Rang Mahal @ Pan Pacific Singapore - Reinvents Indian Cuisine With New Menu That Showcases First-of-its-kind Indian Dishes

The award winning fine dining Indian Restaurant, Rang Mahal at Pan Pacific Singapore has launched a brand new menu, reinventing Indian cuisine with a modern spin on Indian classics. The new menu is put together by their new award-winning Chef Milind Sovani, who has returned to Singapore after leaving his previous role in an award winning Indian restaurant in Singapore to explore the various regions of India for the past five years.

Amuse Bouche 4/5

I really got a glimpse into Rang Mahal's interpretation of modern Indian cuisine from the Amuse Bouche. I never knew Indian cuisine has reached a stage of such refinement. The little red roes are actually chutney caviar while the foam is made from yogurt.

Tomato Saar, Mulethi Herb Foam 4/5

We started with the Tomato Saar, Mulethi Herb Foam ($20). The type of tomato soup I knew is thick and creamy but the version here is light and airy. The tomato soup is poured over a dollop of mulethi (liquorice root) foam which boasts antioxidants as well as medicinal properties that help to cure sort throat, cold, cough etc. 

Bombay Pani Poori 4.5/5

A delightful and fun dish is the Bombay Pani Poori ($25) which consists of crispy semolina puffs served with stuffing (moong bean sprouts, onions, chillies) and spiced water (blend of chutneys, spices and herbs). Diners can have fun stuffing the moong bean sprouts into the poori and then pour the spiced water into it. Have it in one bite to get an explosion of flavours.

Roomali Masala Papad 3.8/5

The Roomali Masala Papad is probably the biggest papad that I have seen, as big as a whole wok. This is the part when you need to get your hands dirty, tearing the gigantic papadum apart which has been topped with lentil crispies, onion, tomato, chilli, sev and special spice blend. While I enjoyed the crispiness of the papad, I felt that the onion flavour comes across a bit too strong.

Tandoori Duet of White & Green Asparagus 3.5/5

A vegetarian dish on the menu is the Tandoori Duet of White & Green Asparagus ($35). The white and green asparagus are lightly grilled in tandoor. This is paired excellently with the red beetroot sauce, yellow mustard sauce and green mint sauce.

Subz Moilee 4.2/5

Another vegetarian dish is the Subz Moilee ($36), a southern India dish that features an assortment of vegetables in a rich, creamy, Kerala-style coconut curry. This goes very well with a plate of white fragrant rice.

Butter Chicken Bao 4/5

I thought the Butter Chicken Bao ($42) is rather innovative. Adopting the dim sum form and using the Chinese bun, this has transformed into another way of appreciation the classic butter chicken. It brought a change as well as the stereotype perspective of Indian cuisine.

Tandoori Fondue - An Ensemble of Kebabs 4.2/5

While the butter chicken bao is influenced by Chinese cuisine, the Tandoori Fondue - An Ensemble of Kebabs ($58) takes a Western approach in a fun way. The chicken kebabs are marinated with holy basil, kasuri fenugreek, cashew cheese and Punjabi chicken tikka and presented in a fondue style for some dipping fun.

Dhuwandaar Lamb Chops 4.2/5

One of my favourite dishes of the night is the Dhuwandaar Lamb Chops ($42). I enjoyed the beautiful aroma of the special spice blend along with caramelised pineapple and ginger garlic marinade that is rubbed onto the Australian lamb rack. This is further accentuated by smoking it with garam masala and applewood for a sweet overtone.

Parsi Kheema Per Eeda, Maska Bao 4.5/5

A very hearty traditional dish from Mumbai is the Parsi Kheema Per Eeda, Maska Bao ($55) that boasts a Parsi twist. It features spiced minced lamb (kheema) with soft eggs and buttered (maska) buns. The best way to enjoy this is to tear the bun apart and stuffed the kheema and eat it like a sandwich.

Gulab Jamun Flambe 3.5/5

The Gulab Jamun Flambe ($25) is served flambe style with Drambuie liquor. The gulab jamuns drenched in rose saffron nectar syrup is usually very sweet but this is toned down and balanced with generous portions of fresh fruits.

