Ginger.Lily @ Hilton Singapore Orchard - Discover The New Third Chapter of Ginger.Lily’s Storybook-inspired Teatime Soirée

Ginger.Lily at Hilton Singapore Orchard is back with the third chapter of its storybook-inspired afternoon tea series, showcasing a refined fusion of Executive Pastry Chef Cindy Khoo’s French pastry expertise and passion for Japanese artistry.

Ginger.Lily Afternoon Tea 3.8/5

This afternoon tea, priced at $68++ per person with a minimum of two diners, includes a glass of cocktail or mocktail and two pots of tea.

Two seatings are available daily: 1pm to 3pm, and 3.30pm to 5.30pm.

Prologue

Start your experience with a mocktail or cocktail. The Sparkling Peach Mocktail offers a refreshing blend of Moscato grapes and natural peach juice, while the Yuzu Breeze cocktail intrigues with a combination of Cirka vodka, whipping cream, yuzu essence, and soda water.

We were spoilt for choice for our pots of tea, from its extensive tea list which includes oolong tea, black tea, white tea, green tea, and non-caffeinated herbal tea.

Savouries I

The first savouries, the Truffle Croque Monsieur Twist and Mediterranean Pesto Twist were served in crisp pastry shells. The Mediterranean Pesto Twist stood out with its well-balanced blend of sweetness from sun-dried tomatoes, nutty truffle cream cheese, and herbaceous pesto.

Savouries II

Next, the Basque Brioche with Smoked Duck was presented, offering house-smoked duck on red pesto-infused smoked paprika brioche.

The Miso Brioche with Scallops followed, showcasing Japanese flavours with wasabi-yuzu mayo, tobiko, katsuobushi, and white miso brioche.

Pre-dessert

Before the main sweets course, we were treated to a Pre-dessert: Poached Pears in Blackcurrant Wine, creatively and deliciously paired with sour cream ice cream and mint jelly.

Sweets

The highlight of the tea was the elegant turquoise drawer of sweets. It contained a total of eight exquisite desserts and two types of scones, which are recommended to be savoured from top to bottom.

Pistachio “Flan Parisien” with Orange Blossom

Violet Chocolate Gateau

We started with standouts from the first two rows, such as the Ginger.Lily Chouquettes incorporated flavours from the restaurant's signature tea blend and the Violet Chocolate Gateau, combining banana jam, milk chocolate mousse, and a tangy raspberry finish.

Ruby Baba

However, the last two rows of desserts, such as the Ruby Baba and Botanique En Fleurs 68% Macadamia Cookies, paled in comparison. The Ruby Baba was a little too dry, while the cookies were much sweeter than we would have liked.

Tahitian Vanilla & Jersey Oat Scones

The tea concludes with Tahitian Vanilla & Jersey Oat Scones, served alongside mixed berries compote, orange cinnamon confit, and crème fraîche.

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.


Ginger.Lily
Hilton Singapore Orchard
Level 5
333 Orchard Road
Singapore 238867
Tel: +65 6831 6273
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Nearest MRT: Somerset MRT (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 8am to 1am

Direction:
1) Alight at Somerset MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to ground level. Turn left onto Orchard Road. Walk down Orchard Road. Cross the road and walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Odem @ New Bahru - Modern Korean Restaurant and Craft Makkoli Bar

In New Bahru, Singapore's latest trendy lifestyle and dining destination, Odem is a modern Korean restaurant and craft makkoli bar. Nestled in the corner of this vibrant development, Odem brings a fresh take on Korean cuisine with a contemporary twist. During my visit, I had the chance to sample several standout dishes.

Brioche & Gamtae Seaweed Butter 4/5

We began our meal with the Brioche & Gamtae Seaweed Butter ($20). With its soy glaze, the brioche was soft, buttery, and delightful. The highlight, however, was the Gamtae seaweed butter, which paired perfectly with the warm brioche, enhancing its flavours and adding a hint of umami. It's a simple dish but incredibly satisfying.

Banchan Platter 3/5

Next, we tried the Banchan Platter ($24), which consisted of Granochi (an Anchovy Granola bar with anchovies, nuts, and seeds), Dubu mousse, kimchi, Spinach & Tott, Cucumber Kimchi, and Gim Chips. The Granochi was my personal favourite, offering a nice crunchy texture, while the cucumber kimchi was refreshing. However, considering most Korean restaurants serve banchan for free, I don't know if I would justify paying for this platter.

