Min Jiang @ Goodwood Park Hotel - A New Chapter In Its Decades-long History Following A Refurbishment

Min Jiang at Goodwood Park Hotel has reopened after undergoing refurbishment with a rejuvenated interior, refreshed menus and revitalised dining experience. Fans of Min Jiang will be glad to know that the restaurant has brought back the dim sum pushcart service during lunch.

Two types of dim sum pushcarts will be pushed around the restaurant. One for the steamed items while the other for the fried stuff. From the steamed dim sum pushcart, we had the Siew Mai, Steamed Dumpling and Chicken Feet. Old school classic delicately executed.

From the other dim sum pushcart which offers fried items, we had the Pan-fried Carrot Cake and Egg Tart. While we have gone for the more classic items, a new range of handmade dim sum has also been introduced to the new menu such as Steamed Pumpkin Ball, Deep-fried Homemade Squid Tofu with XO Sauce, Deep-fried Bacon Roll with Enoki Mushrooms and Prawns that will be popular with diners of all ages.

Min Jiang Land and Sea Quartet

The creativity of Master Chef Chan Hwan Kee sees the new Min Jiang Land And Sea Quartet ($16.80 per order). From the land, we have the rabbit-shaped Steamed Prawn and Carrot Dumpling, and Deep-fried Pork Char Siew and Pine Nuts in Glutinous Pastry fashioned like a carrot. Moving to the sea, we have the Steamed Squid and Sea Cucumber Dumpling, and Steamed Prawn and Chinese Stem Lettuce with Tobiko Dumpling formed like a sea cucumber and starfish respectively.

Crispy Fried Pumpkin with Salted Egg Yolk and Pork Floss

The Crispy Fried Pumpkin with Salted Egg Yolk and Pork Floss ($13.80 per order) is dangerously addictive. I have a similar dish before, using eggplant instead of pumpkin. I feel the sweetness of the pumpkin is a better interpretation of the dish, complementing the savoury salted egg yolk and pork floss.

Spicy Sliced Red Garoupa Soup with Preserved Cabbage

A rather underrated soup in the menu is the Spicy Sliced Red Garoupa Soup with Preserved Cabbage ($18). In the bowl of milk soup, you get slices of red garoupa fillet, preserved cabbage, semi-dried tomato and soft tofu. Each sip of the soup, you get a combination of sweet, sour and peppery kick from the dried Sichuan peppers.

Roasted Chicken Skin with Prawn Paste in Sesame Pockets

One of the new dishes in the new menu is the Roasted Chicken Skin with Prawn Paste in Sesame Pockets ($36 half/ $72 whole). It is a remake of a traditional sesame encrusted baked flatbread or Shao Bing that envelopes a variety of fillings. At Ming Jiang, the chef stuffed the sesame pocket with deep-fried chicken skin with prawn paste, rock melon, Japanese cucumber and sesame beancurd skin. All these components are held together by a hoisin and fermented red beancurd sauce mix. Personally, I like the idea, but I find it a bit hollow and airy for a substantial bite. The rock melon is a great idea, though, it freshened up the whole enjoyment since most of the components are deep-fried.

Slow-braised Beef Brisket, Tendon and Radish

A very hearty dish in the new menu is the Slow-braised Beef Brisket, Tendon and Radish ($36/ $72). The beef brisket and tendon are cooked to tender, absorbing the delicious, savoury brown sauce. What I look most is the radish that best absorbed the essence of the sauce.

Braised Noodle with Spring Onions, Ginger and Yabbies 

Wrapping up on the hot dishes, we had the Braised Noodle with Spring Onions, Ginger and Yabbies ($16 per person). A delightful noodle dish with springy noodle tossed in the delicious braising sauce.

Deep-fried Purple Sweet Potato Crispy Milk

Even the dessert gets a transformation. The Deep-fried Purple Sweet Potato Crispy Milk ($20 per portion) is made by simmering condensed milk and coconut milk till gelatinous. Sweet potato paste is rolled into a ball-shaped and stuffed with the gelatine simmered milk into the centre and deep-fried. The result is a crispy exterior with a soft interior. Do be careful as the milk filling may burn your tongue if you are not careful.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Min Jiang
Goodwood Park Hotel
22 Scotts Road
Singapore 228221
Tel: +65 67301704
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Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

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

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk down Scotts Road to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

Burger & Lobster @ Raffles Hotel Singapore - Second Outlet With Wider Selection Of Lobsters, Burgers and Cocktails

Following the successful opening of Burger & Lobster at Jewel Changi Airport, it opens a second outlet at Raffles Hotel Singapore, situated at the newly reopened Raffles Arcade. The space is three times larger than the Jewel outlet with a wider selection of lobsters, burgers and cocktails. It also has an outdoor bar and an eclectic fresh seafood counter. Another great news is that guests can make reservations at the new restaurant via their website, unlike Jewel outlet whereby reservation is not allowed.

