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]

Grissini @ Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel - Promotional Menu Featuring Sustainable Wild Seafood From Pacific Northwest Seafood

As part of World Gourmet Summit 2021, Pacific Northwest Seafood will be featured on promotional menus across a variety of cuisines in several of Singapore's renowned restaurants. One of the collaborating partners is Grissini at Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel. It has put together a set menu at $158 per person featuring the black cod and dover sole from Pacific Northwest Seafood.

The set menu started with some complimentary bread and breadsticks, followed by three different appetisers.

The three appetisers are Gambero Kataifi, Salmon Cornetto and Proscuitto e Melon. I enjoyed the crispy vermicelli wrapped around the prawn topped with a savoury burst from the ikura. Served in an ice cream cone, the salmon cornette is a textural enjoyment, while the prosciutto e melon is a classic combination that will never go wrong.

Hamachi Carpaccio 4.5/5

Next course, I had the Hamachi Carpaccio paired with Oscietra caviar and heirloom tomato. The ponzu and basil oil brightens the  Japanese Amberjack sashimi.

Casarecce Al Sugo Di Merluzzo 4.2/5

To showcase the Black Cod from Pacific Northwest Seafood, the chef has incorporated the buttery meaty fish in the pasta dish - Casarecce Al Sugo Di Merluzzo. The perfectly cooked pasta in black cod ragu is deliciously addictive in the tomato-based sauce, crowned with a piece of the melt in the mouth black cod.

Sogliola 4.2/5

The next fish featured in collaboration with Pacific Northwest Seafood is the Dover Sole, known for its sweet, delicate and nutty flavour. I enjoyed the sweet sauce that is glazed on the beautiful fish accentuating the flavours. Accompanying the dish, we have green lettuce, maitake mushroom and seaweed at the side. 

Cachi 4.5/5

There is even a pre-dessert course using the Japanese Persimmon with honeymoon and sour cream - a fruity and refreshing pre-dessert to freshen up the palate.

Tiramisu Alle Castagne 3.8/5

For dessert, we had the Triamisu Alle Castagne. It is like having two desserts on a plate. The topping of chestnut cream on the ladyfinger reminds me of mont blanc. The sweetness of the chestnut cream helps to balance the strong flavour from the alcohol-soaked ladyfinger.

Petite Four

Finishing the set course meal is the Petite Four. The promotional menu featuring sustainable wild seafood from Pacific Northwest Seafood is priced at $158 per pax. It is available from 27 October to 6 November 2021. 

Note: This is an invited tasting


Grissini
Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel
392 Havelock Road
Singapore 169663
Tel: +65 62331100
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Tiong Bahru (EW Line), Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tiong Bahru MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop at Tiong Bahru Plaza (Stop ID 10169). Take bus number 123. Alight 4 stops later. Walk to junction of Havelock Road and Kim Seng Road. Cross the junction and turn left. Walk to destination. Journey about 15 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop before Orchard MRT station (Stop ID 09022). Take bus number 16 or 175. Alight 5 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 18 minutes. [Map]

Allium @ Kensington Square - A Little-known 16 Seater Restaurant By Ex-Chef Of GastroSmiths And Humble Loaf

Kind of under the radar without much fanfare of its opening is Allium located at Kensington Square. The 16 seater restaurant is helmed by husband-wife team, Executive Chef Dillon Ng, formerly from The Humble Loaf and GastroSmiths and Pastry Chef Lusiana Hendrika, formerly of Sukha Delights in Bandung, Indonesia. The restaurant offers a multi-course prix fixe lunch or dinner menu, embracing both local and cultural Asian flavours through a timeless culinary style that is modern yet modest.

House Bread, Smoky Speck Butter 4.2/5

Changing their menu quarterly, I visited Allium in February for lunch to celebrate my friend, Alison's birthday. We have the 5-course Modern European Menu ($88+ per pax). Our lunch started with freshly baked House Bread, accompanied by Smoky Speck Butter. The pairing is so good that we asked for a second serving.

Charred Rosemary & Wild Mushroom Soup

Next is the Charred Rosemary & Wild Mushroom Soup. While the earthy mushroom flavour is prominent, I felt that it lacked the creaminess which I preferred.

Roasted Alliums 4.2/5

While the Roasted Alliums may not be the best of presentation, the onion and celeriac sweetness tasted heavenly. The honey-roasted seeds provide the textural contrast, while the house 'Boursin' cheese gave it an elevated creamy finishing.

Chorizo Iberico, Celeriac, Port Wine Glaze 4.2/5

Following that, we have the Chorizo Iberico and Celeriac dressed in port wine glaze. I am not too sure, but I think it is topped with shaved parmesan. The combination works wonderfully. It even reminded me of my travel to Spain. How I wish we can travel again.

