Oscar's @ Conrad Centennial Singapore - Best of Oscar's Dinner Buffet Featuring Local & International Flavours Under One Roof

Oscar's at Conrad Centennial Singapore is renowned for its abundant buffet offerings, emphasising quality ingredients and a diverse selection of dishes. The Best of Oscar's Dinner Buffet is no exception, bringing together a harmonious blend of local and international flavours that cater to all palates.

When you step into Oscar's, you're greeted with a warm and inviting ambience. The spacious, elegant dining area sets the stage for an unforgettable culinary journey. The attentive and courteous staff ensure that your dining experience is seamless and enjoyable from start to finish.

Fresh Prawns on Ice 4/5

The Ice Bar offers a variety of fresh seafood on ice, such as prawns, clams, mussels, slipper lobsters and two types of oysters.

Fresh Oysters 4/5

The buffet spread is a true feast for the senses. Highlights include Fresh Seafood On Ice, such as succulent oysters, prawns, slipper lobsters, clams and mussels, which are a delight for seafood lovers. We loved the sweetness of the fresh prawns; they were plump and crunchy, a testament to their quality. Oscar's offers two types of oysters from Ireland and Australia, and later in the evening, Japanese oysters made an appearance after the Australian ones ran out. The oysters from Ireland were very flavourful, while the Australian ones were plumper and juicier, each freshly shucked and placed on ice. The Slipper Lobsters were another standout, being sweet and meaty. Fresh salmon and tuna sashimi also added to the selection.

Compound Salad Bar 3.8/5

Oscar’s Signature Caesar Salad 4/5

We usually skip the buffet salad station, but the Compound Salad Bar at Oscar's was so enticing that we couldn't resist trying a few items. We were pleasantly surprised by how beautifully seasoned even the simplest dishes, like the zucchini salad, were. Another standout feature was the enormous cheese wheel used for making Caesar Salad. You can select your preferred ingredients, add them to the cheese wheel, and have them all mixed.

Cheese & Charcuterie 3.5/5

Oscar's Cheese & Charcuterie selection is a feast for the senses. You'll find an impressive array of cheeses, including Camembert, Comte, Port Salut, and Emmental, perfectly paired with an assortment of charcuterie like Prosciutto di Parma, Salami, and Mortadella. Complementing these are fresh grapes, assorted crackers, walnuts, almonds, cashews, olives, and two types of chutney. There's also a variety of breads available, inviting you to slice your own and enjoy the freshest experience possible.

Classic Western Mains 4/5

We were particularly impressed with the Classic Western Mains section, especially the Mac & Cheese. The dishes are kept on a hot plate, ensuring the food stays warm and sizzling. This attention to detail meant we still managed to enjoy a delightful cheese pull with the Mac & Cheese, enhancing the overall dining experience.

Local Flavours 3.5/5

If you have a penchant for Local Flavours, Oscar's will not disappoint. The buffet features an array of rice, noodles, and oriental dishes, complemented by various vegetables, seafood, and meats. Our favourite from this section was the Steamed Halibut with Sambal, perfectly cooked with spice.

Roasted Beef Sirloin 3.8/5

Salmon Wellington 3.8/5

The Live Station featured Roasted Beef Sirloin and Salmon Wellington. The beef was tender and juicy, with a robust, savoury flavour. However, our favourite was the Salmon Wellington, which had a unique twist with Otak hidden within the salmon, adding a delightful burst of flavour. Later in the evening, Truffle Roasted Chicken was brought out to replace the Salmon Wellington that had run out, but we found it a bit dry.

Noodle Bar

Laksa 4/5

The buffet extends to the restaurant's outdoor area, where you'll find a Noodle Bar offering a variety of options such as Signature Laksa, Prawn Noodle Soup, Fish Noodle Soup, and Wonton Noodle Soup. Our must-have is the laksa, which is creamy and bursting with flavour.