Lychee Kulfi 4.5/5

Made of natural ingredients, the Lychee Kulfi ($20), a traditional ice cream is very refreshing with surprises of fresh lychees within.

After dining at Rang Mahal, it definitely opens my eyes how Indian cuisine has evolved and given a modern touch to traditional homecooked, street and gourmet classics dishes.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Rang Mahal
Pan Pacific Singapore
Level 3
7 Raffles Boulevard
Singapore 039595
Tel: +65 63331788
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Nearest MRT: Esplanade (CC Line), Promenade (CC Line, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 230pm, 630pm - 1030pm

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

Beach Road Kitchen @ JW Marriott Singapore South Beach - An Epicurean All Day Dining Restaurant

The new JW Marriott Singapore South Beach along Beach Road is one of the newest hotel in Singapore. It boasts a total of nine dining concepts at the property. I dropped by its all-day dining restaurant - Beach Road Kitchen to check out its scrumptious buffet spread.

Seafood 3.5/5

The first station I checked out its their Seafood Room. They are many seafood on ice such as prawn, crab, mantis shrimp, clam, mussel, oyster and even razor clam, an item I seldom see on buffet line. A highlight in the seafood room is an array of smoked fish. There were green tea salmon, spiced salmon, gravlax salmon, smoked mackerel and smoked martin

Rib Eye 4.2/5

Not to be missed is their Charcoal Grill station that features handsome cuts of meat such as Rib Eye. The beautiful roast is best to paired with some grilled asparagus, broccoli and mushrooms. I also tried the Korean BBQ which is well seasoned and marinated, delivering a smoky sweetness to the tender meat.

Indian Food 4/5

International fare sch as Western and Indian cuisine are also available among the spread. I could not resist trying some of the Indian dishes such as the biryani, curry fish, lamb and curry vegetables. The aroma of the spices will spiced up your diner experience.

For those that want to have a taste of the local food, you can head to the Local Favourites section. You can find many Local Favourites such as the Hainanese chicken rice, char kway teow, nasi goreng kampong and angus hor fun.

Laksa 4/5

Head to the Noodle Bar for a bowl of comforting Laksa cooked a la minute by the staff at the live station.

Soft Serve Ice Cream 4.5/5

Do remember to leave some space for the Dessert station. It features an delightful spread of homemade desserts and pastries., fresh waffles and crepes with compotes and sauces. There are also fruits and nonya kuehs among the sweet selections. You can also have some fun making your own soft serve ice-cream cone.

Cakes & Pastries 4.2/5

Price of Buffet
Breakfast Buffet - $42
Lunch Buffet - $58
Dinner Buffet  - $78
Sunday Brunch Buffet - $108

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Beach Road Kitchen
JW Marriott Singapore South Beach
30 South Beach Road
Singapore 189763
Tel: +65 68181913
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Website
Nearest MRT: Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 6am - 10pm

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

Casuarina Curry @ Macpherson Road - Ondeh Ondeh Prata, A New Way To Appreciate Prata

Casuarina Curry is a household name in Singapore known for its prata, murtabak, roti john, thosai and briyani, offering a variety of South and North Indian cuisine. Recently the business expanded with 2 more branches at Sixth Avenue and Macpherson Road, on top of their flagship outlet at Casuarina.

Teh Tarik 4/5

I specially head down to their Macpherson outlet to try out their new invitation, Ondeh Ondeh Prata. Before that let's have the a cup of the Teh Tarik ($1.20) and their Plaiin Prata ($1.20 each).

Plain Prata 3/5

Unfortunately my Plain Prata was stale, the restaurant did not serve me a freshly made one. It also has a strong taste of margarine. This is definitely not the standard I have done.

Ondeh Ondeh Prata 4.5/5

The highlight and the reason why I am here is the Ondeh Ondeh Prata ($4.90). What exactly is it? It is actually made up of crispy tissue prata, folded into a parcel. In it, there are pandan jelly cubes, a scoop of coconut ice cream, shredded coconut and gula melaka to be drizzled over it before eating.

Initially I was a bit skeptical but after trying it, I enjoyed it a lot. The combination in terms of flavours and textures work harmoniously. It has brought prata appreciation to a new level, stepping away from the tradition. It is not about spreading some chocolate syrup over the prata and maybe adding a few slices of banana. This is an execution that is worthy to call it a real dessert prata dish.


