Salut Private Dining @ Grange Heights - A New Private Dining Concept By Chef Karl Dobler

Celebrate and entertain your friends and loved ones in this beautiful, intimate space. Welcome to Salut Private Dining, a new dining concept helmed by Karl and Jessica - one with excellent culinary skills, the other with impeccable taste.

Austrian Chef Karl Dobler's culinary repertoire spans from Michelin-starred restaurants to luxury hotels across Europe and Australia. You might also remember him from Flutes Restaurant or then Restaurant Salut Private Dining in Dempsey. With great respect for classic flavours and culinary techniques, Chef Karl personally sources fresh seasonal ingredients and carefully prepares them. While contemporary European cuisine is his speciality, he is adept at Asian and Peranakan cooking and whips up a very popular Prawn Noodles. Meanwhile, Jessica works her magic to create the perfect ambience for your dinner event and can set the table for personalised themes. Tonight, we're enjoying a romantic candlelit table set with white roses and artfully strewn crystals.

As guests stream in, smartly dressed wait staff warmly welcome them with flutes of champagne and canapés of the most luxurious degree - smoked salmon with cream cheese & caviar, beef cheeks mini puffs and burrata & tomato mini toasts. Feel free to bring your own wines and spirits. There is no corkage charge. A generous policy!

A dish of Hokkaido Scallop Carpaccio appears in front of us. It's delicately sliced and draped like a flower, drizzled with truffle soy dressing and some olive pearls.

As White Asparagus is in season, the Chef prepares it as a warm appetiser served with a soft hen egg, truffle hollandaise and bellota ham, which is the finest grade of Jamón ibérico with a smooth texture and a rich, savoury taste.

Next comes a pan-seared NZ Bass Grouper prepared with artichoke mash, edamame, and scampi glaze. The fish's flesh is firm, white, and flaky. Delicious!

We got to try the Chef's signature Crispy Roasted Suckling Pig, which had a crackling skin. It is served with smoked pancetta cabbage, rosemary potatoes, and star anise jus.

The dessert was well-timed. We caught an aromatic whiff of the soufflés baking as we were about to finish our main course. Out from the kitchen came those piping hot ramekins of Passionfruit Soufflé, baked with real fruit bits. It was delightfully melty and absolutely enjoyable.

We thought dinner had come to an end but were presented with Hand-rolled Hazelnut Chocolate Truffles. As a chocolate lover, I can only say that I wished I had the whole tray to myself.

Afterwards, a fine selection of Cheese, Dried Fruits, and Crackers accompanied the post-dinner wine and conversation.

Although newly opened, Salut Private Dining has already received strong interest from regulars, who invite Chef Karl to their homes for private catering. A minimum party of 6 persons is required, and the dining room can accommodate up to 20. Typically, a 5-course menu starts from $198 per pax, with no service charge or GST. If interested, do reserve at least 2 weeks to 1 month in advance.

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


Salut Private Dining
Grange Heights
15 Saint Thomas Walk
Singapore 238145
Tel: +65 9831 3067
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Great World (TE Line)

Direction:
1) Alight at Great World MRT station. Take Exit 5. Walk to bus stop at Riva Lodge (Stop ID 13071). Take bus number 32, 54, 139 or 195. Alight 1 stop later. Walk to Saint Thomas Walk street. Turn right onto Saint Thomas Walk street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Great World MRT station. Take Exit 5. Walk down River Valley Road towards Saint Thomas Walk. Turn left onto Saint Thomas Walk. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Joyden Canton Kitchen @ Great World - Celebrates Brand New Opening With Summer Eel Fiesta

Partaking in the seasonal freshwater eels season, Joyden Canton Kitchen has launched a seasonal ‘Summer Eel Fiesta’ menu featuring live eels from now till 14 August. We visited its brand new outlet at Great World to taste of this well-loved summer food, alongside its popular Cantonese and locally-inspired signature dishes.

Harvested and flown in directly from Mainland China, the eels are cooked in four ways to bring the most out of their rich and unctuous meat.

Grilled Eel with Honey Glaze 4/5

We started with Grilled Eel with Honey Glaze ($39.80). First glazed with a homemade honey and maltose mixture and then grilled to a golden brown, the eel was delightful with a slightly crisped exterior with bits of caramelization. I do find the glaze a tad too sweet, though.

Braised Eel with BBQ Sauce in Claypot 4.5/5

Braised Eel with BBQ Sauce in Claypot ($36.80) is a crowd-pleaser with chunks of fatty eel, shiitake mushrooms, onions and bell peppers tossed in a smoky housemade BBQ sauce. The onions and bell peppers added a wonderful sweet crunch and an earthly flavour to the dish.

Wok-Tossed Eel with Chives Flower 4.5/5

In a similar vibe is the Wok-Tossed Eel with Chives Flower ($38.80). It is another mouthwatering dish to be savoured that is tossed with a special blend of fermented soybean paste.

