Showing posts with label .Area: Bugis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label .Area: Bugis. Show all posts

Sunday, October 13, 2024

OUD Restaurant @ Kandahar Street - Woodfire-grilled Delights Nestled in a Charming Shophouse Celebrates First Anniversary

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OUD Restaurant is thrilled to announce the celebration of its first anniversary! Nestled in a charming shophouse, OUD showcases the talent of local chefs Indra and Ridz, who bring their unique culinary flair to the menu, having previously trained in Michelin establishments. The restaurant is proudly halal-friendly, ensuring that everyone can enjoy their offerings. It specialises in woodfire-grilled delights fired up by house speciality citrus wood. OUD offers a casual, inviting atmosphere where diners can enjoy dishes infused with rich, smoky flavours.

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To start, we were served some of their bread with smoked butter, which was enjoyable. However, the butter was still slightly cold instead of at room temperature, making it a bit difficult to spread smoothly on the bread. We had to wait a little while for it to soften.

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Caviar Cornets 3.5/5

The Caviar Cornets ($11 per piece) are made with a thin spring roll skin, then filled with smoked cream cheese and topped with Sturgeon caviar. It's a tasty appetiser but could benefit from more complexity.

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Fire-grilled Unagi 3.8/5

Next, we were served Fire-grilled Unagi ($10 per piece) featuring barbecue-glazed unagi slices on rice puff. The rice puff was nicely textured, with a satisfying crunch on the outside that gave way to a surprisingly chewy, mochi-like interior.

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K.F.C, Krispy Fried Cauliflower 4/5

Then came the creatively titled K.F.C (Krispy Fried Cauliflower) ($12), which had florets of cauliflower battered and fried to a golden crisp, delivering a satisfying crunch with every bite. It's also coated with a tasty sauce and is quite a nice snack appetiser.

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OUD Fries 4/5

The OUD Fries ($15 for 3pc) is a signature dish featuring layered crispy potatoes topped with a choice of beef tartare, salmon tartare, or tuna tartare. I preferred the salmon and tuna tartare as I found the flavour of the beef tartare a bit overpowering. The crispy potatoes themselves were well-executed, providing a solid base for the toppings.

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Grilled Octopus 2.8/5

We then had Grilled Octopus ($26) with romesco sauce, beef chorizo butter, and smoked paprika. The octopus was nicely charred. However, the plentiful sauce caused the octopus to become 'wet', and the crispy exterior was quickly lost. I also found the beef chorizo butter to be quite strong in flavour, which overshadowed the more delicate taste of the octopus.

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Firegrill Chicken Skewers 4.5/5

I much preferred the Firegrill Chicken Skewers ($26), which was perfectly grilled to achieve a delightful tenderness and smokey char. Accompanying the skewers is a vibrant coriander sauce that adds a refreshing herbaceous note. The dish is also served with an onion herb salad, bringing a crisp texture and freshness to the plate. The combination of the juicy chicken, zesty sauce, and lively salad created a well-rounded dish that feels light and satisfying.

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Atlantic Miso Cod Fish 4.2/5

The next dish, Atlantic Miso Cod Fish ($38), was also very much to my liking. The cod is marinated in miso and roasted in corn husks, and the fish is perfectly done for a soft, buttery texture. The miso marinade enhanced the natural sweetness of the cod, creating a balance between savoury and slightly sweet notes.

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Squid Ink Seafood Paella 3.8/5

The Squid Ink Seafood Paella ($48) is quite impressively presented with large fire-roasted prawns and bits of octopus. The rice is evenly coated with the squid ink, imparting a slightly earthy and umami-rich quality. Regarding the texture, it could be due to how the paella was individually portioned. Still, I didn't encounter any of the characteristic crispy bits I usually get from a paella. The texture was creamier, like risotto, for my plate, at least.

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Pressed Lamb Belly 4/5

The Pressed Lamb Belly ($38) features a prime cut that has been skilfully prepared and flavoured with a distinctive glaze of chives, curry, and sesame seeds. This combination enhances the succulent qualities of the lamb. The lamb belly is juicy and melt-in-your-mouth soft, with a generous amount of fat. This dish not only highlights the richness of the lamb but also introduces intriguing layers of taste. It's best enjoyed as a sharing dish, as the high-fat content can become quite rich after a while.

