Showing posts with label Creme Brulee. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Creme Brulee. Show all posts

Sunday, March 10, 2024

1864 The Bar @ Sofitel Singapore City Centre - Sofitel x Sulwhasoo Ginseng Afternoon Tea

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In an exclusive partnership with renowned Korean luxury beauty brand Sulwhasoo, Sofitel Singapore City Centre has recently launched a co-branded afternoon tea experience. Available from 1 March to 26 April, this limited-time afternoon tea set incorporates the essence of the brand's signature ingredient, ginseng, into a repertoire of sweet and savoury delights. What's more, you get to walk away with a set of Sulwhasoo Anti-aging Kit.

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Chinese Herbal Tea Quail Egg

We started with Chinese Herbal Tea Quail Egg, which was simply adorable and tasty. I appreciate the addition of olive oil pearls which added a unique flavour and mouthfeel to the egg.

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Chilled Ginseng Egg Royale with Shredded Crab Meat was delicious with soft egg custard paired with sweet crab meat.

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Chicken Collagen Broth with Coconut Noodles and Goji Berries


Chicken Collagen Broth with Coconut Noodles and Goji Berries was my absolute favourite. Served chilled, it was like a delectable savoury-sweet ginseng shot with a texture bite lent from coconut noodles.

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Ginseng Crème Brûlée Sable Cookie

Among the sweets, Ginseng Crème Brûlée Sable Cookie was infused with a pronounced taste of ginseng, which harmonised well with the creme brulee. The sugar bits are reminiscent of ginseng candy. However, the uneven caramelised sugar affected the overall texture and sweetness balance.

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Yuzu Ginseng Tart with Swiss Meringue


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Caramel Ginger Puff

Adorned with a flower, both Yuzu Ginseng Tart with Swiss Meringue and Caramel Ginger Puff captivated us aesthetically. The Yuzu Ginseng Tart was like an elevated version of a Lemon Tart, offering a tangy blend of yuzu and ginseng, while the latter surprised with an interesting cylindrical puff pastry filled with sweet and eggy custard.

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Honey Mascarpone Lemon Cake

Among the sweet pastries, Honey Mascarpone Lemon Cake stood out with its fluffy sponge cake, honey mascarpone layer, and soft chantilly cream. Each layer harmonised with the others, and the sweetness level was just right.

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Chilled Hashima Ginseng Soup with Goji Berries

Chilled Hashima Ginseng Soup with Goji Berries added a nourishing and refreshing touch to the Sulwhasoo Ginseng Afternoon Tea experience.

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Each Sofitel x Sulwhasoo Afternoon Tea Set also comes with two sets of Sulwhasoo Anti-aging Kits worth $222. Each kit features sample sizes of Sulwhasoo's top products: Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream (5ml), First Care Activating Serum (8ml), Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Serum (5ml), and Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Eye Cream (3ml).

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Sofitel x Sulwhasoo Ginseng Afternoon Tea Price: $118++ for two persons. High tea hours is 2pm to 5pm daily. Make a reservation via their official website, call 6428 5000 or email HA152@sofitel.com

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.


1864
Sofitel Singapore City Centre
Fifth Floor
9 Wallich Street
Singapore 078885
Tel: +65 6428 5000
Facebook
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Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
High Tea: 2pm - 5pm

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]

Saturday, September 23, 2023

Barood @ Tras Street - Modern Latin Indian Izakaya with Spiced Tapas and Inventive Cocktails

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Barood has been hiding its culinary prowess for a year now, and it was high time I uncovered the gem at Tras Street above Revolver. This modern Latin Indian izakaya continues to push the boundaries with its spiced tapas and inventive cocktails, making every visit an exciting journey for the taste buds.

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Sydney Spritz

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Roma Amara

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The evening began with a global tour of cocktails, each a liquid passport to a different destination. The Sydney Spritz ($24) and Roma Amara ($26) were our pre-dinner companions, setting the tone with their light and refreshing profiles.

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Tostadas 4.2/5

We kicked off the 7-course Tasting Menu ($89/pax) with Tostadas that left us marvelling. These toasted tortillas were crowned with smoked aubergine, a seemingly humble ingredient that played a starring role. Even the aubergine sceptics among us were converted as the dish unfolded into a harmonious blend of flavours and textures.

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Scallop Tart 5/5

The Scallop Tart, adorned with mango, chipotle, and curry leaf oil, was a delightful exploration of contrasts. The sweetness from the scallop shone through the layers of flavours. All encased in a crispy shell that added a satisfying crunch.

