Salut Private Dining @ Grange Heights - A New Private Dining Concept By Chef Karl Dobler

Celebrate and entertain your friends and loved ones in this beautiful, intimate space. Welcome to Salut Private Dining, a new dining concept helmed by Karl and Jessica - one with excellent culinary skills, the other with impeccable taste.

Austrian Chef Karl Dobler's culinary repertoire spans from Michelin-starred restaurants to luxury hotels across Europe and Australia. You might also remember him from Flutes Restaurant or then Restaurant Salut Private Dining in Dempsey. With great respect for classic flavours and culinary techniques, Chef Karl personally sources fresh seasonal ingredients and carefully prepares them. While contemporary European cuisine is his speciality, he is adept at Asian and Peranakan cooking and whips up a very popular Prawn Noodles. Meanwhile, Jessica works her magic to create the perfect ambience for your dinner event and can set the table for personalised themes. Tonight, we're enjoying a romantic candlelit table set with white roses and artfully strewn crystals.

As guests stream in, smartly dressed wait staff warmly welcome them with flutes of champagne and canapés of the most luxurious degree - smoked salmon with cream cheese & caviar, beef cheeks mini puffs and burrata & tomato mini toasts. Feel free to bring your own wines and spirits. There is no corkage charge. A generous policy!

A dish of Hokkaido Scallop Carpaccio appears in front of us. It's delicately sliced and draped like a flower, drizzled with truffle soy dressing and some olive pearls.

As White Asparagus is in season, the Chef prepares it as a warm appetiser served with a soft hen egg, truffle hollandaise and bellota ham, which is the finest grade of Jamón ibérico with a smooth texture and a rich, savoury taste.

Next comes a pan-seared NZ Bass Grouper prepared with artichoke mash, edamame, and scampi glaze. The fish's flesh is firm, white, and flaky. Delicious!

We got to try the Chef's signature Crispy Roasted Suckling Pig, which had a crackling skin. It is served with smoked pancetta cabbage, rosemary potatoes, and star anise jus.

The dessert was well-timed. We caught an aromatic whiff of the soufflés baking as we were about to finish our main course. Out from the kitchen came those piping hot ramekins of Passionfruit Soufflé, baked with real fruit bits. It was delightfully melty and absolutely enjoyable.

We thought dinner had come to an end but were presented with Hand-rolled Hazelnut Chocolate Truffles. As a chocolate lover, I can only say that I wished I had the whole tray to myself.

Afterwards, a fine selection of Cheese, Dried Fruits, and Crackers accompanied the post-dinner wine and conversation.

Although newly opened, Salut Private Dining has already received strong interest from regulars, who invite Chef Karl to their homes for private catering. A minimum party of 6 persons is required, and the dining room can accommodate up to 20. Typically, a 5-course menu starts from $198 per pax, with no service charge or GST. If interested, do reserve at least 2 weeks to 1 month in advance.

Photographed and penned by Shermine. Through her pictures and stories, she shares her journey of savouring new flavors and experiences. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Salut Private Dining
Grange Heights
15 Saint Thomas Walk
Singapore 238145
Tel: +65 9831 3067
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Nearest MRT: Great World (TE Line)

Direction:
1) Alight at Great World MRT station. Take Exit 5. Walk to bus stop at Riva Lodge (Stop ID 13071). Take bus number 32, 54, 139 or 195. Alight 1 stop later. Walk to Saint Thomas Walk street. Turn right onto Saint Thomas Walk street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Great World MRT station. Take Exit 5. Walk down River Valley Road towards Saint Thomas Walk. Turn left onto Saint Thomas Walk. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Restaurant Eclipse @ Yue Hwa Building - New Fine-Dining Destination Eclipse Opens In The Heart Of Chinatown

A new fine-dining restaurant, Restaurant Eclipse has recently opened. The restaurant is located on the rooftop of Yue Hwa Building, Chinatown. It has a breathtaking view of the city's skyline and Singapore's beautiful downtown area. The restaurant, helmed by Chef Samuel Quan, serves a multitude of east-meets-west fusion delicacies made from the chef's favourite ingredients.

