Issho Izakaya @ Marina One - Second Outlet with Lunch & Dinner Omakase Experiences from $68

Issho Izakaya has recently opened its second outlet at Marina One. In addition to their standard menu, this new outlet offers lunch and dinner omakase experiences, starting from $68, with options ranging from 8 to 11 courses.

Bonito Walnut

Homemade Tofu

We tried the 11+ course dinner omakase ($128), beginning with a trio of appetisers. The Bonito Walnut was crunchy and addictive with deep umami notes. The Homemade Tofu had a light, creamy mouthfeel, subtly flavoured with an aromatic corn sauce, which could have been less starchy.

Horse Mackerel with Seaweed Somen

The Horse Mackerel with Seaweed Somen brought an intriguing contrast of savoury crunch and briny strands of “seaweed noodles.” A touch of vinegar helped balance the brininess.

Sashimi 5/5

The Sashimi course was a highlight, featuring five indulgent belly cuts: Toro, Kanpachi Belly, Tai Belly, Kajiki Belly, and Salmon Belly, each unctuous with a lingering fullness.

Prawn Wanton in Black Vinegar 2.5/5

A local fusion touch came next with Prawn Wanton in Black Vinegar, reminiscent of chilli oil dumplings. The flavours were familiar and enjoyable, but the thick, slightly stiff wanton skin and the lack of a juicy filling were a letdown.

Tai 4.5/5

The Grilled Tai course delighted with its tender, flaky flesh and beautifully crispy scales. A squeeze of Japanese lime added a refreshing citrus lift.

Chilli Crab 4.5/5

Fusion continued into the Agemono course with their take on Chilli Crab, featuring fried soft-shell crab served alongside housemade chilli sauce and toast. The batter was light and airy, keeping the crab succulent. The sauce struck a delicate balance of sweetness and heat, making this dish a pleasant surprise.

Miyazaki A5 with Foie Gras Miso 3.5/5

The Miyazaki A5 with Foie Gras Miso followed. The desired beef flavour was there, but the texture and mouthfeel were slightly drier than expected. The accompanying grilled vegetables were full of flavour, and what I also loved about the dish was the savoury miso served at the side, which was infused with a subtle hint of foie gras funk that enhanced the flavour of the beef up a notch.

Cheese Kani 2.8/5

Instead of the usual temaki and rice course, we were served Cheese Kani and Beef Noodle with Clam Soup. The Cheese Kani, layered with gooey cheese, macaroni, and ikura, leaned indulgent but heavy, overshadowing the natural sweetness of the crab.

Beef Noodle 3.5/5

The Beef Noodle, a local interpretation of Japanese ingredients, was tasty, though a touch of grated yuzu zest could have brightened the richness and tied it more seamlessly to the overall theme. I reckon a less saucier Rice course would have given a much more cohesive flow of the omakase experience. The accompanying clam soup, while pleasant, could have carried more depth.

Dessert

Dessert was simple yet satisfying with sweet and juicy melon.

The fusion take on the omakase was refreshing and delivered a few standout dishes. That said, a stronger emphasis on seasonal ingredients, a more defined progression of courses, and greater refinement in execution would have elevated the experience into something truly memorable.

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.


Issho Izakaya
Marina One Show Gallery
West Tower
5 Straits View
#01-14
Singapore 018935
Tel: +65 6592 8876
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Nearest MRT: Shenton Way (TE Line), Marina Bay (CC, NS, TE Line), Downtown (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 11am – 3pm, 530pm – 10pm
Sat-Sun & PH: 11am – 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Shenton Way MRT station. Take Exit 1 or 5. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Marina Bay MRT station, Take Exit 1. Walk to Marina Way. Cross the road and walk to destination. [Map]

3) Alight at Downtown MRT station. Take Exit D or E. Walk to Straits View Road. Walk down Straits View Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Ginger.Lily @ Hilton Singapore Orchard - New Afternoon Tea Chapter, "A Symphony of Origins: Terroir and Bloom"

The next chapter in Ginger.Lily's storybook-inspired afternoon tea concept invites guests to discover "A Symphony of Origins: Terroir and Bloom", a collaboration between Michelin-starred Chef Adrien Descouls and Hilton Singapore Orchard's Executive Sous Chef Cindy Khoo. Inspired by the landscapes, traditions, and artistry that define their culinary journeys, this menu is a whimsical tribute to heritage and nature reimagined on the plate.

