[Review] All Mains Under $28: Bouillon Gavroche Brings Accessible Everyday Parisian Comfort Food to Orchard Road

The dining scene in Orchard just received a fresh new addition with the opening of Bouillon Gavroche at Mandarin Gallery. For the uninitiated, a Bouillon is the charming, less pretentious ancestor of the bistro and brasserie. Opened by father and son restaurateurs Frédéric and Jean Colin, the team behind Brasserie Gavroche, the new restaurant seeks to bring a slice of old Paris to Orchard Road with hearty French comfort food served in a relaxed and approachable setting.

The concept of a bouillon dates back to 19th century Paris, where workers and everyday diners gathered for affordable, filling meals in lively dining halls. Unlike fine dining French restaurants that can sometimes feel intimidating or overly formal, Bouillon Gavroche embraces simplicity. The atmosphere here is warm, cheerful and energetic, with closely packed tables, vintage French posters and friendly service that encourages lingering over good food and wine.

At Bouillon Gavroche, the venue seats 70 people across a spacious 2,550 square feet. It comprises two separate rooms which are the Grande Room seating up to 50 guests and the Petite Room accommodating up to 20 guests. Guests dine at tables without formal linen while seated on red banquettes and classic chairs.

A defining feature of the space will be an original 1960s wooden bar specially sourced from France:

Overall, it is a cosy and cheery environment with excellent service that encapsulates affordable and accessible French food in a more communal setting.

We started our meal with a selection of classic appetisers.

The Œufs Mimosa (S) is a Bouillon staple celebrating everyday simplicity. It features halved hard boiled eggs filled with a delicious mayonnaise mixed yolk.

We also enjoyed the Camembert Pané (S) which features deep fried camembert cheese served with a green salad. When you slice open the fried batter, it is deeply satisfying to see the cheese oozing out.

Next, we had the Salade d’Endives (S) which brings together a crisp endive salad with walnuts and green apple. This is on the bitter side and feels like an elevated version of the local rojak.

Moving on to the mains, the highlight was the Parmentier de Canard (S).

We really love the duck confit which was presented like a pie format instead of the usual plating. It is a rustic French take on shepherds pie featuring shredded duck confit with crushed potatoes and breadcrumbs.

We also savoured the Bœuf Bourguignon, Coquillettes (S). This dish consists of slow cooked beef braised in red wine and served with elbow pasta. It truly evokes the warmth of homecooked meals found in Parisian households.

We rounded off our main courses with the Crevettes Sauce Thermidor (S) which features prawns smothered in a rich béchamel sauce alongside spinach and mushrooms. Another delightful comfort dish.

As a side dish, we ordered the Ratatouille (S) which is a hearty and classic vegetable stew.

No French meal is complete without sweets and the desserts here stay true to French classics. We tried the Tarte Fine aux Pommes (S) which is a classic, comforting thin apple tart.

We also indulged in the Profiterole (S). This dessert features delicate choux pastry filled with vanilla soft serve and generously drizzled with hot chocolate sauce. It was a truly indulgent finish to the meal.

To pair with the meal, the wine programme is exclusively French with a concise selection of bottles offering strong representation across classic regions from Burgundy to the Rhône.

Everything about this restaurant feels designed for easy arrival and frequent return visits. From the thoughtfully priced dishes (everything is under S, with their most expensive item priced at for their Butcher’s Cut Steak) to the lively and cosy atmosphere, it captures the essence of 19th century Parisian dining.

Overall, the menu brings together beloved French classics offering great value for quality. If you are looking for a casual approach to French cuisine in Orchard Road, Bouillon Gavroche is worth checking out.

Bouillon Gavroche

Address:
333A Orchard Road, Mandarin Gallery, #01 16/17
Singapore 238897

Opening Hours:
11.30am to 10pm
Monday to Sunday