Showing posts with label .Area: Beach Road. Show all posts
Showing posts with label .Area: Beach Road. Show all posts

Thursday, March 28, 2024

G Izakaya @ Golden Mile Tower - 1-for-1 8-Course Japanese Omakase Till 31 May 2024, Featuring Lobster Tail, Chutoro, and Uni Hand Roll

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From now till 31 May 2024, G Izakaya at Golden Mile Tower is offering a value-for-money 8-course Omakase at a promotional price of $188++ for two pax. The restaurant has garnered popularity for its seasonal omakase menus, which are offered at attractive prices.

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It took us a while to locate the restaurant. When facing Golden Mile Tower, veer to the left instead of entering from the main entrance. The cosy 10-seater omakase space is next to their larger izakaya dining area.

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Welcome Drink

We were each given a shot glass of Butterfly Pea Welcome Drink to start. I would have liked this a lot less sweet.

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Hotaru Ika with Yuzu Miso

The starter featured Hotaru Ika with Yuzu Miso. Hotaru ika, currently in season, boasted a rich and briny flavour. It harmoniously paired with the zesty yuzu miso.

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Lobster Tail with Uni Paste & Pan-Fried Scallop

The succulent Lobster Tail was served warm and accompanied by an intriguing combination of uni paste, pan-fried scallop and tempura bananas. This unexpected mix of elements was surprisingly likeable, with the sweetness from the lobster and banana complementing the umami notes of the uni paste.

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3-Kind Sashimi

Next was 3-Kind Sashimi, with fresh and thick cuts of Shima Aji, Akami and Otoro.

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Gindara Saikyo with Sweet Potato

Following that, the chef presented us with the Gindara Saikyo with Sweet Potato. The miso cod was firm yet flaky, and despite the side of shiokoji dressing, we found it to be adequately flavourful on its own.

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Noresore with Mozuku Seaweed

I was excited to try the chef's palate cleanser of Noresore with Mozuku Seaweed, as I had never tried noresore (young conger eel) before. The noresore was light with a subtle sweetness, refreshing when paired with the tangy vinegared seaweed.

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Isaki

The next part of the omakase was the 6-Piece Nigiri Sushi. First was Isaki, a lean cut white-fleshed fish.

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Madai

The Madai was served next. The sea bream was mild with a clean sweetness and became one of my favourites.

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Hirame

The chef lightly torched a piece of engawa for our third sushi to add on top of our Hirame.

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Chutoro

The Chutoro was served with slender strips of delicate young spring onion, which I found particularly enjoyable. The fatty cut of chutoro melted in the mouth.

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Hotate

Lightly dressed in soy, the plump and fresh Hotate will satisfy scallop lovers.

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Uni

The last of our 6-Piece Nigiri Sushi was also a highlight of the meal. The luxurious mouthful of Uni hand roll was layered with sushi rice, chutoro, and a generous scoop of uni, all finished with a spray of gold dust. This was a flavour explosion of the sea.

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Pumpkin Fish Soup with Fish Curd

The soup course varies daily, and during our visit, we were served the Pumpkin Fish Soup with Fish Curd. With its thicker consistency, the warm soup was a comforting closure before desserts.

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Pineapple Sherbet and Warabi Mochi

The desserts didn't quite match the preceding dishes. We tried the Pineapple Sherbet and Warabi Mochi; while the sherbet was refreshing, it was pretty average.

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Pineapple Sherbet and Warabi Mochi

The homemade warabi mochi paired with azuki beans was better, but the combination was slightly too sweet for my liking.

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8-Course Omakase 4.5/5

At this 1-for-1 price point, G Izakaya's omakase offered excellent quality and value. Overall, I thoroughly appreciated the thoughtful curation of the dishes and the quality of the ingredients. I particularly liked how the ingredients' natural flavours are allowed to shine without being overshadowed by additional seasonings.

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.


