Lavish Buffet

Lavish Buffet

Sunday 20 August 2017

Ala Carte Lunch at Szechuan Court (80 Bras Basah Road - Fairmont Singapore, Level 3)

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

Lunch:
Daily - 12:00pm to 2:30pm (Dim Sum a la carte available, last order at 2:15pm)

Dinner:
Daily - 6:30pm to 10:30pm (Last order at 10:15pm)

A La Carte Dim Sum Buffet:
Saturday, Sunday & Public Holiday - 12:00pm to 2:15pm


Visited on 24 June 2017 (Sat). Szechuan Court is renowned for serving some of the finest Szechuan and Cantonese cuisine in Singapore. This chinese restaurant exude oriental charm and elegance with enchanting fuschia and red interior! To be honest, I was captivated by the lovely deco to dine here! Indeed the restaurant is really beautiful and very big with a few private rooms!




 

 City view from our window seat table.


One of their private dining rooms!



Silver Needle White Peony ($10++ per person)
I ordered one of their premium tea selection - "Silver Needle White Peony" in a small teapot, water is refillable. They also have normal types of tea at a cheaper price. 



Sea Cucumber Broth, Fish Maw ($18++ per person)
Although the broth was not thick, but the overall taste was still quite flavourful and nice!



Wok-Fried Sliced Chicken, Young Ginger, 
Sweet And Sour Sauce
(S) $28++ / (M) $42++
This was the small portion at $28++. Although this sounds like a simple dish, we were very impressed after the first bite! The texture of the chicken meat was sooooo smooth and sooooooo tender. This complemented very well with their light, but delicious sweet and sour sauce. How I wish the outside zichar stalls can have such standard. Nonetheless, I'm willing to pay more to savour this high quality dish. I will come back again and get the medium portion next time! :P



White King Prawn steamed with Egg White
($14++ per piece)
They will slice the prawn into half like the above. That means if u order 1 piece, you will get 2 plates of the above = 1 piece of prawn. I was disappointed to see the egg white was only bits and pieces in the soy sauce. As the price is high, of course the prawn was big, really shiok to eat king prawn! Overall the taste was still good despite the unattractive appearance. Haha!



Cod Fish steamed with Soya Bean Crumbs
($18++ per person)
The tender and smooth cod fish, cooked with fragrant soya bean crumbs, bathed in the savoury soy sauce... a very satisfying dish!



Cod Fish braised, Traditional Hong Kong Style
($18++ per person)
I would still preferred the cod fish to be steamed with soya bean crumbs, rather than this traditional hong kong style.



Pandan Ice Jelly, Honey Sea Coconut
($8++ per person)
I liked the taste of the fragrant pandan ice jelly. But the presentation really didn't look appealing. The presentation could be better if they used fancier tableware



Overall Impression: Nowadays most hotel chinese restaurants will place focus on their food presentation. However, here, I felt that there wasn't much effort put into the presentation of their food and dessert. Hope they can improve in this area. Food was not great, but still decent. The prices here are on the high side, so this place will be good for those who have the Far Card or the Amercian Express Platinum Card with 10-50% discount (depending on the number of diners).

Their service was really slow and we always cannot get any staff. They have to improve in their service as this place is not cheap.

Amex Platinum Credit Card Holders & The Far Card Members are entitled to the discount below: 
(No Blackout Dates)
Number of diners
Usual member reductions
Member plus 1 guest (2 adults)
50%
Member plus 2 guests (3 adults)
33%
Member plus 3 guests (4 adults)
25%
Member plus 4-9 guests (5-10 adults)
20%
Member dining alone
10%


Thursday 3 August 2017

Misato Japanese Restaurant (176 Orchard Road - The Centrepoint, #01-33E, inside Gastro area, next to Honolulu) Reservation: 6235 2822

Visited on 2nd July 2017 (Sun) and revisited many times. There are too many Japanese restaurants in Singapore, but I couldn't find one with premium quality food + cosy ambience + wallet-friendly prices. I'm so delighted that I found this hidden gem "Misato" and it has fulfilled all my descriptions! Hooray!!! 

Misato serves exquisite Japanese fine dining cuisine, using premium, fresh ingredients and condiments from Japan, with no added MSG at pocket friendly prices.


