Firangi Superstar @ Craig Road - Launches Brand-New Saturday-Only Champagne Superstar Brunch

Firangi Superstar at Craig Road has introduced a brand-new, Saturday-only affair - the Champagne Superstar Brunch. Showcasing its signature modern Indian cuisine in a free-flow brunch format, the experience offers tiered options, from a food-only package to a premium champagne indulgence. Each set includes a selection of starters, a main course, and free-flow desserts.

Caviar Puri

Spiced Poha Papad Pulled Pork, Mushroom Pepper, Fry Endive Crab, Sunchoke

The brunch starts with the Out of the Box Starterkit, a beautiful presentation that opens up to reveal eight canapé-like bites. We tried both the vegetarian and non-vegetarian versions. The Caviar Puri was one of my favourites, featuring creamy mashed potatoes, tangy crème fraîche, and bursts of savouriness from caviar and ikura.

Sesame Murukku with Salmon/Beetroot Mousse

Podi Cheese Dosa

The vegetarian variation with lemon ikura was equally intriguing. The Sesame Murukku with Salmon or Beetroot Mousse (Veg) stood out too, an aesthetically pleasing bite with savoury mousse atop sweet, crispy murukku. The Podi Cheese Dosa offered moreish, cheesy bites that were easy to enjoy.

Avocado Kulcha with Egg Jam, Biryani-Spiced Bacon/Celeriac

Mango Lassi

Truffle Puri

Overall, the starter kit made for an engaging and playful introduction, though I found the flavours relatively restrained for Indian cuisine. Even the Truffle Puri lacked the bold piquancy I was anticipating.

Steak & Eggs 4/5

For mains, we had the Steak & Eggs (+$20) and Baked Eggs with Keema Pav. The Steak & Eggs featured a grass-fed striploin served with masala scrambled eggs. The striploin was evenly seared, well-seasoned, and flavorful, while the eggs, though nicely cooked, lacked much of a hint of masala.

Baked Eggs with Keema Pav 4.5/5

The Baked Eggs with Keema Pav delivered the most distinct Indian flavours of the meal. The braised minced mutton was heady with spices and heat, rich and deeply savoury, while the accompanying soft, heavily buttered toast balanced the intensity with its comforting sweetness.

Strawberry Shortcake 4/5

Rum Chocolate Cake 4/5, Carrot Cake 4/5

Desserts are free-flow, featuring a rotating selection that includes Strawberry Shortcake, Cinnamon-Ginger Cookie, Rum Chocolate Cake, Bru Coffee Cannoli, and Carrot Cake with Cardamom Frosting. The Rum Chocolate Cake stood out with its crunchy Parle-G crumble — buttery-sweet bits made from India's nostalgic Parle-G biscuits. I also enjoyed the Strawberry Shortcake for its tender buttery sponge cake slathered with tart berry jam in between, and the Carrot Cake for its moist, spiced-forward sponge cake and velvety cardamom frosting.

Champagne Superstar Brunch takes place every Saturday, 12pm to 230pm. The Marvelous ($68) is a food-only option, and the Magnificent Superstar Experience (+$70 per person) includes 2.5 hours of free-flow Bauget-Jouette Brut & Rosé Champagne, house red and white wines, brunch-time cocktails, house beer, soft drinks, and Masala chai. For the ultimate indulgence, the Massjestica Superstar (+$188) upgrades the experience with premium champagne.

Photos and words by Si An. A homebody who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, the smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food.


Firangi Superstar
20 Craig Road
#01-03
Singapore 089692
Tel: +65 63043022
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Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line), Maxwell (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 12pm - 230pm, 530pm - 1030pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Walk to Tanjong Pagar Road. Cross the road. Walk to Craig Road. Turn left and walk down Craig Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Maxwell MRT station. Take Exit 3. Turn righ and walk to Neil Road. Cross Neil Road. Walk to Duxton Road. Turn right onto Duxton Hill. Walk to Craig Place. Cut through Craig Place to Craig Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Racines @ Sofitel Singapore City Centre - New Menu with Focus On Sustainability Dining By Chef Isaac Henry

Sofitel Singapore City Centre has a new Director of Culinary and Beverage on board - Isaac Henry. His culinary experience spans continents, honing his skills in Michelin-starred restaurants in both Paris and Singapore. As a strong advocator of sustainable dining, it is no surprise that you might have spotted him on the host of a six-part docu-series on Channel News Asia titled 'Zero Waste Kitchen'. On the refreshed Racines's menu, other than its attention-grabbing fashion magazine-style design, new signatures are introduced that were conceptualised with the environment in mind.

