Perle Noire

In a nutshell
Fudz: Perle Noire :: Oyster & Grill Bar
Cuisine: Western
Location: 85 Upper East Coast Road Singapore 455222
Dial: +65 6448 1732
Interweb: http://www.perlenoire.com.sg
Damage: $50 and above because you have to eat those oysters before you eat your mains

The story
Pearl and Xaviere were in dresses. The general request was to dine somewhere so that their attire was made of good use. I don't know what purpose dresses serve except for salads.

Food took a couple of light years to arrive. We can't fault them because good food takes time to prepare. To add, their service was impeccable. Nobody gave us a stink eye even though we were late. (Some websites still state that their restaurant location is at 687 East Coast Road and I alighted at the wrong stop.) Nobody minded that we giggled like prepubescent teenagers while taking photos of each other. We had to find something to occupy our time while waiting for the food to be upon us. The servers were smiley, cheerful and attentive.

The name of the restaurant, Perle Noire Oyster and Grill Bar tells you two things. First, you can have wine. We heard loud guffaws from another table, someone who had a drop too many. Secondly, oysters. Nobody leaves without eating the oysters. Okay, except for Xaviere who is still a child when it comes to food. Otherwise, nobody.

Oysters, dozen.

There are Natural Live Medium Oysters ($20/half dozen) and Natural Live Large Oysters ($24/half dozen). Naturally, I'd ask for Natural Live LARGE Oysters. The waiter apologetically told us that they ran out of large oysters. I gave an unnatural wince. Nature took over when everyone else said medium is okay. The waiter gave a good-natured smile and took down our orders.

I was not disappointed. Their Natural Live Medium Oysters looked large by my standards. I slurped three of them in a jiffy because they are naturally addictive.

Their bread rolls ($1/each) were warm and comforting while we waited for the rest of the food to come.

Seafood Capellini

Scallop, squid, fish, prawn and mussel. I like it that they mean seafood when they say it's seafood. In some places, 'seafood' means only two types of seafood in puny amounts. I don't see their point. Seafood Capellini ($35) was also served with long beans and a pine nut paste that was unique in flavour. It tasted a little bit like Chinese fried seafood noodles but I believe that a lot of thought was put into the dish. Pearl and Xaviere cleaned up their plates because it tasted so good.

Also because they are carb monsters.

Ribeye ($36)

So they got the 'Grill' in their name done right.

Grilled Salmon with sweet potato mash and asparagus ($25)

Three items - salmon, sweet potato and asparagus. Three ticks. I love them all. I was afraid that the salmon might be dry because they tend to get overcooked. This one was about the juiciest slab of cooked salmon I ever had. The sweet potato mash was light and all the more delicious when it was soaked up with the salmon oil and juice.

White truffled potato fries ($8) - snacks for the ones who need more carbohydrates in their lives

Earl Grey Creme Brûlée ($10)

All of us wanted to save our stomachs for Udders (next door) except for Pearl who wanted a real dessert. Earl Grey Creme Brûlée had the earl grey taste that I need and more. It came with sweet berries on the top. Everything was sweet about this dessert except the part where Pearl demanded Sheena to try some of it in a very ferocious manner. We don't know where this Ms Hyde came from.

Homemade cookies

The smiley waitress offered us complimentary homemade cookies after our meal. We loved them, cookies, service and all.

We ended Dress Night by going to Sheena's place to watch 90s music videos on YouTube. Is that what old folks do nowadays?