10|Scotts @ Grand Hyatt - The Weekend Grand Afternoon Tea

On weekdays, afternoon tea at 10|SCOTTS takes on a more traditional format, with a selection of savouries and sweets presented on a tiered stand. On weekends, however, the experience becomes a little more indulgent. The Weekend Grand Afternoon Tea features a more substantial semi-buffet spread, allowing diners to graze at their own pace through salads, charcuterie, cheeses, sandwiches, appetisers and hot dishes, before ending on a sweeter note with freshly baked scones and a selection of dainty desserts presented on a stand.

Hot Chocolate and Coffee

Juices

The spread is complemented by a generous selection of drinks, including a welcome drink of Saicho Jasmine Sparkling Tea, free-flow juices, and two servings of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.

Salad Bar

At the Salad Bar, diners can choose a pumpkin salad or build their own plate from a selection of fresh greens and leafy vegetables, accompanied by assorted condiments and dressings. It is a light way to begin before moving on to the other items.

Charcuterie and Cheese

The Charcuterie selection features freshly sliced meats accompanied by chutney, pickled onion, cornichons and olives. Cheese lovers can also stop at the Artisanal Cheese counter, which features a curated range from Les Frères Marchand, served with chutney, dried fruits, seeds, nuts, and crackers.

Sandwiches

The Sandwiches section features an assortment of simple finger sandwiches, including familiar favourites such as egg mayo, lobster and chicken buns. While the flavours were decent, the selection felt conventional and didn’t leave a strong impression.

Smoked Salmon Waffle

I preferred the Smoked Salmon Waffle with Cream Cheese from the live station. Prepared fresh in small batches, the waffle was still warm and crisp when I tried it.

Roast Beef with Roasted Vegetables

Butter Chicken with Biryani Rice

For something hearty, we also offer dishes such as Roast Beef with Roasted Vegetables, Butter Chicken with Biryani Rice, and Mushroom Soup. These warmer dishes give the afternoon tea a more substantial feel and make it feel closer to a light lunch than a conventional afternoon tea.

Sweets

Scones

Once you have had your fill of the savouries, the scones and sweets are brought to the table on a tiered stand. This also ensures that the scones arrive warm. Both traditional plain and raisin scones are available, accompanied by clotted cream, seasonal jam, and an interesting kaya foam that adds a local touch to the classic afternoon tea staple. I was also impressed by the selection of five sweets, all thoughtfully composed and distinct from one another.

Calamansi Meringue Tart

The Calamansi Meringue Tart was one of the more refreshing options, with citrusy calamansi curd balancing the meringue’s sweetness on a crisp tart base. Interestingly, the curd is made using fresh calamansi harvested from the hotel’s own garden.

Black Glutinous Rice Mousse with Thai Mango

The Black Glutinous Rice Mousse with Thai Mango is another contemporary take on familiar Asian dessert flavours. I particularly enjoyed the contrast from the little bits of glutinous rice within the mousse, which made it rather unique.

Date Sponge

The Date Sponge was another delicious confection, paired with gula melaka and vanilla Chantilly. The combination brought together warm caramel notes with a light creaminess.

Bandung Pudding

Local flavours continue with the Bandung Pudding, comprising layers of smooth milk pudding and fragrant rose jelly. I am usually not much of a pudding person, but this was surprisingly enjoyable.

Banana Chocolate Moelleux

My favourite, however, was still the Banana Chocolate Moelleux, made with Guanaja dark chocolate and banana compote. Chocolate and banana is a classic combination that is hard to go wrong with, and this was pure chocolatey goodness.

Overall, the Weekend Grand Afternoon Tea at 10|SCOTTS makes for a relaxing afternoon with plenty to eat and drink. The elegant yet comfortable lounge setting complements the unhurried nature of the experience. With weekend seating from 2pm to 4.30pm, you have ample time to settle in, linger over a drink, and leisurely work your way through the spread. Do note, however, that takeaways are not permitted for the afternoon tea, including any remaining items from the sweets stand.