Chicken & Duck Foie Gras Mousse 4.8/5

Chef Isaac would like to call the Chicken & Duck Foie Gras Mousse a marriage between Asian food and French dishes – reflecting the restaurant's signature cuisine. The chicken liver is locally sourced, aligning with our commitment to sustainability. A small portion of duck liver is blended with chicken liver, cream and egg to achieve a velvety texture. Adding sweet and tangy Chinese black wine vinegar elevates this mousse to another level brilliantly, much like how a fruit compote complements the richness and flavour of a liver pate with a delightful touch of sweet acidity. It formed a luxurious spread for the sourdough bread served on the side.

Charred Asparagus with Housemade Hollandaise 5/5

I thoroughly enjoyed the Charred Asparagus, which differentiates itself with a tantalising combination of flavours and textures brought to life by creamy housemade Hollandaise, umami Shio Kombu, and sugar-roasted Almonds ($26). The asparagus, charred on an open-fire grill, was laced with a delightful smoky nuance, adding a flavour depth to the dish. The creamy and substantial sauce lent a satisfying mouthfeel to the asparagus, with its sweetness aptly balanced by the savoury shio kombu. The almond candies provided a morish textural crunch, completing this enticing plate of asparagus.

Otak Otak 4/5

Otak Otak ($18) features a spiced Spanish Mackerel Fish cake roasted in a Banana Leaf parcel served with housemade cincalok sauce. Chef Isaac used one of his oldest recipes when craving for otak-otak abroad, and none was readily available. Using a traditional way of making otak otak, made by blending slow-cooked rempah paste for two hours, he also added fresh water chestnuts for texture. I like the lightness of this Otak Otak versus some, which are more assertive in terms of the spice content. The cincalok sauce enlivened its taste even further.

Ngoh Hiang 4/5

Ngoh Hiang features Crispy Five-Spiced Seafood Wrapped in Beancurd Skin Served with Housemade Chilli Sauce ($18). Crusted within was a juicy seafood filling made with sotong paste, prawn meat, and crabmeat. Instead of the sweet sauce, we have a punchy house-fermented chilli sauce resulting from blended spices that is left to sit for a day to ferment.

Prawn Biryani 4.5/5

Chef Isaac's Smoked Argentinian Red Prawn Biryani Served with Salted Yoghurt ($36) is a "nontraditional version", which is a cure for hangover to me. The prawns were pre-seared, effectively sealing an incredible amount of juices within the heads. You will get everything in one spoonful by layering the rice with Spiced Ghee and Cashews and masala made with prawns. Although the rice was saucier than I would have liked it to be, the presence of the well-caramelised onions and the salted yoghurt served on the side provided a great balance to the masala.

Crispy Scale Red Snapper 4.8/5

The Crispy Scale Red Snapper ($42) comprises pumpkin puree, wilted baby spinach, squid ink, and beurre blanc. Snapper is also locally sourced from a farmer who slaughters and fillets it Ikejime-style, which kills it instantly, resulting in less blood and tender flesh. It gives it a much whiter, tastier flesh. Indeed, what we had was beautiful, moist and tender with a supreme taste. What I also appreciate is how the scales were left intact and crisped with hot oil as a means to minimise wastage. As the presentation of such dishes has a typical neutral flavour profile, the accompanying wilted spinach is cooked with squid ink to add that extra savoury element to enhance the flavour profile of the fish.

Sliced Beef Hor Fun 4.2/5

Sliced Beef Hor Fun features a wok-tossed thinly sliced Argentinian Grain-fed Beef with Flat Rice Noodles and Garlic Crisp ($38). While it is tough to attain a deep wok hei flavour into the rice noodle, this is nonetheless a very decadent version with soft and tender Beef Argentinian striploin. I also enjoyed how sweet the spring onions were, which balanced the flavour of this highly flavour dish. Attention is paid to the Garlic crisps. They are coated with flour and then fried to get a long-lasting crisp. However, I preferred a broader type of flat rice noodles for a better texture.

