The Black Pearl (黑珍珠) @ Odeon 333 - A Modern Interpretation of Cantonese Classics in the Heart of the City

Perched atop Odeon 333, The Black Pearl offers an elegant dining experience, complemented by a magnificent view of downtown Singapore’s skyline. Helmed by Chef Dee Chan, the restaurant’s latest menu presents a thoughtful interplay between heritage Cantonese ‘Yue’ cuisine and contemporary finesse, drawing inspiration from the elegance of the pearl and the grandeur of Qing Imperial banquet dining.

75°C Drunken Prawns 4.5/5

The 75°C Drunken Prawns ($26) is a masterclass in precision cooking. Departing from the traditional method, the prawns are sous vide at an exact temperature of 75°C, resulting in a firm yet succulent texture that retains their natural sweetness. A bespoke sake-infused sauce lends a refined aromatic profile, offering delicate fruity and rice notes without the harshness often associated with Chinese wine. The balance here is key, enhancing rather than masking the seafood’s intrinsic flavours.

Eight Treasures in Whole Winter Melon 4.8/5

A showstopper on the menu, the Eight Treasures in Whole Winter Melon ($128) is a labour-intensive creation that requires a minimum one-day pre-order. The broth, simmered for over 12 hours with pork bones and old hen, delivers remarkable depth and richness. Within, a medley of premium ingredients — including prawn, dried scallop, crab meat and Chinese ham — comes together harmoniously. The winter melon, meticulously prepared and braised, acts as a sponge, soaking up the essence of the luxurious broth while retaining its delicate, juicy texture.

Stir-fried Mini Buddha Jump Over The Wall with Pearl Rice 3/5

The Stir-fried Mini Buddha Jump Over The Wall with Pearl Rice ($68) offers a creative reinterpretation of the classic Fujian delicacy. While the dish retains its luxurious ingredients, transforming it into a dry, rice-based version somewhat diminishes the appreciation of each component. The intermingling of ingredients results in a loss of distinction, making it less satisfying compared to the traditional soup format.

Braised Homemade Beancurd with Mini Abalone 4.2/5

The Braised Homemade Beancurd with Mini Abalone ($36) highlights the kitchen’s craftsmanship. Made in-house using premium soybeans and Japanese eggs, the tofu boasts a silky texture with a gentle bounce. Paired with a rich, umami-laden abalone sauce and tender mini abalone, the dish delivers depth without overwhelming the palate.

Braised Dongpo Pork Belly with Aged Hua Diao 4.5/5

A nostalgic dish with personal significance to Chef Dee, the Braised Dongpo Pork Belly with Aged Hua Diao ($36) impresses with its meticulous preparation. Infused with 15-year-old Hua Diao wine and slow-braised to perfection, the pork belly achieves a melt-in-the-mouth consistency. Despite its luscious layers of fat, the dish remains balanced and not overly greasy, with the aged wine imparting a mellow, aromatic complexity.

Diced Chinese Sausage & Seasonal Mushroom Rice 4/5

The Diced Chinese Sausage & Seasonal Mushroom Rice ($48) is a comforting staple elevated through thoughtful ingredient selection. Featuring Hong Kong-sourced lap cheong and seasonal mushrooms, the dish is further refined by a carefully calibrated blend of pearl rice and jasmine rice, achieving an ideal balance of fragrance, texture and bite.

Almond Cream with Peach Gum & 2 Glutinous Rice Balls 4.5/5

Ending the meal on a soothing note, the Almond Cream with Peach Gum & Glutinous Rice Balls is light yet satisfying. Its gentle sweetness and silky consistency make it a comforting finale, with the chewy glutinous rice balls adding a pleasant textural contrast.

