“ Bienvenido a la casa-Z” means welcome to Casa-Z in Spanish. This is certainly befitting of the restaurant's name as casa means home in Spanish. The restaurant sets out to give its patrons a homely and welcoming feel. Spanish by name, Casa-Z actually serves French cuisine here! Situated along the banks of the Singapore River at Clarke Quay, it provides a panoramic skyline view to complement the food, making it a romantic setting for diners at dusk.

• The Vibe
  Casa Z boasts of a posh interior - well furnished, complete with a comprehensive bar boasting a vast array of alcoholic drinks. The interior has a dim setting with Einstein-esque light bulbs at the ceiling. Glass window panes, adorned with motifs, enhanced the aesthetic pleasure of customers. Stepping into Casa Z would set one right at ease with its comfy seats, in a semi circle table. Large white sofa seats await those who prefer to dine al-fresco.

• The Food
  Whet your appetite with the Grilled Scallops ($26), one of the popular starters at Casa Z. Queen scallops, lightly grilled and served on a bed of leek, in a ‘pastis' sauce. The secret weapon lies in the ‘pastis' sauce which hails from Marseille in France. The scallops were fresh and gave off a sweetness that was coaxed out by the ‘pastis' sauce.

  The Pan Fried Duck Liver ($27), a classic delicacy in French cuisine was memorable as Casa Z's rendition is amazingly soft and tender. It is served with warm polenta with fruit compote balsamic juice. The foie gras was so soft that it melts in your mouth, making each bite a blissful moment.

  Another starter not to be missed in French cuisine has to be Escargots ($20), half dozen snails cooked with butter, garlic and parsley. The snails were chewy but for those who are less adventurous, you may want to opt out on trying this dish because for me, this dish did not live up to its reputation.

  For main course, the Rack of Lamb Provencal ($35) is certainly worth trying as the New Zealand air flown lamb rack was juicy and tender. Topped with Provencal herbs, bread crumbs, parsley, rosemary and thyme, it proved to be the perfect foil for the lamb rack as it resulted in an aromatic lamb dish. It is also served with ratatouille and assorted vegetables. The meat had a hint of marble fat, which was smooth and complemented the herbs well.

  The Casserole of Fresh Lobster ($45) is a dish that is painstakingly prepared by the chef. Fresh lobster tail, un-shelled, simmered slowly with mushrooms and green beans in creamy seafood bisque. The seafood bisque was rich and lightly kissed with a dash of wine. The chunky lobster tail was fresh and succulent and is certainly a treat for seafood lovers.

  For dessert, try the Tiramisu ($12), which was light and had a balanced amount of coffee and wine. Mango Bavarois with strawberry sauce ($12) remains my favorite dessert as it had chunks of fresh mango and the cake was terrifically fluffy. Or take a bite from the Homemade Raspberry Chocolate Tart ($12). The dark chocolate was rich and smooth, carrying a subtle hint of raspberry, thoroughly delighting my palate. The Hazelnut Parfait was slightly disappointing. I felt that it was a rather confused version, as it did not have a strong hazelnut flavor.

• The Service
  Casa-Z provides an impeccable service to its customers. The general manager, Bastien, is hospitable. Do not hesitate to ask for recommendations, for he will be more than willing to do so.

The SD Food Advisor's take on Casa-Z
Casa-Z serves up delectable French dishes and the décor enhances the aesthetic pleasure of dining. Along with its impressive view and romantic setting, it makes an attractive place for couples and friends to hang out. The prices are also fairly reasonable given the fact that most French restaurants charge at a premium.