Orchard Cafe @ Orchard Hotel

The buffet at Orchard Cafe has undergone a revamp with a newly launched Straits Cuisine buffet with a line up of authentic Peranakan dishes, traditional roasts, seafood options and all time local favourite. This is complete with live stations and a la minute highlights.

Condiments

A wide selection of condiments are available at the buffet spread with my favourite being the Cincaluk.

Kueh Pie Tee 3.5/5

A take from the classic is Chef Pual's version of Buah Keluak Kueh Pie Tee. The delicious delight is accentuated with the nyonya caviar aka buah keluak and fish roes. It is understand that the ultimate kueh pie tee was created during the Ultimate Hawker Fest 2013 and was well received. While I applauded the creativity and combination, the differ from the classic may cause some controversy over the authenticity of this traditional delight.

Popiah 4/5

Available at one of the live stations is the Popiah wrapped in a thin popiah skin. The popiah was plump and stuffed with generous fillings.

Steamed Black Cod Otah 4.2/5

Nyonya Hokkien Mee 4/5

Sambal Sting Ray in Banana Leaves 3.5/5

The buffet line also features Executive Chef Paul's signature dishes such as the Steamed Black Cod Otah, Nyonya Hokkien Mee and Sambal Sting Ray in Banana Leaves. The Steamed Black Cod Otah has a mixed of prawns in it which gave it a chunky bite. Fragrant with pork lard was the delectable Nyonya Hokkien Mee which was slurping good. The Sambal Sting Ray in Banana Leaves will appeal more to the tourist than local with its slightly on the sweet side chili sauce.

Ikan Kuah Lada 4.2/5

Nyonya Chap Chye 4/5

Lembu Rendang 3.5/5

Ayam Buah Keluak 4/5

Among the buffet spread is a row of claypots that features the traditional Perankan dishes such as the Ikan Kuah Lada, Nyonya Chap Chye, Lembu Rendang and Ayam Buah Keluak. The Ikan Kuah Lada was given a premium twist with the use of pink snapper instead of the usual mackerel. The tartness of the tumeric and peppercorn gravy went very well with a plate of rice. The Nyonya Chap Chye was well braised until soft with delectable sweetness of cabbage, fungus, pork belly and fermented yellow bean. Slow cooked to fork tender is the Lembu Rendang with nyonya spices. A must have is the staple Perankan dish, Ayam Buah Keluak. The black nut flesh is mixed with rempah and minced meat creating an unique and appealing flavour.

Durian Pengat 4/5

Nyonya Kueh Assortment 4/5

Chempedak Creme Brulee 4.8/5

Every buffet line is not complete without the dessert section. Indulge in a selection Nyonya Kueh Assortment,  Durian Pengat, Chempedak Creme Brulee and many more. Diner has the privilege to try from the creator Chef Paul, his Durian Pengat served in a short glass with pandan jelly. A must try is the Chempedak Creme Brulee that is an unique take from the classic with the eggy flavour nicely balanced by the fruity chempedak.

Double joy for diners at Orchard Cafe's Straits Cuisine Buffet as you may get the chance to win weekend staycations and other attractive prizes. All you have to do is capture your scrumptious moments of the buffet and share your photos on Orchard Hotel Facebook Page to stand a chance of winning these attractive prizes.

Buffet Lunch: $48 Adult, $24 Child
Buffet Dinner: $68 Adult, $34 Child

Senior citizen at the age of 55 years and above will be able to enjoy a 50% off the Straits Cuisine buffet lunch from Monday to Thursday, valid till 31 October 2014.


Orchard Cafe
Orchard Hotel Singapore
442 Orchard Road
Singapore 238879
Tel: +65 67347766
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/orchardhotelsingapore
Website: http://www.orchardhotel.com.sg
Nearest MRT:  Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Buffet Lunch: 12pm - 230pm
Buffet Dinner: 6pm - 10pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit E. Walk towards Wheelock Place via ION. Exit Wheelock Place and turn left towards Liat Tower. Cross the road at the traffic light junction and turn left towards Palais Renaissance. Continue walking down Orchard Road and turn right onto Orange Grove Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk towards Shaw House via underpass. At the road level, walk along Orchard Road towards Palais Renaissance. Continue walking down Orchard Road and turn right onto Orange Grove Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

Sinpopo Brand (新泡泡甜品小吃) @ Joo Chiat Road

It is quite hard not to notice the nostaglic decoration of Sinpopo Brand (新泡泡甜品小吃) along Joo Chiat Road with its huge big and red signature and red metal gates. Stepping through the gate, it felt like being transformed to a eatery in the 1960s-1970s with classic Chinese oldies playing in the background.

Sny Muay Pop 4/5 Teh Peng 2/5

 

As our visit is after dinner, we only ordered desserts to try. The drinks at Sinpopo Brand is served in tin metal mug. The Sng Muay Pop ($3.90) is a combination of sour plum, lime and 7-Up. A very refreshing drink. The Teh Peng ($2) was very diluted.

Ais Bor 3/5

The Ais Bor ($3.90) is a classic street dessert in which the ice is shaped into a ball with different coloured syrup. Nowadays, hardly any stalls served this anymore. A dessert that brings back a lot of childhood memories.

Chendol 1/5

After a couple of decent desserts, things started to go down hill with the Chendol ($3.90). It was really bad, it tasted nothing near to the Chendol dessert. I suspected they used syrup gula melaka and the whole execution missed the mark by miles.

Tau Suan 1/5

One look at the pale looking bowl of Tau Suan ($3.90) and we knew it is going to be another disappoinment. Indeed the tau suan was so lackluster that left me doubting the sincerely of the shop with their dessert. How can they serve this sort of standard where I can get better and cheaper bowl of tau suan from any hawker stall.

Pulut Hitam 2/5

Pulut Hitam ($3.90) has always been one of my favourite desserts but I was left feeling unsatisfied. The pulut hitam was not creamy or gooey enough and was lacking some form of sweetness and fragrant.

Durian Pengat 2.8/5

The Durian Pengat ($6.90) itself was decent but I did not like the coconut milk that basically drenched the bowl of delicacy.

The concept of Sinpopo Brand is good but much more efforts is needed to raise the standard of the desserts. I definitely will not fork out that small of money for such lackluster desserts where I can have better and cheaper one at hawker centres.


Sinpopo Brand (新泡泡甜品小吃)
458 Joo Chiat Road
Singapore
Tel: +65 63455034
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sinpopo#!/sinpoposg
Website: http://www.sinpopobrand.com/
Nearest MRT:

Opening Hours:
Tue-Thu: 12pm - 10pm
Fri-Sat: 12pm - 12midnight
Sun: 12pm - 10pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Dakota MRT station. Take exit A. Walk to bus stop at Blk 99 Old Airport Road (Stop ID 81181). Take Bus 10 or 32. Alight 6 stops later opposite Roxy Square. Walk to the junction of East Coast Road and Joo Chiat Road. Turn left onto Joo Chiat Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]