Viva Lavender is a new restaurant that marries European fare with Asian flavours, tucked away in Bendeemer
If you’re always on the hunt for chic dining spots without an exorbitant price tag, Viva Lavender is one to keep on your radar.
New to the Lavender-Bendeemer ‘hood, this restaurant brings together the best of both worlds — European classics with an Asian twist.
By day, Viva Lavender serves up all-time brunch classics, including smashed avocado toast and other hearty plates.
When evening rolls in, the place gears up for a more sophisticated menu, and along with cocktail pairings, to boot!
Facing Arc380, Viva Lavender stands out from the surrounding dull office buildings with a stylish facade that entices passers-by to take a second look.
As night falls, the allure deepens as the lighting dips into a warm, intimate glow — setting the tone for romantic dinners or cosy, unhurried catch-ups.
Beyond the main dining area, Viva Lavender offers a dedicated space for larger groups and intimate gatherings, too.
Touches of greenery bring life to the space and soften its dark wood fittings, which give the restaurant a natural, calming ambience.
The result? A space that feels both polished and relaxed. It’s the kind of place where you’d linger for slow conversations that stretch late into the evening…and a solid date-night spot!
The menu at Viva Lavender
The beef tartare with tomato consomme (S$25) kicked our meal off with a bright and refreshing start — evoking the familiar flavours of yukhoe (Korean-style seasoned raw beef), albeit with a more punchy twist.
Surprisingly, I really enjoyed the pairing between the beef and naturally vibrant tomato broth. Each bite bursts with flavour, making it an invigorating, yet clean-tasting appetiser that primes your tummy for the dishes to come.
The garlic prawns (S$20) arrived next, bathed in aromatic garlic-infused chilli oil and with a side of toasted sourdough.
This is a playful fusion dish that combines the classic Spanish gambas al ajillo with the bold kick of Chinese-style chilli oil.
This is another combination that works well — the prawns were beautifully cooked and succulent.
Meanwhile, the sourdough was perfect for mopping up every last drop of the rich sauce.
After you’re done with the starters, the menu also presents larger, intriguing plates that you won’t easily find elsewhere.
One dish that caught our eye on the menu was the dry-aged French lemon sole (S$68) that’s best shared with the table and served with gochujang beurre blanc and fried capers.
It’s a permutation that sounded bold and adventurous, but its execution fell a little short for us — the flavours came across muted, with each component struggling to complement the other.
The fish itself felt plain, and its delicate flesh overshadowed by a lingering brininess on the skin.
Compared to Viva Lavender’s appetisers, this one didn’t quite deliver the same punch, unfortunately.
That aside, the miso black cod (S$45) with tobiko beurre blanc and broccolini was outstanding.
Well-cooked black cod may be a rare find, but Viva Lavender has nailed it. The flesh was melt-in-the-mouth tender, while still remaining delicately flaky. Each bite was effortlessly satisfying.
Another dish from the mains selection that was recommended to us was the Australian grass-fed hanging tender (S$35 for 300g), or hanger steak, with a choice of chimichurri or red wine jus.
Regarded as one of the cow’s rarer cuts, it’s said to deliver a rich, beefy flavour. But our steak was a tad tougher and underseasoned than expected.
Nonetheless, the garlicky chimichurri brought a herbaceous lift that helps to add a punch of flavour.
Last but not least, the lava cake (S$12) was a much-needed, sweet treat. Slightly warm and tender, the chocolate cake hides a rich, molten center that oozes upon cutting.
The gooey, intensely chocolatey filling had us completely smitten — so much so that we couldn’t resist polishing the plate clean.
We found that some dishes hit the mark more than others, but if you’re looking to slow down and enjoy good company on the quieter side of central Singapore, Viva Lavender might be a reasonable choice.
This was a hosted tasting.
For more ideas on what to eat, check out the new menu at the freshly revamped Michelin-starred Nae:um and La Vache’s steak and unlimited fries offering!
Tues 11am - 3pm, 5pm - 10.30pm
Wed 11am - 3pm, 5pm - 10.30pm
Thurs 11am - 3pm, 5pm - 10.30pm
Fri 11am - 3pm, 5pm - 10.30pm
Sat 9am - 10.30pm
Sun 9am - 10.30pm
- Bendeemer
- Lavender
Shannon has the taste buds of a grandmother and perpetually struggles with a food coma.
Read more stories from this writer.
