Food Picks: Hearty French cooking at La Table D'Emma
SINGAPORE – On the day I visit La Table D'Emma, the ice-cream machine is broken. Workers come in towards the end of service to tinker around with the air-conditioning vents, which ostensibly also require some tender loving care.
The kitchen, perennially short-staffed, is running on a skeleton crew.
'Just what I needed – more drama,' jokes chef Michael Muller, a kitchen veteran who meets whatever curveballs restaurant life flings at him with dry sanguinity.
His response to the staff shortage has been to scale down the menu to focus on the few French dishes he does best at the restaurant, which opened in April 2024 and is named after his wife.
One staple that remains, however, is the warm hospitality the restaurant continues to dish out. It is hard not to feel welcome when the chef shakes your hand like he means it and sets down a piping hot crock of French onion soup ($26++) covered in a golden dome just begging to be shattered for the love of Instagram.
The other soup option equally invites interaction: a mushroom 'cappuccino' that has to be assembled by pouring shiitake broth into a bowl of mushroom foam ($22++). Do not be put off by its frothy creaminess – it tastes far more delicate than it looks.
The creative presentation is a nice touch, but this is not a restaurant that needs to rely on visual gimmicks. It prides itself on unpretentious cooking that honours tradition, but not too rigidly.
The Non-Classic Bouillabaisse ($44++), for instance, is served in a pan instead of a pot, soup and ingredients combined only at the table. This gives the prawns, squid and fish some time to brown, acquiring an added dimension of flavour before the saffron broth is tipped in.
Another standout seafood dish is the French raviole ($42++), stuffed with scallop mousse and served in a sizzling pan, a glistening lobster tail tossed in for good measure. Everything is blanketed in a tarragon-infused lobster sauce so rich and robust, I start hoarding pieces of bread meant to accompany other dishes, just to have something to sop up every last drop.
Kaya Mon Amour from La Table D'Emma.
PHOTO: LA TABLE D'EMMA
There are also nods to chef Muller's personal history. To start: Flemmakueche (from $24++), a pizza-like dish from his home town of Alsace. And to end: Kaya Mon Amour ($16++), his version of kaya toast, made with Kougelopf, housemade gula melaka and pandan mousseline cream – a delectable tribute to his current home.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
5 hours ago
- Straits Times
Hong Huifang and Chen Tianwen star in Kopitiam Days SG60 film anthology
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Actress Hong Huifang in the short film Meet Me At The Pavilion, part of Kopitiam Days, an SG60 anthology film. SINGAPORE – Veteran local actress Hong Huifang is busier than ever in a period of her life when she thought she would be resting. 'I thought I would be retired by now,' says the 64-year-old, who enjoyed a 40-year career starring in series such as The Unbeatables (1993) and The Price Of Peace (1997). 'I felt I had reached a plateau and could not go any further. I thought only young people had opportunities, and there were none left for me.' Hong was speaking to The Straits Times at a media event in York Hotel Singapore to promote the SG60 anthology film Kopitiam Days. Then the drama Ajoomma (2022) happened, in which she starred as a widow who becomes stranded in South Korea and embarks on a journey of self-discovery. The film, helmed by Singaporean director He Shuming, earned Hong a Best Leading Actress nomination at the Golden Horse Awards. Following that achievement, the idea of retirement was shelved. Her latest projects include local film A Good Child, opening on Oct 9; Taiwanese supernatural series Haunted House Secrets, which aired in June; and the Singapore-Thai mystery thriller series Decalcomania, to be released in 2026. She is starting production on another local drama series co-starring other veteran actors, with details to be announced later. 'I was lucky to be in Ajoomma . It brought me up to another level. People watched my performance, they saw my potential and they gave me another chance. I'm so grateful, and as long as my physical and mental health is good, I will carry on working and find new challenges,' she says. Actress Hong Huifang earned a Best Leading Actress nomination at the Golden Horse Awards for her role in Ajoomma (2022). ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN In Meet Me At The Pavilion – one of six short films that make up Kopitiam Days – Hong plays Ai Hua, a volunteer performer at a Hainanese opera troupe in danger of going broke unless it can persuade a former sponsor (played by Zhu Houren) to step up again. Directed by Shoki Lin and based on his own family's background in the art form, the role required Hong, who was raised in a mainly Teochew-speaking environment, to brush up on what remained of the Hainanese she had picked up from her maternal grandfather, a native speaker. She practised Hainanese with native speaker and co-star Zhu and also with her opera coach, who is a member of Singapore Hainan Society's opera troupe. 'Just as spoken Mandarin is not the same as the Mandarin that is sung in Peking opera, spoken and sung Hainanese are not the same, so I had to train in singing as well as d ancing, especially the hand movements. The gentle, flowing hand gestures are hard to do,' she says. In a separate interview, veteran local actor Chen Tianwen spoke about his part in another short film, the martial arts-inspired action-comedy Dragon Gate Assembly – one that was a decade in the making, he says. Chen Tianwen in the short film Dragon Gate Assembly, part of the Kopitiam Days anthology for SG60. PHOTO: CLOVER FILMS Chen, 62, gained fame in local martial arts series in the 1990s, and became known for playing a fighting monk in The Royal Monk (1997) and The Royal Monk II (1998). At the gala premiere of his 2015 comedy movie Mr Unbelievable, he and Singapore film-maker Eric Khoo chatted, during which the director promised the actor they would work together one day. Khoo, executive producer and creative director of Kopitiam Days, then suggested to Dragon Gate Assembly director Yeo Siew Hua that Chen be included in the project. (From left) Director Yeo Siew Hua with actors Chen Tianwen, Xenia Tan and Tay Ping Hui, who are in action-comedy Dragon Gate Assembly. ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN He and co-stars Tay Ping Hui, Xenia Tan, Richie Koh and Kung Cheung Tak play characters who assemble at a coffee shop, representing the famous inns of wuxia. Chen says: 'So when I talked to Eric again for this short film, I told him, 'I've been waiting 10 years for your call.''
Vogue Singapore
6 hours ago
- Vogue Singapore
PhotoVogue unveils the ‘Women by Women' shortlist
PhotoVogue is proud to unveil the shortlist of the most talented artists selected from Women by Women , our most ambitious Global Open Call to date. This digital exhibition brings together a remarkable group of 150 photographers and video makers whose work explores what it means to see—and be seen—as a woman. With nearly 100,000 submissions from over 9,500 artists across 149 countries and territories, the response was extraordinary—a testament to the urgency, depth, and beauty of the female gaze in contemporary image-making. From intimate portraits to bold conceptual narratives, from fashion to documentary, the selected works span a wide range of voices, styles, and visions. These artists' works stand out for their originality, emotional resonance, and aesthetic strength. Together, they form a moving visual chorus that challenges norms, expands representation, and reclaims space. This year, PhotoVogue is doing things a little differently. Instead of revealing everything at once, we're unveiling it in stages—building momentum toward the next edition of the PhotoVogue Festival. Additional announcements and new, incredible initiatives are on the horizon—so make sure to return to this page and follow us on Instagram to stay updated. Be sure to continue checking the exhibition for further updates on our incredible international jury, our grantees, the artists selected for the PhotoVogue Festival, as well as the selected artists for the portfolio reviews. Women by Women is more than a showcase—it's a statement. A global manifesto of solidarity, creativity, and empowerment, it affirms that the future of image-making is plural, inclusive, and female-led. Check out our virtual exhibition and see some of the selected artists here. 1 / 13 Myriam Boulos 2 / 13 Alice Poyzer 3 / 13 Angela Cappetta 4 / 13 Delali Ayivi 5 / 13 Hannah Hall 6 / 13 Anaïs Kugel 7 / 13 Maya Inès Touam 8 / 13 Kristen Joy 9 / 13 Keerthana Kunnath 10 / 13 Narantsetseg Khuyagaa 11 / 13 Carla Rossi 12 / 13 Bettina Pittaluga 13 / 13 Doro Zinn This article was first published on
Straits Times
6 hours ago
- Straits Times
Lord Of The Rings musical's composer A.R. Rahman is building a global virtual band using AI