Black Cod, Bay Scallop & Hiroshima Oyster Pot Pie 4/5

For the mains, the guest has either the Black Cod, Bay Scallop & Hiroshima Oyster Pot Pie and Five Founders Carbon Neutral Striploin. The seafood pot pie comes encased in a flaky shell which you can find black cod, scallop and oyster in it. 

Five Founders Carbon Neutral Striploin 4.2/5

The striploin, which has been beautifully cooked to medium-rare, is paired with duck fat potatoes with marrow gravy. Nothing fancy but simply allowing the natural flavour of the beef to shine.

Sourdough Waffle with Orange Caramel Ice Cream 4/5

Wrapping up the five-course meal is the Sourdough Waffle with Orange Caramel Ice Cream. The waffle has a delightful texture, slightly chewy and fluffy with a lovely crisp on the exterior. As Chinese New Year was around the corner during my visit, the orange caramel ice cream gave the dish a delicious festive mood.

The modern European menu I had didn't showcase their philosophy of embracing local and cultural Asian flavours. While it is good, it did not wow me. I look at their upcoming March menu. I thought it is more exciting featuring dishes such as Sea Urchin, Local Mussels with Gazpacho "Sambal Cincalok", Fried Pomfret Pao Fan, Epok-Epok Mackerel etc.


Allium
Kensington Square
2 Jalan Lokam
#01-11
Singapore 537846
Tel: +65 88306230
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Tai Seng (CC Line), Serangoon (CC Line, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Thu: 6pm - 10pm
Fri-Sun & PH: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 10pm
Eve of PH: 6pm - 10pm
(By Reservation Only)

Direction:
1) Alight at Tai Seng MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn right and walk to bus stop at Tai Seng MRT station (Stop ID 70281). Take bus number 22, 24, 43, 58, 62, 70, 76 and 80. Alight 5 stops later. Cross the road and walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Serangoon MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to bus stop opposite Serangoon MRT (Stop ID 66359). Take bus 22, 43 and 70. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Serangoon MRT station. Take Exit H. Turn right and walk to bus stop at Serangoon MRT station (Stop ID 62131). Take bus 58. Walk to desintaion. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

Porta @ Park Hotel Clarke Quay - Plant-based Green Monday Menu

Porta at Park Hotel Clarke Quay goes green with a plant-based Green Monday menu in partnership with Green Monday, as part of its initiatives to support and raise awareness on sustainable future through inspiring diners on the benefits of green diets. A social enterprise group established in Hong Kong in 2012, Green Monday promotes and enables green, healthy and sustainable living to raise awareness and inspire public on the benefits of green diets, nurturing the love towards our planet, and the pursuit of harmony in life. On the Green Monday menu are 10 dishes ranging from vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, and nut-free, including plant-based meat and dairy alternatives, featuring plant-based produce from Beyond Meat, Heura, as well as plant-based cheese and dairy from Daiya Foods.

Burratina 4/5

Going green also means allowing simple flavours to shine, and their subtleties always leave you wanting for more. Burratina ($22) is one such dishes, where the delicate, pillowy burrata is enlivened with savoury, peppery and sharp basil pesto shio kombu, balanced with sweet Roma tomatoes.

Beyond Burger 3/5

Beyond Burger ($29) features both the plant-based alternatives Beyond patty and Daiya cheese, bind together with housemade ketchup and mayonnaise, caramelised onions in a brioche bun. The smokey, rich ketchup and that savoury-sweet caramelised onions are to die for. However, I personally find a messy burger more fulfilling, and Beyond Burger falls short of that factor.

Orecchiette Pasta 3.8/5

Orecchiette Pasta ($24), on the other hand, is an ultimate comforting dish that will win you over by its warm and creamy aroma effusing from the housemade cream sauce. The sauce is made using cream, milk, garlic, onion, bay leaf, infused with the earthiness of wild mushrooms. Sliced and tossed in the Beyond sausage, passed off easily as the real thing with their garlicky flavour and meaty texture.

Parma Ham 3/5

Porta's all-day dining menu sees new creations as well, starting with Parma Ham ($16). Dressed with tangy balsamic vinegar and creamy Thai lime aioli, both elements cut the richness of the meat, and the latter also helped to harmonise the contrasting flavours of the savoury meat and the sweet compressed watermelon cubes.

Venus Clams Capellini 3.5/5

For the main course, a crowd-pleaser will be the Venus Clams Capellini ($24). It showcases Indonesian clams prepared in clam stock with shio kombu, spiked with heat from chilli padi and an accentuated umaminess from a handful crisp sakura ebi.

