New restaurant, Summer Hill Bistro at Sunset Way

In an ideal world, we should have most of the amenities and services available in our respective neighbourhoods in Singapore. With everything within walking distance or a 10 minute bicycle ride, we can avoid overloading the transport systems and wasting time and money. Sadly this is seldom the case, especially when it comes to restaurants as they like to concentrate in malls and business areas like Keong Siak and Orchard. It is therefore always of great interest to us to learn of a new restaurant like Summer Hill Bistro which opened in the Sunset Way / Clementi residential area in early 2018.

Location

Summer Hill Bistro is located in a cluster of shops and restaurants along Sunset Way near the junction with Clementi Road. There are a number of vet clinics in this area. There was a hobby fish shop at the corner which has recently been replaced by a dental clinic. Do not associate the Bistro with the Summerhill condominium which is a couple of kilometers away.

Like the restaurants in the area, Summer Hill Bistro is simply decorated. There were only two tables in the indoor area which was mostly taken up by the kitchen and storage. The main seating area is outdoors which is more pleasant. But the canvas awning was no match for the merciless Singapore afternoon sun. We picked a table inside which was messy and smells of cooking but at least there was air-conditioning.

Summer Hill Bistro Menu

Summer Hill Bistro at Sunset Way has wisely kept their menu simple. You can count the main food choices on one hand. The menu is posted on the wall. There was a choice of chicken, beef, pork, sandwich and daily special. Some other minor food items such as quiche and pastries were available. Here are pictures of the Summer Hill Bistro menu.

The speciality of the restaurant is the roast chicken which is apparently made with hormone and anti-biotic free birds. We decided on a half chicken ($23) and roast pork collar in creamy mustard sauce ($25). For drinks we had a Punchin Rye beer ($12) and a small San Pellegrino ($3.50). The beer bottle looks cute but the beer was quite unremarkable.

I am happy to report that the grilled chicken at Summer Hill Bistro was indeed top-notch. The skin of the chicken was lightly browned. The meat was totally moist. The chicken must be quite large as the pieces of meat were thick and substantial. There is always a good chance that such a large bird will turn out dry after grilling, but this was not the case. This is the best grilled chicken we have tried in recent memory.

Like the chicken, the pork was well roasted but not dry at all. Another positive thing is that there was no ‘porkiness’ in smell or taste. It was a very friendly dish of grilled pork. It would have been better if there was more browning of the pork at the edges. The slices of pork were so pale.

Overall, lunch at the new Summer Hill Bistro at Sunset Way was mostly positive. The menu selection was limited and the environment on a hot day was less than perfect but what limited range of food they made, they made them well. The place was efficiently run by just two friendly people who handled everything. All prices are nett, i.e. no service charge or GST would be added.