American Mass Hall @ Lumiere - Classic Amercian Food Layered with Vibrant Asian Nuances

American Mass Hall at Lumiere revives classic American comfort food while introducing creative dishes layered with vibrant Asian nuances. Chef Heman Tan oversees the menu, which spans a broad spectrum — from sides and soups to salads, appetisers, mains, and desserts. We began our meal with a selection of appetisers, soups, and a salad.

Mass Hall’s Oyster Bay 4/5

French Onion Soup 4/5

Hush Puppy Corn Ball 4/5

Mass Hall's Oyster Bay ($5/pc) showcased plump Japanese oysters topped with orange granita, adding a burst of citrus acidity that brightened the brininess of the oyster. Though made with vegetable stock, the French Onion Soup ($9) impressed with its well-balanced sweetness and savoury depth — a surprising feat given the absence of beef stock. The Hush Puppy Corn Ball ($8) was a delight with its crisp exterior and sweet corn-studded interior. A dollop of spicy mayo added a satisfying sweet-spicy kick and boosted its overall mouthfeel.

Chilli Crab Mac & Cheese 2/5

Moving to the heavier plates, the Chilli Crab Mac & Cheese ($18) came loaded with rich, gooey cheese and a unique chilli crab topping. While the spicy crab element helped to cut through some of the richness, the dish leaned too sweet for my liking, and the macaroni was somewhat overwhelmed by the cheese.

Burrata Lava Cheesy Wonderland Lovers 2/5

The same sentiment applied to the Burrata Lava Cheesy Wonderland Lovers ($24), for which I found the execution a little one-dimensional. To balance out the richness, I would have preferred a blend of cheeses with varying sharpness and complexity. The dough, too, could have been more aerated for that chewy bite.

Octopus 4.5/5

The Octopus ($22), served with mashed potato, sous vide egg, and hollandaise sauce, was an interesting and indulgent dish. Digging into the combination of buttery mash, runny egg, and rich hollandaise felt luxurious — creamy, velvety, and deeply satisfying. What elevated the dish was the charred edges of the sous vide octopus, which added a gentle smokiness that helped balance the overall richness.

Burrata Salad 2.5/5

For something lighter, we tried the Burrata Salad ($19), which paired burrata with watermelon, tomato, and Parma ham. The combination was refreshing and offered a nice interplay of sweet, juicy, and savoury elements. Unfortunately, the burrata itself was a letdown — too firm, lacking the pillowy softness and milky freshness that a good burrata should deliver.

“Bone Drop” BBQ Iberico Prime Ribs 4.2/5

120-day Grain Fed Angus Beef Short Ribs 3.8/5

For mains, we feasted on the "Bone Drop" BBQ Iberico Prime Ribs ($39), served with fresh coleslaw and potato wedges. True to its name, the meat was tender, succulent, and finger-licking good, coated in a sticky, smoky BBQ glaze that hit all the right notes. The 120-day Grain Fed Angus Beef Short Ribs ($30), smoked tableside, could have been more tender but made up for it with a satisfyingly rich, beefy flavour.

Fish & Chips 3.5/5

Cajun Blackened Barramundi Fillet 3.8/5

From the sea, the classic Fish & Chips ($18) uses Barramundi fillet instead of the usual dory, which gave the dish a more flavourful bite. The thin and airy crust was especially enjoyable. The Cajun Blackened Barramundi Fillet ($25) was well-executed with just the right amount of char. The smoky flavour from the blackening added depth to the naturally sweet and moist fish.

Spaghetti Prawn Aglio Olio 4/5

The Spaghetti Prawn Aglio Olio ($22) was a true crowd-pleaser. Tossed in a specially concocted Aglio Olio chilli, the al dente spaghetti was loaded with umami and a spicy kick. Slices of mushroom soaked up the sauce beautifully, adding layers of spicy, savoury richness to each bite.

