Atrium @ Pan Pacific Singapore - Launches New Weekend High Tea Buffet With Peranakan And English Delights

Atrium at Pan Pacific Singapore launches a new Weekend Afternoon Tea Buffet, which takes places on every weekend from 2:30pm to 5:30pm, where it will feature a variety of English and Peranakan signatures, enhanced with Nyonya highlights dishing out at live stations helmed by Pan Pacific Singapore chefs.

Served on a 22-metres long bar, diners can literally take a trip down memory lane with the nostalgic Peranakan signatures, such as the Nyonya Kueh, and Heritage Coconut Scones with Kaya and Pineapple Jam.

Not to be missed are all-time favourites – the D-I-Y Kueh Pie Tee. Make your own Kueh Pie Tee by your crispy tart shells with cooked turnip, vegetables, egg yolk and fresh shrimps.

The Nyonya Chicken Curry with French Baguette has a thick coconuty aroma with flavourful chicken and potato chunks. Best paired with the crispy French Baguette. Diners can also pop by the live stations serving Popiah with Sweet Turnips and Condiments and the hearty Pacific Lobster Laksa, a recipe created by the resident Nyonya Chef Nancy Teo.

Apart from the classics, delve deeper into the Orient with the unique East-Meets-West dishes where the chefs infuse Peranakan ingredients and spices into dishes. Expect Peranakan Pork Sausage with Achar, Otah Quiche, Ayam Panggang Skewers to excite taste buds.

Those who prefer a quintessential English afternoon tea can look forward to a curated lineup of finger sandwiches such as the Organic Egg Mayonnaise English Cucumber Sandwich.

Indulge in savoury delights including Roasted Beef and Apple Remoulade on Ciabatta, Norwegian Salmon and Fruit Puree on Malt Toast and Foie Gras Terrine and Fig Marmalade on Brioche.

Not to be missed is the Mini Wagyu Beef Sliders, which feature mini-sized tender beef meat with melted cheese in between pillowy slider buns.

Round up the weekend high tea with a plethora of petite sweets such as the Blueberry Cheesecake and Strawberry Pistachio Shortcake. Starring the cake of the month (April) - Matcha Opera Entremet. The cake flavour changes every month to excite tastebuds, so you will be in for a surprise with something different served in the following month.

One of my favourites is the fragrant and fluffy Pandan Gula Melaka Chiffon Cake, which is made using fresh juice extracted from pandan leaves and authentic Gula Melaka from Malacca. Expect intricate and delicious desserts such as the Araguani Hazelnut Royaltine Entremet as well.

Among the various sweets available, the buffet line also features a series of colourful macarons and homemade Bonbons with different flavours. It incorporates the bright colours, intricate beading and rich embroidery to reflect the elements of the Peranakan culture.

The Nostalgic Weekend High Tea Buffet comes with two beverages of your choice. New additions to the beverage menu include two special cold brew teas – the Earl Grey infused with Orange and Cinnamon and Chamomile infused with Berries. For those who prefer the freshly brewed tea or coffee, pair the delectable canapés with a range of TWG teas or Lavazza coffee.

Nostalgic Weekend High Tea Buffet
Date: From 24 March 2018, every Saturday and Sunday*
Price: $48 per person, includes two beverages from the high tea menu.
All prices are subject to 10% service charge and prevailing Goods & Services Tax.
*Blackout dates apply, including eve of and on Public Holidays.

Words and photos 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.


Atrium @ Pan Pacific Singapore
Pan Pacific Hotel Singapore
Level 3
7 Raffles Boulevard
Singapore 039595
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Nearest MRT: Promenade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Sat-Sun: 230pm - 530pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Promenade MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Folklore @ Destination Singapore Beach Road - Celebrates Lunar New Year With Tok Panjang

For a different kind of Lunar New Year celebration, Folklore at Destination Singapore is offering Tok Panjang to celebrate the beginning of Spring. The lavish spread of of heritage Perankan feast will be available from 15 February to 2 March 2018, specially put curated by Chef Damian D'Silva. The festive spread will have up to 15 different heritage dishes, a repertoire of Chef's grandmother's recipes.

Peranakan Prawn Salad 4.2/5

Be warn! The Peranakan Prawn Salad which features poached prawns on a bed of fresh Chinese lettuce leaves is super fiery! The chilli plum sauce is not for the faint hearted.

Kueh Pie Tee 4/5

Kueh Pie Tee is not really uncommon but what makes it different here is that it comes with bamboo shoot and pork slices which has been cooked in a prawn and pork stock, on top of the hand-shredded turnip.