Directions to Misato: 
Follow the GASTRO+ sign at Level 1 and walk towards to Starbucks that direction, and you will see whole area of restaurants in a circle on your right. Misato is there!



Exquisite tableware from Japan!


Premium Japanese Green Tea with Roasted Rice in a teapot 
($3.90++ per person)


Chawanmushi ($4.90++)

Love their chawanmushi in a cutie bowl! Very silky texture with flavourful homemade dashi stock!


Misato Oyakodon ($13.90++)
Even the tray that they served together with the food is so pretty!


Look at their own version of Oyakodon.. I have never seen such a lovely Oyakodon before! The chef even used the tobiko to form a heart shape.. Their food was really made with love!!!  From the appearance, I think everyone should know the result. I tell you, this Okayodon is the best in Singapore! Silky chicken with fluffy omelette as well as another runny egg yolk in flavourful broth over Japanese rice. You will regret it if you have not try this dish. Note: Addictive dish! How I wish Misato can open at my house downstairs!!! 



Teriyaki Chicken Donburi ($13.90++)
Grilled chicken glazed with teriyaki sauce and Japanese rice. This was another great dish. The grilled chicken was tender with very very yummy teriyaki sauce!



Signature Seafood Kaminabe Set ($20.90++)
The seafood hotpot consist of live tiger prawns, fresh Norwegian Salmon, chicken, assorted mushroom, tofu & vegetables simmered in delicious niboshi broth & Japanese rice. I have to say this is the BEST Japanese hotpot that I had in Singapore! Everything was so fresh that I can taste the natural sweetness from the ingredients, immersed in the homemade yummy broth. 



Okonomiyaki ($14.90++)
Japanese savoury pancake with cabbage, egg & pork belly. Their okonomiyaki is made from high quality Japanese yam, no wonder it tasted so good!!!



Cheese Korokke ($7.90++)

Crispy breaded exterior with creamy mashed potato inside. It has savoury to sweet taste and expect the mozzarella cheese to ooze out! Love the unique presentation!!!


Homemade Gyoza 
($6.90++ for 6 pieces, $10.90++ for 10 pieces)
This is their unique version of gyoza. With a layer of thin crispy gyoza base atop, steamed chicken and vegetables dumpling served grill and dip sauce. The sauce was great!



Matcha Ice Cream ($5.90++)
Premium green tea ice-cream quality! So yummy!!!



Matcha Bavarois ($7.80++)
Cutie heart shape teaspoons!

Premium green tea french pudding using premium Japanese green tea powder! 
Note: This dessert is very wobbly! A nice dessert to end the meal.



Overall Impression: The service here was quite good as there was no crowd when we were there that day. Misato really takes pride in their tableware. As you can see from the photos, all the tableware are very unique and beautiful. As a customer, its a really wonderful feeling to indulge in good food complemented with the beautiful tableware! 


Rest assured that Misato serves high quality food here. There is probably nowhere else in Singapore that serves such a high quality Japanese food at these affordable prices! As the food is only prepared upon ordering, the waiting time might be longer, especially during peak hours and crowded times. But I guess all good food are worth for waiting! In my opinion, this is the only Japanese restaurant that is worth to keep visiting:)


*Highly Recommended*

Friday 14 July 2017

Spuds & Aprons (109 Mount Faber Road - Faber Peak Singapore, Level 2, Singapore 099203)

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

Opening Hours: 

11 am to 11 pm (Daily)


Credit Card Promotion: 
Mastercard holder entitled a 10% off (Not valid on the eve of and on public holidays)

Visited on 24 June 2017 (Sat) during dinner and revisited on 9 July 2017 (Sun) during lunch. 

Spuds & Aprons is a fun & playful restaurant (by looking at the colourful chairs) perched atop the hill at Faber Peak Singapore. This is the one & only casual dining restaurant in Singapore that is atop the hill with panaromic view of Lush Greenery, Sentosa and Cable Car View! They serve International and Modern Asian Cuisine. 

Note: You can choose if you wish to dine indoor or outdoor. 
(Remember to indicate at the special request box below when you book via the chope button above)

Indoor during Dinner Time


Couples can spend a romantic night watching the twinkling cable cars go by!