Desserts

Desserts were varied and playful. My personal favourite was the Deconstructed Apple Crumble ($9), which delighted with chunks of cinnamon-spiced apples and buttery crumble bits that offered a satisfying crunch. Though eggless, the Tiramisu ($9) was impressive — light mascarpone cream paired with bittersweet, generously boozy ladyfingers made for a decadent treat. As for the Crème Brûlée Cempedak ($10), the dessert itself was delectable, perfumed with fragrant cempedak and topped with a nicely caramelised crust. However, while delicious, the scoop of ice cream atop added a touch too much sweetness and softened the brûlée's crisp surface more than I'd like.

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.


American Mass Hall
Lumiere
2 Mistri Road
#01-01
Singapore 079624
Tel: +65 9743 0116
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Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 11am to 10pm (Closed on Sun, PH)

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit D or H. Walk straight down Anson Road to Parsi Road. Turn left onto Parsi Road. Walk down Parsi Road towards Mistri Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

Royal Host @ Jewel Changi Airport - Pioneer of Japanese-Western Food Opens Its First Direct Store Outside Japan

Renowned as the pioneer of Japanese-Western food, Royal Host boasts over 200 stores in Japan and a legacy spanning over 50 years. Now, this beloved household family restaurant has opened its first direct store outside Japan at Jewel Changi Airport. With its extensive history and reputation for delicious Japanese-Western comfort food, Royal Host brings a much-anticipated culinary experience to Singapore.

Onion Gratin Soup 4.2/5

We commenced our dinner with a comforting bowl of Onion Gratin Soup ($7.80). This homemade consommé, sweetened by caramelized onions, features a slice of toasted baguette loaded with melty Gruyère cheese. I recommend leaving the baguette to soak up the delicious soup for a bit longer for an even richer experience. This soup is a long-standing bestseller of Royal Host, gaining fame when Marilyn Monroe praised it during her honeymoon to Japan in 1954.

Kale Salad 3/5

For a healthier option, we tried the superfood Kale Salad ($19.80). This crunchy kale salad is complemented by plant-based meat, blueberries, and a special peanut oil salad dressing that adds an aromatic finish. It's a refreshing and nutritious choice that perfectly balances the meal.

Omurice with Demiglace Sauce 4/5

The Omurice with Demiglace Sauce ($26.80) is a must-try. Fresh eggs flown all the way from Kyushu prefecture create a creamy omelette that tops fluffy Japanese ketchup rice. For a unique twist, there's a Singapore-exclusive version featuring Singapore Chilli Sauce and Snow Crab on top. The dish combines traditional Japanese flavours with a local touch, making it a standout item on the menu.

Hamburg with Brown Butter Sauce 4.5/5 

Royal Host's signature item is their Japanese Hamburg. We sampled the "ROYAL" Hamburg Steak with Brown Butter Sauce ($29.80), served sizzling on a hot plate. Made using premium-quality beef typically reserved for steaks, the hamburg is seared to perfection, achieving a beautiful exterior char while maintaining a succulent and juicy texture. There's also a Singapore-exclusive Black Pepper Sauce version for those who prefer a bit of heat.

Parfait and Hot Fudge Sundae 4.5/5

We indulged in the Parfait and Hot Fudge Sundae ($18.40) to wrap up our meal. The dessert menu offers three categories: Parfait, Ice Cream, and Cake. Our choice, the Parfait and Hot Fudge Sundae, was delicately layered with tantalizing flavours in each layer, providing a delightful end to our dining experience.