From technique-driven dishes to soulful classics, The Black Pearl’s new menu reflects Chef Dee Chan’s dedication to honouring tradition while embracing modern refinement — all set against a stunning cityscape backdrop.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


The Black Pearl
Odeon 333
333 North Bridge Road
#07-11/12
Singapore 188721
Tel: +65 6022 1022
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Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW, NS Line), Bras Basah (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 3pm, 530pm - 10pm
Sat-Sun: 11am - 3pm, 530pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at City Hall MRT station. Take Exit A. Cut through Raffles City Shopping Centre to Bras Basah Road. Walk to the traffic junction of Bras Basah Road and North Bridge Road. Cross the road and walk down North Bridge Road to the destination. Journey time is about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Bras Basah MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Bras Basah Road. Turn left and walk down Bras Basah Road. Turn left onto North Bridge Road. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 6 minutes. [Map]

Xing Yue Xuan (星粤轩) @ Resorts World Sentosa - Jumbo Group’s First Foray into Premium Cantonese Cuisine

Xing Yue Xuan (星粤轩), located at Weave Mall in Resorts World Sentosa, marks Jumbo Group’s inaugural venture into premium Cantonese dining. Showcasing the artistry of traditional Cantonese cuisine while embracing modern refinement, the restaurant offers a repertoire of curated executive set lunches alongside an extensive à la carte menu that celebrates the depth and finesse of this much-loved cuisine.

Amuse Bouche 4/5

Dinner commences with an elegant Amuse Bouche, a delicate scallop and prawn salad encased in a crisp housemade kueh pie tee shell. Served with a ceremonial cup of Honeycomb Ruby Tea, a soothing blend of jujube and Formosa oolong, this refined pairing sets the tone for the meal.

Double-boiled Fish Maw & Kampung Chicken Soup 4.8/5

The Double-boiled Fish Maw & Kampung Chicken Soup ($38) exemplifies Cantonese soup mastery. Prepared through a meticulous two-hour steaming of old hen, pork, and chicken feet, followed by careful boiling, the broth develops a luxuriously creamy body. Enriched with premium fish maw, scallops, morel mushrooms, and wolfberries, the soup is deeply nourishing, offering layers of umami richness in every spoonful.

Dong Po Pork Belly in Hakka Style 4.8/5

The Dong Po Pork Belly in Hakka Style ($38 per pax) is a standout. Each portion of pork belly undergoes a precise, multi-step process — blanched, torched, steamed, and bound in a bamboo leaf string — before being braised for six hours in a proprietary soy sauce. The result is melt-in-the-mouth pork layered with flavours that pay homage to authentic Hakka culinary tradition.

Flambéed Drunken Live Prawns 4.5/5

The Flambéed Drunken Live Prawns ($48 per portion, 300g) deliver both spectacle and flavour. Premium live prawns are flambéed tableside in Er Guo Tou Baijiu before simmering in a herbal broth infused with goji berries and angelica root. Cooked in minutes, the prawns emerge juicy and aromatic, laced with subtle wine and herbal notes.

Xing Yue Xuan Fuss-Free Crab in Signature Black Pepper (Half Crab) 4.5/5

For crustacean lovers, the Xing Yue Xuan Fuss-Free Crab ($78 per pax, Half Crab) is not to be missed. Available in three renditions that pay tribute to JUMBO Group’s celebrated seafood heritage, diners can choose from the robust Signature Black Pepper, the iconic award-winning Chilli Crab, or an elegant steamed version topped with velvety custard egg and caviar. We opted for the Signature Black Pepper, where the punchy, aromatic spice balanced beautifully with the natural sweetness of the crab, delivering a dish that was both fiery and indulgent.

Whole 3-Head Abalone & Sea Cucumber in Fragrant Rice 4.2/5

Served in a sizzling hot stone pot, the Whole 3-Head Abalone & Sea Cucumber in Fragrant Rice ($68 per pax) impresses with its contrasting textures. The rice, wok-fried with a house soy blend, develops a smoky fragrance before being topped with tender sea cucumber and a whole 3-head abalone — a dish that marries comfort with luxury.

