Gyutan-Tan @ Tras Street - Singapore's First-Ever Ox Tongue Specialty Restaurant

Gyutan-Tan is the newest kid on the block along Tras Street, which opened in November 2022. It is Singapore's first-ever gyutan (ox tongue) speciality restaurant, showing the ingredient in various forms such as delectable appetisers, chargrilled mains, donburi and teishoku.

Sumiyaki Gyutan Set 4.2/5

Not to be missed at Gyutan is its Sumikayi Gyutan Set ($20). The lunch set includes fluffy mugimeshi (a mix of rice and barley), two kinds of Japanese pickles, salad with lemon olive oil dressing, tororo (grated Japanese mountain yam, and a choice of oxtail or miso soup. The grilled 4mm thin cuts of gyutan are incredibly tender and cloaked in fragrant binchotan char. The pairing of grated Japanese mountain yam with the fluffy mugimeshi was new and enjoyable.

Cold Roasted Gyutan Carpaccio 3.5/5

We tried the Cold Roasted Gyutan Carpaccio ($15) under the chilled appetiser menu, which is only available during dinner. A delightful appetiser featuring thin slices of cold-roasted gyutan, arugula, crunchy pickled white radish, and parmesan and finished with a drizzle of sweet balsamic glaze.

Pork Kakuni 3.8/5

We tried a few a la carte dishes available only during dinner, starting with the Pork Kakuni ($18). While the 4-hour braised pork belly is richly flavoured, the texture can be more tender. It shows that other non-beef tongue dishes are also available on the menu.

Gyutan Demi-Glace Stew 4/5

The Gyutan Demi-Glace Stew ($20) is a classic French-braised gyutan chunk. Once again, the sauce is rich and robust. However, like the braised pork belly, I preferred it to be more tender.

Premium Gyutan Shabu Shabu 4.2/5

The highlight at Gyutan-Tan has to be the Premium Gyutan Shabu Shabu ($28). The dashi-based hotpot comes together with premium gyutan slices and vegetable platter. It is unique, as I don't remember ever having ox tongue for shabu shabu. It also demonstrates the versatility of the ingredients in different cooking methods.

Homemade Egg Pudding 3/5

Japanese Tiramisu Parfait 3.5/5

Complete the meal at Gyutan-Tan on a sweet note with the Homemade Egg Pudding ($4) and Japanese Tiramisu Parfait ($11.50). The egg pudding was smooth and silky, not overly sweet, same for the tiramisu parfait's sweetness level. Hence I enjoyed both desserts.

Matcha Affogato 4.2/5

The crowd's favourite was the Matcha Affogato ($11.50). The green tea is whisked at the tableside and then poured onto the plate of vanilla ice cream, warabimochi and white chocolate, paired with kuromitsu.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Gyutan-Tan
41 Tras Street
Singapore 078980
Tel: +65 83213359
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Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 1130am - 330pm, 530pm - 10pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Tras Street. Turn right on Tras Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Enchanted Wonders of Christmas with Shangri-La Singapore

This Christmas season, Shangri-La Singapore has created a lineup of festive goodies and merry feasts available from 1 December 2022 to 1 January 202. Take-Home Gourmet Treats, including Christmas roasts, handcrafted log cakes, panettone, fruitcakes, and a range of chocolate confectionaries, are available for takeaway at the hotel lobby Festive Counter. Delivery is from 24 November to 25 December 2022.

Manuka Honey and Cinnamon Glazed Bone-In-Gammon Ham

Argentina-spiced Roasted US Turkey

Perfect for large gatherings and celebrations are the Argentina-spiced Roasted US Turkey served with roasted red skin potatoes with caramelised onion, mixed garden vegetables, brussels sprouts, cranberry sauce, giblet sauce and chestnut stuffing. I also recommend the Manuka Honey and Cinnamon Glazed Bone-In-Gammon Ham, one of the tastiest I have had so far.

Black Angus Beef Wellington

For Beef Wellington, two options are available - Traditional Black Angus Beef Wellington and Vegan Beef Wellington. The vegan version is prepared with vegan beef patties, coated with mushroom duxelles and wrapped in a puff pastry before baking for at least half an hour.