Makkoli Flights

Odem distinguishes itself from typical Korean restaurants by offering an impressive array of handcrafted makkoli sourced from across South Korea. They've curated two tasting flights for those unfamiliar with makkoli: Odem Quintet ($60) and Moonshots ($88). For those eager to explore, this is a fun way to delve into the world of makkoli, with a range of flavours and profiles that complement the modern Korean fare.

Savoury Donut 4.2/5

The Savoury Donut ($15) was a pleasant surprise. Fluffy and dusted with smoked gochugaru, the donut had a delicate sweetness that balanced perfectly with the savoury filling. Bite into it, and you'll find a delicious combination of shio kelp, salmon roe, and creme fraiche, making it a unique burst of flavours. A definite must-try!

Toro Kimbap 4.8/5

One of my favourite dishes of the night was the Toro Kimbap ($55). The generous portions of chutoro and akami were luxurious, wrapped with perilla, pickled radish, kelp-soy, and sesame. The balance of fish to rice ratio was perfect, and the freshness of the fish elevated this dish. It's a luxurious spin on the classic kimbap and absolutely worth the splurge.

Barbecued Kalbi 5/5

The star of the night was undoubtedly the Barbecued Kalbi ($78). These US boneless beef ribs were marinated to perfection, boasting a sweet glaze that beautifully complemented the charred exterior with tender, juicy ribs that melted in the mouth. This dish was a showstopper, served with a side of watercress salad dressed in tokki butter sauce. If you only try one dish here, make sure it's this one.

Chapssal Donut, Pine Nut Gelato (3pc) 3.5/5

We ended the meal with the Chapssal Donut with Pine Nut Gelato ($18 for 3 pieces). The donuts, filled with red bean paste, offered a nice twist from the usual dessert offerings. While the donuts were good, I actually enjoyed the Pine Nut Gelato more. It was light and refreshing, making for a lovely palate cleanser after the richer dishes. I wouldn't mind having just the gelato to wrap up the meal.

Odem offers a refreshing take on modern Korean cuisine with unique twists and luxurious ingredients. The ambiance, paired with their expertly crafted dishes, makes it an exciting dining spot to explore. While some items might seem a little pricey (especially considering banchan is usually complimentary), the quality of the food and the innovative takes make it worth a visit. If you're looking to indulge in something new, be sure to try the Toro Kimbap and Barbecued Kalbi!

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Odem
New Bahru
46 Kum Yam Road
#01-17
Singapore 239351
Tel: +65 8494 8626
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Nearest MRT: Fort Canning (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Fri: 5pm - 12midnight
Sat-Sun: 12pm - 2pm, 5pm - 12midnight

Direction:
1) Alight at Fort Canning MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to traffic junction River Valley Road and Clemenceau Ave. Cross the road and cut through UE Square to Unity Street. Turn right onto Unity Street and walk to Mohamed Sultan Road. Cross the road and walk to Kim Yam Road. Walk down Kim Yam Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Butcher's Block @ Raffles Hotel Singapore - The All New Summer IMUA Tasting Menu

Housed in the magnificent heritage Raffles Singapore Hotel, Butcher's Block is a refined culinary destination that showcases contemporary wood-fired cooking. The restaurant features a custom-built wood-fired oven and grill to bring out the rich flavours of meat, seafood, and vegetables in their full glory. Butcher's Block emphasises a whole-animal, zero-waste philosophy and processes every part of the animal in-house.

With Chef Jordan Keao at the helm, this summer's IMUA Tasting Menu is a culinary tribute to his homeland, Hawai'i. Come savour an enticing array of dishes inspired by the tropical beauty and nostalgic flavours of his native island. The summer IMUA tasting menu is offered from 1 August till the end of October 2024 for both lunch (S$168++ for five courses) and dinner (S$218++ for six courses).

Brioche Bread 3.8/5

While waiting for dinner, we had a serving of their Brioche Bread. It is not as pillowy soft as other brioches I've had recently, but it is still pretty nice. The butter is excellent and has both furikake and kombu seasoning.

Wagyu Beef Pipikaula 4.5/5

Opening the IMUA tasting menu is a line-up of four tantalising, refined bite-sized creations. Firstly, the Wagyu Beef Pipikaula honours the tradition of Hawai'ian beef jerky made by local cowboys. The Butcher's Block version uses Blackmore Farm's Wagyu rump, marinated in a house-blend garlic shoyu and aged up to two months. The beef is served on beef fat rice with a topping of yuzu kosho aioli. It's such a flavour bomb!