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Oudfire Mushrooms 3.8/5

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Honey Roasted Baby Carrots 3.8/5

Accompanying the main plates were some sides of Oudfire Mushrooms ($16) and Honey Roasted Baby Carrots ($12). The grilling of the mushrooms brought out their earthy flavours, and the carrots' sweetness was enhanced by the caramelisation from roasting. The price point is on the high side though for a side dish.

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Mango Sorbet 4.5/5

I was wowed by the presentation of the Mango Sorbet ($18), which was served in the hollowed-out skin of a mango itself. This creative touch made the whole dessert very aesthetic. The sorbet itself was deliciously smooth, with a perfect balance that wasn't overly sweet or sour. The addition of finger limes introduced a burst of citrusy brightness, while the fresh honey mangoes provided a lovely sweetness and texture that complemented the sorbet beautifully. After a lot of grilled dishes, this was a refreshing treat for my taste buds.

Some final thoughts about my experience are that OUD excels at woodfire grilling for tender and juicy meat dishes. However, it's worth noting that the open-concept kitchen means you might find the aroma of smoke lingering in your clothes and hair after your visit. Still, it is an inclusive, halal-friendly option to check out if dining with friends with dietary requirements.

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.


OUD Restaurant
48 Kandahar Street
Singapore 198899
Tel: +65 9727 3048
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Bugis (EW, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 1130am - 3pm, 6pm -10pm
Sat-Sun: 1130am - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm
(Closed on Fri)

Direction:
1) Alight at Bugis MRT station. Take Eixt B or E. Walk to North Bridge Road. Walk down North Bridge Road to traffic junction of North Bridge Road and Ophir Road. Cross the road. Walk to Haji Lane. Turn right onto Haji Lane. Walk down Haji Lane. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

Saturday, October 12, 2024

Fatt Choy Eating House (發財餐馆) @ Haji Lane - Enjoy Modern Singaporean Fare With Craft Beers and Sake

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Fatt Choy Eating House at Haji Lane prides itself on its modern Singaporean fare, complemented by house-brewed beers and locally brewed sakes. Situated opposite its sister brand, Good Luck Beerhouse, Fatt Choy offers a well-curated menu that features small plates and bites that pair perfectly with drinks and classic local delicacies served in much heartier portions.

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Pitan with Ice Lettuce 4.2/5

The vegetable dishes are meant to be as indulgent. We started with a refreshing Pitan with Ice Lettuce, which combined ultra-creamy Taiwanese Century Egg with a Pickled Ginger Dressing, providing a great contrast with the crunch of the Ice Lettuce. This dish hit all the right notes with its balance of creaminess and texture.

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Wawa Cabbage with Fried Dace 4.5/5

The umami-packed Wawa Cabbage with Fried Dace ($12) brought a nostalgic flavour, with the fried dace sauce recalling the familiar taste of fermented black beans, albeit in a healthier version.

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Masala Brussels Sprout 3/5

The Masala Brussels Sprout ($15) delighted with its chunky fried sprouts, but the masala sauce lacked depth and could have benefited from more tang and robustness.

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Iberico Satay 3.8/5

The Iberico Satay ($15) featured grilled Secreto Iberico Pork skewers paired with Javanese Peanut Sauce and Pineapple Salsa. One of the tastiest skewers I had with all the sauce and zingy salsa, but a bit more grilling to render the fat and add a more robust char on the meat would have elevated the dish.

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Singapore Fried Hokkien Mee 4.2/5

The signature dishes included Singapore Fried Hokkien Mee ($18) and XO Carrot Cake ($15). Although the wok hei was missing from the Hokkien Mee, it was still rich in flavour, loaded with various cuts of pork, squid, and a handful of crispy pork lard. The accompanying sambal was spot-on.

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XO Carrot Cake 3.8/5

The XO Carrot Cake stood out for being generously coated with XO sauce, delivering a surprisingly well-rounded flavour with fried egg, beansprouts, and chives. However, the radish cake lacked caramelisation, likely due to being prepared with just a quick toss in the sauce.