Santa’s Belt Christmas Cake

Santa’s Belt Christmas Cake (S$98/1kg) features a delicious combination of chestnut sponge with macadamia strudel, chestnut, orange marmalade and vanilla crémeux.

Santa’s Belt Christmas Cake

Santa’s Belt Christmas Cake (S$98/1kg) features a delicious combination of chestnut sponge with macadamia strudel, chestnut, orange marmalade and vanilla crémeux.

Grandma Chocolate Log Cake

A classic option, which is also a bestseller, is an all-time favourite Grandma Chocolate Log Cake (S$75/1kg), made with soft chocolate sponge and chocolate buttercream.

Triple Nutty Crunch Log Cake

Debuting this year is the Triple Nutty Crunch Log Cake (S$85/1kg). Crafted into a wood stack, the cake is a luscious composition of sacher sponge, hazelnut praline crunch and mousse, gianduja crémeux and caramelised hazelnut.

White Forest Log Cake

Also, a new rendition is the whimsical White Forest Log Cake (S$85/1kg), which comprises a layer of chocolate sponge with cherry marmalade, dark sweet cherry and vanilla ivory chocolate mousse.

Black Pepper Spiced Pork Terrine

Seared Scallops

Origin Grill also presents a specially curated set menu by Chef Nathan Griffin, featuring dishes such as Black Pepper Spiced Pork Terrine and Seared Scallops. The latter was my favourite of the evening, featuring perfectly seared scallops dressed with creamy chestnut veloute with hints of sweetness from maple syrup, with an accompanying piece of pancetta to lend a balancing flavorful savouriness. Origin Grill festive set lunch and dinner are available from 1 December 2022 to 1 January 2023.

Salmon Carpaccio

Homemade Tortellini Pasta

Waterfall Ristorante Italiano has also dished up festive menus with Chef Simone Loisi's special creations for the season. Indulge in fresh seafood, homemade pasta and desserts in the festive Antipasti Buffet Brunch, Set Lunch and Dinner. Highlights include Salmon Carpaccio with Burrata cream and Homemade Tortellini Pasta stuffed with Mushroom. I truly enjoyed both dishes, especially the Salmon Carpaccio, which was luscious with Burrata cream and incredibly delicious with tangy sweet pomegranate dressing. The lunch and dinner set menus are available from 1 December 2022 to 1 January 2023. Antipasti Buffet Brunch is only available on 25 December 2022 and 1 January 2023.

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.


Shang Palace
Shangri-La Hotel
22 Orange Grove Road
Lobby Level
Singapore 258350
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line, TE Line)

Ichi Umai @ Junction Nine (Yishun) - Cozy Japanese Eatery That Offers Affordable Chirashi Don And Chestnut Pork Katsu Don

Located within the first level of Junction 9 at Yishun is Ichi Umai, a hole-in-the-wall Japanese eatery that offers affordable traditional and contemporary Japanese dishes. Diners can look forward to various Japanese food ranging from Chirashi Dons to Unagi Fried Rice, Chestnut Pork Katsu Don, and a variety of side dishes to complete the meal.

Sake Hotate Yuzu Carpaccio 4.2/5

We started the meal with the Sake Hotate Yuzu Carpaccio ($12.90), with fresh, thinly sliced salmon and scallops in citrus soy sauce. Truffle paste can be added at an additional top-up of $2. It comes with a pleasant truffle aroma that elevates the whole dish.

Sake Ikura Don 4.2/5

The Sake Ikura Don ($11.90) comes with raw salmon slices with salmon roe on furikake sushi rice. Well-proportioned and well-executed at an affordable price, the salmon slices were fresh. Furikake is added to give an umami taste to the Sake Ikura Don.

Kuri Buta Katsu Kare 4/5

The Kuri Buta Katsu Kare ($14.90) features a deep-fried panko-breaded chestnut pork cutlet, which is extremely crispy on the outside and tender within. The curry sauce packs a mildly spiced and rich flavour and goes perfectly well with the chestnut pork cutlet.