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Goat Biryani Arancini 4.5/5

A highlight of the meal was the Goat Biryani Arancini, a delightful fusion of Italian rice balls with an Indian twist. Pulled goat, biryani, and pickle mayo were expertly combined, coated in breadcrumbs, and deep-fried to perfection. The result was a burst of robust Indian spices.

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Mexican Kiss

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Tokyo no Sumo

We didn't stop at one round of cocktails. We sipped on the Mexican Kiss ($26) and Tokyo no Sumo ($28) for the second act, each offering a unique taste journey.

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Smoked Lobster Yakitori 4.8/5

One of the menu's stars was the Smoked Lobster Yakitori, featuring sweet and bouncy lobster skewered alongside smoked chillies and chipotle chutney. The lobster's freshness and the sauce's smoky richness made for an unforgettable pairing.

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Malabar Pork Taco 4.2/5

The Malabar Pork Taco was an elevated take on the traditional al pastor. Amul Cheese and fruity mango elevated the seasoned and marinated pork, creating a symphony of fireworks in every bite.

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Momo Calcutta 4/5

Served in a steaming basket, the Momo Calcutta presented plump dumplings stuffed with ginger chicken, accompanied by pea shoots. The dumplings were juicy, and the pea shoots provided a delightful textural contrast. Pairing them with the Goan sambal elevated the experience.

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Bombay Creme Brulee 4/5

We concluded the feast on a sweet note with the Bombay Creme Brulee, which had its own twist. Fresh corn and saffron were added, introducing new dimensions to this classic dessert. The sweet corn brought a pleasant sweetness, while the saffron added an aromatic touch.

Barood continues to stand out with its innovative dishes and inventive cocktails. Here's to another year of delightful surprises from this Latin Indian gem.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Barood
56A Tras Street
Singapore 078995
Tel: +65 96223410
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Wed-Sat: 5pm - 12midnight
(Closed on Sun to Tue)

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]

Tuesday, June 27, 2023

LA SAVOIR @ Scotts Square - French-Inspired Cafe With Hermès Decor And Tableware

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Fancy having your next meal served on gorgeous Hermès tableware? Check out LA SAVOIR, the newest F&B entrant in Scotts Square. The first thing that caught our eye, stepping into the cafe, would definitely be the Hermès wallpapers and showcase of patterned Hermès plates. The cafe is carefully and luxuriously decorated to weave in colonial and Pairisan elements.

LA SAVOIR's menu has specially curated dishes to harmonise local and French flavours. They also offer a simple breakfast menu that is available from 10am to 11.30am on Monday to Thursday and from 10am to 2pm on Friday to Sunday.

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Mentaiko Fries 3.8/5

Our meal started with their Mentaiko Fries ($16). The substantial portion of crunchy fries is topped with mentaiko mayonnaise, tobiko and bonito flakes. These were decent, but considering this price tag, they could be much more generous with the mentaiko sauce, especially for fries in the bottom half of the basket.

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Wild Sprouts Salad 4/5

I could not resist ordering the Wild Sprouts Salad ($18) as I am a huge fan of brussels sprouts. LA SAVOIR presents their well-charred brussels sprouts and juicy mushrooms dressed in a slightly creamy yuzu aioli, further topped with guava pickles, bonito flakes and tobiko. The elements in this dish reminded us more of Japanese flavours instead of French or local, but we didn't mind it.

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Truffle Chicken Ballotine 3.8/5

We moved into mains with the Truffle Chicken Ballotine ($32). It uses free-range chicken alongside a creamy butternut mousseline, savoy cabbage, pickled carrots and black truffle. The chicken was a touch dry, but we appreciated the variety of textures that were put together.

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Uni Pasta 4/5

Next was the Uni Pasta ($35) with linguine sat in uni foam, topped with Bafun uni and trout roe. I recommend ordering this as a sharing dish as it is rich in its briny uni flavour.

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LA SAVOIR Butter Board 4/5

The LA SAVOIR Butter Board ($18) arrived with a board of freshly made butter in three styles and a bread basket. It was a pity that two of the three bread selections were over-toasted, but the unique butters were the highlight. Apart from classic sea salt butter, there was an appetising spiced shrimp butter and an addictive furikake-flavoured one.

