Lavish Buffet

Lavish Buffet

Wednesday 23 November 2016

Weekend Ala Carte Dim Sum Brunch Buffet at Cherry Garden (5 Raffles Avenue - Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Level 5, Beside Marina Square)

It's such a hassle to make reservation through phone - Book now through Chope for Instant Reservations!

Weekend Ala Carte Dim Sum Brunch Buffet (Sat, Sun & Public Holiday)

First Seating: 11.00am to 1.00pm

Second Seating: 1.30pm to 3.30pm

Price: $68++ per adult, $40++ per child (7-11yrs)
(Includes Free Flow Tea of the day - Premium Quality)


Visited on 12 Nov 2016 (Sat). Cherry Garden, with its distinctive oriental charm, is one of the most beautiful chinese restaurants in Singapore. They offer an extensive menu of authentic Cantonese cuisine, presented with artistic modern flair. 



Have a seat outside if you're early. Enter the restaurant by this antique door, adorned with two traditional red lanterns. 

Cherry Garden's striking antique doorway. The restaurant has been designed according to Feng Shui, with charcoaled teak panels and slate floors to recreate the look of a splendid Oriental residence. 


Inform the staff of your reservation details at the reception

There are 3 sections in the restaurant. These are the tables at the main dining hall with some view of "greenery".

And these are the tables at the platform next to the main dining hall.



The 3rd section is their private room area. They have three private dining rooms. Lotus and Jasmine seat up to 12 guests each and can be combined. Bamboo is larger and can seat up to 24 guests.




Neat and beautiful table setting. The tea served for that day was "Dragon Well" (Long Jing) It is a type of green tea, said to aid digestion. It has an initial slight bitter taste but aromatic aftertaste. We really enjoyed the premium quality tea here! :)


Let's take a look at their menu and food below!

Steamed Pork Siew Mai with Baby Abalone 
The baby abalone was considered quite big. I always love siew mai topped with baby abalone! 



Steamed Kurobuta Char Siew Bao 


I just love the way they present their dim sum in a little wooden box. So presentable! The kurobuto pork filling really makes a difference, but a slight pity as the skin was not soft and "fluffy" enough.



Wafer-wrapped cod fillet with black pepper (Left)
Deep-fried escargot dumplings (Right)

Our initial thought was this was just a normal fried dim sum, but we were wrong. In fact, this wafer-wrapped cod fillet was the BEST Food in the menu! I just can't get enough of this! The exterior had a flaky crispness with very aromatic hot and tender cod fillet inside, probably with the black pepper taste, the overall combination was heavenly matched!



Wok-Fried Waxed Meat Radish Cake with Silver Sprouts in XO Sauce 
This was one of the lacklustre item there. The radish cake was quite dry, not crispy and couldn't taste any XO sauce in it. Anyway carrot cake, being a hawker staple, it's not easy to achieve the same standard as famous hawker stalls. So far most of the hotel chinese restaurants failed in this dish..so its not a surprise.



Steamed Custard Bun with Yam

Their version of custard bun was really very different from others. Interesting appearance with very fragrant yam custard filling!





Golden Pumpkin Soup with Morel
Mushrooms & Diced Chicken 
This soup was also very special.The pumpkin taste was mild and well balanced, giving the soup a more robust, earthy flavour. But I hope Cherry Garden can offer a one time serving of premium soup "Braised Bird's Nest or Fish Maw soup" like other chinese restaurants.



Drunken Chicken in Hua Diao & Rose Dew Chinese Wine 
This was served chilled. The drunken chicken meat was very tender with strong chinese wine taste that I liked very much.



Cantonese-Style Roasted Pork Belly
Crackling pork skin and spiced with flavour, while the meat was extremely tender, layered with just the right proportion of fatty meat. try it with the horseradish sauce for the full experience!



Cherry Wood Charcoal Roasted Duck 
Deboned for easy eating, the duck meat was quite tender with a crispy savoury skin. complemented with a special cranberry sauce.



