The Marmalade Pantry Downtown @ Oasia Hotel Downtown - ‘Once Upon A Christmas'

This yuletide season, The Marmalade Pantry at Downtown Oasia presents 'Once Upon A Christmas' feast featuring a sumptuous lineup of delicacies like succulent roasts and new log cakes. The festive highlights are available online for takeaway and delivery, or you can choose to celebrate with your loved ones at the outlets with their 3-Course Festive Set Dinner or Jovial Afternoon Tea & Moscato Set.

Roasted Turkey

From the takeaway and delivery selection, the Carvery provides the perfect centrepiece of your dining table - Roasted Turkey with Honey, Lavender, and Peppercorn ($128+, 3.6kg). The turkey is house-brined overnight before being slow-roasted till golden brown. Then, to enhance the aromatic flora notes of the lavender, the turkey is brushed with a finishing touch made of apple honey, a blend of toasted spices including peppercorns, and dried lavender.

Lavender Honey Pepper Chicken

For smaller gatherings, you can still enjoy the flavours with this Lavender Honey Pepper Chicken ($58+, 2kg), which is done with the same technique.

Rosemary-Infused Roasted Ribeye

Beef up your spread with the Rosemary-Infused Roasted Ribeye ($128+, 1kg). To retain its flavours, the Argentinian grass-fed ribeye is seared on a hot plate before being sous vide overnight with rosemary. The ribeye is then roasted to a turn in the oven with a simple seasoning of salt and pepper.

Lemon & Thyme Slow-Baked Salmon Fillet

My favourite is this Lemon & Thyme Slow-Baked Salmon Fillet ($78+, 0.8kg). Overnight cured Norwegian salmon is marinated in lemon zest and thyme before being slow-baked. It was incredibly moist and tender and flaked easily with a fork. I love its elusive lemony flavour as well.

Maple and Clove Glazed Gammon Ham

The sweet and savoury Maple and Clove Glazed Gammon Ham ($98+, 1.5kg) is a well-loved delicacy of many. The boneless gammon ham is marinated with a mellow sweet maple glaze overnight before roasting.

Chilli Con Carne with Cornbread

For some mouthwatering sides, new this year are the Chilli Con Carne with Cornbread ($28) and Impossible Beef Lasagne ($32). The former features a chilli con carne, a stew of minced beef, red capsicum, onions, carrots, and kidney beans seasoned with warm spices, covered by cornbread. The cornbread is sweet and very buttery, which beautifully complements the chilli con Carne's heat.

Impossible Beef Lasagne

The latter is a plant-based lasagne with layers of Impossible Beef 'Bolognese sauce', pasta sheets, mozzarella, and grana padano cheese. It's a beautiful meatless option, but I find it a tad too highly flavoured. I much prefer the simple Mac & Cheese ($25), a signature recipe of maccheroni pasta coated with a cream-base sauce of truffle paste, truffle oil, cream, and three kinds of cheese – cheddar, mozzarella, and grana padano.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes

The sides are purely delightful. There are Roasted Vegetables ($22), a medley of brussels sprouts, cauliflower and broccoli lightly charred for an elevated smokey flavour; and very comforting Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Vanilla and Maple Glaze ($18) that is reminiscent of warm fluffy hotcakes.

Quinoa Salad with Prawns

A very wholesome offering is this Quinoa Salad with Prawns ($26). It is bright and zesty with a piquant pineapple and chilli dressing and full of textural enjoyment with quinoa, seared prawns, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and cashews.

Classic Chocolate Truffle Log Cake

For log cakes, this year The Marmalade Pantry presents two new flavours. The Classic Chocolate Truffle Log Cake ($68) allures with a rich 60% dark chocolate truffle core enveloped in a chocolate crème of melted chocolate ganache and whipped cream.

Tangy Lemon Pistachio Log Cake

The Tangy Lemon Pistachio Log Cake ($68) is wintry and elegant with a lemon white chocolate truffle core wrapped in a pistachio frosting of pistachio paste and Chantilly cream and rolled with a fluffy vanilla sponge.

