Imagine being transported away from worries of urban life as you step into the confines of 1 Rochester Park, despite being located within walking distance of Buona Vista MRT. Two years since it first opened doors in December 2005, the place has certainly not lost its charm and maintained its trendy vibe, attracting professionals from all walks of life.

• The Vibe
  The charm of 1 Rochester lies mainly in its theme. Set in a colonial bungalow, different sections, each with distinctive character, are carved out to satisfy the different needs of guests. However, the dining areas are mainly outdoors, set in the lush tropical garden, providing diners with a tranquil setting for a stress-free dinner. The al fresco environment is kept pleasant with good ventilation and the establishment going to great lengths to keep the mosquitoes at bay. If you seek a place to simply chill out and enjoy the company of friends, you can choose from the comfortable Living Room, the sensual Play Room, the opulent Library or even the rustic Garden, all designed to transport you away from your troubles.

• The Food 
  1 Rochester prides itself on being the first in Singapore with the “gastrobar” concept, offering guests a well-stocked bar and gourmet food, including a full menu. With a new executive chef Reif who mastered his culinary art under the likes of Gordon Ramsay and Jean Paul Naquin, new life is injected into the food served.

  The set dinner for the month costs $68+++ per person, with an option for wine pairing at an additional $16+++. Starting us off were some wonderful Grilled Scallops with Asparagus wrapped in Parma Ham, which raised our expectations of the night. Moist scallops, subtle in its flavour, were accentuated with the savoury goodness of the ham, crisp without being charred. Lightly seasoned, the asparagus provided a mellow contrast to the scallops, resulting in a well-thought dish. Warm and comforting, the Roasted Butternut Squash with Cumin Oil and Truffle Cream is just what the doctor ordered for a cold, rainy evening. However, save for the distinct fragrance of truffle, the creamy butternut squash failed to impress, especially in terms of taste and texture.

  For the main course, we had a choice of a seabass fillet and a veal rack. Done medium-rare, the Oven-roasted Veal Rack with Chocolate Jus and Sauteed Wild Mushrooms was well executed with the meat being moist and tender. While the veal and chocolate pairing was a little unusual, it is not as bad as it sounds. The wild mushrooms were flavourful without being overpowering, complementing the veal quite nicely. On the other hand, a bite from the Line-caught Seabass Fillet with Ratatouille & Aioli made me decide that the veal was the better choice, ceteris paribus. The texture of the fish was a little limp, expected of a seabass, and the sauce was rather unremarkable.

  The Lavender Jelly with Wild Berries Compote was enjoyable; its floral fragrance was light without being overwhelming and the tangy berries certainly hit the spot, ending the meal on a perfect note.

  The a la carte menu also entices with items such as stuffed squid, oven-baked miso cod, crab claw linguine and coconut panna cotta, all given an unexpected twist unique to the establishment. One would not find the usual pub grub here and would, instead, be spoilt for choice with their extensive tapas menu.

• The Service
  Service is professional, albeit a little inexperienced; so one is certainly pampered right down to every detail.

The SD Food Advisor's take on 1 Rochester
While the set dinner fell a little short of expectations, though time may change that for the better; the ambience and service is an experience in itself. 1 Rochester is certainly a different take on the phrase, “a home away from home”. This homeliness is especially felt during Sunday brunches where parents get a lazy afternoon off and kids take control of one of the rooms indoors and have their little party of endless cartoons and animated movies. A second project in the East Coast is in the pipeline, set to open its doors in late February 2008. The concept will undoubtedly be different, but if the success of 1 Rochester is anything to go by, I am quite confident that they are, indeed, capable of something quite spectacular.