Botanico @ The Garage (Singapore Botanic Gardens) - 2019 World Gourmet Summit Rising Female Chef Of The Year Brings new Maturity And Confidence In Her Creations

My last visit to Botanico at The Garage was 3 years ago when Chef Sue takes the helm introducing her interpretation of Asian flavours in her dishes. Since then, she has grown from strength to strength, winning the 2019 Rising Female Chef of the Year and spent time in the kitchens of Michelin-starred Mugaritz polishing her culinary skills.

Beef Tongue Tacos 3.5/5

I guess no one has ever seen or tried taco presented in such a matter. The Beef Tongue Tacos ($18) is served jicama slaw, toasted rice, ginger flower, baby bokchoy and cashew cream. To enjoy it, simply piece everything together and have it in one mouthful to get the different textures and flavours all at play in one go.

Corn Pani Puri 4/5

The Corn Pani Puri ($10) is a playful touch by Chef Sue where puffed little pillows of Indian-inspired puri pastry acted as a cup, holding within it, spiced baby corn and a rich espuma of curried Japanese corn. Pop this in the mouth for a burst of aromatic flavours dancing in the mouth.

Rojak 3.5/5

The Rojak ($15) may look plain, but it is actually packed with the lovely savoury shrimp paste flavour. Give the heiko foam a good mix, coating the pile of kohlrabi and seasonal Southeast Asian fruits salad. It reminds me of the Penang-style rojak, giving the refreshing salad a delightful combo of sweet, savoury, and sour with each bite.

Wing Bean Salad 4.2/5

Chef Sue took inspiration from a staff meal that one of her Malaysian chefs created. Together with her team, they took the dish apart and created the new elevated Wing Bean Salad ($15) using European techniques with Southeast Asian flavours. The wing beans are paired with cubes of housemade chickpea tofu, chopped hard-boiled egg, bird's eye chilli, dressed in a bright, punchy dressing of lime juice, lemongrass, fish sauce, belachan and Thai palm sugar. It even comes with a generous topping of Asian anchovies or better known as ikan bilis in Southeast Asia.

Assam Pedas Snapper 4.2/5

Fish lover will adore Chef Sue's modern take of the traditional assam pedas - Assam Pedas Snapper ($32). The red snapper fillet is grilled over banana leaf, complemented with saffron risotto, okra 2-ways, assam pedas and ginger flower.

Herbal Chicken 4.5/5

I love both Hainanese chicken rice and herbal chicken; hence I really enjoyed the Herbal Chicken ($29) at Botanico. The chicken breast is slow-cooked to tender and dressed in angelica sauce. The sauce is definitely the star which brightens the dish. Not forgetting the chicken rice couscous, which is a flavourful substitution of the usual rice to pair with the herbal chicken. What I feel missing is the chilli sauce to complete the whole enjoyment.

65 Degree Kurobuta Pork Belly 4.2/5

I am sure not many can resist the gorgeous piece of 65 Degree Kurobuta Pork Belly ($30) slow-cooked to fork-tender. It is served with textures of sunchoke, leek flowers and housemade soy-vinegar infused with Szechuan peppercorns.

Crab Rissoni 4.8/5

The crowd favourite definitely goes to the Crab Rissoni ($32). The outer circle is a ring of Japanese deep-sea red crab and blue swimmer crab. The internal circle is Japanese nori rissoni and a comte custard right in the middle. The beautiful dish is sprinkled with octopus bottarga made in house with octopus egg. Give everything a good mix, to get the lovely crustacean's sweetness swimming in each mouth fill. 

BGR (Black Glutinous Rice) 4/5

Even the desserts at Botanico are inspired by flavours in Southeast Asia. First up is the BGR ($12), a playful name for the black glutinous rice dessert recreated with a modern look. It came in the form of black glutinous rice mochi cake topped with toasted rice ice cream and compressed coconut resting on a bed black glutinous rice foam.

Ondeh Ondeh 3.5/5

Familiar yet not is the Ondeh Ondeh ($12). The beloved nonya kueh is transformed into a bowl of pandan glutinous rice cake with coconut foam, kaya ice cream and gula melaka. It is definitely interesting and yummy, but I still miss the oozing gula melaka moment whenever one bites into the traditional ondeh ondeh.

Having dined at Botanico when Chef Sue first took over the helm, I can really taste the improvement in her culinary skill. Her creations now reflect a greater nuance and finesse with a new focus on South East Asian flavours. 