Black Cod 4/5

Adopting an earthy green-brown palette, I love the execution of the Black Cod ($29). An emerald green spinach dashi purée backdropped its ivory white self, which is further contrasted with a blanket of crushed pistachio and puffed wild rice that textured its buttery flesh.

Gourmet Pork Sausage Roll 2.8/5

Gourmet Pork Sausage Roll ($21) is the latest brunch item, featuring a gourmet pork sausage roll with jalapeno salsa. The sausage was juicy, but the salsa lacked both the fiery and kick. Similarly to Beyond Burger, it was a brunch item that left me feeling a little empty.

Kopi "O" 4/5

Coffee lovers will appreciate the bitter-sweetness in the new dessert creation - Kopi "O" ($12), a 'parfait' in a traditional coffee cup made with housemade dark chocolate coffee sponge, coffee crumbles, coffee jelly, milk sauce, and espresso ice cream, completed with butter sugar toast on the side.

Meyer Lemon Trifle 4/5

If you are a fan of lemon tart, this Meyer Lemon Trifle will be right up on your alley with a tangy concoction of Victorian sponge and housemade lemon curd. I actually like it even better with the thyme-infused whipped cream, which is lighter and less cloying than meringue.

Words and photos 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.


Porta Fine Food & Import Company
Park Hotel Clarke Quay
1 Unity Street
Singapore 237983
Tel: +65 65938888
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Clarke Quay (NE Line), Fort Canning (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight At Fort Canning MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn left and walk to junction of River Valley Road and Clemenceau Ave. Cross the road and turn left onto Clemenceau Ave. Walk down Clemenceau Ave. Turn right onto Unity Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Clarke Quay MRT station. Take Exit E. Walk to bus stop at Clark Quay Station (Stop ID 04222). Take bus number 54. Alight 3 stops later. Walk to the end UE Square Shopping Mall. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

A Merry Festive Celebration At Porta, Park Hotel Clarke Quay

For the holiday season, Porta at Park Hotel Clarke Quay has put together a four-course set menu at $66 per person to celebrate the festive periods. The festive set dinner is inspired from winter favourites, paired with Cattier Champagne which has been specially selected to complement the celebratory fare.

Diners get to enjoy three labels from Cattier Champagne for the Cattier Champagne flight pairings (additional $50). Diners get a glass each of the Brut Icone, Dry Rose & Brut Premier Cru. Cattier Champagne is a boutique vineyard located in the village of Chigny-les-Roses in Montagne de Reims, south of the Champagne region. The family-owned champagne house has been operating for 13 generations since 1625.

Hokkaido Scallops 4.2/5

The festive dinner commences with the Vichyssoise with Hokkaido Scallop. A plump and juicy scallop sits in the heart of the silky leek potato soup, topped with avruga caviar and drizzled with herb oil. A soulful bowl of soup to kick start the celebration.

Lobster Thermidor 4/5

Next is the Lobster Thermidor that is served in two ways - gratinated and poached. For the gratinated, half lobster is topped with creamy cheese mixture of cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan. For the poached part, the succulent claw is basted with brown butter and crowns with microgreens and pommes mousseline.

Black Cod 4.2/5

For the main course, diner has a choice of Black Cod or Beef Tenderloin. Moist and buttery is the Atlantic Black Cod, that is simply pan-seared and finished off in the oven. It sits on top of a flavoursome house-made tomato sauce, stewed with chorizo and chickpeas, giving the ambrosial fish a sweet tanginess.

Beef Tenderloin 4/5

Giving the seafood-centric menu a savoury option is the Beef Tenderloin. Slow-cooked to medium-rare, the tender red meat is served with luscious king oyster mushrooms, celeriac puree and red wine reduction.

Christmas Cake 3.5/5

Porta's version of Christmas Cake is vibrant red velvet sponge cake, spread over Malagos dark chocolate ganache and crowned with rich cream cheese. The velvety showstopper is adorned with chocolate shavings and dusted with cinnamon and gold powder for final Christmasy touch.

Porta’s Festive Set Menu is available for dinner from 630pm to 1030pm, from 23 to 25, and 30 and 31 December 2019 at $66++ per person. All guests who dine on 31 December 2019 will enjoy a complimentary Park Hotel Clarke Quay New Year’s Eve Countdown Party, brimming with free-flow of red, white and sparkling wines, with games and activities.