Jovial Afternoon Tea & Moscato Set

For dining in, The Marmalade Pantry Downtown also offer a 3-Course Festive Set Dinner ($42) comprising a starter, main and log cake for dessert; and the menu is also available for takeaway and delivery. Or, sip away the afternoon with the Jovial Afternoon Tea & Moscato Set ($86++ for two persons, $78++ for two persons without Moscato) featuring thoughtfully created sweets and savouries along with two glasses of NV Corvezzo Moscato Dolce.

The Marmalade Pantry’s ‘Once Upon A Christmas’ festive gourmet highlights are available for orders from now till 23 December 2022, 12pm at all outlets – The Marmalade Pantry ION and Downtown, The Marmalade Pantry Petite Bugis, as well as via the online store. Takeaway (self-collection) is only available at The Marmalade Pantry Novena, while delivery is available from 1 to 26 December 2022.

*The Novena outlet only offers takeaway (self-collection). Pre-order with Mastercard® by 30 November 2022 to enjoy 15% off festive à la carte orders (not applicable for Festive Bundles) – use promo code for online purchases.


Photos and words by Si An. A girl who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food. Note: This is an invited tasting.


The Marmalade Pantry Downtown
Oasia Hotel Downtown
#01-01
100 Peck Seah Street
Singapore 079333
Tel: +65 63850741
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am – 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjang Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn left and walk to destination. [Map]

Baba Chews Bar and Eatery @ Hotel Indigo Katong - Taking Asian Inspired Cuisine To The Next Level

Change is for the better and indeed Baba Chews Bar and Eatery at Hotel Indigo Katong has done just that. The restaurant has embarked on a new chapter, adding new Asian-inspired creations, combining Asian flavours with western gastronomy to its popular Peranakan menu.

Quinoa Salad 3.5/5

We started with the light and healthy Quinoa Salad ($17) which consists of a quinoa, feta cheese crumble, cucumber, beetroot, pomegranate, avocado, sunflower seeds, almond flake and micro cress. The lemon dressing gives it a zesty touch for a refreshing finish.

Otah Yu Tiao 4/5

Otah Yu Tiao ($12) sounds gimmicky to me. However I was totally wrong when it was put into a taste test. The combination of sandwiching the homemade otah in between the charcoal dough fritter actually works for me. It is definitely a welcome light snack to whet up the appetite.

Peranakan Pulled Pork Burger 4.2/5

An interesting Asian take of the burger is the Peranakan Pulled Pork Burger ($20). Instead of the usual beef patty, it is replaced with Iberico pulled pork cooked pongteh style, which is braised in fermented soybean sauce. It also comes with caramelised onions and cucumber with fries at the side. What impressed me is the softness of the bun that goes really well with the flavourful pulled pork.

Chicken Rendang Lasagna 4.2/5

The Chicken Rendang Lasagne ($18) may look rather unappetising but it turned out the opposite. It has never occurred to me that the rendang sauce can work so well with the lasagna giving the traditional Western fare a delicious face lift.

Barbecued US Pork Ribs 4/5

The Barbecued US Pork Ribs ($30) did not bring the same excitement I get from the more Asian flavours influenced dishes but the St. Louise spare ribs with homemade barbecue glaze is so tender that it fell off the bone with ease. It also comes with fries and coleslaw.

Laksa Salmon 4/5

Similar to the Chicken Rendang Lasagne, the Laksa Salmon is given an Asian twist by pairing a local sauce to the Western fare. The light laksa complements the salmon excellent, giving the dish a whole new dimension. It also comes with sauteed Asian greens and crispy beancurd puff.

Chilli Crab Tagliatelle 4.5/5

The dish that stole my heart goes to the Chilli Crab Tagliatelle ($20). Many restaurants have done this dish but it always turned out to be on the sweet side. I applauded the chef for getting the signature chilli crab sauce spot on with the right balance of spiciness and sweetness. Completing the dish, it comes with tempura soft shell crab, sous vide egg and fresh cilantro.