Bakwan Kepiting Sup 4.5/5

The Bakwan Kepiting Sup or Crab Meatball Soup comes with succulent meatballs that is made from a mix of minced pork, crab meat, chopped prawns and bamboo shoots. The comforting bowl of soup comes with a hint of garlic which has been sauteed till fragrant before pork and prawn stock is added.

Fish Maw Soup 4.2/5

The Fish Maw Soup is lighter in taste compared to the crab meatball soup. However it is brimming with many ingredients such as pig stomach, pig intestines, fish maw stuffed with minced meat, sea cucumber, fish and prawn balls.

Itek Teem 4/5

The Itek Teem or Salted Vegetable Duck Soup has a bit of heat on top of its slightly sourish flavour. To make the soup, duck pieces are added to a pot of water together with sour plum, ginger, salted vegetables, garlic and tomato.

Otah 4.2/5

Mackerel is used to make the Otah, together with in a spice mix and coconut milk. It is then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. Love the chunky bites of fish meat on top of the aromatic spices.

Babi Pongteh 4.8/5

One of my favourite Peranakan dishes is the Babi Pongteh. Chef Damian has set the bar even higher now with his version of braised pork with fermented bean paste, slow cooked with bamboo shoot. dried mushrooms and dark sugarcane. The babi pongteh I had usually is on the sweet side but the version here has a sourish finishing to it which is very appetising.

Sambal Belimbing 4.5/5

This is probably the first time I come across the used of belimbing in cooking, a type of miniature starfruit. Cooked together with the sauteed sambal and coconut milk, the Sambal Belimbing gives the prawn dish a sharp tanginess that will whet up the appetite.

Ayam Buah Keluak 3.8/5

A dish that requires a lot of effort to prepare is the Ayam Buah Keluak. The buah keluak fruit itself its actually poisonous and it required proper fermentation to be edible. It is also known as the Asian truffle to some. The taste can be acquire to some though. For me I like the nutty flavour of the buah keluak and how it gives a distinct character to the ingredient, in this case the chicken. While the flavour is spot on, I felt the chicken was a bit on the dry side.

Grandma's Chicken Curry 4.2/5

This is one of Chef's Damian's favourite dishes from his grandma's recipe. The Grandma's Chicken Curry is made from a spice mix of shallots, dried chillies, ginger, and homemade curry powder. It did not look as fiery as it seen. The spicy level is quite mild and balance. A homely and comforting dish that calls for an extra bowl of rice.

Kueh Bengkah with Ice Cream 4.2/5

Not to be missed at Folklore is their traditional Peranakan kueh. Chef Damian is not only good with savoury dishes, his desserts are awesome too. The signature Kueh Bengkah and Kueh Kosui will be also available among the Tok Panjang festive spread.

Kueh Kosui 4.5/5

Folklore Chinese New Year Tok Panjang is available for dinner from 15 February to 2 March 2018 from 6pm to 930pm daily, at $68++ per adult and $28++ per child (12 years old and below). Chinese New Year set lunches are served at $18.80++ per person. A la carte menu will not be available during this promotional period.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Folklore
Destination Singapore Beach Road
(Beside Golden Mile Complex)
700 Beach Road
Level 2
Singapore 199598
Tel: +65 66792900
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Website
Nearest MRT: Nicoll Highway (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 930pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Nicoll Highway MRT station. Take Exit A. Take the overhead bridge to Beach Road. Turn right onto Beach Road.Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Claypot Delights (砂煲小吃) @ Kallang Basin Industrial Estate - Hidden Gem That Sells Claypot Dishes at Only $4

Located inside Kallang Basin Industrial Estate is Yew Yi Hup Kee Eating House which housed a number of food stalls providing cheap and comfort food for the workers in the area. With the opening of the downtown line 3, I made my way down to Claypot Delights (砂煲小吃), a hidden gem in the industrial estate offering a variety of claypot dishes for only $4. A bowl of rice comes at additional cost of $0.50.

Claypot Herbal Chicken Drumstick 4.2/5

First we tried the Claypot Herbal Chicken Drumstick. For $4, we get a whole drumstick. That is very generous. The broth was light with a subtle herbal taste, not overpowering the balance of the dish. The chicken drumstick remains tender and moist.

Assam Curry Chicken 3.8/5

The Claypot Assam Curry Chicken ($4) is not the usual lemak type. It comes with a sourish and tangy body. For a mere $4, it comes with two huge pieces of tender chicken. Once again for the price paid, this is a satisfying and substantial meal.

Claypot Assam Fish 4.2/5

My favourite goes to the Claypot Assam Fish ($4). Compared to the assam chicken, the fish goes better with the assam broth. I really enjoyed the sourish of the assam that I drowned my rice with it. I suspect the fish used is the frozen type but for the price, I am not complaining.