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Dark Choco Creme Brûlée 4/5

The dessert menu has a simple list of three items. Our first was the Dark Choco Creme Brûlée (S$17) which uses Callebaut dark chocolate 70%, raspberries, pistachio crumbs and mixed berry sorbet. I appreciated the thin and crisp caramelised creme brûlée top and the chocolatey base, but the different elements on the plate could be better harmonised.

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Strawberry & Basil 3.8/5

The Strawberry & Basil ($16) is a carefully plated dish with house-made maple granola, yoghurt mousse, sliced strawberries, basil crush and lychee goji sorbet. While it served as a sweet and refreshing wrap up to our meal, we were definitely expecting more of it as a whole, considering its price tag.

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.


LA SAVOIR
Scotts Square
6 Scotts Road
#02-01
Singapore 228209
Tel: +65 93777788
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Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 1. Turn right and walk down Scotts Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [MAP]

Thursday, June 1, 2023

Acqua e Farina @ The Rail Mall - Authentic And Hearty Italian Fare In Homely Italian Family Restaurant

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Along the stretch of dining options at The Rail Mall is a cosy little Italian restaurant, Acqua e Farina. It is helmed by Chef Antonio Manetto and Chef Roberto Galbiati, who are natives from Southern and Northern Italy respectively. They bring together a full menu of authentic Italian cuisine for diners to enjoy.

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As the restaurant's name suggests, Acqua e Farina, which is Italian for water and flour, reflects the Chefs' goal of showcasing their Italian fare using simple traditional recipes and top-quality ingredients.

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The restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating. I have passed by this restaurant several times but always assumed it has a more formal setting. What I loved most about our dining experience here was how warm and cosy it was! Stepping into the restaurant felt like stepping into an Italian friend's home.

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Drinks

We went with a glass of Limoncello Prosecco ($13) and a Blood Orange San Pellegrino ($4) for drinks. If you are a fan of wines, the restaurant features an entire wall of wines you can pick from. The Chefs also offer recommendations based on preferences.

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Capesante con Funghi 4.2/5

First up was the Capesante con Funghi ($28), with pan-fried Hokkaido scallop dressed in a creamy and richly earthy mushroom sauce paired with baby spinach and croutons. We had the tasting portion here, while the full portion includes three scallops.

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Gamberetti con Pancetta e Spinaci 4/5

Our next starter was the Gamberetti con Pancetta e Spinaci ($27), which has pan-fried shrimp wrapped in pancetta, served with sautéed spinach. My dining companion and I found the prawn a touch drier than we would like, but we appreciated the balance of flavours. I especially liked that it wasn't too salty.

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Fettuccine Nere alla Polpa di Granchio 4.5/5

Our first main was the Fettuccine Nere alla Polpa di Granchio ($34), homemade squid ink pasta with crabmeat tossed in tomato sauce. The pasta is made fresh daily, and diners can also request for gluten-free spaghetti. I don't often choose my pasta with a tomato base, but I would come back for Acqua e Farina's rendition.

Their tomato base has a touch of cream and hence is not as acidic as usual. The slight creaminess complemented the chunks of sweet crabmeat.

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Pizza Quattro Formaggi 4.5/5

The Pizza Quattro Formaggi ($34) is one of the restaurant's only two pizzas with a white cheese base. The other nine pizzas on the menu use a red tomato base.

If you are a cheese fan, I am sure you will enjoy this. It uses four types of cheese - Mozzarella, Gorgonzola (Blue Cheese), Smoked Scamorza and Asiago. Chef told us this is one of the top two popular pizzas here. It's not difficult to understand with its generous topping of cheese and a whiff of truffle fragrance on a crisp and slightly chewy base.

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Linguine alla Bottarga e Capesante 4.2/5

Acqua e Farina regularly launches special menus which keep things fresh and fun, especially for their regular diners. It was coincidentally Mother's Day weekend when we were here, and we had the pleasure to try one of the dishes on their Mother's Day Special menu, the Linguine alla Bottarga e Capesante ($38). The linguine tossed with cured fish roe, garlic, chilli, and herbs was appetising, and we polished this off quickly.

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Dessert Platter 4/5

The Dessert Platter ($19) is the easiest way to try an assortment of their dessert offerings. Each platter comprises mini portions of Crème Brûlée, Lava Cake, Panna Cotta and Tiramisù.

The highlights for us were the Lava Cake and Crème Brûlée. The former had the perfect cook and was not too sweet. We wished the caramelised layer on the Crème Brûlée could be thinner, but we enjoyed the smooth and fragrant custard.