XO Pork Belly Char Siew Rice Bowl 4.2/5

A homely and comforting dish on the menu is the XO Pork Belly Char Siew Rice Bowl ($19). The rice bowl comes with homemade pork belly char siew, egg sunny-side up, fragrant Hainanese 'oil' rice and premium XO sauce. I personally do not think there is a need for the XO sauce and plain steamed rice will do as the rich flavours of the char siew sort of overpowered the other flavours. I am not complaining but a pity to see the effort goes to waste if it didn't help to create the harmony.

Baba's Chendol 4.2/5

For dessert, I decided to have the Baba's Chendol ($10). I have mixed opinions with the dessert. We are told that it is supposed to be eaten with chopsticks because the homemade pandan jello is purposely made into long noodle strand. I think it is a bit gimmicky and I also observe other diners ended up using the spoon for the dessert as the jello is toso slippy to be picked up by the chopsticks. However I applauded the idea of the red bean mousse which infused with the fresh coconut milk and gula melaka as the shaved ice melted, bringing the different characteristic of a bowl of chendol together.

Overall I have enjoyed the new Asian inspired cuisine by Baba Chews. It has kept the food familiar but yet added excitement with new tasty twists, by coming Asian flavours with a western approach. Now the expanded menu allows Baba Chews to cater for a wider group of diners.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Baba Chews Bar & Eatery
Hotel Indigo
86 East Coast Road
#01-01
Singapore 428788
Tel: +65 67232025
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Dakota (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Sun-Thu: 630am - 11pm
Fri-Sat: 630am - 12midnight

Direction:
1) Alight at Dakota MRT station. Take exit A. Walk to bus stop at Blk 99 Old Airport Road (Stop ID 81181). Take Bus 10 or 32. Alight 6 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

Spinelli Coffee @ Tampines Hub - Very First Outlet In The Heartland

Spinelli Coffee has opened its very first suburban outlet in the heartland at Tampines Hub. The newest outlet is located near the library side, directly opposite NTUC income. It has both air conditioned and outdoor sitting area.

Ice Mocha, Iced Latte 4/5

Matcha T-Twist 4/5

The weather has been extremely hot lately, and what better way to cold down at the cafe with a cold drink. A few recommend choices would be the Ice Mocha, Ice Latte and Iced Matcha T-Twist. An interesting twist is the matcha t-twist, which is a blend of matcha powder with cranberries. The combination of bitterness and sourness surprisingly works harmoniously together.

Quinoa Salad Bowl 3.5/5

For the health conscious eater. there is a number of salad bowls at Spinelli Coffee. One of these is the Quinoa Salad Bowl ($9.80). The bowl comes filled with fresh crunchy greens, sweet tomatoes and quinoa patties. I love the roasted sesame sauce that is drizzled on top, boosting a flavourful finishing.

Bagel Tomate Olive 3.8/5

I am not a bagel person as I dislike the dense texture of the dough. However the Bagel Tomate Olive ($4.50) turns out pretty good. The open-faced bagel topped with cheesy pizza toppings is soft and fluffy.

Beef Lasagna 3/5

As for the Beef Lasagna ($10.80), I didn't quite enjoy it. While the flavours from the cheese and beef are spot on, I felt that the pasta sheets are too soft, without texture. This doesn't help with the layer of gooey stretchy cheese on top. it just made the whole dish collapsed into a pool of softness.

Devil's Chocolate Cake 4.2/5, Carrot Cake 2.8/5, Strawberry Shortcake 3.8/5

If you are at Spinelli Coffee just to chill, you may want to order some cakes to go along with your drinks. They have a number of cakes such as the Strawberry Shortcake ($6.80), Carrot Cake and Devil's Chocolate Cake ($5.20). If you like something light, then I would recommend the strawberry shortcake, if not my personal favourite the the rich Devil's Chocolate Cake.

