Si Chuan Dou Hua @ PARKROYAL on Beach Road - Celebrate Lunar New Year With Exclusive Dishes And Set Menus

This Lunar New Year, Si Chuan Dou Hua at PARKROYAL on Beach Road welcomes the Year of the Rabbit with exclusive Lunar New Year dishes and set menus catering to a variety of family and group sizes starting from two persons. There is even a vegetarian menu for those looking to go meatless.

Abundance Treasures Yu Sheng 4/5

Si Chuan Dou Hua at PARKROYAL on Beach Road premieres its first-ever Abundance Treasures Yu Sheng featuring a combination of its Signature La Zi Ji (diced chicken with dried chilli), Abalone and Smoked Salmon. Surprisingly the combination works.

Double-boiled Chicken Broth 4/5

The hearty bowl of Double-boiled Chicken Broth with Sea Cucumber, Matsutake Mushroom and Dried Scallop is boiled over 4 hours, extracting the essence of the ingredients for a sweet and earthy finish.

King Garoupa with Fresh Sichuan Peppercorn 5/5

The crowd's favourite goes to the King Garoupa with Fresh Sichuan Peppercorn and Julienne-cut Chinese Lettuce on a Sea of Spring Onions. The fish fillet comes with a punchy heat and distinctive numbing spice fragranced by the Sichuan peppercorn. It was so good that I was silently screaming for more. It is an exclusive outlet dish at Si Chuan Dou Hua, PARKROYAL on Beach Road.

Braised Bird's Nest with Fresh Fish Maw in Crab Meat Sauce 4.2/5

Another beautiful dish on the menu is the Braised Bird's Nest with Fresh Fish Maw in Crab Meat Sauce. It is thick, rich and creamy with immense umami flavours.

Braised 8-headed Abalone with Hangzhou-style Pork Belly 4.5/5

Not to be missed is the Braised 8-headed Abalone with Hangzhou-style Pork Belly accompanied with Seasonal Vegetables. The pork belly is so soft and tender, falling apart with ease while the abalone provides the contrasting springy texture.

Braised Lobster with Fish Paste Noodles in Superior Stock 4/5

Another outlet-exclusive dish is the Braised Lobster with Fish Paste Noodles in Superior Stock. The highlight is the springy fish paste noodles paired with juicy lobster.

Pan-fried Auspicious Nian Gao and Bunny-shaped Milk Pudding 3/5

Lastly, we had the Pan-fried Auspicious Nian Gao and Bunny-shaped Milk Pudding, ending the meal on a sweet note. Unfortunately, the dessert is not as good as the savoury items.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant
PARKROYAL on Beach Road
7500 Beach Road
Singapore 199591
Tel: +65 65055724
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Nicoll Highway (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 1030pm

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 The Plaza at Parkroyal Hotel. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Tiffin Room @ Raffles Hotel Singapore - Unveils A Refreshed Menu With An Expanded Selection Of North Indian Dishes

Tiffin Room at Raffles Hotel Singapore has recently unveiled a refreshed menu with an expanded selection of North Indian dishes put together by award-winning Chef de Cuisine Kuldeep Negi. Helming Tiffin Room's kitchen for over a decade, Chef Kuldeep continues to draw inspiration from the royal culinary heritage of the Maharajas and his travels through various regions of North India. From the new menu, you get to enjoy a diverse range of chaats, appetisers and mains that identify with the warm and rich flavours of Tiffin Room.

You can opt for the customisable Mera Dabba (my box in Hindhi) Experience, an elevated set meal that comprises a selection of appetisers and main courses presented in an iconic four-tiered custom-made copper tiffin box. The set meal is complemented with delicately flavoured rice, tandoori bread, chutneys and pickles.

Aloo Dal Tikki Chaat 4.5/5

We started with a hearty street snack Aloo Dal Tikki Chaat. Dressed in a mouth-watering blend of mint chutney, yoghurt, tamarind and spices, these crispy potato and yellow lentil patties burst with piquant and zesty flavours.