Classic Chinese Duo Pastry Platter 3.5/5

Ending on a sweet note, the Classic Chinese Duo Pastry Platter ($16) showcases rotating heritage-inspired creations. Options may include a tangy Fresh Vanilla Mousse with Passion Fruit Sauce or an Awakening Lion pastry with tangerine peel red bean filling, offering a refined conclusion to the meal.

Xing Yue Xuan successfully captures the essence of Cantonese fine dining while weaving in the JUMBO DNA of seafood mastery. Whether for a business lunch or a celebratory dinner, it’s a destination worth seeking out at Resorts World Sentosa.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Xing Yue Xuan (星粤轩)
Weave Mall
Resorts World Sentosa
26 Sentosa Gateway
#B1-201
Singapore 098138
Tel: +65 80310096
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Nearest MRT: Harbourfront (CC, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 1130am - 3pm, 530pm - 1030pm
Sat-Sun: 1130am - 330pm, 530pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Harbourfront MRT station. Take Exit C or E. Walk to Vivocity Level 3 to Vivocity Monorail Station., Take Monrail to Sentosa. Alight at Resorts World Station. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

Seafood Paradise @ VivoCity - The Very First Dining Concept Of Paradise Group Reopens At VivoCity

Seafood Paradise has reopened at VivoCity. You can enjoy some of their signature creations at 50% off from 12 April to 9 May!

Creamy Butter Crab topped with Coconut Crumbs 4/5

Some of the innovative dishes unique to Seafood Paradise and have remained ever popular include this Creamy Butter Crab topped with Coconut Crumbs ($9.50 per 100g). Heavily rich in butter and cream, the sauce is made fresh daily using aromatics such as curry leaves, white pepper, lemongrass and chilli padi. I feel it can outshine its counterpart Chilli Crab, but only if there was a depth of savouriness to balance the sweetness of the sauce.

Singapore Style Chilli Crab 4.5/5

Hence, Seafood Paradise’s rendition of the Singapore Style Chilli Crab ($9.50 per 100g) works better for my taste buds. The sauce was robust with a fiery kick, balanced with a slight sweetness.

Poached Live Tiger Prawn with Chinese Herb 4.5/5

My favourite dish of the evening was this Poached Live Tiger Prawn with Chinese Herb in Superior Stock ($29/300g, $41/450g, $53/600g). The superior stock is simmered with various Chinese herbs, rice wine and Hua Diao wine for more than three hours. Every sip of the broth was comforting for the drunken prawn dish.

Crispy Kang Kong topped with Cuttlefish 4.5/5

Another innovative creation that is evergreen is the Crispy Kang Kong topped with Cuttlefish in Homemade Seafood Sauce ($15.80 S, $22.80 M, $30.80 L). The fried kang kong leaf was amazingly light and crisp, and the slices of cuttlefish were pleasingly tender. To bind the ingredients together, served alongside is a special sauce made with hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, sweet Thai chilli sauce and sesame oil.

Steamed Dragon Tiger Grouper with Preserved Turnip 4.5/5

Another family favourite is the Steamed Dragon Tiger Grouper with Preserved Turnip ($9 per 100g). What makes this dish so memorable is the moreish bits of deep-fried preserved turnip that provides crunch and a depth of flavour to the grouper's sweet flesh. Akin to bacon bits on potatoes, it just turns every other thing delicious!

Baked Pork Belly Rib 3/5

To complement your seafood dishes, you can also try their Baked Pork Belly Rib with Honey Pepper Sauce ($8.90/pc). I would recommend having at least 2 to share this humongous piece of rib.

Deep-fried Cheese Bacon Roll 3/5

Some contemporary dishes such as this Deep-fried Cheese Bacon Roll ($12.80 for 4pc) are ideal dishes to have if you have beers to start the meal.

A dessert to end off a heavy meal would be the mildly sweet and sour Chilled Lemongrass Jelly in Lemonade and Sour Plum Juice ($5.80).

