Suk's Thai Kitchen @ Tessensohn Road - New Thai Restaurant Helmed By Thai Chef In Little India

With a Thai chef at the helm of the kitchen, Suk's Thai Kitchen at Tessensohn Road serves up authentic Thai cuisine in a contemporary bistro setting. Its menu is comprehensive, including dishes that are less commonly offered by other Thai concepts.

Homemade Prawn Cakes 3.5/5

Thai Fried Chicken Wings 4/5

For starters, what's recommended are Handmade Prawn Cakes ($10) and Thai Fried Chicken Wings ($10). The latter was excellent. Unlike those dry and skinny ones, these were succulent with a bit of zest on it. Definitely one of the betters ones I had tried so far.

Grilled Pork Salad 3.8/5

For something light but meaty to beef up your meal, Grilled Pork Salad ($14) is a good option with its thinly sliced pork shoulder. Tossed with onions, herbs and a spicy E-Sarn dressing, the tender slices of meat were moreish with a piquant and sharp zing cutting through. What's not quite there is perhaps the lack of char on the meat, which would have kicked its flavours up a notch.

Red Tom Yum Soup with Prawns 3.5/5

Fish Maw Soup 4.2/5

For soups, we had Fish Maw Soup ($14) and Red Tom Yum Soup with Prawns ($12). Simmered with old ginger, garlic and coriander root, the fish maw soup was flavoursome and tasty with a good amount of fish maw slices and mushrooms. I didn't quite enjoy the tom yum soup though. Its saltiness dulled my palate after a few sips of it.

Green Curry Chicken 3.5/5

We also tried Green Curry Chicken ($12). The green curry looked slightly split, but the taste was decent. The meat was tender, but some of the eggplants were still quite tough.

Fried Sea Bass with Suk's Thai Chilli 3/5

I was rather disappointed by its Fried Sea Bass with Suk's Thai Chilli ($28). I find the fish a little dry, and its fried exterior lacked a crisp that I was looking for. The Thai chilli lacks the punch to elevate the dish either.

Suk's Northern Thai Laksa 3.5/5

There is one interesting dish on the menu - Suk's Northern Thai Laksa ($10), made using Chiang Rai recipe. Served with a scoop of spicy minced meat with tomatoes and pickled mustard leaves, these were the 2 ingredients that imparted most of the flavours to the broth. Other than that, I find the broth itself rather bland. I remember having something similar in Chiang Rai, but it was a lot more robust.

Ice Jelly 4/5

For desserts, we had Ice Jelly and Red Ruby ($6). The ice jelly was done with a slight twist to it, incorporating preserved plums into the ice and was a superb palate cleanser after all the highly flavoured food. I enjoyed the red ruby equally, with crunchy homemade rubies that weren't doused in sugar. It would have been even better if a better quality coconut milk was used.

Red Ruby 4/5

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. 


Suk's Thai Kitchen
136 Tessensohn Road
Singapore 217699
Tel: +65 96699445
Facebook 
Website
Nearest MRT: Farrer Park (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 11am – 3pm, 5 – 1030pm
Sat-Sun: 11am - 1030pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Farrer Park MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn left to Tessensohn Road. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Dine At Home During Circuit Breaker - Ah Orh Seafood Restaurant

Ah Orh Seafood Restaurant at Jalan Bukit Merah has been one of my favourite Teochew restaurants to go to whenever I am craving for some delicious Teochew cuisine. The family restaurant has been around for more than 60 years with the third generations helping out in the restaurant. With the current COVID-19 pandemic, it has been a challenging time for a lot of F&B. Especially for a traditional restaurant like Ah Orh Seafood, they have to adapt, moving to takeaway and delivery, allowing diners to dine at home during the circuit breaker measure period.

Braised Duck, Pork Belly and Tofu

Having visited the restaurants on many occasions, there are some signature dishes that I will always order. One of them is their Braised Duck, Pork Belly and Tofu platter. This is best enjoyed together with the chilli and white vinegar dipping sauce.

Fish Maw Soup

Unlike other fish maw soup which is either clear or starchy form, the Fish Maw Soup at Ah Orh Seafood has a grainy texture with chunky pieces of fish maw. Until today I am not sure what is added to get the grainy texture, but I suspect it is sesame.

Oyster Sauce Vegetable

The Oyster Sauce Vegetable may not be the prettiest dish, but what makes it a lovely dish is the addition of fried sole fish that elevated the whole enjoyment.