Royal Host's debut in Singapore at Jewel Changi Airport is a delightful addition to the local culinary scene. With its rich history and dedication to quality, the restaurant offers a unique blend of Japanese-Western comfort food that is both nostalgic and innovative. Whether you're craving a hearty bowl of soup, a nutritious salad, or a sizzling hamburg steak, Royal Host promises a memorable dining experience that brings the best of Japan to Singapore.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Royal Host
Jewel Changi Airport
78 Airport Boulevard
#03-219
Singapore 819666
Tel: +65 6908 5591
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Nearest MRT: Changi Airport (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1030am - 10pm

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

La Table d'Emma @ Mercure ICON Singapore - Bringing Authentic Alsatian Flair to Club Street

Nestled in the heart of Singapore's bustling food scene, La Table d'Emma emerges as an unpolished gem, exuding the charm and warmth reminiscent of the French Alsace region. Founded by Chef Michael Muller, who has over two decades of culinary expertise, this quaint establishment bears the mark of his culinary mastery and the tender reminiscence of his childhood home adorned with delicate butterflies. Named after his beloved wife, Emma, the restaurant is a tribute to love, tradition, and gastronomic finesse.

As I stepped into the inviting ambience of La Table d'Emma, I was immediately enchanted by the subtle yet pervasive butterfly motifs adorning the walls and aesthetically shaped drop-lightings. The soft hues and elegant décor create an atmosphere of refined intimacy, setting the stage for a memorable dining experience.

Cracking Pork Skin 4/5

Sesame Sourdough 4.5/5

We started the meal with some complimentary Crackling Pork Skin and Sesame Sourdough snacks. Chef Michael explained how he painstakingly cleans the pork skin, boils it, and dehydrates it before deep-frying it. The thin and crispy Sesame Sourdough, which is made in-house, is also fragrant!

La Flemmakueche 4/5

Next, we had this pizza-like Alsace's delight with four variations. Chef Michael made all four variations in one portion for us to taste, but they are available individually on the menu for $20-$28. It is a great idea to taste all 4, and Chef Michael said he would consider putting this option on the menu. The four flavours are La Salmon Fume Maison (House-smoked salmon, capers and pickled red onion), La Champignons (Sauteed mushrooms and caramelized onions, Fromage blanc), La Tradition Onion/Lardons (Caramelized onions, savoury lardons, Fromage blanc), and La Gratinee A L'Emmental (Caramelized onions, savoury lardons and Emmental cheese).

Seafood Bun with Comté Crust 4.2/5

When Chef Michael served this to us, he told us the story of the creation. It goes back to when he was a chef at Facebook when the Seafood Bun with Comte Crust ($28) was created and named "Face-Bun". The crispy layer of Comté cheese resembles a polo bun! Once you break open that crispy top, you will find creamy scallops, prawns and crabmeat within the thin bread dough. The complimenting foamy clam chowder was light, even though we wish it were creamier since the cream with the seafood is also very light.

Soupe A L’Onion Gratinee with Gruyère Cheese 3.8/5

This classic French onion soup - Soupe A L'Onion Gratinee with Gruyère Cheese ($22) was a great palette cleanser at this point. The beef broth, sweet onions and herbs are light yet heavily fragrant at the same time. It is served with house-made sourdough croutons that add a slight hint of sourness, which is hearty and delightful. I wish there was a thicker layer of melted cheese on the top.

Les Bouchees A La Reine d’Emma 4/5

Les Bouchees A La Reine d'Emma ($34) is insta-worthy with the delicate puff pastry shaped into butterfly, which Chef Michael cheekily said, "this is edible butterfly". This dish was originally made by a queen's chef and Chef Michael's first dish made for his wife Emma. Served with veal, chicken and mushroom velouté that has a strong taste of white wine which we find it was a good balance with the buttery puff pastry.

Le Mille-Feuille Vanille Hazelnut Praliné ($20) 4/5

We ended our meal with this crispy and flaky Le Mille-Feuille Vanille Hazelnut Praline ($20) filled with vanilla crème patissière. The hazelnut praliné provides an extra crunch to every mouthful. We love the slightly burnt caramel taste, too. It was a nice, sweet ending to this meal.

Despite not trying other classic French mains like Duck Confit and Coq Au, the items we had were primarily delightful and unique. If you need help deciding what to order, you can opt for the 6-Course Chef's French Omakase, which you leave to Chef Michael for $120. Their menu is rather extensive, hence it will be ideal to order more items to share.