Steamed Eel with Fragrant Soybean Crisps 4.5/5

Among the four renditions, the dish that stood out to me is this Steamed Eel with Fragrant Soybean Crisps ($40.80), featuring a steamed eel fillet in superior soy sauce topped with a layer of fragrant fried soybean crisps. I was pleasantly surprised by the subtlety of the fried soybean crisps. They provided just the right amount of umaminess to complement the eel while also playing up the texture of the dish. Half expecting it to be a little greasy, it was actually light and easy on the palate.

Chargrilled Mandarin Peel Pork Ribs 4/5

Fish Maw and Tiger Prawns with Glass Noodles in Homemade XO Sauce 3.5/5

Other wholesome dishes include Chargrilled Mandarin Peel Pork Ribs ($20) and Fish Maw and Tiger Prawns with Glass Noodles in Homemade XO Sauce ($22). The pork ribs shone with a distinct mandarin peel note in the glaze, giving the dish a citrusy lift. The latter was robust with proprietary XO sauce made with dried scallops, but it got slightly greasy with the fish maw.

‘Moonlight’ Rice Vermicelli with Egg White and Scallop 4/5

Joyden's Signature 'Moonlight' Rice Vermicelli with Egg White and Scallop will be the most ideal given its mild flavours for a more saucy preference to appreciate the eels. It marries the classic Chinese dish of 赛螃蟹 with sauteed egg whites and a local 'zichar' noodle dish. A bed of silk rice vermicelli with a touch of wok hei luxuriates in fluffy scrambled egg whites sweetened with crab meat and scallop.

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.


Joyden Canton Kitchen
Great World
1 Kim Seng Promenade
#01-141/142
Singapore 237994
Tel: +65 62192262
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Great World (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 1130am -330pm, 530pm - 9pm
Sat-Sun & PH: 11am - 930pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Great World MRT station. Take Exit 2. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Uncle Fong Hotpot Restaurant @ Great World - Popular Chongqing-style Hotpot Restaurant From Hong Kong, Opens First Overseas Outpost In Singapore

First opened in Hong Kong to explosive reception, getting queues among the locals and celebrities, Uncle Fong  Hotpot Restaurant offers a modern-style Chongqing hotpot opens its first overseas outlet a Great World, Singapore. The restaurant is founded by Mr Fong Chi Chung, the man behind Michelin-starred restaurant Putien, hence the restaurant's name Uncle Fong.

Signature Nine-Grid Hotpot 4.2/5

One of the most identifiable features of Uncle Fong is the unique nine-grid layout of its pot. It is separated into three different heat zones. The heat is strongest in the middle square, ideal for blanching quick-cook food. The four grids around the centre square are best for poaching food under medium heat. Finally, the corner grids have the least heat, making them perfect for stewing.

While Uncle Fong offers non-spicy soup bases such as Fruit and Vegetable, Pork Bone Broth, Tomato Broth, Fungus and Mushroom, Coriander and Preserved Egg, the must-try is the Signature Chongqing Soup Base. The signature spicy soup base is brewed from 5 key ingredients - Chongqing Shizhuhong Chilli, Sichuan Hanyuan Pepper, Refined High-Quality Beef Tallow, Sichuan Pixian Bean Paste and Yunnan Yellow Ginger.

Pork Shoulder

US Prime Beef Short Ribs

Uncle Fong has a vast selection of ingredients to accompany the hotpot. We selected the Pork Shoulder ($18) and US Prime Beef Short Ribs ($24) for the protein.

Fresh Razor Clams

During my visit, we got our hands on the special seasonal item, Fresh Razor Clams ($12.50 half portion).

Fresh Ox Liver

Pig Throat

Pig Kidney Slices

Beef Tripe

Innards lovers will be delighted with the wide variety of selections at Uncle Fong. Most of them are not commonly found in restaurants in Singapore. We picked a few to try, such as the Fresh Ox Liver ($8.50 half portion), Pig Throat ($9.50 half portion), Pig Kidney Slices ($8.50 half portion) and Beef Tripe ($12.50 Half).

Celtuce Slices

Dried Gong Choi

You can find some unique vegetables such as the Celtuce Slices ($8) and Dried Gong Choi ($4.50). I enjoyed the sweet and refreshing celture slices, while the dried gong choi has a sweet taste profile with a unique crunchy texture like chye poh.

Brown Sugar Agar Jelly

After all the spiciness, the Brown Sugar Agar Jelly ($4) is perfect for freshening and cooling the fiery taste buds.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Uncle Fong Hotpot Restaurant
Great World
1 Kim Seng Promenade 
#B1-108/109
Singapore 237994
Tel: +65 62327800
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Great World (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Great World MRT station. Take Exit 2. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Da Paolo Gastronomia @ Great World - Latest Addition Centred On An Expanded All-Day Dining And Retail Offering Within An Immersive Setting

Da Paolo Gastronomia at Great World is the latest and the eighth gastronomia concept of the group. The concept offers all-day dining and a full retail selection. Customers at the new outlet can dine, purchase a takeaway or shop for pantry essentials.