Achari Macchi Kebab 4/5

Murgh Jaitun Seekh 3.5/5

From the non-vegetarian appetisers, we tried Achari Macchi Kebab featuring uniformly moist pieces of spiced tandoori-grilled grouper fillets laced with a hint of smokey flavour. On the other hand, the Murgh Jaitun Seekh is a very spiced-forward grilled minced chicken mixture of green olives, cheddar cheese, saffron, and spices.

Gucchi Methi Mattar Malai 5/5

For the mains, both the vegetarian dishes were superb, especially the lesser-known Gucchi Methi Mattar Malai - a creamy and cheesy morel mushroom curry accented with sharp flavours of fenugreek leaves and a blend of spices. Traditionally, white button mushrooms are used, but I thought using these morel mushrooms was brilliant. The creamy curry clings to each of the honeycomb caps of the mushroom, akin to how spiral pasta binds with the sauce. Hence you will get the full flavours of the curry each time you bite into the mushroom.

Aloo Gobhi 5/5

The other vegetarian main is one of Mera Dabba staples - Aloo Gobhi, a classic cauliflower and potato delight. Every floret and potato chunk was tender and soft, fully flavoured by a blended yoghurt, garlic, and masala onion gravy.

Balti Gosht 3/5

Kadhai Prawn 4/5

The other two mains were Kadhai Prawns and Balti Gosht. The prawn curry was bright and robust with coriander seeds and onion-tomato masala. There were slices of bell peppers in the curry, which also punctuated the curry with some fruity sweetness. The latter was a curry of lamb leg cubes flavoured with brown onion, tomato, and spices. Again, the curry was good, but the lamb leg cubes were a tad dry.

Malpua with Rabri 4/5

For desserts, we had the Malpua with Rabri, a pancake originating from India. It had a dense and enjoyable chewy texture topped with condensed milk and mixed nuts for an added crunch. Best to go with a cup of masala tea.

Kulfi Falooda

The other dessert is interesting - Kulfi Falooda, featuring a homemade cardamon-infused Indian ice cream assembled with vermicelli noodles, rose syrup and mixed nuts. Eating the chilled vermicelli noodles was reminiscent of having a bowl of refreshing shredded grass jelly dessert. The nuts soaked in the mixture gave a contrasting chewy texture to the dessert. A rather odd combination, but it works!

These vegetarian and non-vegetarian North Indian delicacies and selected dishes are available for delivery or takeaway on Raffles Grab & Go.

Photograph and written 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.


Tiffin Room
Raffles Hotel
1 Beach Road
Singapore 189673
Tel: +65 63371886
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Lunch: 12pm - 145pm
Dinner: 630pm - 845pm

Direction:
1) Alight at City Hall MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Junction of North Bridge Road and Bras Basah Road. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit F. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Tiffin Room x Meatsmith Little India @ Raffles Hotel - Exclusive Collaboration Showcasing North Indian Flavours With Indian-Accented American Barbecue

It is a collaboration you should not miss. Tiffin Room and Meatsmith Little India are back again for the second time, with a specially curated four-hands menu from 14 to 28 July 2022. It guarantees you a treat by marrying Chef Kuldeep Negi's expertise in authentic North Indian flavours with Chef Edwin Tan's experimental take on modern Indian-accented American barbecue. You will see their skilful play on flavours, textures and spices come through distinctly right from the starters to the dessert.

The four-hand menu is available at Tiffin Room in Raffles Hotel for lunch and dinner. There are both Vegetarian ($98/pax) and Non-vegetarian ($108/pax) options, with the choice to add on for wine pairing ($78/pax).

Trio Starter 4/5

We had a delightful start to the meal with this trio starter - Papadum with Ikura and Creme Fraiche, Smoked Feta with Watermelon, Potato and Cheese Croquettes with Caviar and BBQ Mustard. Meatsmith’s Ikura Papadum has always been a crowd favourite. Pop it in a mouthful, and you get an explosion of briny ikura with rich and tangy creme fraiche on a crisp papadum.