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KL Dai Lok Mee 4.2/5

KL Dai Lok Mee is a more elevated version of KL style Hokkien Mee, served in a claypot and adorned with mini abalones, offering a much celebratory vibe. There were also tender pork tendons in it, flavoursome with the sauce and adding even more textural bite to the noodles. Serving it in a claypot allowed the sauce to thicken and caramelise over time, enhancing the overall dish.

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Kaya Ice Cream with House-made Churro 4.8/5

For dessert, Fatt Choy keeps it simple with one option and a delicious one: Kaya Ice Cream with House-made Churro ($12). This coconut cream-based kaya ice cream, housemade with fresh pandan, struck the right balance of sweetness and aroma and paired perfectly with the churro, which had a golden crust and a light, airy bite.

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The restaurant also collaborates with a local sake brewery to offer a unique sake menu. We tried Utama The 2nd (Fresh on Tap) ($25) and the creamy, unfiltered Cempedak Cream Sake ($15), both of which complemented the food well.

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.


Fatt Choy Eating House
10 Haji Lane
Singapore 189203
Tel: +65 8128 0660
Facebook
Instagram
Nearest MRT: Bugis (EW, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Bugis MRT station. Take Exit B or E. Walk to North Bridge Road. Walk down North Bridge Road to junction of North Bridge Road and Ophir Road. Cross the road and walk to Haji Lane. Turn right onto Haji Lane. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Wednesday, August 21, 2024

5 ON 25 (五悦亭) @ Andaz Singapore - Refined Cantonese Dining Experience with Panoramic City Skyline View

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The newly renovated 5 ON 25 at Andaz Singapore reopened in June. It offers a fresh array of inventive dishes that pay homage to traditional Cantonese cuisine with a modern twist. Perched on the 25th floor of the hotel, the restaurant boasts a comprehensive menu and a breathtaking panoramic view of the city skyline, making it a feast for both the eyes and the palate.

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The culinary team is led by esteemed Chinese Head Chef Lim Hong Lih, who brings years of experience in Cantonese fine dining to the table. We had the pleasure of sampling several dishes, including both new creations and popular signatures. Most of the dishes pictured below were portions adjusted to tasting sizes.

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Cantonese Style Roasted Cage-Free Cherry Valley Duck with Table Side Maotai Flambé 4.5/5

Our meal began with the 5 ON 25 Cantonese Style Roasted Cage-Free Cherry Valley Duck with Table Side Maotai Flambé ($88 for Half). Watching the chef meticulously slice the duck skin was a delightful prelude to the dish itself. For those who prefer without, the duck is also available without the Maotai Flambé at $49 for a half portion.

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Served with freshly steamed skin wrappers, the duck comes with an array of condiments: sweet sauce, sugar, spring onions, cucumber strips, sweet melon strips, and hawthorn strips. While the skin wrapper was slightly thicker than I typically prefer, the crispiness of the duck skin was on point, enhanced by the smokiness from the Maotai flambé. The hawthorn strips, which I feared might be too sweet, turned out to be a harmonious complement.

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Fried Australian Jumbo Quail Legs, Salt & Pepper 4.2/5

Next, the Fried Australian Jumbo Quail Legs, Salt & Pepper ($28) were served. Although a touch salty, the fried quail legs exuded a fragrant, garlicky aroma.

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Crispy Shiitake Mushrooms, Osmanthus Honey Sauce 4/5

Accompanying the quail was the Crispy Shiitake Mushrooms with Osmanthus Honey Sauce ($15). These mushrooms had a satisfying crunch and were glazed with a sweet, floral osmanthus honey sauce.

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Double-Boiled Grouper Soup 4.8/5

I absolutely loved the Double-Boiled Grouper Soup ($48). This creamy broth, infused with delicate fish maw and wolfberries, had a distinct peppery heat and was so rich in collagen that it left a luxurious, sticky mouthfeel. I can't imagine how this could be improved.

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Braised Stuffed Sea Cucumber 4.5/5

The Braised Stuffed Sea Cucumber ($48) was another highlight. The sea cucumber, stuffed with a flavourful mixture of pork and shrimp, was served on a bed of sliced mushrooms and bathed in a rich Yunnan mushroom sauce. The sauce was particularly noteworthy, with its delicious numbing hints of peppercorns and an alluring smokiness.