BBQ Zone

The BBQ Zone featured a range of local favourites, including Spicy Kecap Garlic Confit Beef Steak, Calamari, Yakitori Chicken Skewers, and Homemade Pork Sausage. The standout dishes for us were the beef steak and the pork sausage, which were flavourful, juicy and well-cooked. All ingredients are freshly grilled, simply tell them your table number and they will be served to you directly instead of having to wait at the station.

Flavours of India

In the Flavours of India section, the live tandoori station is a highlight, offering smoky-flavoured chicken chunks that are succulent and perfectly paired with freshly made naan. You can choose from a variety of naan options, such as Cheese or Butter, to complement your meal. Additionally, dishes like Butter Chicken and Palak Paneer are excellent choices to enjoy with the naan.

With so many tempting options, dessert is a must at Oscar's. Besides classics like Bread & Butter Pudding, Apple Crumble, freshly made Waffles, Chocolate Fountain, and Mövenpick Ice Cream, the small cakes and pastries are equally delightful. A standout is the Tiramisu, which boasts a melt-in-your-mouth, cloud-like texture and just the right amount of Kahlua for a perfect finish.

The buffet includes tea and Coffee, but if you are looking for an alternative drink for your dinner, Oscar's has a collection of local beverages such as Sugarcane with Lime, Bandung and Milo Dinosaur.

BEST OF OSCAR’S BUFFET DINNER
Time: 6:00pm to 10:00pm
Monday & Tuesday
Price: Adult: S$86++ | Child: S$43++ (6 – 12 years old)
Wednesday to Sunday
Price: Adult: S$96++ | Child: S$48++ (6 – 12 years old)

Dine Like A Member
As part of the ‘Dine Like A Member Program’, Hilton Honors members can enjoy up to 25 percent off and 500 bonus points when dining at Oscar's.

Photos and words by Jaslyn. An avid cook who lives to eat and travel for food. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Oscar's
Conrad Centennial Hotel Singapore
2 Temasek Boulevard
Singapore 038982
Tel: +65 64327481
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Nearest MRT: Promenade (CC Line, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 6am - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Promenade MRT station. Take Exit B. Continue walking along Temasek Avenue to destination Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

L’Espresso @ Goodwood Park Hotel - Afternoon Tea Buffet with English Classics and European Delights

From now until the end of April, L'Espresso at Goodwood Park Hotel presents an Afternoon Tea Buffet featuring English Classics and European Delights. You can indulge in a delectable array of European-themed sweets and savouries alongside traditional English Classics, which include quintessential sandwiches, a live Carving Station, and more. L'Espresso also introduces its latest Scone Bar, offering a delightful selection of freshly baked scones in assorted flavours.

Seafood Croquettes

Prawn Twister

Golden Crispy Battered Fish Fillet

The Hot Delights section is where you will find all the scrumptious fried morsels, such as Golden Crispy Battered Fish Fillet, Seafood Croquettes, and Prawn Twister. Each item is served with its respective pairing sauce — Tartar Sauce & Malt Vinegar for the English touch, Rémoulade for a French flair, and Roasted Garlic Aioli for a taste of Spain.

Spanish-style Chicken Drumettes

Pork Schnitzel

Grilled Bratwurst with Sauerkraut

For some meatier delicacies, there are Spanish-style Chicken Drumettes, Swiss-style Pork Schnitzel with Cheese, and Grilled Bratwurst with Sauerkraut. The Pork Schnitzel, reminiscent of the one I enjoyed in Vienna, was a delightful surprise. It was well executed - perfectly flat as it should be, with a tender texture that made each bite pleasurable.

Sourdough Pizza Margherita

Not forgetting the Italian touch, you can savour the Sourdough Pizza Margherita, where the simplicity of the ingredients accentuates the sourdough crust's airy texture.

Beef Bourguignon

One of the standout offerings was this French Beef Bourguignon. It was hearty and flavoursome, featuring tender beef cubes alongside chunks of moreish courgettes and soft, sweet carrots.