"BBQ" Whiskey Sour 4.2/5

From the bar, we started with some pre-dinner drinks. I had the "BBQ" Whiskey Sour ($22++)  which is a concoction of Wild Turkey 101 bourbon, lemon, sugar, charred lapsang souchong and egg white. It is an easy drink to kick start dinner with a hint of smokiness.

Fresh Seafood Platter 4.5/5

Great for sharing is the Fresh Seafood Platter (Medium $240++). The huge platter comes with freshly shucked oysters, half a lobster, chilled Dutch mussels, king crab legs, Vietnamese tiger prawns and octopus. All served on a bed of ice with samphire, mignonette dressing, chilli and coriander dip and fresh lemon.

Lobster Rosti 4.2/5

The Lobster Rosti ($18++) makes a perfect brunch item with its slightly crispy exterior topped with gently spiced guacamole, succulent lobster meat, red chilli and fresh lime.

Kale & Quinoa Salad 4/5

For a healthy luxury salad, one can go for the Kale & Quinoa Salad ($65++). The kale comes with quinoa avocado, dried fig, cranberry and roasted walnuts. Not to forget the bouncy texture of the lobster tail and claws. Holding all these together is the balsamic dressing, which gives the salad the needed sweetness and acidity.

Marinated Octopus 4.2/5

A dish that I would order in my return is the Marinated Octopus ($16++). Lightly pan-fried, the octopus is dressed in lemon, parsley, garlic and olive oil. Instead of char-grilled, which gives the octopus a hint of bitterness, the execution preserved the natural flavour of the octopus with a tender, bouncy texture. Give the lime a squeeze to perk up the taste profile.

Uni, Lobster and Caviar Roll 3.8/5

At Burger & Lobster Raffles Arcade, the restaurant ups its game with the Uni, Lobster and Caviar Roll ($50++). This is the ultimate combination swerved in a toasted brioche roll. Unlike the original lobster roll which comes with the rich lemon garlic sauce, this version is lightly seasoned to allow the appreciation of the luxe ingredients.

The B&L Beef Brisket Roll 4.2/5

Surprisingly, it turned out that I enjoyed The B&L Beef Brisket Roll ($25++) more than the Uni, Lobster and Caviar Roll. The buttery roll sandwiched with braised Angus beef brisket marinated in the jerky sauce and finished with Havana spiced rum is more robust in flavour. Guess I have a preference for strong flavour.

Spicy Miso Burger 4.5/5

It is not just about lobster roll at Burger & Lobster. As the name of the restaurant suggests, it serves burgers too. And they serve a damn good burger. I had the Spicy Miso Burger ($23++), and I love it. The Nebraskan beef patty glazed with spicy miso sauce is moist and juicy. It is topped with provolone cheese, lightly spiced guacamole, kale, red chilli flakes, onion and sandwiched in between their signature brioche bun.

Laksa Lobster 4.2/5

Like its flagship outlet in Singapore, there is a locally inspired dish on the menu. Over at the Raffles Arcade, there is the Laksa Lobster ($70++). The aromatic laksa sauce is legit with rice noodles, bean sprouts and crispy tofu. It is really delicious but expensive too.

Ice Cream Mochi 3.5/5 and Apple Crumble Pie 3.5/5

Wrapping up the dinner, we have the Ice Cream Mochi ($11++) and Apple Crumble Pie ($14++). I would pick the ice cream mochi over the apple crumble pie. It is like having those old school ice cream sandwiched in waffle biscuit, but with a slightly softer texture. It comes drizzled with either strawberry or chocolate sauce.

Given a choice, I prefer the new outlet at Raffles Arcade. The menu is larger with more variety. Location is more central and it accepts reservation.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Burger & Lobster
Raffles Hotel Singapore
Raffles Arcade
328 North Bridge Road
#01-25
Singapore 188719
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Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Sun-Wed: 11am - 11pm
Thu-Sat: 11am - 12midnight

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

Ash & Elm @ Intercontinental Singapore - Launches New Sunday Champagne Brunch

This April, Ash & Elm at Intercontinental Singapore launches a new Sunday Champagne Brunch, taking inspiration from the country synonymous with gastronomy, France. Helmed by newly appointed Chef de cuisine Adrian Chan, the brunch buffet features a medley of sophisticated flavours through the use of fresh ingredients and French cooking techniques from duck confit and braised beef brisket to ratatouille.

Using fresh produce from three different categories of land, sea and garden, the three iconic tasting platters of Ash & Elm’s Sunday Brunch comprise nine a la minute petite plates featuring the best of France’s rich culinary history.

