooms and sweet caramelized onions hidden. But what captured our tastebuds was the clever use of Monterey Jack cheese. The sharp melted cheese provided much flavour to provide a richness to the vegetables and creamy guacamole. Not many renditions of the quesadilla uses Monterey Jack cheese and we appreciate Roadhouse for going the extra mile to use it to heighten the flavour.
Being part of the Prive Group, Roadhouse had a certain expectation when it came to desserts. Pastry Chef Esther Cheng did fantastic job in establishing a dessert menu that was both simple and extensive at the same time. From the classic Peach Melba sundae to a delicate S’more Ice Cream Cake, you would be able to find something you would be willing to save that extra stomach space for.
But uncharacteristically, we found ourselves choosing the Esther’s Lemon Meringue Pie. The last time we had a lemon tart, we had been sorely disappointed with the starchy or overly sweet curd. Roadhouse diminishes all the worry with their version. Nestled in crunchy crust, the smooth and creamy lemon curd was both tart and luscious in texture. Having a crisp crust shows that the lemon tart was made to order and not left in a chiller till ordered, we approve.
Instead of a marshmallowy meringue characteristic of a lemon dessert, Roadhouse offered a variation in texture with tubes of crisp meringue, garnished with sugared lemon zests. Unusual but the combination worked and is memorable. Even little touches like a lemon syrup showed their attention to details. One of the best lemon tarts we have had!
So regardless on whether you need lunch or that time out, Roadhouse offers an escape to reality with comfort and decadent food. Tucked into a quiet corner at Dempsey, you might find yourself in a food coma and losing hours of time just enjoying good food at reasonable prices. Oh and did we mention that the only burger patties they offer are wagyu? Well, who are we to deny our stomachs?
Thank you Roadhouse, for reminding us that we should no longer feed ourselves with anything but good nosh.
Roadhouse
Block 13 Dempsey Road
Tel: +65 6476 2922 | Website
Mon–Fri: 10.30am – 10.30pm, Sat–Sun: 9.00am – 4.00pm/ 6.30pm to 10.00pm
Image Credits: Guo Wei, Ho