Croffle Herb-roasted NZ Beef Tenderloin

The Chef Action Station is also a key highlight of this buffet, offering freshly made Croffle topped with Herb-roasted NZ Beef Tenderloin. While the tenderloin was commendable, some inconsistencies were noted. My first plate was delighting with thin slices of beef tenderloin, yet the second serving was disappointing with an overdone tenderloin and a thicker cut.

Prawn Cocktail with Fresh Mango

Under the Sandwiches section, selections include Finger Sandwiches, Open-Faced Sandwiches and Croissant Sandwiches. Similar to hot delights, you get both a touch of English and European flavours — Prawn Cocktail with Fresh Mango & Lime Zest (English), Ham & Swiss Cheese (Swiss), Bocadillo de Atún (Tuna & Egg) (Spanish) and Basil Pesto Caprese (Italian).

Herb & Garlic Cheese Tartlet with Cranberry Compote, Smoked Salmon Bruschetta with Mascarpone

The Open Sandwiches offers dainty Herb & Garlic Cheese Tartlet with Cranberry Compote and Smoked Salmon Bruschetta with Mascarpone. I like how each small bite was so packed with mouthfeel and flavours.

Salmon Gravlax

Charcuterie

I visited this section the most for the luscious slices of Salmon Gravlax. The chilled section also offers a selection of Charcuterie with Pickles & Mustard.

Plain, Raisin, Coffee, Apricot, Pistachio & Maple Pecan Scone

As mentioned, a brand new Scone Bar has been added to the buffet menu, presenting an assortment of scones with new flavours such as Coffee, Apricot, Pistachio, and Maple Pecan alongside classics like Plain and Raisin. The Plain remained my top choice, followed by Maple Pecan for the additional nuttiness, which worked well with the wide selection of condiments, which even includes Lemon Curd and Caramel Banana, among others.

Tarta De Manzana

Desserts

I enjoyed the wide variety of desserts from various parts of Europe. The German Donauwellen (Marble Cake) was yummy with tart cherries embedded. The Spanish Tarta De Manzana (Apple Tart) is a must-try, boasting a layer of beautiful custard base topped with apples. Equally satisfying was the Swiss Apricot Cake, which highlighted the flavours of the summer fruit.

Limited-time Chef Specials will be available only twice during Monday to Thursday seatings and once during each seating from Friday to Sunday and Public Holidays. What was served during my visit was Creamy Chicken Pot Pie with Puff Pastry and Peppermint & Strawberry Lollipop.

Afternoon Tea Buffet with English Classics and European Delights
8 March – 30 April 2024
Mon-Thu: 2pm - 5:30pm ($65 per adult/ $39 per child)
Fri-Sun & PH: 12pm - 2:30pm, 3pm - 5:30pm ($68 per adult/ $40.80 per child)

Photograph and written 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.


L'Espresso
Goodwood Park Hotel
22 Scotts Road
Singapore 228221
Tel: +65 67301746
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Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 2pm - 5:30pm 
Fri-Sun & PH: 12pm - 2:30pm, 3pm - 5:30pm (

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

HANAZEN @ CHIJMES - Indulgent 9/10-course Dinner Omakase Crafted by Michelin-Starred Chef, Inspired by French and Japanese Cuisine and Techniques

HANAZEN at Chijmes unveiled a completely new menu under the guidance of Michelin-starred Chef Taiseo Iwao. Chef Taiseo brings with him a depth of knowledge and culinary experience with Japanese ingredients alongside French cooking techniques.

The meticulously curated menu strives to showcase the finest globally sourced ingredients tailored to suit the local palate. The highlights are the 9-course ($180/pax) and 10-course ($210/pax) omakase options.

I highly recommend securing a seat at the counter that wraps around the kitchen. It provides a fantastic view of the chefs in action. During the visit, we had the fantastic opportunity to sample Chef Taiseo's 10-course menu.

Uni Brioche 4.5/5

The first dish of Uni Brioche made a remarkable impression, offering a burst of flavours with generous fresh Murasaki uni, Gruyère cheese, and a capsicum-based sauce done intentionally lighter atop a crisp square of brioche.