From the Land menu, we have the Le Porc - this classic dish of pork belly is slow cooked in duck fat to achieve a tender consistency, crisp exterior, and its rich flavours are balanced with the tangy flavour of orange and piquant charred leeks.

The Le Boeuf - the beef brisket is braised in Bordeaux red wine for over 12 hours for that melt-in-the-mouth texture and is perfectly complemented with garlic infused pomme puree, and French beans to add a nice crunch to the beef brisket. The Le Canard features fork-tender pan-seared duck with spiced and vanilla infused carrots puree to bring out its luscious flavours.

One of my favourite from the Sea menu is the Le Flétan - the slow-poached halibut has a soft tender texture with crisp oat crust and topped with caviar beurre blanc and broccolini to enhance its flavours.

Some of the highlights from the Garden menu include the Le Champignon, where the mushroom takes centre stage in this dish with handmade tortellini generously filled with creamy porcini puree, adorned with lashings of truffle and wild mushroom duxelles.

While the La Tomate features a modern take on the common French vegetable stew. The ratatouille is colourfully presented in a stuffed oven-baked tomato paired with pesto.

Besides the petite plate selections, indulge in the array of brunch items from the counter such as the Poached Eggs doused in a creamy hollandaise sauce atop bacon, spinach and English muffin.

From the roasts section, the Slow Roasted Herb Crusted Beef Ribeye was well seasoned and perfectly executed.

Don't miss out on the caviar station, where diners can get to enjoy piles of Avruga (smoked herring roe), Wasabi Ebiko, Ikura, Tobiko, Queen Kaluga (sturgeon roe) on soft fluffy blinis.

Complementing the platters is a showcase of delicacies including a selection of French Cheese, as well as Fresh Premium Seafood on ice, such as the scallops, oysters, Boston lobsters, clams, prawns, mussels and more.

End your meal on a sweet note with their wide array of delectable desserts. The experience is further elevated with Taittinger Brut Champagne, house wines, soft drinks, juices, coffee and tea.

Some of the highlights include the Mint Mont Blanc, Rum Orange Baba, Citrus Meringue Tart, Lychee Rose Raspberry Macaron, Pistachio Cherry Eclair and more.

Ash & Elm’s Sunday Champagne Brunch is available every Sunday from 12pm to 3pm, and is priced at $148 per adult, inclusive of unlimited Taittinger Brut Champagne, house wines, beers, soft drinks, juices, coffee and tea; $98 per adult, inclusive of Bloody Mary cocktails, soft drinks, juices, coffee and tea; and $48 per child, inclusive of soft drinks and juices. Prices are subject to 10% service charge and prevailing government taxes.

Photos and words by Crystal. A girl who likes to eat, photograph, and write about food, and dreams about travelling around the world one day. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Ash & Elm
InterContinental Singapore
Level 1
80 Middle Road
Singapore 188966
Tel: +65 68251008
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Nearest MRT: Bugis (EW Line, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 1030pm

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

Folklore @ Destination Singapore - Have A Jolly Heritage Eurasian Christmas At Folklore

For the festive season from 14 to 31 December 2018, Folklore will be introducing lesser known heritage dishes from Chef Damian's grandfather's repertoire, as well as well received festive dishes from past celebratory menus.

Dry Curry Mutton 4/5

I have a weak spot for curry mutton and I love the rendition of the Dry Curry Mutton ($42) prepared Indian-style at Folklore. Cooked in a blend of dry and wet spices, the meat though a bit tough, is well infused with the spices' aroma. It's hard not to ask for a plate of steamed rice to soak up that delicious gravy.

White Debal 4/5

The White Debal ($42) is Chef Damian's family rendition of the curry devil, traditionally served on boxing day which are cooked with the leftover meat and vegetables. Over at Folklore, the white debal comes with tender chicken pieces and housemade achar cooked in rempah, vinegar and mustard seeds.

Feng 4.5/5

Making a come back on the festive menu is Feng ($30). It is a traditional European curry dish created during the sea expedition days of the Portuguese, which is original known as Sarpotel in Goa. The dish is further localised as it travelled south towards Malacca. Requiring 2 days to prepared and cok the dish, Feng is assortment of pig's offal cooked in a blend of 18 spices. It may sounds acquire for some diners but this is absolutely delicious. Unknowingly I was going back for more, having it like a snack.

Beef Brisket Semur 4/5

The Beef Brisket Semur ($28) is another beautiful dish with fall of the bone meat in a rich and flavourful stew. I simply ditched my table etiquette and pick the bone up for a finger licking good meal.

Vindaloo 4.8/5

The Vindaloo ($35) is a dish originated from Goa. Chef Damian replaces the pork ribs with bone-in pork chops, just like how his grandfather did it. The pork chop is rubbed with cumin and mustard seeds and set aside to dry. It is then cooked in a blend of vinegar, garlic, ginger, tumeric, dry chillies and brandy. This is the best pork chop I have eaten and definitely the favourite among the group.