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Beetroot Fried Rice 4.8/5

5 ON 25's Beetroot Fried Rice ($38) is another dish you must try. The dish features a delightful play of textures with crunchy fried rice bits, preserved vegetables, green beans and Vietnamese tiger prawns. It was fried so fragrant and finished with slices of Hokkaido scallops placed on top. Even though my dining companion and I were pretty full at this point of the meal, we wiped the pot clean quickly.

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Lotus Paste Sesame Pastry 3.8/5

We ended our meal with a selection of desserts. The Lotus Paste Sesame Pastry ($8 for 3 Pieces) featured sweet lotus paste encased in a buttery, flaky pastry.

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Chilled Toasted Sesame Pudding and Apricot Egg Tart 3.8/5

A dessert platter followed, featuring two sets of sweets. The first was a Chilled Toasted Sesame Pudding and Apricot Tart ($15). We preferred the sesame pudding for its fragrant, nutty flavour and smooth, balanced texture. The second dessert was the decadent Grand Cru Chocolate Ice Cream ($20), infused with Wu Liang Ye Liquor, a good option for alcohol-based desserts.

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.


5 ON 25 (五悦亭)
Andaz Singapore
Level 25
5 Fraser Street
Singapore 189354
Tel: +65 64081228
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Bugis (DT, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 11.30am - 2.30pm, 6pm - 10pm
Sat-Sun: 11.30am - 1pm, 1.15pm - 230pm, 6pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Bugis MRT station. Take Exit E or F. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Monday, July 8, 2024

MAO MASTER 帽牌货冒菜 @ Bugis - Chinese “Mao Cai” Individualised Hotpot with Selection of More Than 50 Ingredients

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Hailing from China with over 7,000 stores worldwide, MAO MASTER 川魂冒牌货冒菜 is known for its “Mao Cai”, individualised hotpots with customisable ingredients - which seems quite similar to what we know of Ma La Tang. Their new store in Singapore has just opened at Bugis Junction, taking over the space of Fu Xiao Xian, a few doors down from Zhang Liang Ma La Tang.

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The store is thoughtfully decorated with Chengdu’s street culture in mind. Chinese calligraphy quotes are hung on the ceilings and walls, paired with straw huts and low bamboo furniture. Even though the seating area definitely enhanced the vibes, it could feel a little uncomfortable.

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First, we headed straight to the Mao Cai ingredients display fridge to pick our preferred items. The ingredients were fresh, with a wide variety, and all items were priced at $3.28/100g or $2.98/100g if you sign up for their membership.

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Meat lovers will be satisfied with the range they offer, including sliced chicken, pork, beef and several in-house marinated beef in flavours such as garlic and chilli. Once you’re ready, you bring your bowl to the cashier and choose from four broths: Tomato Soup, Classic Golden Soup, Classic Spicy Red Soup, and Dry Mala. We noticed the Dry Mala was especially popular among diners.

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Passion Fruit Drink 3/5

We had two big glasses of Passion Fruit Drink ($5.80) to go with our meal, but found them too sweet for our liking. Would recommend perhaps asking for less syrup or trying their other available drinks.

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Starters 4/5

For Starters, we tried four out of seven types available - Shrimp Balls ($8), Duck Web ($6), Tribute Dish ($8) and Quail Egg ($8).

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Starters 4/5

Among these, we preferred the lightly braised Quail Egg ($8), as well as the crunchy and spicy Tribute Dish ($8), which is asparagus lettuce in a spicy sauce. If you’re a fan of asparagus lettuce, you’d be glad to know that it’s also available for their Mao Cai - a seemingly rare ingredient to find in other mala shops.

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Mao Cai 4/5

Our Mao Cai ($3.28/100g) arrived quickly in a copper bowl. We decided on the Classic Golden Soup which is by default sour and mildly spicy. We learned from the staff that their signature is the Classic Spicy Red Soup made with a beef and pork broth base, while the Tomato Soup is a vegetarian option.

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While our chosen broth was lighter than expected, we enjoyed its mild lingering heat, which made it appetising. Ingredients that we tried and liked included the squid tentacles, cuttlefish, handmade noodles, celtuce, asparagus lettuce, winter melon, Chinese yam and chicken.