From savoury creations that echo the volcanic soils and rolling hills of Chef Adrien's native Auvergne, to delicate pastries where Chef Cindy infuses French precision with Japanese finesse, each bite tells a story of place, memory, and imagination. Together, they present an afternoon tea experience that is both refined and poetic, a celebration of origins transformed into flavours that linger.

Afternoon tea at Ginger.Lily is available in two seatings, 1:00pm to 3:00pm and 3:30pm to 5:30pm. The experience is priced at $78++ per diner and includes one glass of cocktail or mocktail and two pots of tea, with a minimum of two diners required. Guests are kindly encouraged to inform the team of any dietary restrictions at the time of reservation.

Tea Scent Bar

Before diving into the food, I must first share my love for the artisanal tea selection, thoughtfully curated with Pryce Tea. The offerings are pretty special, featuring floral and fruity blends such as Vanda Miss Joaquim, Pink Ginger.Lily, Forest Berries, Kyoho Oolong, and Shizuoka Muskmelon. There is a tea scent bar, where guests can smell the various tea blends before making a choice. Coffee is also available, with a regular selection of black coffee, Americano, Latte, Flat White and Cappuccino.

Peach Sour Mocktail

Guests are also treated to a welcome drink, either the Champignon "Mushrooms" Cocktail, an interesting blend of sous-vide shiitake, Lapsang Souchong tea, and Stranger & Sons gin, or the Peach Sour Mocktail, crafted with Hakuto peach oolong, slow-pressed guava, and yuzu. We opted for the mocktail, which was bright, refreshing, and a perfect start to the afternoon.

Huître - Oyster

To begin, we were served freshly shucked Oysters, delicately paired with floral tea jelly, lemongrass, and a hint of vin jaune.

Shepherds’ Truffle Broth

The next course was a heartwarming Shepherds’ Truffle Broth, where the velvety richness of Marabel potatoes blended with cheese, finished with fresh truffle shavings for an earthy, comforting, and luxurious touch.

Tartare de Bœuf

The Tartare de Bœuf features Fin Gras du Mézenc, a prized beef from the Auvergne region, paired with spiced tea and a roasted artichoke sabayon. Whilst this is of course meant to be served raw, I opted to have the beef cooked to suit my preference. It is a tasty, moreish appetiser.

Savouries In A Pink Box

The selection of savoury tea treats arrived in a charming pink, storybook-like box. On the top layer were the Pink Radish Flower Tarte, Cold-Smoked Trout, and Hen’s Egg with French Caviar, all of which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Pink Radish Flower Tarte

Cold-smoked Trout

The Pink Radish Flower Tarte was so pretty, and had vegetable top pesto as well as beurre noisette. The Cold-smoked Trout was a delicate finger sandwich with strained fresh cheese and some ikura.

Hen’s Egg with French Caviar

In particular, the Hen’s Egg with French Caviar was a luxurious miniature masterpiece, featuring a smooth vodka mousse crowned with exquisite French caviar, and with a whisper of umami from dashi.

Drawer of Sandwiches

In one of the drawers, there were heartier savoury options. There was the Seven-Grain French Baguette with Beef Ham and creamy Saint-Nectaire cheese, alongside the Slow-Cooked Veal Milk Bread Bun. However, there was too much bread for me, and this was quite filling.

Sweet Ending - In A Blue Box

The dessert selection was a charming array of inventive sweets, beautifully presented in a storybook-like box.