Bolu Cocu 3.5/5

The Bolu Cocu ($8 per slice) is a rare Eurasian dessert. It is a traditional coconut cake made in a brass mold. No oil or butter is used, the oil is from the coconut itself. I find the texture quite similar to the Chinese "Huat Kueh'.

Sugee Cake 3.8/5

Last but not least we end our meal with the Sugee Cake ($10 for 3pc). The buttery and nutty cake comes with a hint of brandy sweetness which is brushed onto the cake, everyday for a week. Having tried Lynnette's Seah's sugee cake, Chef Damian's version is still not moist enough compared to hers.

Folklore's Christmas menu will be available for lunch and dinner from 14 December to 31 December. Festive meal takeaways are available with an advance booking of 5 working days (last day to order is 25 December). Takeaways are available for all items except Eurasian Christmas Pie and Bolu Cocu.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Folklore
Destination Singapore Beach Road
(Beside Golden Mile Complex)
700 Beach Road
Level 2
Singapore 199598
Tel: +65 66792900
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Nicoll Highway (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 930pm

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

Basilico @ Regent Hotel Singapore - The New Summer And Autumn Dinner Menus

With the turn of the seasons, Basilico's year-long Flavours of the Seasons' Basilissimo dining series will also be changing its menu to showcase the fresh Italian produce and ingredients for Summer and Autumn.

Basilico's Basilissimo dining series is a semi buffet with unlimited serving of antiipasti and dessert on top of the a la carte main course selection. The huge selection of cold cuts, marinated seafood and vegetables, seasonal leaves and cheeses will leave one dumbfound. Guess I can only be selective of what I want to try or else I am not able to continue to the mains.

For the pasta dishes, we began with the summer creation, Risotto ai Piselli e Maggiorana con Baccala Mantecato. The risotto is cooked with green peas and marjoram, topped with cod fish cream and taggiasche olive powder. Not a big fan of peas but I actually enjoyed the contrasting flavour from the olive powder which kind of harmonise my dislike of the green peas.

Risotto ai Piselli e Maggiorana con Baccala Mantecato (Summer) 3.8/5

For Autumn, the chef has created the Gnocchi alle Castagne al Burro e Salvia. The gnocchi is made from a mixture of potato, chestnut, flour and egg. The dough dumpling seemed to have a softer texture compared to others. The bright orange, pumpkin puree provides the sweetness while the crispy shredded duck adds an extra texture to the finishing.

Gnocchi alle Castagne al Burro e Salvia (Autumn) 4/5

New addition to the dining experience is the sharing platters for two in the Pentolone di Carne (meat) and Pentolaccia di Pesce (seafood). It comes in a metal pot covered with a pizza dough.

Pentolone di Pesce (Summer) 4.2/5

The Pentolone di Pesce is covered with a pizza dough which you can tear up to soak up the flavoursome broth. In the casserole, there are octopus, prawns, salmon and clams cooked over legume ragout. Besides the abundance of seafood, there are also asparagus and carrots to complete the one pot meal.

Brasato di Manzo Wagyu al Barolo (Autumn) 3/5

For the Brasato di Manzo Wagyu al Barolo, I was a bit disappointed that the slow-cooked wagyu beef brisket in barolo wine was rather tough. I like the idea of the caramelized poached pear but not the blue cheese that is added to the polenta.

We were given a little surprise when the chef wheeled in a trolley and prepared on the spot the Budino ai Fruitti di Bosco. The refreshing summer berries pudding is perfect for the summer season and it is such a happy dessert drink with lots of Prosecco added.

Budino ai Fruitti di Bosco (Summer) 4.5/5

Lastly we had the Crostata di Pere which is vanilla-spiced caramel pear tart. A light pastry which showcases the seasonal fruit.

Crostata di Pere (Autumn) 4/5

The three-course Basilissimo Dinner includes an appetiser and dessert buffet, and an a la carte main course, or sharing platter (minimum 2 diners) at $88 per pax. For $123 per pax, you get to have 2 glasses of house wine.

Note: This is an invited tasting


Basilico
Regent Hotel Singapore
Level 2
1 Cuscaden Road
Singapore 249715
Tel: +65 67253232
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard MRT (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Breakfast:
Mon-Sat: 630am - 1030am
Sun: 7am - 1030am
Lunch:
Mon-Sat: 12 - 230pm
Sun: 12 - 3pm
Dinner:
Daily: 630pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit E. Walk towards Wheelock Place via ION. Exit Wheelock Place and turn left towards Liat Tower. Continue onwards to Forum Shopping Mall. Walk further down to Orchard Parade Hotel. Turn left onto Tanglin Road. Continue walking down Tanglin Road. Turn left onto Tomlinson Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 18 minutes. [Map]