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Rahman used this same storytelling approach when he composed the musical adaptation of The Lord Of The Rings in 2006. SINGAPORE – A.R. Rahman loves to tell stories. Narrative is of great importance to the celebrated Indian musician, and it is a key part of his creative approach. Music is an immersive experience, the 58-year-old music maestro tells The Straits Times via Zoom from Oakland, San Francisco, where his The Wonderment concert tour stopped by. The prolific film composer and singer, known for his Oscar-winning score and song Jai Ho for the film Slumdog Millionaire (2008), is expanding his love for storytelling into the virtual-reality (VR) world with Secret Mountain, a virtual band he created using artificial intelligence (AI). Rahman's first teaser came in February 2024, when he shared a trailer about the six-member group on Instagram. While the project is still in its early stages, storytelling is central to Secret Mountain. Describing the group – comprising three males (Ekam, David and Zentamizh) and three females (Cara, Blessing and Aafia) – as 'very cinematic', Rahman has created a backstory for them and is preparing a movie. It is this same storytelling approach that Rahman focused on when he composed the musical adaptation of The Lord Of The Rings in 2006, which makes its Asia premiere at Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands, on Aug 12. Presented by Base Entertainment Asia, The Lord Of The Rings – A Musical Tale is based on English author J.R.R. Tolkien's beloved epic fantasy book series (1954 to 1955), instead of director Peter Jackson's action-packed Oscar-winning film trilogy (2001 to 2003). Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore NDP 2025: No ticket, no problem – here are some spots to soak up National Day vibes Business Who loses the most from Trump's tariffs? Who wins? World Israeli army will 'take control' of Gaza City: PM's office Business Singapore's digital banks trim deposit rates, mirroring moves by incumbent players Life Singapore's nightlife isn't dead yet World Intel CEO Tan Lip-Bu says has board support as Trump calls for resignation Singapore Ex-lawyer convicted over charges for cheating company director of more than $8 million Singapore Chief Justice names law graduate who wanted anonymity after being denied Bar admission The three-hour show is told from the perspective of hobbits Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin, and follows the four friends' adventures as they seek to destroy a powerful magical ring. Rahman, who worked alongside Finnish folk band Varttina and Tony-winning musical composer Christopher Nightingale, admitted he did not know much about Tolkien's novels when Mr Kevin Wallace, chief executive of the theatrical production, first approached him. Rahman had just finished working with famed British composer Andrew Lloyd Webber on the Bollywood-themed musical Bombay Dreams. It opened in 2002 in the West End in London and closed in 2004, and was Rahman's first stage production. Rahman turned to Jackson's films for reference and started reading Tolkien's source material and the musical's book to prepare. The Lord Of The Rings – A Musical Tale, starring (from left) Rarmian Newton as Frodo and Terence Crawford as Gandalf. PHOTO: DANIEL BOUD Composing for The Lord Of The Rings – A Musical Tale was a difficult and exhausting process. His inspiration stemmed from extensive research into the type of music that would best suit the story and setting. He avoided using Indian ragas or music styles, focusing instead on Western classical and theatrical traditions. His favourite song is Lothlorien, sung by elven queen Galadriel, because it is 'very spiritual, surreal and mystical' – qualities that he deeply enjoys and connects with. 'Scoring for a musical is very different from composing for a movie,' says Rahman. 'For instance, songs often serve as an interval or music video that do not necessarily advance the story. 