With all the talk about health foods and the importance of keeping a balanced diet on the rise lately, it seems like more and more restaurants are headed in the wholesome culinary direction. Le Lagon, a breezy poolside café, located in the classical Le Meridien Hotel is one such bistro that offers up this health-concious selection. Discard the usual carrot and celery only diet, as this café gets set to whip up scrumptious delights like nourishing sandwiches with lightly grilled lean meats and divine low fat pastas. It will definitely be a shame to dismiss Le Lagon as being just another health bar as the culinary standards of the chefs will surprise, or even enthrall you into becoming a health food addict!

• The Vibe
  Archetypical of poolside cafés, Le Lagon is a rather good venue for an invigorating meal after a swim or a tedious gym workout, French alfresco style. Apart from being placed right beside the serene aqua pool, this café is also located near the Sculptured Bodies Gym, which is run by famous body-builder Jerry Howard. As such, many avid gym buffs are regularly spotted having their meals here, which is a sure sign that the food is designed for optimum maintenance of body wellness.

  Well-ventilated by the high ceilings and rustic fans, and furnished in tones of white and striking florals, Le Lagon is a fine illustration of French simplicity. The abundance of potted flowers and shrubs scattered all around the dining area further slanted the feel of this café to being laidback and homely.

• The brainchild of its cuisine
  Boasting nothing short of elite, the team of chefs at Le Lagon (which also prepares the delightful cuisines at sister restaurant Café Georges) is headed by none other than Chef Robin Sing, who is an Honorary Advisor of the Society of Professional Chefs in Singapore . In a joint collaboration with body-builder Jerry Howard, Chef Sing aims to offer healthier alternatives in his menu to the guests, that simultaneously caters to the delicate diets of body builders. Blending contemporary influences into nutritious dishes of fresh greens, lean meats and fish, wheat pastas and wholesome bread, everything on this specially-designed menu is packed full of pure goodness, and minimal fat.

• My recommended dishes
  As a start, the refreshing Grilled Asparagus ($8) salad, served with lemon dressed rocket leaves and tarragon, will be ideal to prime your senses. Another commendable dish will be the piquant Parma Ham and Vegetable Salad ($10). Hosting a plethora of other finely grilled vegetables like bell peppers, aubergines, asparagus, courgettes and red onions all infused with the aromas of balsamic vinegar, this unique salad is topped off with strips of extremely crispy parma ham that added that much needed tinge of saltiness to the neutrality of the greens.

  However, the one that comes out tops is their Grilled Chicken Breast ($14) which is served atop a bed of finely woven rice noodles, with chilli on the side for those who fancy some spiciness. The perfect mélange of sugar sweetness and spice, together with the succulence of the lean meat will immediately please your palate, and leave you craving for more. Also, if you are up for some fish, do make a note to try the tender and sweet Pan-fried Halibut ($16) that is spruced up with a generous sprinkling of bits of papaya and coriander salsa.

The SD Food Advisor’s take on Le Lagon
The food in this café makes choosing the healthy alternative seem like child’s play. Apart from offering obvious health benefits and well-rounded body nourishment, the dishes on the menu satisfied my taste senses completely. I also liked the fact that they displayed the individual amount of carbohydrates, fat, protein and energy of every dish in their menu, which would be beneficial for those who are serious weight watchers or body-builders. Fuss-free and wholesome, Le Lagon successfully delivers up quality light meals that can alter people’s expectations of health cuisines from henceforth.