Oyster Omelette

Lastly is the fluffy Oyster Omelette with plump fresh oyster. I like how the restaurant packet the oyster separately from the egg omelette so that the sauce doesn't make the omelette soggy during delivery.

While I can't dine at Ah Orh Seafood Restaurant during the circuit breaker period, I am glad that I can still satisfy my craving for delicious Teochew food with its takeaway and delivery services. Besides the a la carte menu, the restaurant has also rolled out 3 dishes set menu at $45 and 4 dishes set menu at $55. Customers even get a 15% discount if they pick up the order themselves. It also offers island-wide delivery services at $10 delivery fee, free delivery for order above $80 or location within 3km of the restaurant.


Arh Orh Seafood Restaurant (亚乌海鲜楼)
Blk 115 Jalan Bukit Merah
#01-1627
Singapore 160115
Tel: +65 62757575
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Tiong Bahru (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 2pm, 530pm - 9pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Tiong Bahru MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk down Jalan Membina to the end of the road. Turn left at Jalan Bukit Merah. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Chinese New Year Offerings

For the upcoming Lunar New Year gatherings, usher in the Year of Rat with less traditional feasts, but nothing short of an abundant celebration. At The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore, depending on whether you are with families, friends or partners, choose from full course sets or ala carte items offered by 15 Stamford by Alvin Leong and all six outlets at Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski Hotel.

Yu Sheng 2.5/5

The 4-course/5-course Chinese Lunar Set Menu ($138/$158 per pax) by 15 Stamford by Alvin Leung start off with Pat Chun Vinegar Cured Fjord Trout “Yu Sheng” with Lime Salt, Honey Plum Dressing. The Salmon slices have been treated beforehand and can be rather salty, especially when there wasn't enough vegetable slaw to balance the preserved conditions. To keep it light and refreshing, be more careful when dressing your Yu Sheng with the plum sauce.

Australian Abalone Ceviche 3/5

This particular Chinese Lunar Set Menu takes on a contemporary twist to the traditional festive dishes, such as Australian Abalone Ceviche. For somebody who doesn't quite appreciate the usual braised Abalone, I find this take on the ingredient quite interesting, although the vinaigrette was a tad too acidic.

Eight Treasure Rice Pudding with Frozen Dried Longan Red Date 4/5

One other dish we tried on the menu is the dessert. While we craved for a soul-warming Hor Yip Fan (Lotus Leaf Wrapped Rice) in this chilly weather, in place we had a Lotus Leaf Wrapped Eight Treasure Rice Pudding, but for a sweet ending! Flambe with Lychee Wine, the sweet and warm sticky rice along with the Frozen Dried Longan Red Date will sum up your feast perfectly.

Thai Fish Maw Soup 4/5

From Chalerm Thai, its 6-course CNY Festive Special ($88 per pax) features a classic Thai Fish Maw Soup. The soup was quite well seasoned, and biting into the gelatinous fish maw does make one feel nourished.

Soy Sauce Glazed Pork Belly 4.5

When it comes to pork, you can be assured that Frieda will deliver. My favourite of the evening is probably this Soy Sauce Glazed Pork Belly ($26) by Frieda. The pork belly was well caramelised at all sides and edges, with the accompanying salty and savoury sliced waxed meat sausages lending an extra layer of flavours. It comes with rice, but as the glaze is so well balanced without any overdose of saltiness or flavours, I reckon beer or even wine will be a much better accompaniment to indulge in this dish.

Bak Kwa & Roasted Duck Pizza 2.5/5

La Scala Ristorante also has its own version of what makes an auspicious CNY dish - Bak Kwa & Roasted Duck Pizza ($28) with plum and BBQ sauces. Coming from La Scala Ristorante, this pizza was quite a letdown. The sauces overwhelmed all the ingredients, including the mozzarella cheese which some of us even missed it. Given the good pizza dough, the pizza could have been a lot more refine and enjoyable with a more thought-out combination and presentation of the toppings. Perhaps the roasted duck slices could have been more elegantly portioned on the pizza, with coin-shaped bakkwa, and definitely a lot fewer sauces.