Canape 3.5/5

Our dinner started with a couple of Canape. My favourite is the Amaebi for its play of textures and flavours. A crispy amaebi head sits on top of a Nori cracker paired with avocado cream.

Hamachi 4/5

Next is a refreshing starter served chill. The Hamachi is seasoned with kimchi sauce paired with pickled ginger flower, fresh Nashi pear, hanaho and kaluga caviar. I like how the pear gives the dish a sweet, fruity finishing, while the kohlrabi juice seasoned with lime zest up the whole enjoyment.

Pumpkin Laksa Soup 3.5/5

A unique take is the Pumpkin Laksa Soup which comes with a seafood tortellini consisting of tiger prawn and scallop. While I understand that laksa rempah is added to the cooking, I could not taste it. The taste is still inclined to the taste of pumpkin. The only familiarity of laksa profile comes from the laksa leaf instead. Puff rice is also added for texture.

Chicken 3.8/5

Surprisingly, the dish that left an impression on me is the Chicken Breast with Spiced Mousse paired with green curry foam and Asian slaw. Embarrassingly, I mistook the chicken as fish as the texture was so moist and soft. Hence, I was impressed by how the kitchen can achieve the texture.

Duo Beef 4/5

Next, we have the Duo Beef, which is done two ways. We have the braised short rib on the plate with hoisin glaze and Tajima wagyu cooked over the charcoal grill. Accompanying the dish is crispy potato mille feuille, garden vegetables cooked with anchovies butter and kampot pepper sauce. I prefer the Tajima wagyu for its succulent texture and sweet buttery flavour.

Roselle Granita with Fizzy Grape 4/5

Before moving to the dessert, we are served Roselle Granita with Fizzy Grape for palate cleanser.

Orh Nee Mille Feuille 4/5

Wrapping up our dinner is Orh Nee Mille Feuille for dessert. Taro mousse is piped between layers of crispy puff pastry, topped with whipped coconut cream. On the side is a scoop of coconut ice cream with popping candy and coconut crumble.

As a fine-dining restaurant, I felt that Eclipse was not there yet. While the food is good, I didn't get the wow factor from my dining experience. I think it lacks character for it to stand out among its peers. I checked with some of the friends who happened to be there, and they felt the food was mediocre.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Eclipse
Yue Hwa Building
70 Eu Tong Sen Street
#06-01
Singapore 059805
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Nearest MRT: Chinatown (DT Line, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 12pm - 2pm, 6pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Chinatown MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to Eu Tong Street. Turn left and walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa Festive Offering

Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa rings in the festive season this year with a line-up of exciting celebrations at the property's restaurants. Starting with the all day dining Kwee Zeen, it has curated a buffet extravaganza exclusively for Christmas and New Year.

We started with some canapes at the alfresco terraces of Kwee Zeen, giving us a glimpse of the festive offering for the festive seasons. From the cold canapes, we tried the Tomato Quinoa, Foie Gras with Truffle, Truffled Brie, Salmon with Caviar, Oyster with Champagne Jelly. Next up is a platter of hot items such as the Fried Gouda with Cranberry Compote, Pancetta and Apple vol au vent, Truffled Arancini, Cabbage Parcels, Crusted Snow Crab.

The Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dinner Buffet is available on 24 and 25 December, respectively, from 6.00pm to 9.30pm, at SGD188++ per adult with free flow of Champagne, wines and classic Glühwein, SGD 158++ per adult with free flow soft drinks, juices, coffee & tea, and SGD 79++ per child with free flow soft drinks and juices.

Be spoilt for choice by the 16 live ateliers showcasing luxurious offerings such as Live Seafood, Black Truffle Brie Cheese, Homemade Foie Gras Terrine, Turkey with all its works, Slow cooked Tomahawk (Rib-eye Steak) and a dessert corner generously filled with Christmas themed dessert creations at Kwee Zeen's Christmas Day Brunch. The Christmas Day Brunch is priced at SGD258++ per adult with free flow of Champagne, wines and classic Glühwein, SGD 218++ per adult with free flow soft drinks, juices, coffee & tea, and SGD109++ per child with free flow soft drinks and juices, on 25 December, Sunday, from 12.30pm to 3.30pm.