G Izakaya
Golden Mile Tower
6001 Beach Road
#01-52A/B
Singapore 199589
Tel: +65 91835393
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Nicoll Highway (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 1130am - 130pm, 530pm - 930pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Nicoll Highway MRT station. Take Exit A. Take the overhead bridge to Beach Road. Turn right onto Beach Road and walk down Beach Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Tuesday, February 13, 2024

Akira Back @ JW Marriott Hotel South Beach - Indulge in “The Omakase Dinner Experience”, A Luxurious 5-course by Chef Akira Back and Chef Bill Hong

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Akira Back's "The Omakase Dinner Experience" is a new 5-course dinner you do not want to miss. Chef Akira Back with Chef de Cuisine Bill Hong has joined hands for this seasonal offering, which is available for dinner daily at $148 per pax. Diners can also opt for a specially curated sake and wine pairing at an additional $88 per pax.

The menu showcases seasonal specialities using quality produce, with each dish highlighting both chefs' expertise in modern Japanese cuisine with Korean accents.

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Treasure Box with Citrus Striped Jack Bite

We started with a special treat of the gorgeous Treasure Box with Citrus Striped Jack Bite. While this is not part of the 5-course Omakase, it was definitely an intriguing start to the dishes to come.

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Umami Hokkaido Uni 4.5/5

First on the omakase menu was the beautifully presented Umami Hokkaido Uni. The creamy and indulgent mouthfuls of uni were paired with goma miso and maitake, a combination I’ve not had before but became a fan of.

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New AB Sashimi 4.2/5

Right after, we were served the New AB Sashimi. This dish features fresh slices of kanpachi dressed in a zesty tomato citrus sauce, with karasumi, ankimo and pickled radish for additional crunch.

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Halibut 4.5/5

While I found the clam ang-sauce and apple purée a tad sweet for my liking, the Halibut itself was impressively buttery and tender. The sauces were also helpful to cut through the richness.

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Shiso Sorbet

For our palette cleanser, we had the refreshing and minty Shiso Sorbet.

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Sanchoku Ribeye

While I can’t take beef, my dining companions were raving about their Sanchoku Ribeye. It was served with cauliflower miso cream, burdock jam and myoga, a Japanese ginger.

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Pork Chop 4.8/5

In replacement of the ribeye, I had a generous serving of Pork Chop. I absolutely loved the grill on the pork, which gave a thin crispness to the exterior while the meat within remained juicy. It was one of the best pork chops I've had recently!

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Lobster Claypot Rice 4.8/5

The Lobster Claypot Rice can be opted for at an additional $65 top-up, and I would highly recommend it. With toppings of ikura and negi, this bowl of rice was light yet flavourful, allowing the sweetness of the tender lobster to come through.

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Lobster Claypot Rice

Alongside the rice, you will be served a comforting bowl of miso soup and intricate homemade banchan.

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AB Tuna Pizza 4.5/5

Before we dug into the final dessert course, we were treated to Chef Akira Back's signature dish, the AB Tuna Pizza. The crunchy crust was paper thin and laid with a blissful mix of herbs, fresh tuna and a drizzle of truffle oil.

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Matcha Tart with Hazelnut Chantilly and Barley Ice Cream 4.8/5

The Matcha Tart with Hazelnut Chantilly and Barley Ice Cream was a lovely end to the meal. I thoroughly enjoyed the well-balanced mix of hazelnut nuttiness, bittersweet matcha and crisp tart shell.

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.


Akira Back
JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach
30 Beach Road, Level B1M
Singapore 189763
Tel: +65 6818 1914
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Website
Nearest MRT: Esplanade MRT (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 1030pm

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

Sunday, January 14, 2024

Madame Fan @ The NCO Club - A Mythical Spring Odyssey at Madame Fan this Lunar New Year

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Madame Fan welcomes the Year of the Dragon by rolling out their meticulously crafted festive Spring creations. From 15 January to 25 February 2024, diners can select from dine-in Set Menus (from $108 per pax) and a la carte items, highlighting elevated modern Cantonese dishes made with premium ingredients.

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Additionally, a special Lunar New Year Edition of the restaurant's Dim Sum, Drink Sum Brunch (from $118 per pax), will feature items such as Steamed Black Truffle Dumpling with Wild Mushroom and Crab Roe Har Gao alongside Madame Fan's Signature Salmon Yu Sheng and new-to-menu cocktails. This will be available from 10 to 12, 17 to 18 and 24 to 25 February 2024.

For our dinner, we sampled highlights from the various menus.

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Bountiful Blessings Lobster Yu Sheng 4.2/5

Exclusively available for dine-in, the Bountiful Blessings Lobster Yu Sheng ($238 serves 8 persons) is presented with the traditional Chinese character of the dragon 龍. The star here was the fleshy and sweet chunks of Australian Lobster paired with an assortment of other fresh ingredients.