Cold Brew Ice Cream 3.8/5

Another first at Spinelli Coffee besides opening its first suburban outlet is the introduction of their freshly churned Cold Brew Ice Cream ($4.20). The ice cream is infused with the rich coffee aroma on top of its smooth creamy swirls.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Spinelli Coffee
Our Tampines Hub
1 Tampines Walk
#01-K8
Singapore 528523
Facebook
Website
Nearest: Tampines (EW Line, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 8am - 10pm
Fri-Sun: 8am - 12midnight

Direction:
1) Alight at Tampines MRT station (DT Line). Take Exit F. Walk down Tampines Central 2 road to Tampines Ave 5. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Tampines MRT station (EW Line). Take Exit C. Walk down Tampines Central road to Tampines Central 6 road. Walk to NTUC Income Tampines Junction. Walk to traffic junction of Tampines Ave 5 and Tampines Ave 4. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Zafferano @ Ocean Financial Centre

My last visit to Zafferano at Ocean Financial Centre was almost two years ago. I am back to check out their newly launched Saturday brunch, "The Italian Table" on every first and last Saturday of the month. The Italian feast comes in 4 courses, namely antipasti, pasta-risotto, mains and desserts.

Stewed Clams and Mussels with Rosemary Croutons 4.5/5

When the brunch was served, I was taken back by the table full of food in front of me. This is only the first course - antipasti, and there were already seven different items on the table. On the table, there were Stewed Clams and Mussels, Baby Lobsters flambe with Brandy, Mozzarella, Selection of Cold Cuts, Deep Fried Seafood and Fjord Trout all for sharing according to the number of pax.

Baby Lobster 4/5, Selection of Cold Cuts 4.5/5

The Baby Lobster flambe with Brandy is topped with cocktail mayo sauce, giving it a fruity sweet finishing to the lobster meat. Personally, the highlight of the antipasti has to be the selection of cold cuts (24 month Pio Tosini Ham, Pistachio Mortadella, Iberico Salami) and mozzarella. It was so good that some of us ordered a second servicing.

Deep Fried Calamari, Prawns, Anchovies 4/5

Hidden in the basket is a delightful selection of Deep Fried Calamari, Prawns and Anchovies.

Marinated Fjord Trout, Avruga Caviar, Orange 4.5/5

Live Seasonal Oysters 4.5/5

There were more seafood in the Live Seasonal Oysters and Marinated Fjord Trout which showcases the freshness of seasonal seafood.

Gnocchi 4.5/5

Moving on to the second course which showcases the staple Italian cuisine - Pasta and Risotto. I remembered I was impressed by the Gnocchi when I visited the restaurant 2 years ago. The recipe has changed. Now it is cooked with seafood in a white wine, tomato base sauce compared to the usual cream base. The handcraft potato gnocchi still tasted as good.

Veal Ravioli 3.8/5

I am great fan of Ravioli but I find the veal filling was too rich in flavour, overpowering the balance of homemade veal ravioli with porcini mushroom sauce, truffle emulsion.

Lasagna 4/5

Indulge the layers after layers of pasta sheets in the Homemade Lasagna in minced beef ragout with bechamel sauce.

Saffron Risotto 4/5

Served right on the table side is the Saffron Risotto using Acquerello rice grains cooked to a nice al dente bite. The creamy texture with the aromatic Iranian saffron holds the whole dish together.

If you are already full by then, then you will miss out the delicious trio from the third course - Mains. On the menu is a choice of three mains in the Oven Baked Sea Bass with Tomatoes, Olives, Capers and Fresh Herbs, Roasted Whole French Spring Chicken with Bell Pepper, Red Onion, Mushrooms and Slow Cooked Pork Belly with Potatoes and Bery Sauce. All the mains have its own merits that it is quite hard to lay a finger which is the best. So the best is to go with a group of friends and get to try a bit of everything. If not, really pace yourself in between courses.