Overall, our dinner at Acqua e Farina was a fantastic experience put together by the quality food and servers who go the extra mile to provide a comfortable environment for diners.

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.


Acqua e Farina
The Rail Mll
400 Upper Bukit Timah Road
#01-15/16
Singapore 678050
Tel: +65 69708191
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Nearest MRT: Hillview MRT (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 1130am - 230pm, 530pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Hillview MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn left onto Upper Bukit Timah Road. Walk down Upper Bukit Timah Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Wednesday, May 3, 2023

La Pizzaiola @ Sime Darby Centre (Dunearn Road) - Authentic Italian Pizza-maker Launches New Menu Of Fresh Flavours

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Since reopening in 2012, La Pizzaiola has grown to 3 outlets strong, in King Albert Park, Jalan Riang and Kalidasa. It's been most known for dishing out homely authentic Italian classics such as wood-fired pizzas baked in a traditional oven crafted in Italy.

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This time, it's ready to welcome diners with its brand new menu of fresh flavours, including new salads, appetisers and pasta. Alongside the new launch, enjoy free-flow filtered sparkling, still water at $1 and wine as low as $7.

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Focaccia Aglio, Burro e Mozzarella 4/5

Served as our first appetiser, the warm and toasty Focaccia Aglio, Burro e Mozzarella ($16.90) was the perfect start. The freshly baked focaccia bread is lined with chopped garlic, butter and Mozzarella Fior di Latte. The subtle aroma of garlic with oozy mozzarella worked wonderfully together. My only gripe, I wished they had added more mozzarella near the ends of the focaccia!

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Sardine Fritte 4/5

In a portion of Sardine Fritte ($20.90), you have four pieces of deep-fried breaded fresh sardines with a side of salad. The thickness of the batter was just nice with tender sardine meat.

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Porchetta Salad 4/5

The last of our appetisers was the Porchetta Salad ($19.90). On thinly sliced roasted pork belly dressed with mustard honey sauce, it's further topped with tomatoes, rocket salad and balsamic vinaigrette.

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Pancetta Affumicata e Funghi 4.2/5

Moving on to the wood-fired pizzas. The first on our table was the Pancetta Affumicata e Funghi ($23.90), which also ended up as our favourite dish of the night. Their pizza base was thin with a slight chew on its crust. The slices of crispy bacon gave a nice saltiness to the red onions, mushrooms and Mozzarella Flor di Latte.

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Calzone 3.5/5

We were a little disappointed to cut open to a watery Calzone ($22.90). I wished they had used a thicker and punchier tomato sauce to better contrast the other fillings of cooked ham, button mushrooms and Mozzarella Flor di Latte.

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La Pizzaiola Speciale 3.5/5

My dining companions sang praises of the La Pizzaiola Speciale ($27.90), which had toppings of roast beef slices, shaved parmesan, arugula salad, truffle oil and Mozzarella Flor di Latte. However, they shared the same sentiments about the tomato sauce used here.

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Risotto ai Funghi Porcini e Tartufo 3.8/5

The Risotto ai Funghi Porcini e Tartufo ($26.90) is risotto with porcini mushrooms and truffle oil. Unfortunately, the earthy mushrooms we expected to be prominent didn't come through, as the cheesy flavours dominated it more.

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Pollo Biologico alla Diavola 3.8/5

La Pizzaiola's Pollo Biologico alla Diavola ($33.90) features roasted organic spring chicken marinated with Italian herbs and spices, served with roasted potatoes and rocket leaves. Some parts of the chicken were tough, but the rest were primarily tender with crisp skin. The herbs and spices are very strong here, something good to note if you're not a fan of such flavours.

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Panna Cotta 3.8/5

Unfortunately, the Panna Cotta ($10.90) was a tad too watered down, though we enjoyed the tangy sweet berry sauce.

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Tiramisu 4/5

La Pizzaiola’s rendition of the Tiramisu ($11.90) was lovely. It wasn’t overly creamy and had a distinct kick of coffee and alcohol notes.

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Creme Brulee 4/5

Our unanimous favourite of the desserts was the Creme Brulee ($12.90), which had a rich custard base and a thin and crisp caramelised layer on top.

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.



La Pizzaiola
Link@896
896 Dunearn Road
#01-10
Singapore 589472
Tel: +65 64848896
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: King Albert Park (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 230pm, 530pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at King Albert Park. Take Exit B around the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]