Plate of 4 Sweets

The Hakuto Peach Chouquette was a delicate puff, layered with herb gel, peach tea, and framboise jam, while the Pink Lady Macaron combined black sesame praline with a subtly tea-infused ganache. The Tarte aux Amandes with Avocado paired creamy avocado whip with tangy lemon crémeux for a surprisingly fresh twist, dressed with delicate purple edible flowers. There were also soft, fragrant Hojicha Honey Madeleines, glazed with a honey olive drizzle.

Hokkaido Potato Churros

I was very pleasantly surprised by the Golden Hokkaido Potato Churros, which were served hot and crispy, and tasted like a cross between French fries and sweet churros. These were super good! It was also served with a bright kumquat cream for dipping.

Berries en Fleurs Gâteau

The Berries en Fleurs Gâteau was a decadent composition of tea-infused crémeux, freeze-dried raspberries, and rich Botanique en Fleurs 68% house-blend chocolate.

Scones

No afternoon tea is complete without scones and Ginger.Lily offering features Tahitian Vanilla and Strawberry Scones, accompanied by passionfruit compote, lychee muscat marmalade, and rich clotted cream.

Overall, it was a thoughtfully curated afternoon tea experience, with lovely presentation, nuanced flavours, and a delightful play of floral and fruity notes that I really enjoyed. Warm and thoughtful service too from the team, who made our afternoon very enjoyable and relaxing.

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


Ginger.Lily
Hilton Singapore Orchard
Level 5
333 Orchard Road
Singapore 238867
Tel: +65 6831 6273
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Nearest MRT: Somerset MRT (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 8am to 1am

Direction:
1) Alight at Somerset MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to ground level. Turn left onto Orchard Road. Walk down Orchard Road. Cross the road and walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Marché Singapore @ 313 Somerset - Explore The Refreshed Food Lovers’ Place with A New Bakery and Revamped Dining Hall

313@somerset’s Marché Singapore has reopened after renovations, now welcoming guests to its refreshed and rebranded ‘Food Lovers’ Place’. The updated space introduces a brand new bakery and café corner on the ground floor, complementing the familiar basement dining hall. To mark the occasion, the bakery has also launched a new tiramisu for diners looking for a sweet treat.

The dining hall’s former Swiss chalet theme has been replaced with a brighter, livelier interior, creating a more vibrant atmosphere. While the food stations remain, the focus is still firmly on freshly prepared dishes made with quality produce.

Marché continues to make everything in-house, from freshly baked breads to hearty hot meals and its wide range of desserts.

Authentic Swiss Rosti Plain 4.2/5

No visit to Marché feels complete without their signature rosti, so we headed straight for it. The Authentic Swiss Rosti Plain ($13.90) was as hearty as we remembered. It was crisp and golden on the outside without being greasy. We added Hearty Mushroom Ragout ($8.90), Velvety Sour Cream ($1.90), and Spicy Chorizo Sausage ($8.90) as toppings.

German Pork Knuckle 4/5

Whole Roasted Chicken 4/5

For meats, we went with two of the restaurant’s signatures, the German Pork Knuckle ($34.40 for Half) and Whole Roasted Chicken ($33). Both delivered on flavour, but the roasted chicken definitely stood out for its juiciness.

Ocean Platter 3/5

From the seafood station, we tried the Ocean Platter ($35.90). While the prawn had a pleasant char and the squid was cooked to a tender bite, the salmon and barramundi were unfortunately on the dry side for us. The portion was also smaller than expected.

Smoked Duck Breast Pizza 4/5

Right across from the seafood counter is the fresh pasta and pizza station. We opted for the Smoked Duck Breast Pizza ($29.90), which arrived fresh from the oven with a thin, crisp crust. The combination of smoky duck slices, melted cheese, and other toppings made for a balanced sweet-savoury flavour.

Banana Chocolate Coconut Crumble 4/5

For dessert, we followed the staff’s recommendation and ordered the Banana Chocolate Coconut Crumble ($8.90). It was a good end to the meal with its balanced sweetness and crumbly texture.