La Table d'Emma is having a special Father's Day promo on 16 June, where you can enjoy free-flow meats from $60++ per pax. More details can be found here - https://www.latabledemma.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Fathers-Day-Freeflow-Digital.pdf

Photos and words by Jaslyn. An avid cook who lives to eat and travel for food. Note: This is an invited tasting.


La Table d'Emma
8 Club Street
#01-04
Singapore 069742
Tel: +65 81018691
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Nearest MRT: Telok Ayer (DT Line), Chinatown (CC, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 2pm, 5pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Telok Ayer MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn left and walk down Cross Street. Turn left onto Club Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Chinatown MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk straight down Pagoda Street to North Bridge Road. Cross the road and walk to Mohd Ali Lane. Walk down Mohd Ali Lane. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

L'Entrecote @ Duxton Hill - Affordable Steak with Unlimited Crispy, Golden Fries

L'Entrecote is a Parisian concept serving steaks and fries at Duxton Hill. The restaurant has been around since 2010 offering the traditional entrecote (a premium cut of beef rib) and frites.

Homemade Duck Foie Gras Terrine 4.5/5

Before moving to the mains, we decided to order some starters to begin with. First is the Homemade Duck Foie Gras Terrine ($24). The foie gras terrine comes with sugar glazed onions and grilled buttered sourdough. I enjoyed having a bit of the sugar glazed onions together with creamy foie gras, which helped to cut through that richness.

French Onion Soup 4.5/5

It has been a while since I have such a traditional and tasty French Onion Soup ($10). The classic French onion soup comes with cheese toasts soaking up the delicious and robust beef stock, sweetened by the caramelised onion.

Green Salad with Walnut 3/5

For the main course, we went for the trimmed Entrecote Steak ($34.90) with its legendary sauce, that comes with free flow golden French Fries and Green Salad with Walnut. For those that has a bigger appetite, you can go for the XXL portion at $54.90. I find the salad was rather bland without any sauce though.

Entrecote Steak 4/5

The highlight here is the Entrecote Steak with its legendary sauce. The premium beef rib cut is cooked beautifully to tender, with a nice pink inside. What interesting is the pool of sauce, in which the steak is literally swimming inside. I tried asking the staff about the legendary sauce but they were mute about it. It is really an unique sauce, somewhat like a black pepper, mushroom sauce but has a tang to it. I have never come across anything similar for my steak before. If you are a fries lover, you will be glad that the crispy Golden Fries here are free flow!

Profiteroles de "L'Entrecote" 4.5/5

Moving to the desserts, we had the Profiteroles de "L'Entrecote" ($15). The choux pastry is sandwiched with vanilla bean ice cream and drenched with hot chocolate sauce. It is a classic dessert but tasted heavenly.

Crepes Suzette 4.2/5

The Crepes Suzette ($14) although sinful but is so good. The thin crepes are soaked in a citrus butter and Grand Marnier sauce, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

L'Entrecote is definitely a place for affordable steak and fries. You really have to try the legendary sauce to really know what I meant. We suspect mustard was added in the sauce, but we won't know until the mystery is solved.


L'Entrecote
36 Duxton Hill
Singapore 089614
Tel: +65 66907561
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Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 1030pm
Fri: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm
Sat: 5pm - 11pm
Sun: 12pm - 3pm, 530pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Orchid Hotel. Walk to Tanjong Pagar Road, cross the road. Walk to Craig Road. Turn left onto Craig Road. Walk to Craig Place. Take the staircase inside the carpark at Craig Place to Duxton Hill. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

The RANCH Steakhouse by ASTONS @ Clarke Quay - Great Steak, Humbly Priced Dry Aged & Premium Beef

The RANCH Steakhouse is an ASTON’s chain that opened at Clarke Quay, specialising in dry aged steaks served table side. Upon entering the restaurant, you’ll be greeted with huge portions of steaks aging in the glass fridges. It was great how you can take a look at the steaks being aged and even see how many days they’ve been aged for. You can also feel free to watch your meals being prepared at the open concept kitchen.