Smoked King Salmon with Garden Tomato and Roquefort Salad 4.5/5

A pity that the Smoked King Salmon with Garden Tomato and Roquefort Salad was only available on the collaboration’s opening night of 14 July 2022. It made such a lasting impression! The lightly smoked cured salmon was of just the right level of saltiness, matched with fun bursts of flavours from the sweet oranges and tomatoes, as well as the sharper creamy blue cheese. Salmon was tender and flaky.

Hokkaido Scallop with Tandoori Black Cod 4.8/5

The Hokkaido Scallop with Tandoori Black Cod is a combined creation by both chefs. The plump seared scallop sits with a mildly sweet smoked carrot and orange purée, white wine reduction and caviar, paired with an aromatic and perfectly spiced Tandoori black cod. I thoroughly enjoyed how the seemingly different elements worked harmoniously together as a dish.

Signature Tiffin Box 4.2/5

For mains, a selection of North Indian dishes is presented in Tiffin Room's Signature Tiffin Box. Accompanying the fluffy and fragrant Jhinga Dum Biryani are three types of curries: Lamb Awadhi Korma (Lamb Chop Curry with Almond and Cashew Nut Gravy), Murgh Hara Pyaz (Boneless Chicken Leg with Spring Onion and Spinach Gravy) and Goan Fish Curry. Our favourite was the Goan Fish Curry, which features fresh red snapper. You can also enjoy the curries with three types of Naan: Garlic, Butter and Cranberry Cheese with sweet bits of cranberry encased within.

S’mores Tart and Smoked Coconut Ice Cream 4.2/5

I didn't think I would be a fan of this S'mores Tart because of how sinfully sweet it looks. Hence I was very pleasantly surprised to be proven otherwise. The torched marshmallow layer lends a little more sweetness to the decadent and smooth bittersweet chocolate base, paired with a scoop of cleverly well-smoked coconut ice cream and coconut flakes.

Anjeer Mawa Burfi and Pista Balushahi

We ended the meal with two classic Indian handmade sweets from Tiffin Room, the Anjeer Mawa Burfi and Pista Balushahi.

Papadum, Mint Chutney, Mango Chutney, Pickled Onion

Apart from the main dishes, you can snack on crunchy Papadum on the side. It’s served with three dips - Mint Chutney, Mango Chutney and Pickled Onion.

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.


Tiffin Room
Raffles Hotel
1 Beach Road
Singapore 189673
Tel: +65 63371886
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Lunch: 12pm - 145pm
Dinner: 630pm - 845pm

Direction:
1) Alight at City Hall MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Junction of North Bridge Road and Bras Basah Road. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit F. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Armoury Craft Beer & Steak @ South Beach Quarter - Craft Beer Bar That Offers Spanish Tapas and Wagyu Steaks

Armoury at South Beach Quarter started in 2016 as a craft beer speciality bistro. Collaborating with local and international breweries, it introduces a wide range of craft beers, including its very own Armoury Lager and Armoury IPA. The food menu was basic back then, but it has now evolved to include Spanish-style offerings such as tapas, paella and even wagyu ribeye for the gourmands.

Its Armoury IPA is suitable for an easy start, as well as the Watermelon Martini.

Madrid Broken Egg 4/5

Our evening started strong with very enjoyable dishes from the Tapas menu. Madrid Broken Egg ($16) is a dish that will cure your hangover and set you up for more alcohol! I love the broken pieces of gooey egg yolks tossed alongside roasted potato chunks and chorizo sausages. It is on the saltier side but deeply satisfying nonetheless.

Spicy Mussel Bowl 4.5/5

The Spicy Mussel Bowl ($20) will whet your appetite with its garlic white wine broth. Aromatic with a depth of flavour lent from the white wine, it comes with a fiery kick but is gentle on the taste buds.

Gambas al Ajillo 4.5/5

Gambas al Ajillo ($20) was simple, with all three ingredients done well - prawns, olive oil and garlic. The perfectly browned chopped garlic was indeed the flavour bomb, which explained the side toasts to mop up the garlic-infused olive oil.