Weekend Grand Afternoon Tea:
One Seating 2:00PM - 4:30PM (Saturday to Sunday and Public Holidays)
SGD 65++ per adult | SGD 30++ per child (6-12 years old)
Beverage Package at SGD 50++ per adult, includes Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut Champagne
Beverage Package at SGD 70++ per adult, includes Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut Champagne, selected red wines, white wines, rosé wines, cocktails and mocktails

Weekday Afternoon Tea Set:
2:00PM - 4:30PM (Monday to Friday)
SGD 50++ per adult | SGD 25++ per child (6-12 years old)
Beverage Package at SGD 50++ per adult, includes Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut Champagne
Beverage Package at SGD 70++ per adult, includes Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut Champagne, selected red wines, white wines, rosé wines, cocktails and mocktails

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.


10|Scotts
Grand Hyatt
Lobby Level
10 Scotts Road
Singapore 228211
Tel: +65 67381234
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Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT Station. Take Exit 1. Walk to Scotts Road. Turn right onto Scotts Road. Walk down Scotts Road. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 5 minutes. [Map]

One-Ninety Bar @ Four Seasons Hotel Singapore - Introduces Garden Café's New Daytime Offerings

One-Ninety Bar at Four Seasons Hotel Singapore recently introduced Garden Café’s new daytime offerings, featuring hand-crafted pastries, sandwiches, wholesome mains and sweet treats, available for dine-in or takeaway. Conceived as an alfresco terrace extension of One-Ninety Bar, Garden Café offers both indoor and outdoor seating, inviting diners into a close-to-nature setting. The new menu is served daily from 11am to 6pm, bringing a more intimate and cosy café ambience to the space. The display counter features a lineup of freshly baked viennoiserie, including butter croissants, pain au chocolat, and almond croissants, alongside a rotating selection of seasonal sweet treats.

Open-Faced Chicken Cordon Bleu 4/5

The main menu ranges from light bites to more hearty options, including an Express selection of dishes designed for a quicker lunch. We tried the Open-Faced Chicken Cordon Bleu ($24) and Maccheroni al Formaggio ($28). While these are intended as express items, both are surprisingly indulgent. The Open-Faced Chicken Cordon Bleu features Cotto ham sandwiched between two pleasingly tender, lightly crusted chicken cutlets, with melted Fontina binding everything together. The mesclun salad on the side, however, seemed more like an afterthought.

Maccheroni al Formaggio 4/5

Maccheroni al Formaggio offered an interesting take on Mac & Cheese. The macaroni was well baked and creamy, with a blend of artisanal cheeses that balanced sweet and savoury notes. Eating it together with the soft pumpkin helped to cut through the richness of the cheese. I think switching to a starchier, denser variety of pumpkin would have worked even better, adding more flavour and texture than the current one, which was somewhat watery and fibrous.

English Breakfast Royale Sandwich 3.5/5

From the All-Day Brunch, the English Breakfast Royale Sandwich ($26) brings together all the elements of a big breakfast. The muffins are slathered with mashed avocado, then stacked with sautéed mushrooms, a pork sausage patty, and gorgeous farm eggs, before being crowned with crispy bacon.

Singapore Chilli Crab Omelette 4.5/5

The Singapore Chilli Crab Omelette ($32) impressed me even more, with a tantalisingly chubby, fluffy omelette topped with a meaty chilli crab sauce. The sauce carried a good amount of heat, which complemented the buttery omelette nicely.

Vanilla French Toast 4.8/5

It’s been a while since I last had a French toast as well done as the Vanilla French Toast ($18). The toast had an almost spongy texture, which I adored, with caramelised, buttery edges adding a lovely contrast.

Signature Salmon Poke Bowl 5/5

Power Bowls offer lighter and more nourishing alternatives, and we tried the Signature Salmon Poke Bowl ($24). It comes with soy-marinated salmon, multigrain rice, shimeji mushrooms, pickled daikon, shredded red cabbage, wakame and avocado, topped with an onsen egg and truffle miso to bring everything together. The pearly multigrain rice brought a beautiful nutty, wheaty flavour to each mouthful, while the savoury miso sauce, accented with truffle, made the bowl addictive. They also offer a range of sandwiches to choose from.

Prawn Aglio Olio Sandwich 4.5/5

The Prawn Aglio Olio Sandwich ($18) was flavoursome, with chunky prawns and sweet, smoky roasted bell peppers, alongside pickled red onion, cucumber and tomato for added freshness.