Beef Tartar 4/5

Start of with their wide range of cold or hot starters. We had the Beef Tartar ($18/100g, $34/200g) which was a generous amount of hand cut beef tenderloin mixed with onions, caper, gherkin, tomato and spices to musk the raw taste of beef. A smooth quail egg will be cracked in the centre, then laced with XO Cognac. Enjoy this tender beef with toasted rye bread.

Crab Cake 4/5

A hot starter that is a must try was the Homemade Crab Cake ($18). They use premium crab meat in the patty and was accompanied with a really interesting and refreshing avocado ice cream. One of my favourite elements on this dish was the roasted red capsicum ketchup that went so well with the crab cake.

French Onion Soup 4/5

If you’re a soup person like me, the French Onion Soup ($12) and the Classic Lobster Bisque with X.O. Hennessy ($16) were so hearty. We personally liked the Lobster Bisque more as it had more complex flavours and was so rich and creamy, with real bits of lobster in it. Pair your soup with The RANCH Artisan Bread Basket ($7) that comes with the most fragrant truffle butter.

Signature USDA Prime 30 Days Dry Aged Steak 4.5/5

Now to the mains we’ve all been waiting for - the Signature USDA Prime 30 Days Dry Aged Steak. This 700g of Porterhouse T-Bone ($15/100g, min. order 700g) was enough to feed about 2-4 pax and came with a choice of one sauce - Bearnaise, Perigord Truffle, Red Wine or Twin Peppercorn. Honestly, the steak was already so amazing on it’s own but I do recommend the Perigord Truffle sauce.

Whip out your phones as they will serve your choice of steak table side and cut it right in front of you. The difference between a regular steak and a dry aged steak is that it is more firm and compact, giving you a lot of flavour in every bite. Along with your steaks, feel free to order any of their side dishes for $8 each. I recommend The RANCH Homemade Fries which were so well made I was so addicted to them.

Chocolate Paradise 4/5

End of your meal with a comforting dessert like the Chocolate Paradise ($12). This was a sight to behold as it featured a hazelnut chantilly, feuilletine tuiles and a salted crumble. Paired with a swiss chocolate ice cream, this dessert was like a deconstructed and elevated ferrero rocher.

Creme Brulee 4.5/5

My winning dessert was the Creme Brulee ($12) as it was my first time having a sour creme brulee which was so refreshing. The tanginess from the passionfruit went so well with the heavy creme brulee, I couldn’t have asked for a better combination.

The RANCH Open Burger 4.5/5

The RANCH Steakhouse is also offering a 2 Course Set Lunch at $15 that is not only affordable but so value for money. It comes with a soup of the day and a main course which you can choose from The RANCH Open Burger, Mushroom Linguine and Corn-Fed French Spatchcock. The RANCH Open Burger was one of the best burgers I’ve had and I wasn’t surprised since it was made with premium beef patties and topped with a sous vide egg, crispy bacon and a toasted brioche. It was juicy, so packed with flavour and was enjoyable with every bite.

Photos and words by Vanessa Chia. A girl who has a passion for taking photos. Determined to always get better at what I am doing. Note: This is an invited tasting.


The RANCH Steakhouse by ASTONS
The Foundry, Clarke Quay
3 River Valley Road
Block B, #01-15
Singapore 179021
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Nearest MRT: Clarke Quay (NE Line), Fort Canning (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 3pm, 5pm - 12midnight

Direction: 
1) Alight at Fort Canning MRT Station. Take Exit A. Turn right and down River Valley Road. Turn right onto Tan Tye Place. Walk to the end of the road. Turn left onto Clark Quay. Walk to destination. Journey time bout 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Clarke Quay MRT station. Take Exit C or G. Walk to the river front. Turn left and walk down the river. Cross the bridge. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]