Wrapping up the Saturday lunch is the dessert table with at least 5 different types of sweet delights such as Tiramisu,  Macarons, Panna Cotta, Cakes and Fresh Fruits. As you can probably see, the brunch is not on a feast to the eyes but for the tummy too. The 4 courses brunch was just a lie, there were so many food on a table that I need a second stomach to indulge in them.

Saturday Brunch (First and Last Week of Month)
Adult: $88++ per pax include of free flow soft drinks, juices, coffee and tea
Adult: $108++ per pax include free flow Prosecco
Adult: $138++ per pax include free flow champagne.


Zafferano
Ocean Financial Centre
Level 43
10 Collyer Quay
Singapore 049315
Tel: +65 65091488
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZafferanoSG
Website: http://zafferano.sg/
Nearest MRT: Raffles Place (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Lunch
Mon-Fri: 1130am - 3pm
Brunch
Sat: 1130am - 230pm (1st and last Sat of the month)
Dinner
Mon-Wed: 530pm - 1145pm
Thu-Sat: 530pm - 1am
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Raffles Place. Take Exit C. Walk to Ocean Financial Centre which is on the left. Journey time about 3 minutes.

Bottura Restaurant @ Suntec City

The refurbished Suntec City brought a new lease of life to the mall with many new restaurants and concepts springing out at the various towers. Bottura is the latest restaurant to be opened at Suntec City with the concept of housing a restaurant, gelateria, cafeteria and Italian gourmet supply store under one roof.

Cold Cuts Platter 4.2/5

A good starter for sharing is the Cold Cuts Platter from Emilia Romagna with Marmelade ($22). The abundance servicing of different cured hams and cheese will whet up the appetite for the rest of the casual Italian fare.

Arancini Al Ragu 4/5

Another starter which I enjoyed is the Arancini Al Ragu ($8). The traditional risotto ball is served over a bed of tomato sauce. This is a hearty and comforting dish

Piadina with Parma Ham, Stracchino Cheese and Rocket Salad 3.5/5

A flat bread that can be found in every Italian home is the Piadina that can be filled with any ingredients of liking. With five different combinations available on the menu, I got to try the Piadina with Parma Ham, Stracchino Cheese and Rocket Salad ($12). The freshly made thin flat bread has a nice bite to it, allowing the sandwiched ingredients to be fully enjoyed

Egg and Squid Ink Tagliolini with Shrimp and Zucchini 4.5/5

A signature at Bottura is the Egg and Squid Ink Tagliolini with Shrimp and Zucchini ($18). The house made tagliolini tossed in a beautiful cream was just simply slurping heavenly.

Ravioli 4.2/5, Polenta Lasagne 4/5 and Gnocchi 4/5

Next I tried a trio of different pasta in the Ravioli with Cream, Ham and Mushrooms ($16), Polenta Lasagne with Traditional Ragu and Bechamel Sauce ($18) and Gnocchi with Traditional Ragu ($18). This is just the sampling portion. They are really good and it was quite difficult to say which is my favourite. The thin sheet of pasta stuffed with spinach, the layers of pasta sheet substituted by polenta for the lasagne and the chewy gnocchi. They all stood out on their own, which also means there is something for everyone to suit your preference.

Rockmelon, Parma Ham and Mozzarella 4/5

As one of the oldest and most famous Italian dishes in the world, Bottura does offer quite an extensive selection of pizza on their menu. I have eaten parma ham with rockmelon but having them atop a pizza is very unique. The 12 inch pizza with Rockmelon, Parma Ham and Mozzarella ($24) indeed comes across very delectable with the refreshing combination.

Buttora does offer a selection of yummy dessert on their menu to end the night on a sweet note. However I was too full to try them. Instead I hit over to the gelateria and got myself a scoop of the Pistachio Gelato ($5). The rich, nutty flavour together with the creamy texture made it a perfect ending for the night.


[CLOSED]
Bottura Restaurant
Suntec City Mall
North Wing
3 Temasek Boulevard
#02-472/3/4
Singapore
Tel: +65 62387527
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Promenade (CC Line), Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 10am - 10pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Promenade MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]