Sorry folks this is one place not to bother with. Who are you people writing the rave reviews. I have been here twice now. Once 6 weeks after it opened and once at little while back, just to give it the benefit of doubt. Food is average, service inconsistent and prices scary for what you get.

Went here for dinner on a Saturday night recently and wanted to write to mention the great service at this little restaurant. Spot on. Polite and efficient and never overbearing. Had the foie gras to share as an entree and so therefore asked that it be served as a main course size. My one compliant would be that $55 for a main course size of foie gras is a little steep when the size of the foie gras remains very small. But that would be my only nit pick of what was otherwise a lovely evening. The lobster bisque is delicious and velvety and the lamb excellent, and done rare as requested. The wait staff also managed to find a glass of sticky for us to finish the evening, even though none was listed on the wine menu, which btw is extensive and well put together. The only reason why I am only giving this place a 5 for ambience is the fact we were sitting outside and had to watch cockroaches scurrying around the tables! Not the restaurant's fault but maybe this could be addressed somehow? That said, we shall definitely be back.

The Universal's on Duxton Hill near BROTH, and we wouldn't have known there was a restaurant on the second floor if we hadn't chanced upon an article on them, as the first floor consists of a bar in a narrow conservation shophouse.

Food: Had the foie gras and prawns cocktail. The former was well done, and the latter consisted of large succulent prawns in a martini glass. Nice. Friend had some salad thing (forgot) and the lamb which he didn't quite like, but my confit of ocean trout was pretty good. For dessert, we had the chocolate fondant (ordinary) and a souffle (damn good).

Service: Manager was nice but the wait staff was a bit weird. Kept hovering around us.

Ambience: Bit too quiet for our liking. Prolly 'cos there was only one other table there when we visited.

Felt a bit claustrophobic in the restaurant upstairs. Prefer BROTH's airy bistro concept, but food undeniably good in a modern European sorta way.

i have been to the universal twice.
(once in aug'07 and another in apr'08)

i especially love the cosy exclusive feeling in this restaurant. the place is very clean with good ambience. (but you may have to lower your voice to the minimum unless you don't mind the others overhearing when you get the tables on the top level.)

from what i can remember, the duck confit they used to have in their menu left a veryyyyyy deep impression. but on my second visit, i was sorely disappointed to know that they'd changed the menu? i was really looking forward to it. hah. i think they change their menu from time to time.

we ordered different dishes so we could try as many dishes as possible and we were very happy with all the food. im not a food connoisseur but i love to eat. just as long as the food meets my expectation of tastiness.

service is a major part of an enjoyable dining experience. i must say that the service staff was prompt and they were friendly as well.

i will definitely visit the universal again because i think the cosiness is really quite addictive.

Had a little reunion with some JC friends today. The Universal is situated at the very leafy and green Duxton Hill, diagonally opposite BROTH.

Much like BROTH, it's in a narrow conservation shophouse, with an airwell bringing light in. The restaurant is done up tastefully, with dark tones, mirrors, and natural light spilling in from the airwell, making for a quietly elegant interior. Furniture consisted of solid teak chairs & tables, with a sofa exuding that PS Cafe-like shabby chic feel. Nice!

We had the set lunch($30+++), which is good value for $ considering it consists of 3 courses. Portions were slightly on the small side, but at least it doesn't leave you feeling overly full. I had:
a) sweet corn soup with crabmeat & milk foam. A reinvention of the Chinese restaurant staple, it was decent, but not spectacular.
b) fillet mignon wrapped with parma ham. I asked for mine rare, and I was not disappointed. It was perfectly rare! The beef was a real delight; I was able to taste the tender beef, as well as the light seasoning that went into it. Very good indeed. With such good beef, it's a waste to eat it cooked beyond medium rare.
c) Creme caramel with almond tuille. This was suitably unctuous, as desserts should be. It was a real struggle for me to decide between this and the chocolate banana parcel for dessert, which my friend said was pretty good too.

The rest of the group enjoyed their meals too. The food was properly plated, and use of cloth napkins added a nice touch.

Service was excellent. The waitstaff were very polite, took our orders efficiently, and were attentive without being obtrusive. The chief waiter took our orders, and she was always careful to take the ladies' orders first before the guys, something which other waitstaff elsewhere often forget. Bravo!

Overall, the food was good, esp the beef. The only slight problem is that the menu was rather safe. The chef is clearly competent, no doubt about that, but a little more edginess might help. (Though to be fair, I had the set lunch, which is typically more 'conservative' as it's meant for the business crowd.) I should return one day for another go at sampling their other items.