Ahi Tuna Poké 4.8/5

The second creation is the Ahi Tuna Poké, featuring Butcher's Block's signature Smoked Sashimi Poké. This is traditionally enjoyed by fishermen who seasoned their fresh catches with sea salt, seaweed, and crushed candlenuts. The Butcher's Block version is elevated with cold-smoked tuna belly and a roasted kukui candlenut relish. It's elegantly presented on a garlic chive tuile, accompanied by caviar, ponzu gel, Japanese ogo seaweed, and allium flowers.

Butcher’s Block Farm Sorrel Pancake 4.5/5

Thirdly, the Butcher's Block Farm Sorrel Pancake reflects Hawai'i's diverse cultural influences and takes inspiration from the Korean jeon pancake. It is topped with raw Japanese amaebi and a house-made aioli made from their shells, creating an exceptionally sweet and creamy mouthfeel which is utterly delicious.

Western Plains Lap Cheong 4.2/5

The fourth bite- the Western Plains Lap Cheong embraces the restaurant's whole-animal butchery approach. Minced pork leg and shoulder are marinated with Chinese seasonings, encased, dry-aged for up to four weeks, and then cold-smoked. The sausage slices are dressed in Chinese rice wine vinegar and served atop pork chicharrón, garnished with herbs from the Butcher's Block farm. I'm not usually a fan of Lap Cheong, but my dining companions who like Lap Cheong found this to be their favourite of the four snacks.

Lomi Lomi 4.2/5

Next, we are served the Lomi Lomi, a cold dish that captivates with its visually striking, smoky presentation. The dish features smoked paprika pink trout, which imparts a delicate smokiness and vibrant colour. Accompanying the trout is a refreshing tomato water sorbet, which provides a burst of coolness. There are also charred pearl onion petals and piccolo tomato umeboshi, which introduces an additional layer of brightness.

Huli Huli Dry-aged Duck 4.2/5

The Huli Huli Dry-aged Duck is a signature dish inspired by the beloved Hawai'ian grilled chicken glazed with a sweet sauce. The duck is meticulously dry-aged for a week, enhancing its depth of flavour before being prepared in several distinct ways to highlight its versatility. The breast is further dry-aged, slow-cooked, and glazed with a caramelised shoyu reduction; the leg is confit, and the deboned wing is stuffed with black beans, shallots, and ginger. The dish is further elevated by a rich duck jus made from roasted bones, which adds a deep, savoury note. Accompanying elements are burnt eggplant puree, pickled red beets, charred beet leaves, fried frisée, and grilled garlic. My favourite part of this dish was the confit leg, which was the most tender.

Grilled Seabass 4.5/5

This Grilled Seabass highlights the delicate flavours of farmed seabass from Corsica, which is aged for four days to enhance its richness before being expertly grilled. The seabass is served over a bed of sushi rice and artfully complemented by ribbons of fresh summer squash, yellow corn curry and grilled sweet potato leaves. Adding a touch of the sea, crisp samphire seaweed brings a briny, crunchy contrast. Each component is thoughtfully prepared to enhance the overall experience, creating a well-rounded, tasty dish.

Blackmore Farm Wagyu Beef Trio 4.2/5

Moving on to the final main plate of the evening, the Blackmore Farm Wagyu Beef Trio presents a showcase of premium Wagyu cuts, each meticulously prepared to highlight its exceptional quality. This dish features a carefully curated selection of Wagyu cuts, each treated with a different cooking technique to bring out its unique flavours and textures. The preparation includes grilling, which imparts a charred, smoky flavour; smoking, which adds a deep, complex aroma; and ambient heat cooking, which ensures tenderness and rich, unadulterated beef flavour. The Wagyu beef trio is served with an array of complementary accompaniments such as grilled oyster mushrooms, vibrant mustard frills and a creamy potato puree. To add a touch of tangy contrast, house-fermented raspberries are included.

Rosella & Pink Guava Shaved Ice 3/5

The Rosella & Pink Guava Shaved Ice is presented in a fluffy kakigori style for dessert. The base of this treat is shaved from a block of ice that has been frozen with a blend of dried rosella flower 'tea' and pink guava puree. It is finished with a drizzle of condensed milk and is dusted with 'Li Hing Mui' dried plum powder. I was not such a fan of this dessert as I found it repetitive in taste and texture after a few spoonfuls.

Petit Fours

Last but not least, we had petit fours, which consisted of a chocolate bonbon, a sweet jelly and a financier. A nice sweet end to dinner!

Butcher's Block is also well-known for its excellent wine programme, with very knowledgeable and experienced sommeliers and an extensive wine list of nearly 300 labels, including rare and limited-edition selections. Elevate your dinner experience with a tailored wine pairing option, which comes at S$118++ for five glasses and S$138++ for six glasses.