Crisp-Fried Shredded Squids with Salt & Pepper
The taste itself was ok, but the "flour" was thick... would have been better if they balanced out the proportion. nontheless, it was still peppery spicy goodness.



Deep-fried Chinese bun served with Chili Crab Meat Sauce 
The chili crab meat sauce was really good! A little spicy with some succulent crab meat inside! Good for lazy people like me; can eat crab meat with sauce without dirtying my hands. 


Steamed Live Prawns with Minced Garlic 

The server will serve a cold towel to the table for you to clean your hands when this dish is served. Full blast of garlic soy sauce goodness, really enjoyed the prawns!



Braised Cod Fillet with Spinach Tofu
Wow the sauce that they used for this dish was really tasty with tender braised cod fillet and tofu!



Wok-fried Kurobuta Pork with Garlic, Leek and Honshimeiji Mushrooms 
Tender kurobuta pork with a very yummy sauce! i normally don't like the mushrooms and vege but the sauce made me just want to gobble everything up!



Wok-Fried Chicken with Cashew Nuts & Dried Chilli
I like their version of gong bao chicken as they used caramelized cashew nuts instead of normal cashew nuts. the sweetness of the cashew nuts served to neutralize the spiciness so you can taste the maximum gong bao flavour.






Premium Quality & Presentable Chilled Desserts

Chilled Cream of Mango with Sago Pearls, 
Pomelo & Lime Sorbet 

Their mango sago cream was not sour which I like! Complemented so well with the sour lime sorbet for you to cleanse your palate after a buffet!



Homemade Organic Black Bean Pudding
with Japanese Sesame Ice Cream



Cherries in Nui Er Hong & Kuei Hua Chen Wine Cocktail Jelly served with Refreshing Lychee Sorbet

This is their signature dessert, my favourite dessert here! You will be able to taste the alcohol at the base of the dessert to have a WOW feeling before you finished. There is no other place that has this unique and refreshing dessert in any chinese restaurants. Dessert is not the specialty in most chinese restaurants, but we found it at Cherry Garden! Even their dessert is a cut above others!


Chilled Osmanthus Jelly


Overall Impression: You will find top-notch service here compared to other chinese restaurants. Waiting time for food was quite fast. The food and dessert selection here were truly unique. If you're looking for high quality unique food with top-notch service and classy oriental ambience, look no further. Cherry Garden hits all the right spots! 

My Vote: 2nd Best Dim Sum Brunch in Singapore!

*Highly Recommended*

Tuesday 15 November 2016

Lunch Buffet at The Line (22 Orange Grove Road - Shangri-La Hotel, Lower Lobby,Tower Wing, Singapore 258350)

It's such a hassle to make reservation through phone - Book now through Chope for Instant Reservations!
Lunch Buffet:

Monday to Friday:12.00pm – 2.30pm 
S$62++ Adult | S$31++ Child (Age 6-11)

Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays: 12.00pm – 3.00pm 
S$72++ Adult | S$36++ Child (Age 6-11)

Sunday Champagne Brunch: 12.00pm – 3.00pm

S$108++ Adult (Inclusive of unlimited soft drinks and juices)
S$158++ Adult (Inclusive of unlimited champagne, selected wines, beers, soft drinks and juices)
S$54++ Child (Age 6-11) (Inclusive of unlimited soft drinks and juices)


Dinner Buffet:

Monday to Sunday: 6pm – 10.30pm 

Monday, Wednesday and Sunday: SGD 79++ Adult | SGD 39++ Child (Age 6-11)

Friday and Saturday: SGD 92++ Adult | SGD 46++ Child (Age 6-11)

Tuesday Marine Harvest
SGD 98++ Adult (inclusive of unlimited selected sparkling, red and white wines, beers, soft drinks and juices)
SGD 44++ Child (Age 6-11) (inclusive of unlimited soft drinks and juices)

Thursday Marine Harvest 
SGD 108++ Adult (inclusive of unlimited selected sparkling, red and white wines, beers, soft drinks and juices)
SGD 44++ Child (Age 6-11) (inclusive of unlimited soft drinks and juices)

Beverage Packages(Not applicable for any discount) 
SGD 9.90++ for unlimited soft drinks and juices 
SGD 35++ for unlimited soft drinks, juices, house wines, beers and sparkling wines

Note:
Prices stated above are not valid on public holidays, special occasions and festive periods. 