Sautéed Clams Manila Clams 4.8/5

Sautéed Clams Manila Clams ($60) stood out with a heedy broth. Chef Isaac uses locally sourced Manila clams, which do not have many sand sediments and are sweet in flavour. Tossed in Aged Guanciale, Housemade Nduja Butter and Parsley Pistou, the broth had so much body and packed a punch of flavour. The Nduja is sourced from a Basque country (France), producing milder' nduja. Hence, the sweetness of the clams was still very much present. Parsley Pistou was sharp, accenting the broth with herbaceous nuances.

Almond & Logan 4/5

For dessert, Chef Isaac's rendition of the Almond & Logan surprised me with an aesthetically pleasing plating and an exceptionally creamy Almond jelly. The white fungus could have been more cooked through for a softer texture.

Skillet Baked Dark chocolate Cookie 4.5/5

Skillet Baked Dark chocolate Cookie Salted Hokkaido Milk Ice Cream ($23) is a comfort food that will lift your spirits. The Skillet baking creates crisp edges with a moist and gooey centre.

Textures of Meringue 3/5

Pavlova features Textures of Meringue with Passion Fruit Sorbet, Micro Basil and Strawberries ($22). I find most meringue desserts to be on the sweeter side; hence, this is my least favourite of the lot.

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.


Racines
Sofitel Singapore City Centre
Level 5
9 Wallich Street
Singapore 078885
Tel: +65 64285000
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Website
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 7am - 1030am, 12pm - 3pm, 530pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn right on Peck Seah Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Da Paolo Time-Honored Italian Favourites For Christmas Hosting & Gifting 2022

Da Paolo presents a cornucopia of festive gourmet delights available for takeaway and delivery this Christmas. Da Paolo ushers in the festivities with a mouth-watering spread of time-honoured Italian favourites. The wide selection entices with sumptuous roasts, irresistible sweets, and artisanal products. Be inspired by the ready-to-eat items, curated bundles, and luxe hampers, gifting options for hassle-free hosting and gifting so there is more time to create lasting memories with family and friends.

Stuffed & Deboned Roast Turkey

The highlight at Da Paolo has to be the Stuffed & Deboned Roast Turkey ($358, approx 4kg) with three layers of stuffing. In the centre of the giant bird is Cotechino, a traditional Italian-style sausage served during Christmas. A layer of chestnuts, leeks and mushrooms encased the pork meat sausage, followed by a final layer of aromatic chorizo spiced mince. The Christmas bird is served alongside roasted potatoes, carrots, onions and a tangy housemade fresh passion fruit sauce. It is suitable for 10 to 12 pax.

Brussels Sprouts, Turnips & Cranberry Salad

The feast is never complete without the sides. Some of the stunning sides that I enjoyed is the appetising Brussels Sprouts, Turnips & Cranberry Salad ($65), where finely shaved brussels sprouts and crispy turnips are tossed with dried cranberries, olive oil, lemon juice and black pepper. It can serve 4 to 6 pax.

Truffle Mac & Cheese

Another lovely side is the Truffle Mac & Cheese ($99), baked with Italian cheese and homemade bechamel, drizzled with Italian truffle oil. These hearty baked pasta can serve 4 to 6 pax.

Wreath

There is a splendid line-up of irresistible sweet treats for the sweet tooth, such as the dainty edible Christmas wreaths. They are two flavours - White Chocolate Candied Fruit Wreath ($24.90) and Dark Chocolate Pistachio Wreath ($24.90).

Pistachio Raspberry Log Cake

Salted Caramel Macadamia Log Cake

Flourless Chocolate Log Cake

For every first time, Da Paolo has put together a line-up of three log cakes. This year, the traditional Yule logs take on a contemporary Italian spin. The three flavours are Salted Caramel Macadamia Log Cake ($78, approx 1kg), Pistachio Raspberry Log Cake ($95, approx 900g) and Flourless Chocolate Log Cake ($68, approx 800g).