'In a musical, every song must move the narrative forward. There are no visual gimmicks or exotic shots to rely on – the music and lyrics must carry the story.' He adds: 'If the songs don't propel the narrative forward, the musical will fail. The songs are not just standalone numbers.' Celebrated Indian musician A.R. Rahman spent about 1½ to two years to compose the score to The Lord Of The Rings musical. ST PHOTO: JOANNE SOH Rahman spent about 1½ to two years on this job. He explains that his goal was to capture the right feel and vibe for the musical, ensuring that the music created an immersive experience for the audience. The Lord Of The Rings – A Musical Tale made its debut at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto, Canada, in 2006. It then travelled to Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London in 2007, where it played until 2008, earning five Laurence Olivier Awards nominations that year. It was revived in 2023 at Watermill Theatre in Britain, followed by a staging at Chicago Shakespeare Theater in the US in 2024 before making its way to New Zealand, Australia and Singapore, with an Australian cast. The current production sees the actors doubling as musicians, instead of relying on an orchestra. While Rahman – who feels proud that the musical has stood the test of time – values the involvement of an orchestra, he appreciates the innovative approach and calls the production 'immersive'. 'It captures the essence of the original music while giving it more soul,' he says. Book It/ The Lord Of The Rings – A Musical Tale Where: Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue When: Aug 12 to 31, Tuesdays to Fridays, 8pm; Saturdays, 2 and 8pm; Sundays, 1 and 6.30pm Admission: $68 to $238 via Marina Bay Sands ( ), Sistic (call 6348-5555 or go to ) and Klook ( j) More epic shows heading to Singapore Judging from Base Entertainment Asia's 2025 line-up, musical theatre lovers have much to look forward to in the coming months. From the famous Swan Lake ballet and acrobatic adventure Cirque Alice to the fantastical The Witcher In Concert and rock concert experience Queen: It's A Kinda Magic International Concert, there is something for everyone at the Sands Theatre. Here are the three biggest shows coming up. Dear Evan Hansen Dear Evan Hansen musical will make its Singapore premiere at Sands Theatre on Oct 30. PHOTO: BASE ENTERTAINMENT ASIA While many musicals are adapted from books or films, Dear Evan Hansen is an original stage production by American songwriting duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul – best known for their Oscar-winning tunes from movies La La Land (2016) and The Greatest Showman (2017) – and based on a story by American playwright Steven Levenson. It may have debuted on Broadway in 2016, but the difficult mental health issues portrayed in the show such as depression, anxiety, bullying and suicide are still relevant almost a decade on. The story follows titular protagonist Evan Hansen, an anxious high school student who longs to be accepted by his peers. When a misunderstanding spirals into something beyond his control, he needs to find the courage to tell the truth and face the consequences of his lies. The Tony- and Grammy-winning musical featuring a UK cast from the West End production makes its Singapore debut on Oct 30. Tickets are available at Disney's Beauty And The Beast Shubshri Kandiah plays Belle and Brendan Xavier plays the Beast in Disney's Beauty And The Beast musical. PHOTO: DANIEL BOUD Based on the 1991 animated film of the same name, the evergreen fairy tale follows Belle and her encounter with the Beast, a prince transformed into a monster due to a curse. To break the spell, the Beast must learn to love and be loved before the last petal falls from an enchanted rose. This Australian production boasts new sets, costume designs and state-of-the-art technology, while keeping familiar hits songs such as Be Our Guest, Gaston and the beloved title song composed by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman and Tim Rice. This is the first production from the Disney Theatrical Group, the live show, stage play and musical production arm of The Walt Disney Company, which went on to stage The Lion King and Frozen. Beauty And The Beast has toured over 37 countries since 1994, and was first staged here in 2015 at Sands Theatre. It is back for its Singapore run on Dec 11. Tickets are available at Les Miserables – The Arena Spectacular World Tour Les Miserables – The Arena Spectacular will make its debut in Singapore on March 24, 2026. PHOTO: DANNY KAAN Les Miserables, another perennial fan favourite, returns to Singapore with a concert-style twist. Les Miserables – The Arena Spectacular World Tour celebrates the original phenomenon's 40th record-breaking year. It opened in Belfast, Ireland, in 2024 with a new stage design specifically created for larger venues. Fans can belt out to One Day More, I Dreamed A Dream and Bring Him Home along with a 65-strong cast – which will include several celebrated Les Miserables veterans as guest stars – and orchestra. This will be the third time a Les Miserables production plays here, following its runs at the former Kallang Theatre in 1996 and Esplanade Theatre in 2016.