Abalone Golden Beancurd with dried Oyster, Fatt Choy, Spinach 3.5/5

For corporate bookings, you will be hosted at The Atelier by the Capitol Kempinski Banquet, offering 4 types of set menus in both individual plating and family-style format. One of the dishes from the Family Style 6-course Chinese set ($1,088 for 10pax) is the Abalone Golden Beancurd with dried Oyster, Fatt Choy, Spinach in superior brown sauce. Each individual ingredient was quite well treated, and their respective flavour combines to form a very pleasing CNY dish.

Cheng Tng Panna Cotta 4/5

Mandarin Orange Ivory Chocolate Mousse 3/5

Menus include very delicious desserts such as Mandarin Orange Ivory Chocolate Mousse with Salted Peanut and the most beloved sweet of the evening, Cheng Tng Panna Cotta. This is like a new sensation after all the hype around chendol.

Written and photography 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.


The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore
13 Stamford Road
Singapore 178906
Tel: +65 63688888
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW Line, NS Line)

Yan Ting @ The St. Regis Singapore - Exquisite Lunar New Year Celebrations With Refined Cantonese Cuisine

With Lunar New Year just around the corner, there is no better time than now to make plans for an abundant and hearty reunion dinner with your loved ones. Herald the beginning of a bountiful and auspicious Chinese New Year at Yan Ting, The St. Regis Singapore where they have specially crafted a range of sumptuous festive dishes. Relish in exceptional signatures and lavish dine-in set menus, or spread the joy of the New Year with a selection of gourmet takeaway delights available from 2 January to 8 February 2020.

Prosperity Yu Sheng with Norwegian Salmon 4/5

Toss to the celebratory occasion with the Signature Prosperity Yu Sheng with Norwegian Salmon. The Yusheng features a mix of pomelo, peaches, carrots, white radish, cucumber strips, dried orange peels and snow pear, and dressed in an irresistible combination of Chef’s signature sauce comprising fermented beancurd sauce, mayonnaise, garlic, and a tangy yu sheng sauce of sweet plum, passionfruit, orange and apple sauce for a right balance of sweet and tangy.

Braised Fish Maw Broth with Dried Scallops 3.8/5

The Braised Fish Maw Broth with dried scallops is a favourite go-to soup for Chinese New Year. Filled with fish maw, sliced mushroom and bamboo shoots in a luxurious thick soup, the dried scallops added to impart a sweet flavour to the dish as well.

Steamed Marble Goby “Soon Hock” Fillet with Soybean Floss 4.2/5

The Steamed Marble Goby “Soon Hock” Fillet with Soybean Floss has a delicate, tender texture with a sweet flavour, complemented with a light saltiness from the touch of soy sauce gravy.

Chinese New Year Pun Choy 4/5

Go the whole hog this reunion season with a staple one-pot dish of decadent Chinese New Year Pun Choy. Essentially, a hearty and scrumptious casserole pot filled with a treasure trove of ingredients such as premium abalone, dace fish balls, dried oysters, dried scallops, sea cucumbers, Chinese mushrooms, fish maw, soy sauce chicken, roasted duck, pork shank and black moss, slowly simmered to allow the sweetness of the ingredients to seep into the flavoursome broth. The Pun Choy ($488) is good for 6 pax, and it is available for takeaway.

Crispy Roasted Chicken with Black Truffle Shavings 4.2/5

One of my favourites is the Crispy Roasted Chicken with black truffle shavings which boasts tender, succulent meat beneath a crispy thin layer of skin, while the addition of black truffle elevated the flavours of the roasted chicken.

Wok-fried Glutinous Rice with Chinese Sausage 3.8/5

The Wok-fried Glutinous Rice with Chinese Sausage comes neatly wrapped in a lotus leaf and was distributed on a sharing plate for each pax (above). I enjoy the well-cooked rice, which is not too mushy and full of flavours from the addition of dried shrimps as well. Other ingredients include the chicken pieces and sliced shiitake mushrooms.

Refreshing Chrysanthemum and Apple Jelly 4/5, Pan-Fried Glutinous Rice Cake 4/5

For desserts, we had the Chrysanthemum and Apple Jelly. After feasting on so much of the rich dishes earlier, the dessert provides a nice refreshing ending to the meal, with the delicate, slightly floral aroma of chrysanthemum and light sweetness of the apple. Another must-have dessert is the Pan Fried Glutinous Rice Cake, which has a nice soft and chewy texture and is not overly sweet as well.

