Culina – a good steak restaurant in Singapore and more

Culina may not be the first name that comes mind when one is asked “where is a good steak restaurant in Singapore”. But we like to come to this casual restaurant in Dempsey for their steak simply because they have such a wide selection. There are also other types of food to keep your no-red-meat dining companion happy. The laid back atmosphere and free car parking also provide added incentives.

Culina Bistro takes up space within the bigger shop space in Dempsey. In addition to being a good steak restaurant in Singapore, it is also a butchery, wine shop and generally a store that sells delicious things. There are some outdoor seating and some indoors. We elected to sit at the counter as it provides a good vantage point to people watch. The Culina bistro serves a simple selection of ‘Western food’, such as salads, pasta and, of course, steaks. Here are some pages from their drinks and food menu.

The Culina butchery occupies a corner of the shop space. There, you can find all kinds of meats. Take your pick and they will cook it and serve it at the bistro for a $15 fee for cooking and a choice of three types of sauces.

We decided on a Tasmanian King Island grass-fed  ribeye which costs $96 per kg and selected this particular one that weighed 280g and which seemed to have a good balance of meat and fat.

This was how the ribeye looked after cooking. It was simply presented with the barest of garnishes. We selected the béarnaise sauce but did not use much of it as the natural taste was very good. Total price – $27+15 = $42.  To be honest I can’t really tell grass-fed from grain fed beef, but this was flavourful and the extra $15 is a reasonable price to pay for someone to cook and serve the steak, instead of causing a mess in the kitchen.

My non-beef companion played safe and ordered a pan-roasted Atlantic cod ($33).  It was also a good dish. The fish was fresh and the slightly bitter endives added an added dimension of taste.

The Culina Bistro is basically a very simply decorated place and a good steak restaurant in Singapore. Somehow, being surrounded by nice food and produce makes dining here more enjoyable. Here are some of the delicious looking things on display.

It is hard to walk out without buying something. This time we succumbed to the yummy looking cheese and crackers in the display. This was our purchase. The crackers have nuts and dried fruits encrusted in them and are the perfect companion for soft cheese.

Ratings:
Food: 4
Service: 4
Value: 3
Atmosphere: 3
Overall Rating : 4 TOPs  

Culina Dempsey
8 Dempsey Road #01-13 Dempsey Hill
Singapore 247696

Tel: +65 6474 7338

Operating Hours:
Mon – Thurs 10am to 9pm
Fri – Sun & PH 9am to 9pm
Bistro Operating Hours:
Daily 11am to 11.30pm

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