Ebi Tempura 4/5

The Ebi Tempura ($9.90) was simple but well-executed. The fried prawns were perfectly battered to thin crispiness and paired with a light tempura dipping sauce.

Ika Mentai Mayo 4.5/5

One of our favourite dishes and also the restaurant's popular side dish is the Ika Mentai Mayo ($12.90). The grilled squid itself was tender, with a bite to it. It was laced with torched pollock roe mayonnaise and miso mayonnaise, adding so layers of umami flavours to the seafood.

Tanuke Miso Roll 3.5/5

The Tanuke Miso Roll was an item that is not yet on the menu but will be launched sometime soon by the restaurant. It features miso mayo sauce on a fried crab meat sushi roll. However, we felt that the maki roll did not shine through compared to the rest of the dishes we had tonight, as the flavours were not prominent or memorable enough.

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.


Ichi Umai
Junction 9
18 Yishun Ave 9
#01-19
Singapore768897
Tel: +65 88871976
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Yishun (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 1130am - 3pm, 530pm - 9pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Yishun MRT station. Take Exit C or D. Walk to Yishun MRT station (Stop ID 59009). Take bus number 803, 807 and 860. Alight 3 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Yishun MRT station. Take Exit C or D. Walk to Yishun MRT station (Stop ID 59009). Take bus number 811. Alight 3 stops later. Cross the road and walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

Racines @ Sofitel City Centre - Bask In The Joy Of Christmas And Celebrate Art de Noel At Sofitel City Centre

Sofitel Singapore City Centre celebrates Art de Noel this holiday season with a glistening ensemble of festive culinary delights and a magical dining experience. Diners can feast in style at Racines for its Christmas Joy A La Carte Semi-Buffet, available for dinner on Christmas Eve, 24 December and brunch on Christmas Day, 25 December. Diners can look forward to a variety of French and Asian highlights, specially curated for the season by Racines' brigade of Chefs and served individually as small plates specials.

We started our Christmas feast at Racines with some complimentary bread paired with Truffle Butter and Kaya spread.

Truffle Chicken Liver Pate 4.2/5

I love pate, and what's more fitting to start the dinner with the Truffle Chicken Liver Pate with Morel Mushrooms and Melba Toast. I enjoyed the chicken liver pate so much that I finished the whole bottle with the rest of the complimentary bread.

Baked Oyster Rockefeller 4/5

Next, we have the Baked Oyster Rockefeller with sauteed spinach and tarragon sabayon, whetting up the appetite.

Roasted Chestnut Veloute 4.2/5

I enjoyed the Roasted Chestnut Veloute. It is something different from the usual lobster bisque or mushroom soup.  It even comes with a spinach cheese ravioli and bacon creme in it.

Carpaccio Hokkaido Scallops 4.5/5

The surprise for the night has to be the Carpaccio Hokkaido Scallops served in a hot kombu broth, with baby vegetables, ikura and bonito. It is my first time having raw scallop done this way. I enjoyed how the kombu broth brightens the sweetness of the scallops.

Beef Pithivier 4.5/5

For our mains, we had the Beef Pithivier. The beautiful char-grilled beef tenderloin paired with mushroom paste is wrapped in a flaky puff pastry. It is tender and juicy, dressed in its natural jus to enjoy its lovely natural beefy flavour.

Roasted Whole Duck with Chestnut Stuffing 4.8/5

A medley of sweet and savoury goodies is available for takeaway to spread warmth and joy at your Christmas celebrations. I understand some people are not a fan of turkey. If you are not a fan, I will highly recommend the Roasted Whole Duck with Chestnut Stuffing. I enjoyed the duck so much that I had a second helping. I'm not sure whether it is the roasting technique; the duck has an enjoyable succulence unlike any I have eaten so far. It is available for takeaway. To order, visit our e-shop at https://sofitelsingaporecitycentre.oddle.me/en_SG

Wrapping up our dinner at Racines, we have a selection of desserts to ring in the festive seasons on a sweet note.