Mediterranean Seafood Paella 4/5

Mediterranean Seafood Paella ($39) is wholesome for mains with prawns, squids and scallops. The rice had a delicious bite, and the various seafood added to that enjoyable texture.

Armoury Wagyu + Pork Ribs Set 4/5

When you have a curation of craft beers to choose from, perhaps one way to amp up the experience is to have something luscious and sinfully indulgent. Other than its Spanish-style tapas and mains, what's worth highlighting is its wagyu steaks which are not so commonly available in such places. We had the Wagyu Ribeye and Pork Ribs Set ($95) served with Mentaiko Fries.

Molten Lava Cake 4/5

If you do need a dessert, the Molten Lava Cake($14) is good for sharing.

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.


Armoury Craft Beer & Steak
South Beach Quarter
36 Beach Road
#01-01
Singapore 189766
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sat: 1130am - 1030pm
Sun: 1130am - 10pm

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

PARKROYAL on Beach Road - Celebrates Lunar New Year With Local Festive Favourites At Ginger And Bespoke Tipples At Club 5

Ginger at PARKROYAL on Beach Road ushers in the Year of Tiger with a repertoire of uniquely local festive favourites, available from 15 January 2022 – 15 February 2022. As a halal-certified all-day dining restaurant, it is an ideal place to gather with colleagues, friends and your loved ones for a wholesome feast.

We started our buffet feast with a mini Chinese New Year Smoked Salmon Yu Sheng perfect for two. It was rather fun as there aren't many options out there made for two servings.

Butternut Pumpkin Soup 3/5

Double-boiled Soup 4/5

As starters, we had the festive special Butternut Pumpkin Soup and Double-boiled Soup which was homely and comforting.

Cereal Lobster 4.5/5

For the main festive spread, the Cereal Lobster was my favourite of all. The meat was plump and sweet, and the savoury-sweet cereal crust made it even more delicious.

Thai Jumbo Prawns with XO Sauce 3/5

Thai Jumbo Prawns with XO Sauce had a nice smokey flavour imparted from the grill.

Crayfish Ipoh Hor Fun 3/5

Crayfish Ipoh Hor Fun had a delicious broth rich with chicken stock, but the taste of the crayfish was rather bland.

Prawns with Asparagus and Pine Nuts 3.5/5

I enjoyed the Prawns with Asparagus and Pine Nuts too - seasoned to bring out the ingredients' natural flavours. I love how the roasted pine nuts add crunch and accent the dish with the dish nuttiness.

Grilled Chicken Bakkwa Slider 4/5, Braised Angus Beef Cheek with Mantou 3/5

The festive spread includes two delightful finger foods - Grilled Chicken Bakkwa Slider and Braised Angus Beef Cheek with Mantou. The Grilled Chicken Bakkwa Slider surprised us with a very yummy piece of chicken Bakkwa nicely grilled to render the fats and a nicely toasted fluffy bun. The latter, on the other hand, was a tad dry.

If your dinner feast ends early, drop by Club 5 for bespoke tipples. On the menu, you will find cocktails characterised by the interesting stories of Bugis Junction, Arab Street and Beach Road. It draws inspirations from its surrounding locations that are rich in history and heritage,

For a bold and smokey drink, go for Paper Flames, presented with some theatrics. For a lighter citrus drink yet laced with a tinge of complexity, you can try High Tide Swizzle concocted with cashew orgeat and passion fruit.

During the lunar new year, guests may opt for either a pair of personalised Glenfiddich 12-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whiskey with distinct fresh fruity notes or a twin bottle deal of either Milagro Tequila, Hendrick's Gin or Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum from $288 onwards.

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.


Ginger
PARKROYAL on Beach Road
7500 Beach Road
Singapore 199590
Tel: +65 65055710
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Nicoll Highway (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Tue: 8am - 1030am
Wed-Sun: 8am - 1030am, 12pm - 1030pm

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]

Tiffin Room @ Raffles Hotel Singapore - Celebrates Diwali With A Specially Curated Diwali Experience Menu

From 21 October to 7 November 2021, Raffles Hotel Singapore’s historic Tiffin Room welcomes you to join in their celebration of Diwali, the joyous festival of lights, with a specially curated Diwali Experience menu prepared by award-winning Chef Kuldeep Negi.

