Bosses at Vivocity

When G suggested BOSSES at Vivocity for our Friday dining relaxant, I was intrigued.
First of all, I've never heard of it! So I googled them. After reading through several blog reviews, we decided to embrace the moment and make reservations.
When we got there, I felt silly to have made the reservations since it was big enough to sit 40 tables full-house, but only 3 tables (including ourselves) were occupied. But as the dinner hour drew closer, the restaurant actually started filling up.

From the minute I walked in, I felt right at home. Suffice to say, the obvious colour theme was black, boldly separating this contemporary Chinese restaurant from the usual traditional suspects. In fact, from the modern colours, to the stylish Starck-inspired furnishings to the cascading automatic fountain sink in the restroom facilities, it would seem like the bosses of Bosses were intending to do everything they could to create a contemporary and distinguishing dinning experience that will set them apart from the already saturated offerings of Chinese-food serving restaurant within the vicinity. They even had a gadget set on every table that allowed impatient patrons (yours truly) at each table to call for the bill with a touch of a button.


I wish I could say that the food surpassed my expectations. With such a refine decor, unfortunately, ambience and a scenic dinning view is probably the main thing that this restaurant can offer as its main-draw. Which is probably why Hawker Centres can stay in business for like 20 to 30 years - its the food that eventually turn accidental and occasional diners to staple regulars, not the ambience.


Spring Roll and Carrots and Cucumber appetizer accompanied with a beautiful view

We started with the appetizer of Spring rolls, Carrots and Cucumber ($3.80!). Seeing as they were set on the table like the usual peanuts and 'ah-char' you get at standard restaurants, I expected the spring rolls to be soft and oily. They were however well-fried, crispy without the usual oil residue you expect left with every bite. The main courses which followed suit were sadly, not as commendable.

The moment our half portion of crispy duck ($25) was served, I knew it was a bad choice. Though cooked with aromatic herbs, the meat was bland and very tough. Under the air-conditioning, the meat dried up in record time, leaving us with duck-jerky. Nothing to gibe about on the honey grilled spare ribs ($16) but that also left nothing to reminisce about. G didn't think much about the claypot rice ($10) either, commenting it was rather ordinary and wishing he had ordered the La-Mian instead. The portion was also disappointingly small. He did mention though that the chinese sausages were quite good, but not as splendid as the ones Godma brings back from her yearly trips to HongKong. I didn't bother having much expectation, as long as the rice was fragrant and I had the crispy bits of rice off the side of the pot to nibble on, I was contented, with the claypot at least.
Only the pig stomach soup ($10.80) G ordered was decently good. The soup was thick and sweet, generous on the peripherals - barley, ginko nuts, water chestnuts and beancurd skin.

Crispy Duck with Aromatic Herbs

Pig's Stomach Soup


Claypot rice with Chinese Sausages


Chef Recommendation: Honey Grilled Spare Ribs

Needless to say, we gave dessert a miss. Even without the sweet endings, dinner for 2 set us back by $90 with drinks. For the portions and the quality I didn't think it was good money well-spent. I would give it a thumbs-up 5 star rating for the stylish and contemporary designer dining experience though.
They also serve lunch dim sum and the selection looked good.
I won't strike them off the list just yet, will come back and try the dim sum first before passing my final verdict.

BOSSES
Vivo City #02-156/157
Contact: 63769740