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Paper Wrapped Fish - Mala 4/5

Our meal concluded with the Paper Wrapped Fish - Mala ($38.80) which was freshly put together upon order and cooked on our table over an electric hot plate. The raw fish is seasoned and wrapped in paper, with a timer set to determine when it’s ready. Once the timer rings, the staff comes by to unwrap the steaming hot fish.

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While the mala broth was aromatic and packed a spicy, garlicky punch, we found the fish itself to lean a bit muddy tasting which not everyone may be a fan of. Otherwise, the portion will comfortably feed two to three diners with white rice to pair.

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.



MAO MASTER 帽牌货冒菜
Bugis Junction
#01-88/89
200 Victoria Street
Singapore 188021
Tel: +65 8668 6920
Instagram
Nearest MRT: Bugis MRT (EW, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1030am to 10pm

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

Saturday, June 15, 2024

The Lobby Lounge @ Intercontinental Singapore - Celestial Bird’s Nest Afternoon Tea Set

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Treat yourself to an indulgent afternoon with Intercontinental Hotel's Celestial Bird's Nest Afternoon Tea Set. Served in the luxe and spacious Lobby Lounge, it's the perfect setting to sip tea, chit chat and nibble on exquisitely crafted savouries and sweet fancies infused with the health benefits of bird's nest.

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Celestial Bird's Nest Afternoon Tea Set 4.5/5

The afternoon tea is presented on a lovely three-tier gold stand reminiscent of a bird cage. The sweets rest pretty on the top tier, each one a visually stunning confection. The Snow Bird's Nest and Caramel Apple Choux is filled with a luscious combination of bird's nest, caramel cremeux and poached apples. The Blood Bird's Nest Blackberries Tartlet is sweet and tart all at once, with blackberry marmalade and chamomile honey custard. However, the vanilla sable base could be firmer as it crumbled pretty easily. Macarons are also filled with Madagascar Vanilla Butter Cream and Osmanthus Honey Cakes.

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Osmanthus Honey Cake

Given how pretty it is, the Osmanthus Honey Cake deserves to star in its own picture! It's light and fragrant with honey, pear, as well as osmanthus jelly and vanilla genoise. It is a refined treat and a delight to eat.

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24K Golden Bird’s Nest bottles

If you were wondering why the two macarons have some numbers emblazoned on them, well, that's the code to unlock the treasure box that holds the 24K Golden Bird's Nest bottles. Each bottle is filled with double-boiled bird's nest, red dates consommé, wolfberries, edible gold leaves and peach gum. Eat up for beautiful skin and improved digestion!

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Second Tier

The trio of savoury bites is thoughtfully curated. We had a dish of Bird's Nest Jelly with Hokkaido Scallop and Oscietra Caviar, a Beef Pastrami and Black Truffle Sandwich with feta cheese, and a Bacon-wrapped Quail Egg Skewer. They were all yummy and had a nice balance to all the sweets we had just eaten. I especially liked the scallop plate!

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Third Tier

Last but not least, we had a Smoked Salmon Quiche, classic English Buttermilk Scones, and Lemonade Scones. The scones were served with Devonshire clotted cream, Strawberry Rose preserves and Fruits of the Forest jam. Unfortunately, as I decided to eat the scones last, they were a bit cold by the time I got to it.

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If you can still fit more sweets in your stomach, the afternoon tea set also comes with unlimited ice cream! We had the option of banana gelato or mixed berry sorbet, along with a variety of toppings like toasted coconut, chocolate balls, and Oreo crumbs.

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Overall, it was a wonderful and relaxing afternoon tea experience at Intercontinental Hotel's Lobby Lounge. The service is also friendly and prompt. The lounge lets in natural daylight, which also makes for a great setting to capture some photo memories of your experience and with your loved ones.

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This Celestial Bird's Nest Afternoon Tea is available daily till 28 July 2024.

1st Seating: 1:00pm to 3:00pm, 2nd Seating: 3:30pm to 5:30pm
Weekdays $65++ per person, Weekends $70++ per person
Prices are inclusive of one serving of loose-leaf tea/coffee per person. Elevate your experience with a flute of Champagne ($28++), or a glass or signature cocktail ($20++)

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.


The Lobby Lounge
InterContinental Singapore
Level 1
80 Middle Road
Singapore 188966
Tel: +65 68251008
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Bugis (EW Line, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1-3pm, 330pm - 530pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Bugis MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]