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Botanico 
The Garage (Singapore Botanic Gardens)
via Cluny Park Gate
50 Cluny Park Road
Singapore 257488
Tel: +65 98311106
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Botanic Gardens (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Wed-Sun: 6pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Botanic Gardens MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn left and walk to Cluny Park Road. Turn left onto Cluny Park Road and continue walking down the road. At Cluny Park Gate, walk in and walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. {Map]

Wooloomooloo Steakhouse @ Maker's Mark 3-Course Festive Set Lunch Menu For Only $48++

For the upcoming festive period from 26 November to 30 December 2020, Wooloomooloo Steakhouse is launching a special weekday 3-course set lunch menu with Marker's Mark, the premium handcrafted bourbon whisky from Kentucky, USA. The 3-course lunch menu priced at $48++ consists of an appetiser, main course and dessert. The menu will showcase a few dishes incorporating Marker's Mark in them.

Make It Mine 4.2/5

Warm Christmas Chocolate 4/5

Before proceeding to lunch proper, you can start with a few glasses of  Maker's Mark festive cocktails, swinging into the festive mood. Make It Mine is a refreshing citrusy cocktail with pleasant notes of cinnamon. For something warm and soothing, opt for the Warm Christmas Chocolate.

Onion Focaccia 4.2/5

Upon settling down at the table, complimentary freshly baked Onion Focaccia with caramelised onions with whipped butter at the side was served. The focaccia was warm, airy and fluffy with a hint of oregano.

Flammekueche 4/5

For the first course, diners can choose from the Flammekueche, Roasted Carrot & Parsnip Soup or Wooloomooloo Salad. The Flammekueche is a delectable pastry tart with butter-poached onions, crowned with applewood smoked bacon and creme fraiche.

Roasted Carrot & Parsnip Soup 4/5

The Roasted Carrot & Parsnip Soup is a hearty and comforting starter, whetting the appetite. The flavourful soup even comes with brown butter croutons and crab floss for that extra textural contrast.

Wooloomooloo Salad 4/5

My personal favourite among the three starters is the Wooloomooloo Salad. Not only is it tasty, but it is also value for money with tender filet mignon, spinach, mushrooms and black truffle. What I really applaud is the tangy dressing that brings everything together.

Maple-Glazed Salmon 4/5

Moving to the mains, diners have a choice from the Maple-Glazed Salmon, Tiger Prawn Fettuccine, Snake River Farms Pork Chop, Great Southern Pinnacle Australian Grass Fed Sirloin and Morgan Ranch 300-day Grain Fed USDA Prime Rib Eye (addition $20++). 

Tiger Prawn Fettuccine 3.8/5

Wooloomooloo Steakhouse is famed for their steaks, but it does offer other yummy items for the non-beef eater. Seafood lover will rejoice in the delicious Maple-Glazed Salmon. The salmon is cooked to a beautiful pink with a layer of crispy caramelised skin from the glazed maple. Another seafood option is the Tiger Prawn Fettuccine, tossed in homemade pesto sauce, toasted pine nuts and parmesan paired with crunchy tiger prawns.

Snake River Farms Pork Chop 4.2/5

No surprise, Wooloomooloo Steakhouse does a good pork chop too. Their Snake River Farms Pork Chop glazed with miso is tender and juicy. Paired it with apple compote for elevated enjoyment.

USDA Prime Rib Eye 4.5/5

Not to be missed is the steak at Wooloomooloo Steakhouse. We had the Morgan Ranch 300-day Grain Fed USDA Prime Rib Eye (additional $20++) that comes with honey-roasted parsnips, truffle mash potatoes and charred broccoli. The Chef has also specially concocted the Maker's Mark peppercorn sauce to complement the beautifully grilled piece of steak.

Pecan Pie 4/5

Last but not least, diners can choose between two beautiful desserts - Pecan Pie or Apple Frangipane Tart to complete the 3-course meal. The Pecan Pie's sweetness and nuttiness work harmoniously with the signature caramel and notes from Mark's Marker cream for enhanced enjoyment. The Apple Frangipane Tart layered with slices of granny smith apple, is another delightful dessert that will sweeten your day.

Apple Frangipane Tart 4/5

The Marker's Mark 3-Course Festive Lunch Set Menu at Wooloomooloo Steakhouse will be available on weekdays from 26 November to 30 December 2020, excluding weekends, 24 and 25 December 2020. I personally find that for $48++ this is a sell, especially if you enjoy having a nice steak for lunch.

This post is brought to you by Wooloomooloo Steakhouse SG.


Wooloomooloo Steakhouse
Swissotel the Stamford
2 Stamford Road
Level 3
Singapore 178882
Tel: +65 63380261
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Website
Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 1130pm

Direction:
1) Alight at City Hall MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Raffles City Shopping Centre. Walk to level 3. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes.[Map]