Christmas Eve À la Carte Semi-Buffet Dinner
Friday, 24th December 2021
5:30pm - 10:00pm
$138++ per adult*, $68++ per child

Christmas À la Carte Semi-Buffet Brunch
Saturday, 25th December 2021
12:00pm - 3:30pm $138++ per adult*, $68++ per child**
**6 - 11 years old, children aged 5 years old and below dine free

Early-bird Promotions
Accor Plus – Early Bird 20% savings for reservations placed before 15 December 2021
Selected Credit Cards - Early Bird 10% Savings for reservations placed before 15 December 2021

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Racines
Sofitel City Centre
9 Wallich Street
5th floor
Singapore 078885
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT Station. Take Exit A. Turn left and walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Osteria BBR by Alain Ducasse @ Raffles Hotel Singapore - A New Chapter For The Iconic Bar & Billiard Room

The iconic Bar & Billiard Room (BBR) at Raffles Hotel Singapore begins a new chapter, remaking itself as the vibrant Osteria BBR by Alain Ducasse. It has transformed into a modern and energetic Italian concept, where authentic Italian cuisine is presented through the lenses of Chef de Cuisine Francesco Soletti.

Our dinner started with the amuse bouche, a bite-size croquette topped with black garlic and a dash of lemon zest.

Marinated Mackerel 4.5/5

Our dinner started with the Marinated Mackerel paired with red chicory condiment and roasted zucchini. The marination helps to tone down the distinct strong flavour of the mackerel, lending a balance yet accentuating the appreciation of the raw fish.

Mazara del Vallo Red Prawn Tartare 5/5

The Mazara del Vallo Red Prawn Tartare blew me off with its finesse. The pairing of creamy buffalo, mozzarella, fine jelly and Kristal caviar accentuated the sweetness of the red prawn. The soul of the dish has to be the dashi-like fine jelly, binding the different components together.

Marinated Sea Bream 4/5

The cleaning tasting Marinated Sea Bream brightened by the Amalfi lemon cream. However, I wouldn't say I liked the lemon peel, which leaves a lingering bitterness that throws the dish slightly off.

John Stone 28-day Dry-aged Beef Carpaccio 4.8/5

Another impressive dish on the menu is the John Stone 28-day Dry-aged Beef Carpaccio, cleverly paired with pistachio cream, Italian buffalo ricotta, black truffle and wild herbs. Every component on the plate carries its flavours distinctly yet harmoniously to showcase the beautiful red meat.

Eliche di Gragnano Pasta 4.5/5

For the pasta dish, we had the Eliche di Gragnano Pasta with lobster and eggplant. Some diners may find the pasta's texture a tad hard but believe me; it is the right texture. The more you bite on it, the more it grows on you. The citrus note makes it even more delectable.

'Crazy Water' Seabass 4.8/5

The first thing I notice in the 'Crazy Water' Seabass is the deep-fried fish's scale customarily used only in Chinese cuisine, lending an extra crispy texture to the dish. With its tangy finishing, the light tomato broth complements the seabass, lifted by the sweetness of the clams.

Homemade Strawberry Sorbet 4.5/5

Signature Baba 4/5

Wrapping up our dinner, we have the Homemade Strawberry Sorbet and Signature Baba. The sweet and refreshing strawberry sorbet can double up as a palate cleanser too. As for the signature baba limoncello is drizzled onto the soft bread and topped with fluffy whipped cream. Finally, the wonderful dinner at Osteria BBR is drawn to a closure with the petite four.

Petite Four

Do drop by the bar for a drink or two before proceeding to dinner. It has one of the earliest happy hour, starting from 3pm to 8pm. In addition, there is a special promotion where guests can enjoy a platter of 6 fresh oysters and a bottle of prosecco for just $88.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Osteria BBR by Alain Ducasse
Raffles Hotel Singapore
1 Beach Road
Singapore 189673
Tel: +65 64121816
Website
Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW Line, NS Line), Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Restaurant
Mon, Thu-Sun: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 945pm
Bar
Mon, Thu-Sun: 12pm - 10pm

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]