Besides the 3 claypot dishes I tried, the stall also sells Vinegar Pig's Trotter, Salted Egg Pork Belly, Bittergourd Pork Ribs and Sesame Oil Chicken all at only $4.


Claypot Delight (砂煲小吃)
Yew Yi Hup Kee Eating House
Kallang Basin Industrial Estate
23 Kallang Avenue
Singapore 399414
Nearest MRT: Bendemeer (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 10am to 5pm
(Closed on Sat and Sun)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Bendemeer MRT station. Take Exit. Walk to Kallang Ave. Walk to Kallang Basin Industrial Estate. Cut through the carpark and walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Kaiyi's Wonton Noodle @ Golden Mile Food Centre - I Have Found My Best Banh Mi In Singapore

Located at the corner of Golden Mile Food Centre on level 1, facing the main road is Kaiyi's Wonton Noodle stall that sells traditional Vietnamese wonton noodle. What exactly is the difference between our local wanton mee and the Vietnamese version?

Char Siew Wonton Noodle 3/5

To find out the different, we got a bowl of Char Siew Wonton Noodle ($4.50). The bowl of noodle comes with slices of lean char siew, fried wonton and lettuce. The noodle is that those springy type, a bit like our mee kia with a bite. It is tossed in a dark sauce which I found it rather light for local palate. We had the spicy version which I have to applaud the stall owner for making it from scratch. However it is way too spicy, throwing the balance off.

Wonton Soup 3.5/5

Beside the noodle we also ordered a bowl of Wonton Soup ($4). The plump wonton has more vegetable to meat stuffing, giving it a more crunchy meat. However I thought the seasoning was a bit heavy with the the pepper.

Chicken Sticky Rice 3.8/5

Besides the Vietnamese style waoton mee, the stall also sells a variety of noodle and rice dishes. A value for money dish is the Chicken Sticky Rice ($5.50). For the reasonable pricing, the plate of rice comes with a whole chicken leg that is braised to an enjoyable tender texture.

Chicken Curry 3/5

The other chicken dish we tried is the Chicken Curry which comes with 2 huge pieces of chicken. However the Vietnamese curry is not those lemak type and it is actually sweet. It is not the usual curry that we are used to. It may take quite a bit of effort to win over the local palate.

Banh Mi 4.5/5

For me the star at Kaiyi's Wonton Noodle is actually their Banh Mi ($5.50). The Vietnamese style sandwich roll. Unfortunately this is only available on Fridays at the moment. The best Banh Mi I had exactly is from Melbourne, Lee's Bakery. I have not find something close until I tried Kaiyi's version.

 The baguette made with a mixture of rice and wheat flour is extremely light and crispy. It is already so good on its own, imagine when we stuffed it with all the flavourful ingredients. Freshly put together, you can find carrot, cucumber, pickle, chicken, chilli, mayonnaise and cilantro sandwiched in between. You get a firework of flavours and different play of textures with each bite in to the banh mi.

Kaiyi's  Wonton Noodle
Golden Mile Food Centre
505 Beach Road
#01-109
Singapore 199583
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Nearest MRT: Nicoll Highway (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon, Wed-Fri: 10am - 9pm
Sat-Sun: 9am - 9pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Nicoll Highway MRT station. Take Exit A. Take the overhead bridge and cross over to Beach Road. Walk down Beach Road along the flow of traffic. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Chef Wan's Kitchen @ Esplanade Mall - Chef Wan Has Return Stronger With Authentic Heritage Asian & International Dishes At His New Restaurant

Chef Wan is back in the Singapore food & beverage scene with the opening of Chef Wan's Kitchen at Esplanade Mall. This is his first ever a la carte concept restaurant whereby he will be offering dishes from recipes that has been passed down by his grandmother as well as dishes that he has cooked for royalties, sultans and celebrities across the world.

Ayam Goreng Java Chef Wan 3.8/5

The first dish I went straight for is the Ayam Gorent Java ($18.90). Chef Wan's interpretation of the Javanese Fried Chicken. The drumstick was huge and juicy. I think I would enjoy more if it is served hot for the crispy texture and flavours of the spices rub to be more prominent.

Lawar Salad 4/5

The Lawar Salad ($17.90) is a traditional Balinese dish made up of vegetables and chicken. I probably would not called it a salad as I could find more chicken pieces than long beans. I like the addition of jackfruit, giving the salad an extra fruity sweet dimension.

Chef Wan's Oxtail Soup 4.2/5

A favourite dish of the Brunei Sultan is the Chef Wan's Oxtail Soup ($17.90). I guess I am privilege to be able to have the dish which Chef Wan has cooked for the Brunei Sultan. Now I can feast like a king too. The oxtail was very fork tender and I enjoyed that lay of fats, giving it that gelatinous goodness.

