Housed within a classic pre-war black and white Rochester colonial bungalow, Graze exudes the aura of an unhurried world, where its patrons can unwind and simply enjoy a sleek contemporary dining experience. Owned by Miss Yenn Wong, the lady who brought us the celebrated Jia Boutique Hotels in Hong Kong , much has been anticipated for this establishment that is expected to impress. Complemented by its lush surroundings and romantic candlelit pathways, Graze is indeed captivating by night.

You will get a sense of how posh this restaurant is the moment you step into the compounds. There are both indoor and outdoor spaces available for dining, however most people prefer staying out in the pleasantly cooled garden pavilion and indulge in the fusion cuisine that Graze offers. Chef Matthew Lawdorn designed the menu to emphasize a home-made cuisine that is fresh, modern and stylish.

• Entrée
  We were served the entrée at the same time as the main course, which was a little confusing at the start as both dishes looked equally heavy. Nevertheless, I found out a little later on that the entrée consists of the Steamed Lobster Tortellini with Verjuice and Salmon Roe, Butter sauce and crispy Herb Salad ($19).
  
  It held a strong buttery flavour which was tastefully creamy, but unfortunately I was unable to savour the lobster that was encased within the Tortellini. Furthermore, I felt that this dish could do well as a main course because of its heavy cream content.
  
  
• Main Courses
  Those coming to Graze must definitely have their signature hand-rolled Pork Hork ($30) that awarded us with a medley of tastes, starting off with a tangy sweet plum sensation that complemented the tender pork , and ended with a slight hint of mint. Another commendable dish will be their Soy Lacquered Wagyu Ox Cheek ($32) that is served over a small portion of deeply flavoured Coconut rice with green papaya and a pomelo salad at its side. This delicacy melted right into our mouths, and suggested strong Thai influences because of its unique blend of spicy and sweet tastes. However, I would like to caution those who are unable to bear with spiciness as the rice is flavoured with a generous serving of chilli powder.
  
  
• Desserts and Drinks
  Upon recognising that the most difficult decisions in life could sometimes revolve around making choices about which desserts to have, Graze decided to offer a sample platter ($25) of all the desserts available on its menu. Intricately made with uncompromising standards, each of these desserts were delightful and of outstanding quality. Our favourites include the warm Graze Black and White pudding that is oozing full of warm bittersweet chocolate from within, and the Strawberry Champagne Jelly that held the unmistakably sweet aroma from the light alcohol.

  Wine lovers can rejoice as Graze is equipped with a full wine cellar. Originating from all over the globe, the cellar holds a wide variety of reds, whites as well as champagnes. You can also choose from a range of martinis, uniquely blended cosmopolitans and cocktails.

The SD Food Advisor’s take on Graze
For ambience, I would place Graze near the top with other famous restaurants like Halia’s and the Les Amis outlets. It is a great place to wine and dine, however, the elegance of the restaurant could be unnerving for those who are not used to such posh environments. The food definitely does not disappoint, although the portions are too small for my liking. Nevertheless, the effort placed into their preparation is commendable as you are able to taste the difference in their culinary standards.