Discerning guests will be pleased to know that Butcher's Block has been inducted into the exclusive Dom Pérignon society. For ultimate luxury, the Dom Pérignon Experience (S$408++) comes with 2 curated glasses of Dom Pérignon alongside 3 glasses of handpicked premium wines orchestrated for pure indulgence. Dom Pérignon is also available by the glass at S$98++.

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.


Butcher's Block
Raffles Hotel Singapore
Raffles Arcade
328 North Bridge Road
#02-02
Singapore 188719
Tel: +65 6337 1886
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Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW, NS Line), Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Lunch (Thu-Sun): 12pm - 230pm
Dinner (Wed-Sun): 6pm - 945pm
(Closed on Mon and Tue)

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. Walk to Beach Road. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Kaarla Wood-Fire Grill and Bar @ CapitaSpring - Pivoted From Fine Dining to Casual Australian-Japanese Restaurant

Formerly a fine dining concept, Kaarla at 1-Arden CapitaSpring has transitioned into a casual Australian-Japanese restaurant that offers a welcoming space for communal dining over wood-fire sharing plates and classic cocktails. Diners can also look forward to regular live entertainment for a chillout evening. Despite this pivot, Kaarla continues its commitment to sustainable dining by using ethically sourced ingredients from artisanal producers and local farms, incorporating over 158 species of edible greens, herbs, and flowers from its 10,000 sq-ft urban farm.

Yuzu Shoyu Salmon Skewers 4/5

Deep-Fried Lotus Root Chips 4/5

Parker Brioche 4/5

Instead of courses and a la carte dishes, the menu is now categorised into more affordably-priced sharing plates suitable for communal dining or after-work drinking sessions. To start the evening, we enjoyed some bar snacks, including crisped Deep-Fried Lotus Root Chips ($12), which were moreish with sweet-savoury furikake and dashi honey. The Parker Brioche ($10) with shio kombu butter added extra butteriness, and the Yuzu Shoyu Salmon Skewers ($15) satisfied with their fatty texture and smoky umami flavour.

Burrata 3/5

Coal Roasted Tiger Prawns 2.8/5

We tried the Coal Roasted Tiger Prawns ($22) and Burrata ($14) from the small plates. The burrata was lusciously soft and pillowy, complemented by a contrasting garlicky goma sauce. However, I couldn't help wondering what happened to the other half of the burrata. The prawns had good flavours imparted from sansho pepper and a tangy native tamarind jam, but they weren't as succulent as expected.

Natural Pork Loin 4.5/5

John Dory 2.5/5

For mains, the Natural Pork Loin ($36) was excellently done over a wood fire, served pink-tender over a bed of braised barley and garden vegetables from the farm. However, the John Dory ($46) fell short with a rubbery texture.

Wood Roasted Pumpkin 5/5

The Wood Roasted Pumpkin ($14) was a highlight for me. Slow-roasted, it had a dense and starchy texture, with a sweetness aptly contrasted by sharp goat's feta cheese and an umami miso glaze made from its own seeds, ground and mixed with miso. Atop the feta cheese was a handful of watercress from its farm, which surprised me with a refreshing, crunchy texture.

Cherry Ripe 4.5/5

Rounding off our meal was a divine Cherry Ripe ($18), featuring a classic combination of tart cherries and bitter dark chocolate ganache, brought together by a creamy coconut fudge.

Garden Fizz, Old Fashioned Kaarla

Alongside the revamped menu, the drinks selection has been refined to a concise selection of four signatures (all at $22), maximising house-grown herbs and kitchen ingredients. The Garden Fizz is a citrusy drink accented with rosemary, while the Old Fashioned Kaarla exudes a much bolder flavour, concocted with Australian bush tomatoes muddled with bourbon to give a slight caramel hint.

For the upcoming National Day, Kaarla is also one of the best options to catch the fireworks:

* Indulge in a 5-Course National Day Dinner priced at $168++ per person. (Available on July 27th, August 3rd, and 9th)
* Raise a Toast with Free-Flow Alcohol for $59++ per person on August 9th, from 6-8PM
* Join the Skyline Sparkle Party every Saturday from June 22nd to August 9th, Tickets are $30 nett per person and include one drink (choice of soft drink, juice, beer, housepour spirits, or wines).

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.


Kaarla Wood-Fire Grill & Bar
CapitaSpring
88 Market Street
#51-02
Singapore 048948
Tel: +65 8518 3763
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Nearest MRT: Raffles Place (EW, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon- Fri: 1130am - 230pm, 6pm - 11pm
Sat: 1130am - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Raffles Place MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn right and walk to Malacca Street. Walk down Malacca Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]