Discount privileges for all hotel guests and diners with HSBC, Citibank, OCBC, DBS and Maybank cards:
- Early Bird treat (book by 14 Dec): 15% off 4-Course Set Menu and 10% off house wine by the glass/bottle*
- Bookings on 15 Dec and after; 10% off 4-Course Set Menu
*Discounts are not applicable for Cattier champagne pairing

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Porta Fine Food & Import Company
Park Hotel Clarke Quay
1 Unity Street
Singapore 237983
Tel: +65 65938888
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Clarke Quay (NE Line), Fort Canning (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight At Fort Canning MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn left and walk to junction of River Valley Road and Clemenceau Ave. Cross the road and turn left onto Clemenceau Ave. Walk down Clemenceau Ave. Turn right onto Unity Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Clarke Quay MRT station. Take Exit E. Walk to bus stop at Clark Quay Station (Stop ID 04222). Take bus number 54. Alight 3 stops later. Walk to the end UE Square Shopping Mall. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

NOKA by Open Farm Community @ Funan Mall - First Rooftop Urban Farm-To-Table Japanese Restaurant

NOKA, which means farmhouse in Japanese on the rooftop of Funan Mall, is the sister restaurant to Open Farm Community. It is the first of its kind restaurant, offering a farm-to-table concept with its own rooftop urban farm. The farm spans over 5,000 square feet in partnership with Edible Garden City.

Plum Blossom Cocktail 3.5/5

My dinner started with the Plum Blossom Cocktail, which is a very refreshing and appropriate drink for Singapore's humid weather.

Refreshing Tomato Salad 4.5/5

We also have some salads, to begin with. First up is the Refreshing Tomato Salad ($15) which uses ox heart organic tomatoes from Malaysia and garnished with rooftop herbs. The clever use of the yuzu pepper vinaigrette perks up the sweetness of the tomatoes.

Organic Mushroom Salad 4/5

A tribute to the beautiful produces from the rooftop farm is the Organic Mushroom Salad ($18) using golden mushroom and kale from harvested from the farm to table. Holding the plate of salad together is the delicious fresh wasabi dressing.

Kampong Yakitori 4.2/5

We moved on to the snack bite menu, starting with the Kampong Yakitori ($12). The tender charcoal-grilled chicken thigh is so good that I am screaming for a mug of beer to go with it.

Cod Popcorn 4.5/5

You can throw the popcorn chicken aside, the Cod Popcorn ($18) will wow you even more. Soft in the inside and crispy on the outside, it is coated with a layer of sweet chilli sauce. The combination of the textures and sweetness makes it a very addictive snack bite topped with rooftop herbs, spring onion and roasted sesame.

Charcoal Calamari 4.2/5

Next is the black gold which is actually Charcoal Calamari ($15). It is another well-received dish with the dining group. Not forgetting the Japanese garlic aioli dip at the side, which enhances the whole appreciation of the black tempura squid.

Tuna Taku 3.5/5

If you need your carbo intake, there is the sushi bar that offers a variety of sushi. We had the Tuna Taku ($25) which consists of fatty tuna, tuna tartare, takuwan pickle, rooftop herbs, spring onions and rice cracker. It is satisfying but not something that will make you jump from your chair.

Koji Ton-Toro 4.2/5

For the mains, the Koji Ton-Toro ($38) stood out with its lemon garlic pepper sauce that goes really well with the tender pork jowl that has been marinated in rice fermentation culture. It is paired with kale and roasted potato at the side.

Black Cod Saikyo-Yaki 4.2/5

Cod marinated in miso is a classic combination which NOKA executed excellently in their own interpretation. What's unique with the Black Cod Saikyo-Yaki ($38) is the pairing with pulut hitam furikake and sea grape, giving the dish the additional boost in flavours and textures.

Oden 4.5/5

My favourite dish for the night has to be the Oden ($20). It is hearty, comfortable and most importantly, delicious. In the bowl, there is wagyu beef, daikon radish, satsumaage, itokon, tomato and okura. I think I can have this every day. I would recommend adding a bit of the mustard into the soup, lifting the flavour.

Wafu Parfait 3.5/5

Lime in the Coconut 3/5

To end the meal, we tried a couple of desserts. We had the Wafu Parfait ($15), Lime in the Coconut ($15) and Yuzu Cheesecake ($15). The desserts do look very pretty in terms of presentation. However, the flavours to be more vibrant to match up with the presentation.

Yuzu Cheesecake 3/5

As you probably have noticed, NOKA uses traditional Japanese cooking techniques for the farm-to-table concept. Besides the a la carte dishes we tried, NOKA also offers three-course set lunch at $45++ and omakase at $150++ per diner.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


NOKA by Open Farm Community
Funan Mall
109 North Bridge Road
#07-38/39
Singapore 179097
Tel: +65 68774878
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 230pm, 6pm - 10pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at City Hall MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn left onto North Bridge Road. Walk down North Bridge Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 mins. [Map]