Strawberry Financier 4/5

Tiramisù Classico 4/5

For desserts, we tried the Valrhona Dark Chocolate Mousse ($16), Pandan Kaya Cake ($14), Citrus Petite Gâteau ($14), Strawberry Financier ($14), and Tiramisù Classico ($16). The latter was undisputedly the crowd favourite. The tin brought together espresso-soaked ladyfingers, mascarpone cream and cocoa, with just the right amount of sweetness. I’m not usually a fan of entremets, so another favourite was the Strawberry Financier. The financier itself was delicious, and the combination of luscious Chantilly cream and strawberries on top elevated the decadence.

Pandan Espresso Martini

To complement the menu, we also offer a curated selection of signature beverages with a Singapore touch. Highlights include the Kopi Cream, Peanut Butter and Black Sesame Lattes, Grapefruit Tonic Espresso and Pandan Espresso Martini ($20).

The Garden Café at One-Ninety Bar
Mon-Sun: 11 am - 6 pm

For more information or to make a dining reservation, call (65) 6831 7653, WhatsApp (65) 9455 3466 or email dining.singapore@fourseasons.com.

Photos and words by Si An. A homebody who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, the smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food.


One-Ninety Bar
Four Seasons Hotel Singapore
190 Orchard Boulevard
Singapore 248646
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Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 6pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 11. Walk straight down Orchard Boulevard Road. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 6 minutes. [Map]

Shin Katsu @ Tanjong Pagar Road - Celebrates First Anniversary with Five-Cut Tonkatsu Tasting from $38

Premium tonkatsu specialist Shin Katsu, located along the stretch of shophouses on Tanjong Pagar Road, is celebrating its first anniversary with the launch of its first chef-curated tasting experience.

The new tasting menu features two carefully curated sets — the Gensen Set ($38) and Gokusen Set ($48) — designed to take diners on a journey through different pork breeds, cuts and origins. Rather than focusing on just one type of pork, the tasting lets you compare how breed, marbling, and provenance can influence the flavour, texture, and overall character of each piece of tonkatsu.

Seasonal Appetiser

Cabbage

Sake Pairing

Both sets begin with a seasonal appetiser, followed by five chef-selected katsu cuts, before ending with a Mini Wagyu Menchi Katsu Curry Rice and Matcha Ice Cream. An optional sake pairing is available for $18, and free-flow cabbage is included throughout the meal.

Gensen Set 4.2/5

The Gensen Set ($38) is a good introduction to the tasting experience, featuring pork sourced from Canada, Hokkaido and Spain. The five cuts include both Hire and Rosu, allowing diners to experience the contrast between leaner, more delicate cuts and richer, more marbled ones. I enjoyed how each piece had its own distinct character, with the differences in texture and flavour becoming more apparent as the tasting progressed. The tonkatsu is fried with a crisp, delicate panko coating while keeping the pork inside juicy and tender. It showcases Shin Katsu’s precise frying technique, keeping the coating light without overpowering the meat.

Gokusen Set 4.2/5

For those looking for something more indulgent, the Gokusen Set ($48) takes things up a notch with a selection of premium pork breeds including U.S. Kurobuta, Hokkaido Sangenton, Spanish Iberico and Hungarian Mangalica. This set puts more emphasis on richness and marbling, with each pork variety offering its own balance of tenderness, fattiness and umami. It was interesting to taste them side by side because the differences aren’t just about tenderness, but also about the depth of flavour and mouthfeel that come from the different breeds and cuts. For me, this is where the tasting concept works particularly well. Instead of simply having a plate of tonkatsu, you get to appreciate how much the choice of pork can change the experience.

Mini Wagyu Menchi Katsu Curry Rice 4.2/5

The meal concludes with a Mini Wagyu Menchi Katsu Curry Rice, a satisfying final savoury course. The wagyu menchi katsu is crisp and golden on the outside, while the filling inside is tender, juicy and packed with savoury flavour. The accompanying Japanese-style curry is mild and not overly spicy, with enough sweetness and savouriness to complement the rice and rich menchi katsu without masking its flavour. Despite being a mini portion, it is quite substantial after the five-course katsu tasting.