Tuna Tartare 4.2/5

The Tuna Tartare presented a luxurious blend of Nagasaki Chutoro and Akami, adorned with caviar and gold leaf.

Hotate 4.5/5

Our third course featured the Hotate, showcasing a lightly seared and plump Hokkaido scallop. It was accompanied by broccoli with clam chowder sauce, broccoli espuma, parsley oil, kale and coriander leaf, creating a harmonious blend of umami and buttery notes.

Lobster 4.8/5

I had been anticipating the Lobster since the start of the meal after watching the chefs skillfully working on its preparation with flames over the grill. The amount of seafood explosion here was spectacular. The Australian lobster delivered succulent meat, perfectly complemented by creamy béchamel sauce, lobster miso, and an intensely flavourful crustacean sauce with blue crab espmua.

Awabi 4.8/5

Another of my favourite courses was the Awabi (abalone). A spoonful of Koshihikari rice was accompanied by a bubbling hot mini-well of abalone liver sauce that was incredibly rich. You could either dip the tender abalone cut directly into the sauce or spoon it over the rice. Either way, it was delicious.

Iberico Pork 4.2/5

Next, I enjoyed the Iberico Pork with fresh wasabi and onion sauce, enhanced with sweet peppercorn that boasted mild and fruity notes. As a default, this course would be prepared with Kagoshima A4 Beef unless dietary restrictions are specified.

Pork Curry 4.5/5

Made with premium Miyazaki mangoes, mixed fruits and vegetables, Chef Taiseo’s rendition of Curry was delicately and comfortingly balanced. It was rich and creamy, carrying a mild heat and pleasing sweetness derived from the fruits and vegetables. Similarly, I had this paired with pork, which was a replacement for the original beef.

Peach Soup 4.5/5

Fresh peach and celery ice cream in a single dish? All of us had to do a double take when we heard of this combination in the Peach Soup. Both elements surprisingly matched, each carrying subtle flavours. It was very refreshing, and I loved having the additional bits of Yamanashi peach underneath.

Mont Blanc 4.5/5

There were many intricate elements in Chef Taiseo’s rendition of Mont Blanc. Next to a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, you have creamy chestnut puree, cheese mousse, Graham cracker crumbs and thin strips of sweet potato crisps. The varied textures and flavours were a delight.

Raisin Butter Cookie 4.5/5

Our final dessert, the Raisin Butter Cookie, featured raisins thoroughly soaked in Yamazaki Whisky. It looked unassuming, but the mouthful surprised with a decadent burst of fragrant liquor.

In addition to the new omakase options, HANAZEN has introduced a revamped à la carte menu for their outdoor bar setting, emphasising sharing dishes.

Japanese Oysters Platter 4/5

The Japanese Oysters Platter ($28) was prepared in varied ways with punchy dressings.

Amaebi Salad 4.2/5

While slightly on the pricey side, the Amaebi Salad ($24) was still a delightful and refreshing dish, featuring sweet amaebi, avocado, and various vegetables.

Hanazen’s Charcuterie Platter 4.2/5

The Hanazen’s Charcuterie Platter ($28) was a beautiful mix of sweet figs, foie gras, brioche toast, Iberico ham, cheese and more.

Braised Beef Short Ribs

Although I couldn't try the Braised Beef Short Ribs ($34), this won praise from my fellow diners, who were fans of the tender texture.

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.


HANAZEN
CHIJMES
#01-21/22
30 Victoria Street
Singapore 187996
Tel: +65 9820 2963
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Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW, NS Line), Bras Basah (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 6pm - 11pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at City Hall MRT station. Take Exit A. Cut across Raffles City Shopping Centre to Bras Basah Road. At the junction of Bras Basah Road and North Bridge Road, cross the road to Chijmes. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Bras Basah MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk southwards towards Victoria Road. At the junction of Bras Basah Road and Victoria Road, cross the junction to Chijmes. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]