On the scent of luxe fare

NEW RESTAURANT

Truffle Gourmet

49 Club Street

Tel: 6222-5996

Open for lunch and dinner Mon to Fri: 11.30am to 2.30pm; 5.30pm to 12am.

Sat: 5.30pm to 12am. Closed on Sun

SOMETHING old, something new. That seems to be the premise of Truffle Gourmet - a new Italian eatery that still bears a strong resemblance to its previous incarnation as Spanish tapas bar La Cicala, from its high tables right down to its Japanese chef.

While a new identity is understandable, naming itself after the most expensive mushroom in the world could pose more challenges than it needs in this difficult market. First, Truffle Gourmet sounds more like a fancy deli than a full-service restaurant. Yes, it's got an interesting display counter full of truffle-related products but don't forget that the people who patronise Club Street are, well, clubbers, not the let's-go…