Yan Ting's Lunar New Year menus are available from $1288++ for a table of 10 pax or $128++/pax for a table of 6 pax. Dine-in menus will be available from 6 January 2020 to 8 February 2020 and will be served daily during lunch from 12PM to 230PM, and dinner from 630PM to 1030PM. Collection of takeaways begins from 6 January 2020, 1030AM to 10PM; an advance order of 3 working days is required.

Photos and words 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.


Yan Ting
St Regis Singapore Hotel
Level 1U
29 Tanglin Road
Singapore 247911
Tel: +65 65066887
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 3pm, 630pm - 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. Continue onwards to Forum Shopping Mall. Walk further down to Orchard Parade Hotel. Turn left onto Tanglin Road. St Regis is just beside Tanglin Shopping Centre. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

The Clifford Pier @ The Fullerton Bay Hotel - Chef Philip Chia X The Clifford Pier "Best Of Perankan Cuisine" Promotion

For the third time, Guest Chef Philip Chia will be taking over the kitchen of The Clifford Pier at The Fullerton Bay Hotel. As a fourth-generation Chinese Peranakan, he continues to draw inspirations from recipes of generations to deliver the classic flavours, while imbuing them with a modern flair.

Trilogy of Appetisers 3.5/5

First time ever, Chef Philip designed a savoury Trilogy of Appetisers to be featured in the 4-Course Set Dinner. Presenting three ala carte dishes almost like a degustation manner, the highlight for me is Chef's rendition of the Pong Tahu Goreng. The deep-frying process brings out the taste of the beancurd even more, and the pork acts as a backdrop to provide the savoury sweetness. The Grilled Spicy Laksa Prawns will definitely whet your appetite with its aromatics and spices, which is further boosted by the tangy and spicy side salad of wingbean, cucumber, pineapple, calamansi and torch ginger. Whereas for the Kurobuta Pork and Crabmeat Nonya Ngoh Hiang, the accompanying garlicky sweet sauce was a tad too sweet for me.

Peranakan Hee Peow Soup 3/5

The Peranakan Hee Peow Soup ($26) is loaded with 3 types of housemade meatballs - prawn, fish and pork, and they were pleasingly light and juicy. The fish maw was pretty luscious too, but I find the soup itself slightly blend and saltish.

Ayam Buah Keluak 3.5/5

Ayam Buah Keluak ($40) is an interesting take on the classic. Although the overall taste doesn't quite reflect the traditional profile of the dish, I love the presentation, with the sous-vide Sakura chicken roulade mirroring the shapes of the Buah Keluak. Those enigmatic black nuts become even more alluring, and to be able to taste it on its own is such a treat.

Satay Babi Goreng 3.5/5

Satay Babi Goreng ($39) veers towards the rich side, hence the bowl of rice is there for you to enjoy the gravy. The pork belly was even more tender than expected, but a handful less salt would have made the flavours of the dish more balanced.

Ikan Chuan Chuan 4.2/5

Ikan Chuan Chuan ($52) allows you to enjoy the beautiful meat of the fresh whole snapper without the fuss of deboning the fish. Cubed and deep-fried, each fish nugget is very lightly battered, with the meat staying firm and moist. The tangy-sweet dressing has a very good consistency that simply glazed the surface of the battered fish cubes, flavouring them without weighing them down.

Udang Masak Pedas Nanas 3.8/5

Udang Masak Pedas Nanas ($42) features a lovely light, spiced Malaccan-style coconut gravy, zesty with pineapples cubes and slices of grilled pineapples which I adore. The whole fresh prawns were somehow slightly overdone, but overall it was a very pleasing dish.

Snow Ko Swee 4.2/5

Chef Chia’s efforts in representing all-time Peranakan delicacies with his Snow Ko Swee is much lauded. Every element on this plated dessert was delicious, be it the Kueh Ko Swee in two variations (one prepared with gula melaka, and the other with white sugar), the mellow sweet coconut ice cream, the freshly grated coconut, the airy sponge or even the cream dollops. You just got to make space for this dessert.

The Clifford Pier, The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore Chef Philip Chia x The Clifford Pier ‘Best of Peranakan Cuisine’ Promotion 13 June to 28 June 2019 
A La Carte and Set Lunch Menu Monday to Friday, 12.00 p.m. to 2.30 p.m. (except Public Holidays) - 2 course Set Lunch S$40* per person
- 3 course Set Lunch S$45* per person

A La Carte and Set Dinner Menu Monday to Friday: 6.30 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. (except Public Holidays) - 4 Course Set Dinner S$69* per person (Minimum 2 person order)
Dining Reservations at (65) 6877 8911 / 8912 or email dining-rsvp@fullertonhotels.com.