Photos and words by Jo. A girl who loves her Mala (麻辣) at Da La (大辣), discovering hidden food gems and a good cup of matcha latte. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Marché Singapore
313@somerset
#01-40
313 Orchard Road
Singapore 238895
Tel: +65 6593 1703
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Nearest MRT: Somerset (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 11am - 930pm
Fri: 11am - 1030pm
Sat: 10am - 1030pm
Sun: 10am - 930pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Somerset MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Estate @ Hilton Singapore Orchard - Taste of Heritage: Dinner Buffet Experience

Estate at Hilton Singapore Orchard kickstarted August with its Taste of Heritage: Dinner Buffet Experience, a celebration that brings bold reinterpretations of local fare to the table. The buffet features a refreshed selection of individually plated Chef's Signatures, Asian-Western favourites, and artisanal desserts, each prepared with premium ingredients.

Double-boiled Black Chicken Soup

Starting with the Chef's Signatures, we warmed up with a comforting bowl of Double-boiled Black Chicken Soup, which was light on the palate yet carrying a good depth of flavour.

Singapore Laksa

At the noodle live station, you will find the evergreen Singapore Laksa with meaty Boston Lobster Claw and King Prawn Noodles.

DIY Rojak station

The DIY Rojak station, always a crowd-pleaser, was elevated with the indulgent crunch of crispy soft shell crab.

Kong Bak Pau

The Local Favourites station brought together a delicious ensemble of heritage dishes. Kong Bak Pau was pleasing with its succulent braised Kurobuta pork belly.

Beef Oxtail Rendang

Assam Stingray

Har Lok Prawns

Alongside the saucy, finger-licking good Har Lok Prawns, heady Assam Stingray and a spice-forward Beef Oxtail Rendang.

Singapore Hokkien Mee

Oyster Omelette

Singapore Hokkien Mee had a decent flavour profile but leaned on the wetter side and lacked wok hei, while the Oyster Omelette satisfied a lot more with plump oysters nestled in its fluffy folds.

Robbins Island Wagyu Beef Striploin

Lumina Lamb Shoulder

Local Roasts

The Premium Meats selection was equally enticing, with Robbins Island Wagyu Beef Striploin drizzled in truffle jus, Lumina Lamb Shoulder, and an array of local roasts: juicy Roasted Duck, Roasted Chicken, and unctuous Char Siew, which you can pair with chicken rice and a fiery chilli sauce.

Cold Seafood

The Cold Seafood counter was a feast to the eyes, brimming with freshly shucked French oysters, Boston lobster, Alaskan king crab legs, and more.

Mushrooms

In line with Hilton Singapore Orchard's commitment to sustainability, the buffet also spotlights local producers. A highlight was the sauteed Mushrooms, featuring Fogo Fungi's gourmet mushrooms, which delivered both robust flavour and satisfying texture.

Nyonya Kueh

Lemongrass Pandan Chiffon Cakes

Singapore Bundang Strawberry Cake

The Dessert Station rounded off the meal on a sweet note, offering Prune Kueh Lapis, colourful Nyonya Kueh, fluffy Lemongrass Pandan Chiffon Cakes, and a vibrant Singapore Bundang Strawberry Cake.

Pulut Hitam Cheesecake

Limited-edition Beer

An item which I found unique was the creation of Pulut Hitam Cheesecake. As a special touch, diners visiting between 6 and 31 August also received an exclusive limited-edition beer or kombucha, co-created in partnership with local craft brewery The 1925 Brewing Co.

Taste of Heritage: Dinner Buffet Experience
Thursday to Sundays: 630pm - 10pm

$108++ per person (inclusive of soft drinks) from 6 to 31 August 2025
$98++ per person (inclusive of soft drinks) from 1 September to 23 November 2025
Top up $60++ for free flow house reds and whites, beers & soft drinks
Top up $80++ for free flow champagne, wines, beers & soft drinks

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.


Estate
Hilton Singapore Orchard
333 Orchard Road
Singapore 238867
Tel: +65 67374411
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Somerset (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 630am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Somerset MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to ground level. Turn left onto Orchard Road. Walk down Orchard Road. Cross the road and walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]