Balanced Bowl 4/5

From the Greens and Grains section, customers can customise their bowl from a selection of grains, proteins and vegetables. There is plenty of plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free option to choose from too. A Balanced Bowl ($13.90) comes with two grains & bases, one protein, two vegetables and one dollop. For the meat-lover, the Protein Plus Bowl ($16) comes with an extra protein selection. My balanced bowl comprises summer barley salad, Moroccan Chicken Thigh, Shredded Brussels Sprouts, Turnip & Cranberry Salad, Kale, Broccoli Stems & Beetroot Salad and Vegan Chickpea Hummus.

Salami & Sundried Tomatoes Panini 4.8/5

A must-have is the hearty Salami & Sundried Tomatoes Panini ($18). The freshly baked focaccia is generously packed with salami, sundried tomato mayonnaise, caramelised onions and provolone. It is also grilled to a delightful crisp. The customer has a choice of fries, salad or truffle fries for the accompanying side.

Rucola e Crudo 4.2/5

From the pizza bar, we tried the Rucola e Crudo ($28). The freshly stone-baked Roman thin crust pizza is topped with 24-month old Parma ham, locally grown rocket leaves, shaved parmesan and drizzled with extra virgin olive oil

Spaghettone Carbonara Calabrese 4.5/5

The Spaghettone Carbonara Calabrese ($25) may look simple, but it is packed with flavours. The al dente spaghetti is buried in a pool of spicy Calabrian pork salami (Nduja) cream-based sauce, topped with grated pecorino.

Gelato 4/5

For dessert, customers can go for the house churned Gelato made freshly daily. We had the pistachio, salted caramel and dark chocolate. The flavours are not really exciting but classic. They are rich, dense and creamy. 

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Da Paolo Gastronomia
Great World
1 Kim Seng Promenade
#01-163
Singapore 237994
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Great World (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 8am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Great World MRT station. Take Exit 2. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Putien @ Great World - The Return of the International Putien Eel Festival

For the second year running, Putien brings back its International Eel Festival to all its 14 Putien restaurants in Singapore, including the newest outlet at Great World. The festival runs from 1 August till 31 October 2020, the harvesting season which yields the juiciest eels sourced from Shunde, Guangdong – the “Hometown of Eels in China”. Featured this year are three classic eel dishes, with 2 new additions this year.

Baked Eel Dressed in Garlic & Puning Bean Sauce 3.8/5

One of the new creations is Baked Eel Dressed in Garlic & Puning Bean Sauce ($39.90). The eel was lightly coated with fermented bean paste sauce, and the taste of its savoury and sweetened fats and plump meat was similar to that of eels prepared with Japanese tare sauce. The skin of the eel crisped up a little in the heat, which made every bite of the plump eel even more delectable. The shallots and garlic cloves, after inheriting all the goodness from the sauce and fats from the eel, became little gems of flavours not to be wasted as mere garnishes.

Eel Cooked in Natural Spring Water 4.5/5

One of the classics which I feel is a must-try is The Eel Cooked in Natural Spring Water ($39.90). The eel is first seasoned simply with ginger, goji berries and salt, and then prepared right upon serving. After placing the sliced eel, goji berries and ginger into a special ceramic pot, in goes natural spring water, then left to simmer for 10 minutes. I was really surprised by the soup. There weren't much ingredients or condiments that went into the spring water, but the eel itself had provided much depth of flavour and body to the resulting soup.

Starter Platter 3.5/5

Putien serves up interesting cold starters too. An excellent option to go for is the Starters Platter ($18.90), which allows you to try all four well-known small dishes - Cold Pork Trotters Jelly, Braised Homemade Beancurd, Seaweed and Mini Shrimps with sauce and Braised Pig Intestine. My favourite is the Seaweed and Mini Shrimps with sauce, not just for its taste, but for its nutrition as well! I learnt that this is made using the first batch of fully grown seaweed harvested every year within 30 days after cultivation, which has the best texture and nutrition of the seaweed.

Sweet & Sour Pork with Lychees 4/5

One of the most known dishes from Putien is this Sweet & Sour Pork with Lychees (from $14.90). I have had it a few times before and this time round I thought it tasted even better with juicier meats.

Braised Luffa with Convoy 4/5

I enjoyed this Braised Luffa with Convoy ($13.90) a lot. It was very lightly seasoned, which allowed its delicate flavours and sweetness to come through. It's a very homely dish that one can go back to again and again.

Lor Mee 4/5

PUTIEN Fujian Lor Mee (from $10.90) is one of the staples among the regulars. Braised in pork broth, the Putien noodles had a nice bite to it, and I appreciate how the accompanying ingredients such as the pork belly, prawn and clam add to the texture of the dish.

Lotus Seed with White Fungus Soup 3.5/5

Ending our meal is a bowl of Lotus Seed with White Fungus Soup ($5.90). It was light and refreshing, but I feel the white fungus can be slightly more substantial.

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.


Putien
Great World
1 Kim Seng Promenade
#02-149/151
Singapore 237994
Tel: +65 62355079
Facebook 
Website 
Nearest MRT: Great World (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 3pm, 530pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Great World MRT station. Take Exit 2. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]