Summer Hill Roast Chicken

Summer Hill is a charming French bistro tucked away on the second floor of Claymore Connect, just a short stroll from Orchard MRT. While their regular menu features French staples like Wagyu Beef Bourguignon, Mussels Normandy, and French Fried Chicken, weekends bring a creative twist with their Brunch Trolley - a roaming service inspired by the 'dim sum' cart, with menus that rotate every few months according to a new theme.

We’ve been here a few times - and I figure they’re pretty consistent. In fact earlier this year they had their Brunch Trolley is themed 'Savouring Stories', with each dish inspired by iconic women writers. Priced at $79++ per person, the brunch includes unlimited servings of iced tea and all featured dishes during the dining session. Diners can opt for free-flow prosecco and wines with a top-up of $55++. The trolley service is available on specific sessions: Fridays at 12 pm and Weekends at 11 am and 1.30 pm. During these sessions, the regular a la carte menu is paused.

The owner we heard honed his skills in France and wanted to bring some of those flavours back home. And he did just that. It’s provincial dining, authentically inviting. It’s a bistro after all; affordable food beyond all the snooty Michelin starred headlines that the nouveau riche abhorred.

The roast chicken was a staple these few visits - consistently tender and juicy at 7.25/10. Summer Hill does a great job with this dish - requiring patrons to book/ preserve in advance as preparations take at least an hour prior. Definitely go for their roast chicken - if it’s the one dish you must have, it is this.

Next, the tomato soup. Exquisite. Rendered canard fats simmer together with on vine tomatoes resulting in an emulsification of magik. Didn’t recall seeing this soup the last few rounds - but definitely a keeper! The duck rendered fats brings this to the next level. 7.25-/10

The pork chop was a little underwhelming. The sauce was good - cream puree. It was overdone 6/10 - the previous rounds I recall it was better at 6.5/10

The mussels were also good at 7/10. The cream sauce was perfectly infused with the crispness of the abundant dill.

Summer Hill is indeed a homey, rustic French bistro.