Visited on 5 Nov 2016 (Sat). The Line offer International cuisine that is featured at 16 theatre kitchens, while the bar offers a large selection of premium wines, juices and smoothies. After 10 years, The Line remains one of Singapore's favourite destinations for buffet lunches and dinners.

Highlights include Seafood on Ice, Western and Asian Roast Meats, Dim Sum, Fresh Salads and Soups, a selection of Cheese and heritage and international desserts.

Entrance of The Line. Do let the front desk staff know about your reservation details upon arrival.










I think this is probably the only buffet restaurant that provides wet towel besides the table napkin.


Beverages Counter
(Wide Selection Barista Coffee and Tea)
 I've been to so many hotel buffet restaurants, so far only The Line provides wide selection of Barista Coffee as well as wide selection of tea from Zesta! Nice Coffee and Tea!


Teh Tarik and Darjeeling Rose Vanilla Tea

Hazelnut Latte

Cappucino


Seafood On Ice:
Chilled Prawns, White Clams, Black Mussels
Half Shell Scallops, Crabs, Oysters




Seafood Fried Rice



Fried Noodles with Vegetable



White Radish with Pork Rib Soup



Oyster Omelette / Wok Fried Vegetable

The oyster omelette was disappointing, probably it was cold. We usually had oyster omelette at hawker centre while it's hot then will taste nice... Oyster omelette should be cooked at live station and not to leave it there at buffet for 3 hours long.


Black Pepper Chicken


Deep Fried Prawn Dumpling
Wok Fried Spinach with Oyster Sauce


Dim Sum Selection


Braised Pork Belly


Chicken/Mutton Satay


Moutable

Hummus

Bamia Bil Zeit (Okra with Olive Oil)

 Bread Selection


Minestrone / Crab & Pumpkin Soup


 Grilled Chicken


Halibut Fish

Kebab


Braised Beef Cheeks
Creamy Seafood Stew with Basil



 Wild Rice with Carrots & Celery
Vegetable Caponata


Buttered Carrot & French Beans
Mashed Potato with Truffle Puree

 Live Carving:
Lamb & Roasted Bone-In Prime Rib



Japanese Selection




 Sashimi


DIY Salad


Crabmeat with Mango Salad


 Chick Pea Salad


Prawn Salad

 Chicken Salad


Cold Cuts


Noodle & Roast Meat Station


Wide Dessert Station








 Mango Panna Cotta


 Chocolate Cremeux


 Caramel Passion Fruit


Dark Chocolate Mousse

  Mango Tart

Pecan Tart



Hazelnut Royalty


 Durian Coconut Cake 


Berry Yogurt 




Sago Gula Melaka


Ice Jelly

 Red Ruby

 Pandan Kueh Lapis, Pandan Chiffon, Prune Lapis



Durian Choux




Mochi


Baked Lava Cake

Wide Selection of Gelato & Sorbet





Crepe

Crepe with Coconut Ice-Cream



 Soft Serve Yogurt


Fruits




Overall Impression: The service here was ok but the staff here were mostly without smile. The Line has a huge selection of food, beverages and desserts, this explains why the prices here are so steep. I'm really very impressed with their dessert selection, so far this is the only hotel restaurant with so much varieties! The food here were mostly not bad but don't expect impressive food. If you like variety with decent food, great desserts and beverages, this is the place for you! This restaurant is very big as well, suitable for family and group gatherings! 

Amex Platinum Credit Card Promotion:

Card Member plus 1 guest (2 adults) 50%
Card Member plus 2 guests (3 adults) 35%
Card Member plus 3 guests (4 adults) 25%
Card Member plus 4-9 guests (5-10 adults) 20%
Card Member dining alone 15%