Indoor during Lunch Time
(Love the Full Height Windows)

 Stunning Bird's Eye View
  
You will feel so relax while dining with these views. :) 


Alfresco Area (Sheltered)




They have this additional local menu only for lunch time.



Salted Caramel Popcorn Latte ($6++)
I was surprised to see this special creation from Spuds & Aprons, it looks so lovely, isn't it? It consists of salted caramel popcorn syrup, milk, espresso, topped with caramelised popcorn. I love the salted caramel aroma so much but somehow the popcorn did not really complement so well with the latte as the popcorn will become super soft inside and not nice to eat together with the latte. My advice is just eat the popcorns on the saucer and drink the latte without the popcorns inside! Haha..


Freshly Brewed Coffee ($4++)
Orange Juice ($5++)
I was surprised that the coffee here at $4 was good. I can enjoy the nice coffee while admiring the view.


Note: There will be an increase of prices during eve of and on public holidays!

Tuck into Value-for-Money Devilish Combo sets
(FREE Wicked Fries with Every Combo ordered)
OR Choose from Ala-Carte!

Devilish Combo sets for 2 pax at $70++
(Choose 1 starter + 2 Main Courses + 1 Dessert)

Starter: Chili in a Tux
Chili Crab stuffed in potato skin! This is their signature and interesting starter that you have to try here! I was impressed that the chilli crab here was really good and spicy! Complement so well with the potato skin! Complimentary wicked fries at the side! It is steakhouse cut spuds with 6 types of cheese and brown gravy! No wonder it was so addictive! By eating the starter and fries, I'm almost half full liao.. Haha



Main Course: 
Oven-Roasted Mustard Marinated Chicken 
The homemade gravy for the chicken complemented well with the chicken, however the breast meat was really very tough so I only finished the drumstick and left the breast meat untouched.. 


Main Course: 
Barbecued Baby Back Ribs
 Slow cooked baby back ribs in their homemade barbecued sauce, char-grilled, served with tangy coleslaw & french fries. The sauce was really great! But unfortunately, the meat was very tough so we did not enjoy this dish. Perhaps you can try to request for the meat to be more tender upon ordering, then it will be perfect with the nice sauce!


Main Course: 
Pan-Fried Norwegian Salmon
They brought us the wrong dish in the first place, so I managed to take a photo of their salmon. If you're not confident to order the above two dishes, you might want to try the salmon instead, I guess you won't go wrong with salmon. But if you're also like me, prefer the meat to be more tender, remember to request it upon ordering.


Dessert: Jar of Happiness
Shortbread biscuits with almond flakes, mixed berries, Haagen Dazs vanilla ice cream topped with warm berry compote. I really had full of happiness while eating this! Sweet Sweet! :-)



Alcohol Menu



Overall Impression: The staff were very nice but some patience is needed especially during lunch time. They have more guests at alfresco area so they will juggle between indoor and outdoor, have to wait for quite awhile to get them when you need their service. 

I guess most places are the same, whenever a restaurant comes with stunning view, don't expect high quality food at reasonable prices. I think we have to be practical too. The food here were average, only the starter, dessert and coffee is nice!~ Do note that the food portion here was quite big, so do not over order. I will still come back for the relaxing view! :)



By Car
Turning into Mount Faber Road from Lower Delta Road or Kampong Bahru Road will take you straight up to Faber Peak Singapore. The ride is only 15 minutes from the city!
Valet Service
Valet service is available daily at a standard fee of $6 per car. 
Complimentary valet parking available for all walk-in diners with minimum spent of $60 at Spuds & Aprons*. (Except on the eve of and on public holidays)
Valet service is available at the following times:
  • Monday to Friday: 17:30 to 00:00 hrs
  • Saturday & Public Holidays: 10:30 to 02:00 hrs
  • Sunday: 10:30 to 00:00 hrs
Public Car Parks
Free public parking lots are available on Mount Faber.
  • Car Park A - approx. 70 lots avail.
  • Car Park B - approx. 50 lots avail.
  • Car Park C - approx. 10 lots avail.
By Taxi
To call for a cab or to make an advance booking, please contact the cab hotline at 6-DIAL-CAB (6 342 5222).