The Masses specializes in a seamless fusion of French and Asian cuisine, blending the rich depth of French culinary techniques with the fresh, bold flavors of Asian ingredients. Led by Chef Dylan Ong, a renowned chef known for his innovative approach to flavor pairing, the restaurant offers a menu full of exciting twists on classic dishes.
Their newly revamped menu, Menu 19.0, marks a shift to a more refined, produce-focused approach, celebrating the natural flavors of each ingredient while maintaining the harmony of flavors the restaurant is known for.
New Menu at The Masses
Chef Dylan’s approach focuses on creating dishes that are not only rich in flavor but also balanced and sophisticated. The dishes highlight high-quality, seasonal produce, including locally grown mushrooms, fresh seafood, and premium meats, all at accessible prices. They have recently revamp their menu and below are the various set menu options.
The Masses offers a variety of ways to experience the menu – à la carte, a 6-course Chef’s Menu ($65.90/pax), a 9-course Communal Menu ($68.90/pax), a 2-course set menu ($30.90/pax) and a 4-course set menu ($48.90/pax) available on weekday lunch only (11:30am-3pm). They even have a kids menu.
Located at Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski, it’s easy to find and only a short walk from City Hall MRT, making it a convenient stop for both locals and visitors. When we heard about the new menu, we knew we had to come down and try it for ourselves.
The Restaurant Interior
The Masses has a modern vintage feel, combining patterned tile flooring, wooden panels, and shelves filled with books and art. The colourful chairs and cozy cushions add a touch of color, creating a stylish yet comfortable space for dining. The atmosphere is relaxed yet elegant, perfect for any occasion – whether you’re coming with friends, family, or a date. The restaurant is spacious, adding to its suitability for groups, but still maintains a cozy vibe ideal for an intimate meal.
An Honest Review of The Masses’ New Menu
Homemade “Rainbow” Brioche ($4.90)
This bright and visually appealing dish features a buttery brioche, colored naturally with beetroot, berries, and pandan. The brioche was soft and fine-crumbed, and each color offered subtle yet distinct flavors. The green had a slight pandan taste, and the pink carried a delicate hint of strawberry. While the texture was great, I found the brioche tasted better if served warm. Paired with umami-rich kelp-infused French butter, the combination of sweet and savory of the butter was a delightful start. The kelp butter had a similar flavor to seaweed, which complemented the mild sweetness of the brioche perfectly.
Charred Mackerel Toast ($14.90)
This dish featured lychee wood-smoked Spanish mackerel, a hearty topping on the sourdough, which was quite airy and crispy, but not too hard. The mackerel was soft and smoky, while the sourdough provided a satisfying crunch. Pickled fennel added a touch of tang, and the citrus segments, though subtle, really brightened the dish. The saffron rouille, a creamy emulsion of egg yolk, oil, and saffron, brought a fragrant richness that tied everything together. The flavors and texture were surprisingly balanced, and it was one of my favourite of this meal.
Burrata & Heirloom Tomato ($26.90)
The burrata was undeniably fresh, creamy, and of high quality, but the dish as a whole didn’t stand out. The addition of cherries, confit-aged tomatoes, pickled white anchovy, and cordyceps mushrooms created a complex blend of flavors, but the citrus molasses (the brown sauce) was a miss for me. The sweetness and acidity of the molasses clashed with the burrata and other ingredients, making the dish feel disjointed. While the burrata was great on its own, I felt the overall dish was less satisfying, especially for the price. The dish would have been better if it came with some bread to go together with the burrata.
Hay-Smoked Hamachi ($24.90)
A dish that promised much but didn’t quite deliver, is the hay-smoked Japanese Hamachi (yellowtail fish), which was paired with heirloom tomato, plum, caper berries, and a floral dashi-lavender jelly. While the fish was fresh and soft, the jelly didn’t complement it well. The strong floral notes from the jelly felt out of place and added an unpleasant layer to the otherwise delicate flavors. For the price, the portion size was small, and I would recommend skipping this one unless you’re really interested in trying it.
Consommé En Croute ($19.90)
This was a comforting and flavorful dish. The six-hour broth, rich with black chicken, red dates, and dried scallops, was deeply savory and satisfying. The crispy scallion pancake crust was a nice touch, adding both texture and flavor. While the pancake wasn’t as oily as those typically found elsewhere, it was still enjoyable when dipped into the broth. The combination of the broth’s depth with the crispiness of the pancake was an enjoyable contrast.
Chicken Supreme ($25.90)
This dish featured French yellow chicken, brined for 12 hours and pan-roasted to a tender finish. While the chicken itself was tender and well-cooked, we were more pleasantly surprised with the local Golden Cap Farm mushrooms and the broccoli puree. The mushrooms were rich in flavor, and the broccoli puree, infused with Italian parsley and chives, worked as a smooth and flavorful sauce for the chicken. Though nothing particularly exciting, this dish was solid and well-executed. However, we did feel that the portion size for one pax is quite small, so it didn’t leave us feeling very satisfied.
Strawberry and Vanilla ($14.90)
This is a dessert with a lot going on – a light citrus parfait of lemon and calamansi, a rich crème pâtissière, and brown-butter pain perdu (French toast) garnished with elderflower gelée and macerated strawberries. The flavors were a mix of sweet, tart, and creamy, but I felt the components didn’t quite come together. Each element was fine on its own, but I missed the cohesiveness. The portion size was also very small for the price, and while enjoyable, it wasn’t something I’d rush to order again.
Drinks
The Iced Pistachio Latte (right, $7.50) unfortunately lacked the distinct pistachio flavor, and the coffee itself was a bit too diluted. I personally wouldn’t get it again. Fortunately, the Peach Mango Mocktail (left, $9.90) was refreshing and light, with a nice touch of fresh mango cubes and a slight sparkling fizz. This was a pleasant drink and a good choice to pair with the meal.
Would I Come Back Again?
While The Masses offers a selection of exciting, innovative dishes, my experience was a bit mixed. Some dishes, like the Charred Mackerel Toast and Consommé En Croute, were truly enjoyable, but others, such as the Burrata & Heirloom Tomato and Hay-Smoked Hamachi, left me slightly disappointed.
Portion sizes were smaller than expected for the price, leaving me feeling that the value could be better. I would only return if I’m in the mood to try specific dishes at The Masses again.
The Masses
Address : 15 Stamford Road, #01-84, Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski, Singapore 178905
Nearest MRT Station : City Hall MRT
Operating Hours : Mon to Sat: 11:30am – 9:30pm (Last Order), Sun: 11:30am – 9:00pm (Last Order)
This is not a halal-certified establishment.
Contributed by Sharlene
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