Matcha Ice Cream 4/5

To finish, we had a generous scoop of Matcha Ice Cream. Creamy with a distinct matcha flavour, it provides a refreshing and slightly bitter finish after the richness of the tonkatsu and curry.

Rosu Katsu Sando

Alongside the new tasting sets, Shin Katsu has also introduced its first Katsu Sando collection, bringing its signature tonkatsu into a more casual and convenient format. The Rosu Katsu Sando ($12) features a premium Canadian pork loin cutlet, crisp-fried in panko and sandwiched between slices of soft Japanese shokupan. Another choice is the Hire Katsu Sando ($13), which combines both Canadian pork loin and tenderloin. The combination of crunchy tonkatsu and pillowy bread makes this an easy-to-eat option for a quick lunch or takeaway.

Overall, Shin Katsu’s first-anniversary tasting experience is a fun way to explore tonkatsu beyond simply choosing between hire and rosu. The side-by-side tasting highlights how pork breed, cut and origin can influence everything from marbling and texture to flavour and richness.

Between the two, the Gokusen Set is the more indulgent option for those who want to explore more premium pork breeds, while the Gensen Set offers a more accessible introduction to the concept. Either way, it is a worthwhile experience for tonkatsu fans who enjoy discovering the nuances behind the ingredients and technique.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Shin Katsu
84-86 Tanjong Pagar Road
Singapore 088505
Tel: +65 8825 8311
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Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line), Maxwell (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 11am - 3pm, 5pm - 930pm
Sat-Sun, PH: 11am - 930pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Maxwell MRT station. Take Exit 3. Cross the road to Duxton Road. Walk down Duxton Road. Turn left onto Duxton Hill towards Tanjong Pagar Road. Turn right onto Tanjong Pagar Road and walk to the destination. Journey time is about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Tanjong Pagar Road. Cross the road. Turn right and walk to the destination. Journey time is about 6 minutes. [Map]

Tembusu @ Singapore Botanic Garden - Borderless Straits Flavours in the Ginger Garden

Nestled in the lush greenery of the Singapore Botanic Gardens’ Ginger Garden, Tembusu is the latest dining destination by Fleursophy Group, bringing a contemporary take on Singapore and Southeast Asia’s familiar flavours to an elegant, tropical setting.

Named after Singapore’s iconic heritage tree, Tembusu is an air-conditioned sanctuary where diners can escape the heat while staying connected to the surrounding gardens. The space embraces what the restaurant calls “Straits Maximalism”, with rich colours, intricate details and a sense of tropical opulence that complements its location. It is also a pet-friendly indoor concept, making it a welcoming spot for diners looking for a more relaxed dining experience with their furry companions.

Stuffed Chicken Wings 4.2/5

We started with the Stuffed Chicken Wings ($18), served as a set of three. Each chicken wing is meticulously deboned, then generously packed with a rich, savoury fresh prawn paste farce. The preparation sets it apart from the more familiar har cheong gai, where prawn paste chicken is typically battered and deep-fried. Here, the wings are grilled instead, allowing the chicken skin to pick up a lovely smoky char while keeping the meat juicy and succulent. The chicken’s natural sweetness comes through alongside the savoury, bouncy prawn filling, creating a combination that is both familiar and distinctly different. It is served with a vibrant housemade Hainanese-style chilli sauce, bringing a bright, spicy and tangy kick that cuts through the richness of the prawn farce. A well-executed starter that gives a local favourite a more refined treatment.

Signature Otak Otak Slider 4.2/5

The Signature Otak Otak Slider ($18) is another clever take on a familiar Southeast Asian street food favourite. The bite-sized sliders feature a housemade seafood patty made with batang fish and tiger prawns, rather than relying solely on the usual fish paste. The combination gives the otak-otak a meatier texture, with the juicy tiger prawns adding extra sweetness and bite. The seafood patty carries the characteristic smoky and aromatic spice profile of otak-otak and is tucked into a beautifully toasted brioche bun. A fragrant kaffir lime aioli adds a creamy, citrusy note that balances the spices while lifting each bite. The contrast between the rich, spiced seafood patty, buttery brioche and bright kaffir lime aioli makes this an easy-to-eat yet thoughtfully constructed starter.