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This refreshing modern take was vibrant yet pleasingly light, with the combination of homemade bak kwa, crispy lotus root slices, green mango, longan, pomegranate, guava, apple, mango and grapefruit, dressed in a Honey Grain Mustard Yuzu Yogurt sauce.

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Madame Fan’s Prosperity Poon Choi 4.5/5

Another must-have for Lunar New Year would be poon choi. Madame Fan's Prosperity Poon Choi (from $438 for 5 pax) contains top ingredients of abalone, sea cucumber, scallop, and tiger prawns simmered with premium yam in a homemade abalone broth. The base is slow-cooked for over four hours, further enhanced with the addition of a roasted pork knuckle.

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The Poon Choi is available for takeaway as well. Diners can opt to upgrade to the Prosperity Poon Choi Bundle ($698 for 6 pax), which includes Abalone Yu Sheng, Wok Fried Glutinous Rice with Preserved Sausage, Dried Shrimp and Yam as well as Pan Fried Nian Gao with Coconut Crumb.

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Geoduck with Japanese Cucumber, Black Fungus, Aged Vinegar 4.5/5

The chilled Geoduck with Japanese Cucumber, Black Fungus, and Aged Vinegar ($68 per a la carte portion) was an inviting starter, with the sweet and crunchy geoduck complementing the mild acidity from the aged vinegar jelly.

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Sea Urchin Shumai 4/5

Aside from the Geoduck, we also had the Sea Urchin Shumai, which is recommended to enjoy in a mouthful.

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Imperial Bird’s Nest Golden Broth 4.8/5

One standout dish for me that evening was the luxurious Imperial Bird's Nest Golden Broth. This slow-cooked velvety broth boasted rich umami flavours and was elegantly adorned with bird's nest, fresh crab meat and roe. The touch of crispy shreds of scallop added an extra layer of indulgence.

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Braised Giant Grouper 4/5

Chef's Braised Giant Grouper was presented with its fish skin, beancurd fupi, and chu hou sauce. While the Cantonese preparation rendered the grouper's meat tender, I personally found the braised sauce a tad too sweet.

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Stewed Seafood Beancurd Rice 4.8/5

Another remarkable dish was the Stewed Seafood Beancurd Rice. The base stock, enriched by Gu Yue Long Shan rice wine, created a flavourful stew that allowed the natural seafood sweetness to shine through, topped with caviar for an extra touch of lux!

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Mango Fountain Chiffon Cake 4.5/5

The chef puts a creative spin on the traditional Mango Sago dessert with the Mango Fountain Chiffon Cake ($22 for a la carte). This delightful conclusion to the meal presents a medley of textures, including crumbs, ice cream, mousse, chiffon, and fresh mango slices. I appreciated the well-balanced sweetness and the added zest from Australian finger lime.

To place your dine-in reservations, email madamefan.nco@marriott.com, call 6818 1921 or visit their website at www.madamefan.sg.

For takeaways, visit www.madamefan.oddle.me to view their full range of offerings. These are available from 15 January to 25 February 2024 and must be made at least 2 days in advance. Receive a limited edition keepsake of Madame Fan's exclusive Mahjong Set with a minimum spend of $3,888 nett for dine-in or takeaways.

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.


Madame Fan
The NCO Club
32 Beach Road
Singapore 189764
Tel: +65 6818 1921
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Esplanade MRT (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 1130am - 230pm, 6pm - 10pm
Sat-Sun: 11am - 330pm, 6pm - 10pm

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

Sunday, October 8, 2023

Ginger @ PARKROYAL on Beach Road - A Collaboration with One MICHELIN Star Khao for a Taste of Thailand's Finest Treasures

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For the month of October 2023, Ginger at PARKROYAL on Beach Road brings the vibrant flavours of Thailand to Singapore in a unique collaboration with One MICHELIN Star Khao from Bangkok. The 'Flavours of Siam & Home' buffet dinner, available from 6 to 29 October 2023, promises an exciting and delicious taste of Thailand curated by Ginger's Chef Vincent Aw, Khao's Found-owner Ms. Pradinan Arkarachinores, and Celebrity Chef Andy Yang.