Golgappa Shots 4/5

The Diwali Experience begins with a classic cold appetiser of Golgappa Shots - deep-fried stuffed crispy bread complemented with three different fillings - mint, mango with sweet tamarind and yoghurt to evoke the nostalgia and celebratory spirit of the season. It is recommended to start with a little fiery Mint, followed by Mango with Sweet Tamarind, which is sour and ends the journey with sweet yoghurt. Spicy, sour, sweet and savoury, these little flavour bombs are indeed a great way to whet my appetite.

Tandoori Lobster 3/5

Next is a warm appetiser Tandoori Lobster, featuring Tandoori-grilled lobster served with onion fritters and mint chutney. While its flavour was good, especially with the smokey charred bits around the edges of the lobster, I found mine a little over-seasoned and overdone.
  

Main Course 4.5/5

Butter Naan. Carom Seed Laccha Parantha

The main courses are prepared and presented in the iconic tiffin box - Nariyali Gosht Chaap (lamb chops with rich coconut and mustard seed curry); Doi Mach (barramundi with yoghurt and spices); Sarson Da Murgh (boneless chicken leg presented in a mustard leaf gravy); and Kheema Pulao (premium Indian basmati rice cooked with minced lamb and perfumed with rose water and saffron). Freshly-made Butter Naan and aromatic Carom Seed Laccha Parantha will also be served to sop up the goodness of the curries.

Nariyali Gosht Chaap

Both the mustard seed curry and yoghurt curry were highly flavoursome and stimulating. The piquant and robust mustard seed curry balanced and complemented the gamey nature of lamp chops well.

Doi Mach

Whereas for a more delicated Barramundi, the tangy and sharp yoghurt curry brought out the meat's sweetness.

Sarson Da Murgh

Sarson Da Murgh reminds me of Palak Paneer. I genuinely enjoy this dark mustard leaf gravy that I didn't have the chance to try anywhere else.

Kheema Pulao

Last but not least, the Kheema Pulao. Perfumed with rose water and saffron, the Indian basmati rice was cooked with just the right amount of minced lamb to flavour the rice without overpowering it.

Petha Kheer with Mango Rabdi, Kaju Strawberry Burfi, Moong Dal Burfi 4.8/5

Rounding out the meal were sweet treats in which we had Petha Kheer with Mango Rabdi and two Mithai - a Kaju Strawberry Burfi and a Moong Dal Burfi. Served elegantly in a glassware, Petha Kheer layered with Mango Rabdi. The ash gourd with mango in a milk and saffron cream pudding itself was sweet and comforting. I like how the tartness of the layer of mango rabdi underneath balances the sweetness of the dessert. As for the Mithai, handmade speciality sweets of cashew nut and yellow lentil were among the finest I have tried. Best to have alongside a cup of Masala tea for a complete experience. Suppose you wish to spread the joy with your family and friends. In that case, the Mithais are available in a Mithai gift box containing handcrafted sweets in five delightful flavours.

The Diwali Experience will be available for lunch and dinner in both non-vegetarian ($98++ per guest) and vegetarian ($88++ per guest) options from 21 October to 7 November 2021. In addition, the Mithai gift box is available for takeaway and delivery via www.RafflesGrabandGo.com from now until 7 November at S$58+ for a box of 15 pieces in an assortment of five lovely flavours, including Churma Ladoo, Katli Aam, Moong Dal Burfi, Pista Paan and Kaju Strawberry Burfi. Orders of 100 boxes and above will enjoy a special rate of S$48+ per box.

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.


Tiffin Room
Raffles Hotel Singapore
1 Beach Road
Singapore 189673
Tel:+65 64121816
Website
Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW Line, NS Line), Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 2pm, 630pm - 930pm

Direction:
1) Alight at City Hall MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Junction of North Bridge Road and Bras Basah Road. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit F. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]