Words and photos 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.


The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore
80 Collyer Quay
Singapore 049326
Tel: +65 65975266
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Raffles Place (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Lunch: 12pm - 230pm
High Tea: 330pm - 530pm
Dinner: 630pm - 10pm
Supper: 10pm - 12midnight (Sun-Thu), 10pm - 1am (Fri-Sat)

Direction:
1) Alight at Raffles Place MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Clifford Centre. Cut across the building. Go to 2nd floor, take the overhead bridge link across the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Exquisite Lunar New Year Celebrations at Yan Ting, St. Regis Singapore

Herald in a bountiful and auspicious Lunar New Year at Yan Ting, St. Regis Singapore, with a selection of luxurious dine-in menus, as well as a la carte dishes. For those that is planning to celebrate Lunar New Year at home, there is also a variety of mouthwatering takeaway delicacies to share with the cherished ones.

Norwegian Salmon Yu Sheng with Organic Vegetable Salad

Kick start the Lunar New Year on a prosperity note with the Norwegian Salmon Yu Sheng with Organic Vegetable Salad. The Yu Sheng which comprises of pomelo, winter melon, peach, dried mandarin orange peel and yam, comes together harmoniously with the chef's signature sauce.

Braised Fish Maw with Fresh Crab Meat in Superior Sauce

Warming up the belly with a bowl of Braised Fish Maw with Fresh Crab Meat in Superior Sauce. I love to add a bit of vinegar to perk up the flavours with the sweetness of the fresh crab meat in each spoonful.

Signature Yan Ting Pun Choy

One of my favourite and a dish I look forward in every Chinese New Year dinner is the Pen Cai. The Signature Yan Ting Pun Choy comes in individual portion that is brimming with premium ingredients such as abalone, fish maw, oyster, sea cucumber, prawns, roasted duck and more.

Braised Five-head South African Abalone with Oyster and Black Moss in Oyster Sauce

Abalone which symbolizes good fortune is eaten during Chinese New Year and served in most Chinese New Year menu. The Braised Five-head South African Abalone with Oyster and Black Moss in Oyster Sauce, is cooked to folk tender, complemented by the delicious braising sauce.

Steamed Chilean Cod Fillet with Minced Garlic

I love the simplicity of the Steamed Chilean Cod Fillet with Minced Garlic, allowing the buttery cod fish to shine, complement by the superior soy sauce and minced garlic.

"Pik Fong Tong" style Crispy Chicken

I have tried "Pik Fong Tong Crab" before but "Pik Fong Tong" style Crispy Chicken is new to me. I enjoyed the crispiness of the chicken skin. However I find the seasoning is a bit on the salty side. Note worthy is how the fried basil leaf gives the dish a layer of aroma.

Braised Ee-Fu Noodles with Lobster in XO Sauce

The Braised Ee-Fu Noodles with Lobster in XO Sauce simply whetted up my appetite again with its slurping goodness in the unami XO sauce, accompanied by firm and bouncy lobster meat.

Fragrant Homemade Almond Tea with Peach Gum, served with Pan Fried Glutinous Rice Cake

Wrapping up the dinner, I have the Fragrant Homemade Almond Tea with Peach Gum, served with Pan Fried Glutinous Rice Cake. I have grown to a liking for peach gum for its crunchy texture, even thought its quite tasteless.

Yan Ting gourmet set menus is available from 21 January to 19 February 2019. For those planning to celebrate at the comfort of their home, there are perennial takeaway favourite such as Crispy Suckling Pig stuffed with Glutinous Rice, Braised Chicken stuffed with 10-head abalone, and Lunar New Year Pun Choy.

Noted: This is an invited tasting.


Yan Ting
St Regis Singapore Hotel
Level 1U
29 Tanglin Road
Singapore 247911
Tel: +65 65066887
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 3pm, 630pm - 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. Continue onwards to Forum Shopping Mall. Walk further down to Orchard Parade Hotel. Turn left onto Tanglin Road. St Regis is just beside Tanglin Shopping Centre. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]