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With much anticipation fueled by the rave reviews from friends who have visited Khao in Bangkok, I couldn't contain my excitement to savour these dishes right here in Singapore. While the buffet spread also includes an array of local favourites and international offerings, my focus was undeniably on Khao.

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River Prawns wand Glass Noodles in Claypot 4.8/5

I dived straight into the Goong Ob Woon Sen, a tantalising dish of River Prawns with Glass Noodles in a Claypot. The glass noodles turned out to be an unexpected delight, skillfully soaking up the opulent and hearty essence of the crustacean, creating a harmonious marriage of flavours that left a lasting impression.

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Phad Thai with Prawns 4.2/5

Next on my plate was the Phad Thai Goong, Phad Thai with Prawns. While it may appear as a simple dish, achieving the right balance in Phad Thai is an art. The chewy noodles were spot on, and the harmonious blend of sweet, savoury, and tangy notes made this dish a standout.

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Beef Shank with Green Curry 4.5/5

Usually accustomed to green curry with chicken, I ventured into new territory with the Gaeng Kiew Wan Nua Nong Gae, Beef Shank with Green Curry. This variation of green curry was less sweet and creamy compared to what I've had before. Still, it boasted a saucy consistency with a subtle hint of spiciness that perfectly complemented the tender beef shank.

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Lamb Shank with Massaman Curry 4/5

Continuing my exploration of Khao's dishes, I had the Massaman Nua Nong Gae, Lamb Shank with Massaman Curry. Massaman curry, sweeter in nature compared to green curry, had no traces of spiciness. The lamb shank was tender and devoid of any gamey flavours.

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Wok-fried Minced Chicken with Holy Basils 4.2/5

One of my favourites, Phad Gaprao Cai, Wok-fried Minced Chicken with Holy Basils, delivered an unforgettable punch. The dish was fiery, with a level of spiciness that may be too intense for some. However, the boldness of the flavours here remained authentic.

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Crispy Fluffy Catfish with Spicy Mango Salad 4.2/5

The Yum Pladouk Foo, Crispy Fluffy Catfish with Spicy Mango Salad, was a delightful contrast of crispy bites paired with a tantalizingly spicy mango salad.

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Crabmeat Omelet, served with Sriracha Sauce 4.2/5

The Khai Jiew Poo, a Crabmeat Omelet served with Sriracha Sauce, arrived with eager anticipation. While it boasted an enticing aroma of eggs without being overly greasy, I couldn't help but wish for a more generous serving of crabmeat to fully savour its sweetness. As it stood, it leaned slightly more towards an egg omelet, albeit a well-prepared one, especially when paired with the zesty Sriracha sauce.

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Northern Thai-style Egg Noodles Curry with Chicken 4.5/5

Delving into lesser-known territory, I tried the Khao Soi Gai, Northern Thai-style Egg Noodles Curry with Chicken. It presented egg noodles in a sweet and creamy sauce—a bowl of pure comfort with tender poached chicken.

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Boiled Water Chestnuts coated in Thin Flour 5/5

To wrap up this memorable dining experience, I couldn't resist the Tub Tim Grob, Boiled Water Chestnuts coated in Thin Flour, served in refreshing coconut water. This version stood out with its unique twist, perhaps attributed to the fresh coconut water. The addition of jackfruit added an extra layer of flavour and texture, making it a must-try dessert.

'Flavours of Siam & Home' is exclusively available during buffet dinner, with prices at $78++ per adult and $39++ per child from Monday to Thursday, and $88++ per adult and $44++ per child from Friday to Sunday, public holidays, and the eve of public holidays. Additionally, UOB cardmembers can enjoy an exclusive 20% discount on their total bill when using a UOB credit or debit card.

Note: This is an invited tasting


Ginger
PARKROYAL on Beach Road
Level1
7500 Beach Road
Singapore 199591
Tel: +65 3138 1995
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Nicoll Highway (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Buffet Lunch – 12pm to 2.30pm
Buffet Dinner – 6pm to 10pm
À La Carte Dining - 8am to 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Nicoll Highway MRT station. Take Exit A. Follow the overhead walkway all the way to The Concourse building. Take the exit down to Nicoll Highway and walk towards Parkroyal Serviced Residences. Cut through towards Parkroyal Hotel. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]