Kopi C Hot / Kopi C Cold 4/5

To go with our brunch, we also had the traditional Kopi C, available hot for $5.90 or cold for $6.90. The coffee beans are sourced from the Gia Lai Highlands in Vietnam and roasted in Singapore by Generation Coffee Roasters. It offers a familiar local coffee experience while fitting comfortably into Tembusu’s modern interpretation of Singaporean flavours.

Singapore Chilli Crab Pasta 4/5

The Singapore Chilli Crab Pasta ($27) brings one of Singapore’s most iconic dishes into a pasta format, combining al dente rigatoni with soft-shell crab, blue swimmer crab and a sous vide egg. The rigatoni is thoroughly coated in a thick, rich housemade chilli crab sauce, with the slow-cooked sauce delivering the familiar sweet, savoury and spicy characteristics of Singapore-style chilli crab. The sauce has enough intensity to cling to the pasta without overwhelming it. A whole, crispy, deep-fried soft-shell crab sits on top, adding a satisfying crunch and a generous seafood element. The sous vide egg adds another layer of richness, with the silky yolk blending into the chilli crab sauce to create an even more luxurious finish. This playful interpretation should appeal to those who enjoy seeing familiar Singaporean flavours translated into contemporary dishes.

Andaman Prawn Risotto 4.2/5

The Andaman Prawn Risotto ($32) takes a decidedly more indulgent approach, with creamy risotto cooked in an intensely flavoured lobster bisque and topped with plump Andaman sea prawns and crispy sakura ebi. The rice absorbs the lobster bisque during cooking, resulting in grains packed with deep, velvety seafood flavour. Natural shellfish sweetness runs through the dish, giving it a luxurious, comforting quality. Crunchy sweet corn kernels are incorporated into the risotto, adding little pops of sweetness and texture that cut through the bisque’s richness. On top, the Andaman prawns are plump and well-cooked, while the scattering of crispy sakura ebi adds another layer of savoury seafood flavour and crunch. Among the mains, this was one of the more memorable dishes for us, particularly for its depth of seafood flavour and contrasting textures.

Signature Grand Dessert Bowl 3.5/5

For dessert, the Signature Grand Dessert Bowl ($13.90) is Tembusu’s take on the traditional Chinese Tong Sui. The eight-treasure fresh milk dessert soup comes loaded with herbal jelly, red bean, peach gum, lotus seeds, taro balls, osmanthus and water chestnut, bringing together a variety of textures and flavours in one bowl. The housemade taro balls have a pleasant chewiness, while the peach gum contributes its naturally gelatinous texture. Soft red beans provide an earthy sweetness, complemented by the floral fragrance of osmanthus and the subtle crunch of water chestnut. This comforting dessert offers plenty of ingredients to explore, with a lighter, more traditional finish after the richer mains.

Pink Guava Snow Ice 3.5/5

The Pink Guava Snow Ice ($12.90) offers a more refreshing finish with its fine, fluffy and almost cloud-like snow ice. Unlike conventional crushed ice, the ice is infused with pink guava flavour, creating a smoother texture that melts almost instantly on the tongue. The guava delivers a pleasant fruity sweetness balanced by a mild tartness, keeping the dessert refreshing rather than overly sugary. The natural acidity works particularly well as a palate cleanser after the richer seafood dishes, making this a good option for those looking for something light and fruity to finish.

Tembusu brings together Singapore’s familiar flavours with a contemporary approach, presenting Malay, Peranakan, Chinese and wider Southeast Asian influences in a setting that feels very much at home within the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Beyond the food, the lush Ginger Garden surroundings and air-conditioned, pet-friendly interior give Tembusu an appealing point of difference. It is a destination where the tropical setting, heritage-inspired flavours and contemporary dining experience come together naturally.


Tembusu
Ginger Garden
Singapore Botanic Gardens
1 Cluny Road
Singapore 259569
Tel: +65 8988 6658
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Napier (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 8am - 9pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Napier MRT Station. Take Exit 1. Walk to Cluny Road. Cross the road and walk to Singapore Botanic Gardens. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 8 minutes. [Map]