Prawn Curry with Pineapple 3.8/5

The recipe for the Prawn Curry with Pineapple ($21.90) comes from Chef Wan's grandmother. A Malaysian-style curry with the addition of pineapple for a hint of sourness. It is not spicy at all, in fact it's actually a sweet curry which is a family friendly dish.

Chef Wan's Selangor Beef Rendang 4.5/5

Chef Wan's Selangor Beef Rendang ($22.90) is one of my favourite dishes. The rempah was complex, robust and aromatic. Made into a gravy and cooked together with the beef, it enhanced and boasted the whole enjoyment of the melted in the mouth beef.

Ayam Percik 4.5/5

Among the various curry and chicken dishes on the menu which I have tried so far, I will go for the Ayam Precik ($18.90) which is cooked in a spicy gravy. Guess I still prefer spicy curry to sweet curry. The grilled chicken was also tender and well infused with the gravy. It calls for a plate of rice to go with the delicious curry.

Bibik Neo's Laksa 3/5

Chef Wan's version of laksa does not use dried shrimp. The Bibik Neo's Laksa ($15.90) is adopted from his grandmother recipe which she used to cook on special occasion. It is made using an unique blend of spices, grinded fresh prawns and coocnut milk. While the laksa gravy is creamy and 'lemak', I felt that it is kind of flat, lacking the usual boost in flavour from the dried shrimps.

Cik Aini's Mee Rebus with Prawn Fritters 4.5/5

Chef Wan's mum used to make a living selling mee rebus for 31 years to support the family. The Cik Aini's Mee Rebus with Prawn Fritters ($15.90) is way for Chef Wan to pay tribute to his mother. This rendition of his mother's recipe also earned praises from the royal family of Brunei.

Longtong Sayur Lodeh 4.5/5

Last but not least, not to be missed is the Longtong Sayur Lodeh ($13.90). I was telling my dining companions that I would gladly use the gravy for the laksa. This gravy uses dried shrimp hence it is more fragrant and familiar to our local palate for laksa.

Overall I have enjoyed he food at the newly opened Chef Wan's Kitchen. I think Chef Wan has embarked on the right track doing what he is good at. While the food is good, the price point is on the high side. Frankly speaking will customer pay more than $13 for a bowl of longtong, mee rebus or laksa?

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Chef Wan's Kitchen
Esplanade Mall
8 Raffles Avenue
#02-14
Singapore 039802
Tel: +65 63974911
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 230pm, 530pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit B or D. Walk to Raffles Avenue. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Thrive Kitchen @ NeWest Condominium - Asian Inspired Rice Bowls

Thrive Kitchen is a new bistro that has recently opened at NeWest Condominium, a new property in West Coast. The place is still rather deserted with almost ninety percent of the shops still vacant. Nevertheless, it is a worthy place to check if you are looking for healthy and wholesome food

Nonya-Inspired Assam Fish Brown Rice Bowl 4.2/5

Thrive Kitchen has a big menu ranging from soup, salad, mains and your usual brunch items. What interests me is their Asian inspired rice bowls. We tried the Nonya-Inspired Assam Fish Brown Rice Bowl ($17.90). Diners have a choice of either brown rice or quinoa (extra $1.50). The plate comes with a poached egg, kale and haddock in a housemade assam broth. I am actually quite impressed with the tangy and spicy assam which complements the fish excellent.

Curry Whole Leg Brown Rice Bowl 4.2/5

The other rice bowl we tried is the Curry Whole Leg Brown Rice Bowl ($18.90). It comes with a huge chicken leg and potatoes in housemade curry sauce. The chicken leg was tender and the curry sauce tasted very comforting and homely. I not a big fan of brown rice because it quite tough and its tiring to chew on. However the brown rice here is pretty moist. Even your grandparents will not have problem eating it.

Initial when we look at the pricing, we felt that it was rather expensive for a rice bowl. However the portion is actually quite big, as you can see in the pictures. I am actually surprised that the western designed or looking bistro, actually served some pretty good Asian fares.


Thrive Kitchen
NeWest Condominium
1 West Coast Drive
#01-73
Singapore 128020
Tel: +65 62559030
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Clementi (EW Line), Kent Ridge (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 1030am - 9pm
Fri: 1030am - 10pm
Sat: 10am - 10pm
Sun: 10an - 9pn

Direction: 
1) Alight at Clementi MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to stop stop at Clementi MRT station (Stop ID 17171). Take bus number 201 or 154. Alight 3 stops later. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

1) Alight at Kent Ridge MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at Buona Vista Flyover (Stop ID 18071). Take bus number 97 or 197. Alight 6 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 20 minutes. [Map]