Our next stop is the resort's exquisite Italian fine dining restaurant, ilLido at the Cliff. It boasts a serene sea views with elegantly designed interiors.

Mushroom Consomme with Truffle Tortellini

Cured Ocean Trout with Sea Urchin and Orange Emulsion with Caviar

Handmade Tagliolini with Lobster and Basil

ilLido at the Cliff’s Christmas Eve 5-Course Set Dinner will feature dishes like Ocean Trout with Sea Urchin, Orange Emulsion and Caviar, Handmade Tagliolini with lobster and Basil and Roasted Cod with Smoked Potato and Onion Velouté. The exclusive menu is available on 24 December, Saturday, from 6.00pm to 10.00pm, at SGD 128++ per adult or SGD 64++ per child.

Roasted Cod with Smoked Potato and Onion Veloute

Turkey and Foie Gras Roll with Chestnut and Glazed Balsamic Shallot

Panettone Coulant with Vanilla and Licorice Cream

Bond and celebrate with families and friends this Christmas with ilLido at the Cliff’s Christmas Brunch 5-Course Family Style. Amidst cooling sea breeze and a relaxing resort atmosphere, share laughter, memories and hearty good food such as sharing platters of Burrata Cheese with Avocado and Trout Caviar, Eggplant Parmigiana with Buffalo Mozarrella, ilLido Tiramisu and Almond Panacotta with Mixed Berries, to go with mains like Truffle Pasta with Wagyu Beef Cheek Ragout and Roasted Turkey with Pumpkin and Chestnut Salad. The sharing concept brunch is priced at SGD 128++ per adult and SGD 64++ per child, and available from 12.00pm to 2.30pm on 25 December, Sunday.

Embracing the celebratory mood, LEBAR shakes up its signature Afternoon Tea á la Française set and introduces the Le Goûter de Noel (Christmas-themed afternoon tea) – featuring luxurious bite-sized savories such as Alaskan King Crab with Avocado on Basil Tart, Roast Beef with Horseradish Cream on Parmesan Sable, and luscious sweet treats that include the traditional Fruit Cake, Minced Fruit Pie, Mini Log Cake, with specially crafted Cranberry Champagne Macaron and Lavender-Blueberry Pâte de Fruit. Served in a customized jewellery music-box, indulge in the petite delights to the melodious tunes of ‘Fur Elise’ and soothing sea breezes. From 1 to 31 December, Le Goûter de Noel is available at SGD 98++ with coffee or tea for two, or at SGD 128++ for two persons with a flute of Champagne each, from 12.00pm to 5.30pm, daily.

Send your thoughts and well wishes with Sofitel Singapore Sentosa’s delightful hampers – Elegance (SGD 238 Nett) and Infinite (SGD 388 Nett) – filled with delicious classic festive goodies. Alternatively, gift your loved ones a unique Spa Hamper (worth SGD 285 Nett) that includes a luxurious pampering experience at an award-winning spa and a lovely set of wellness products. Vouchers for staycations, dining experiences and spa treatments are also available for pre-purchase as delightful festive presents.

Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa’s Festive Brochure can be downloaded from the website, www.sofitelsingaporesentosa.com. For reservations, orders or enquiries, please contact (65) 6708 8310 or email H9474@sofitel.com.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa
Sentosa Island
2 Bukit Manis
Singapore 099891
Tel; +65 67088366
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Nearest MRT: Harbour Front (CC Line, NE Line)

Direction:
1) Alight at HarbourFront MRT station. Take Exit D. Walk to pick up point at Exit D. Wait for the complimentary shuttle bus service. The shuttle service is available every 30 minutes of the hour. Journey time about 30 minutes. [Map]