Christmas-inspired Cookies

The new Italian and Christmas-inspired cookies are ideal for gifting or some sweet treats ($38 per tin). It is available in three flavours - Cocoa Almond Biscotti, Italian Pistachio Cookie and Christmas Fruit Crunchies. The delightful sweets are contained in Da Paolo's exclusive cookie tins designed with adorable illustrations of Gastronomia's storefront with nostalgic Christmas scenes.

Panettone Classico

Panettone, a widely enjoyed treat during Christmas time, is available at Da Paolo too. The Panettone Classico ($72) with candied orange peel and raisins is authentically handcrafted by Da Paolo's artisanal bakers in Italy, following an exclusive secret recipe with the use of multi-generational and time-honoured techniques. Besides the classic panettone, there are two other flavours in the Panettone Ciocccolato ($72) and Panettone Prosecco ($72).

Da Paolo's festive offerings can be ordered via the online gourmet grocery shop at https://gastronomia-foodtoorder.dapaolo.com.sg from 1 November to 31 December 2022 or while stocks last (whichever is earlier) for self pick-up from any Da Paolo Gastronomia outlet, and delivery from 11 November 2022 to 4 January 2023. Orders must be made three days in advance, before 12pm. So plan ahead and place an order from 1 to 30 November 2022 to enjoy an early bird offer of 15% off Christmas Bundle Meals.

Firangi Superstar @ Craig Road - New Modern-Indian Champagne Brunch

Firangi Superstar at Craig Road has launched the Champagne Superstar experience, a new modern-Indian weekend champagne brunch. In the two and half hour long brunch, diners get to enjoy free-flow champagne together with a delicious selection of modern Indian dishes.

Diners can indulge in limitless Moet & Chandon Brut or Rose, or if it tickles your fancy, step up to Veuve Clicquot La Grand Dame.

The Champagne Superstar has three pricing categories:
- Marvelous: $88++ (Food only)
- Magnificent: $158++ (Food and free flow of selected beverages including Moet & Chandon Brut or Rose)
- Massmajestica: $328 (Food and free flow of selected beverages including Veuve Clicquot La Grand Dame)

To kick start the brunch, you need to choose to find either a Vegetarian or Non-Vegetarian Box. We decided to go for the Non-Vegetarian treasure box. Present in a wooden box, opening it unveils a collection of bite-sized morsels with a gentle Indian touch that is designed to excite.

Look forward to a selection of delicious morsels such as caviar puri, truffle puri, Mangalore banana buns, Seekh sausage roll, Semolina cake, Mushroom tart, Masala donut and Pepper fry croissant.

Served alongside the wooden box of bite size morsels are Avocado Kulcha and Kale Kachumber. 

If you think that is all, you are wrong! The treasure box of bite-size morsels is just only the starters. Next is the Mains, whereby you are given four options - Akuri, Prata Waffle, Fish & Chips and Baked Eggs.

The Akuri is a hearty breakfast platter of masala scrambled eggs, tomatoes and pav. The Prata Waffle is a modern take on the chicken waffle with Madras Fried Chicken and prata. Lastly, the Fish & Chips comes with Amritsari snapper with gunpowder fries.

Complete your brunch with a sweet ending with an array of desserts. Among the spread are several cake selections such as Carrot Cake, Red Velvet Peanut Cake, Oreo Cheese Cake, Honey Rum Chocolate Cake and Swiss Roll.

For something lighter, you can go for the Cinnamon Ginger Cookie or Masala Chai Eclair.

Overall, I enjoyed the Champagne Superstar experience a lot. It brings a new and unique modern Indian champagne brunch experience which sets it apart from the rest.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Firangi Superstar
20 Craig Road
#01-03
Singapore 089692
Tel: +65 63043022
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line), Maxwell (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 12pm - 230pm, 530pm - 1030pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Walk to Tanjong Pagar Road. Cross the road. Walk to Craig Road. Turn left and walk down Craig Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Maxwell MRT station. Take Exit 3. Turn righ and walk to Neil Road. Cross Neil Road. Walk to Duxton Road. Turn right onto Duxton Hill. Walk to Craig Place. Cut through Craig Place to Craig Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]