Restaurant Review: High Society on Orchard Road

Restaurant Review: High Society on Orchard Road

290 Orchard Road
Singapore 238859

The fact that I couldn’t find a phone number for High Society on Orchard is indicative of the whole restaurant: something is missing. High Society is situated very close to Lido Cinema on Orchard Road, so I decided to drop in some day to try out their food before catching a movie. From the outside, the place looks as if it could live up to its name, with white marble floors, and red carpet flooring. We had no trouble getting a table, as the only people present when we went in on Sunday evening were sitting downstairs and outdoors. On the first floor, there are number of tables, yet we were the only dinner guests, except for one other couple, who came after us and left before we did. On a Sunday afternoon on Orchard this is quite remarkable and should raise a flag. The nice ambiance is negatively impacted by quite loud clubbing music from the bookstore right next to the restaurant, as the door was open and the bass was thumping. Not quite conducive for the otherwise posh atmosphere.

To call the waiter, you have to use a buzzer on your table. Staff was very friendly, yet lacked some knowledge to the food they serve, e.g. when being asked for recommendations. Eventually we went for the Catch of the Day and the Oxtail Stew, accompanied by white wine.

High Society - Catch of the Day

High Society - Oxtail Stew

The Catch of the Day came with Tempura Prawns that tasted literally of nothing, might as well have been cardboard. The fish itself was okay, yet the lemon butter sauce was again a disappointment. The Oxtail Soup was comparatively better, with the meat being tender and flavourful, but also not quite up to the standards you would expect to find at “High Society”. The wine was not at all to our liking, being slightly sour and leaving an unpleasant aftertaste. Pricing was average for an Orchard restaurant.

Overall, I wouldn’t recommend the place unless you’re in a pinch to grab a bite before a movie and need a place with lots of empty seating.

3/5 Stars