To celebrate its reopening, the restaurant is holding a month-long promotion: 50% Off Nostalgic dishes.

-Week 1, 12 April to 18 April: Signature Creamy Butter Sri Lankan Crab topped with Coconut Crumbs* (Limited to two crab redemptions per table per bill)

-Week 2, 19 April to 25 April: Boston Lobster tossed with Salted Egg Yolk* (Limited to two lobster redemptions per table per bill)

-Week 3, 26 April to 2 May: Steamed Dragon Tiger Grouper with Preserved Turnip* (Limited to one fish redemption per table per bill)

-Week 4, 3 May to 9 May: Poached Tiger Prawn in Superior Stock with Chinese Herbs* (Limited to one order redemption per table per bill)

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.


Seafood Paradise
VivoCity
1 Harbourfront Walk
#01-53
Singapore 098585
Tel: +65 62210159
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Nearest MRT: Harbourfront (CC Line, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 11am - 3pm, 6pm - 1030pm
Sat-Sun & PH: 1030am - 330pm, 6pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Harbourfront MRT station. Take Exit C or E. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Peach Garden @ Thomson Plaza - Return Of The Weekend Dim Sum Buffet

Dim Sum lovers will be rejoice to know that Peach Garden at Thomsom Plaza has brought back its popular Weekend Dim Sum Buffet. When I visited the restaurant a couple of weeks ago, it was almost fully. I was advised to make a reservation if I would like to come back again for their dim sum. The restaurant was really packed.

Steamed Dim Sum 3/5

The restaurant offers a variety of dim sum items which are being served around the restaurant by servers in pushcarts. Not many restaurants do this nowadays. Among the many dim sum items that I tried, I like their Siew Mai and Chicken Feet the most.

Fried Dim Sum 4/5

Besides the steamed dim sum selections, the fried dim sum selection is worth trying too. In fact, I find the fried items faring better than the steamed items. The Fried Dumpling, Fried Yam Dumpling and Spring Roll are not to be missed.

Noodle Soup 3/5

The great thing about the weekend dim sum buffet at Peach Garden is not just about their dim sum. It is about their eclectic menu that consists of other dishes such as the live noodle station, Drunken Prawns, Pig Trotter with Vinegar, Salmon Sashimi and Sushi, on top of the dim sum selections.

Drunken Prawns 4/5

I think it is damn worth it when you pay only $23.80++ and get to have unlimited serving of Drunken Prawns. The prawns are big in size and sweet. The restaurant did not hold back in quality even though it is a buffet.

Pig Trotter with Vinegar 4.5/5

To my surprise, Peach Garden offers an awesome bowl of Pig Trotter with Vinegar among their weekend dim sum spread. I simply could not resist helping myself to the well braised pig trotter, that has absorbed the acidity of the vinegar, for a good sharp finish.

Sashimi and Sushi 3.5/5

I cannot say that the Sashimi and Sushi is of the best quality but it definitely added more varieties and options to diners. I think it is a good idea for families with younger family members who may not be too keen with the traditional dim sum items.

Ice Cream with Waffle Biscuit 4/5

Don't forget to keep your ears open and listen for the ice cream bell around 4pm. That means Ice Cream is served. Do be quick to get up from your seat as a line will be quickly formed for the traditional ice cream with waffle biscuit. Other desserts available among the spread includes egg tart and fruits with chocolate fondue.

Price of Weekend Dim Sum Buffet, 3-5pm
Adult - $23.80++
Child - $16.80++

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Peach Garden
Thomson Plaza
301 Upper Thomson Road
#01-88
Singapore 574408
Tel: +65 64513233
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Nearest MRT: Upper Thomson (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 1130am - 230pm, 6pm - 10pm
Sat-Sun, PH: 1030am - 3pm, 6pm - 10pm
Weekend High Tea Buffet: 3pm - 5pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Upper Thomson MRT station. Take Exit 2. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]