Casuarina Curry
187 Macpherson Road
Singapore 348545
Tel: +65 62859001
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Website
Nearest MRT: Bong Keng (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 10am - 12midnight
Sat-Sun: 8am - 12midnight

Direction:
1) Alight at Boon Keng MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at Boon Keng MRT station (Stop ID 60121). Take bus number 64, 65 and 66. Alight 5 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

Melt Cafe @ Mandarin Oriental Hotel Singapore - Unlimited Servicing Of Sashimi, Sushi And Many Other Japanese Fare

Just right before the onset of the festive season, Melt Cafe at Mandarin Oriental decided to celebrate the last bit of the year with a Japan Food Fair. Diners of Melt Cafe get to enjoy a wider selection of Japanese food specially prepared for a limited period of time from 23 November to 4 December 2016 (dinner only). For a complete experience, there is even sake to complement the promotion. That is rather rare for a buffet setting.

Sashimi 4.5/5

Start off your meal with a plate of fresh Sashimi. If you like hamachi, theirs won't disappoint you with the thick cuts. I like their cute little triangular California roll with tobiko which has a balance of  the vinegary rice and sweet filling.

Ebi Tempura Hand Roll 4.2/5

Upon request, hand rolls are made ala minute to ensure that the seaweed is still crispy when delivered into your mouth. Especially for their Ebi Tempura Hand Roll. The ebi tempura was still warm when I had it. The crust was crispy and the ebi remained firm and succulent.

Pork and Chicken Katsu Curry 4.2/5

What I really want to highlight is the Japanese curry station which offers both Pork and Chicken Katsu Curry. The light and airy batter seems to have successfully locked in all the juice of the meats, resulting in an extremely tender and moist texture. It was such an indulgence to have an entire onsen egg to glaze over the mini curry don with its creamy egg yolk. What I regretted not doing there and then, was to ask for another scoop of the curry - robust with a spike of fiery, this curry don is certainly one of the most memorable so far.

Melt cafe is also popular for their Indian cuisine. Their live nann station, serving fresh garlic and cheese naan are the best companions for the selection of curries and tandoori. Their curries were complexities with multitude of spices and ingredients. Despite finding them relatively creamy, I find it hard to stop after a few spoonful of it.

Green Tea Swiss Roll 4.2/5

Green Tea Yuzu Cake 4/5

During this Japanese Fest, there are a few unique desserts specially crafted for the occasion. There are the standard Green Tea Swiss Roll as well as the Green Tea Yuzu Cake. While the latter has a interesting tangy twist to its matcha flavour, I still prefer the simpler pure green tea swiss roll which exudes its matcha elegance.

Melt Chocolate Cake 4.2/5

Never walk away without a slice of Melt Chocolate Cake- moist and spongy with bitter sweetness. This is one of the ultimate chocolate cakes to have. The other humble looking classic pandan cake may surprise you with its comforting pandan aroma and sweetness.

Homemade Ice Creams 4.2/5

Last but not least, their Homemade Ice Creams. The sweetness of ice creams usually make your throat stick but theirs are almost thirst quenching.  My favourites are their yogurt, strawberry, chocolate etc... Almost all flavours! Just choose all to pair with your Green tea waffles.

Available only for 2 weeks before the advent of the Christmas season, do make a date with Melt cafe soon!

Japanese Food Fair at Melt Cafe
Price points:
- $75 per person (Monday to Thursday) inclusive of free flow of juices additional $20 per person for free flow of house wines, beer and soft drinks.

- $85 per person (Friday and Saturday) with barbecue and inclusive of free flow of juices additional $20 per person for free flow of house wines, beer and soft drinks.

Written 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.


Melt Cafe
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Singapore
5 Raffles Avenue
Singapore 039797
Tel: +65 68853500
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Promenade (CC Line), Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 630am - 930pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Promenade MRT station. Take Exit A. Cross the road. Walk to Marina Square. Follow the signage to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit B or D. Walk to Marina Square. Follow the signage to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Heavens @ Ghim Moh Food Centre - Artisan Appam At $2

One of my favourite hawker stalls at Ghim Moh Food Centre is Heavens or more commonly known as Heaven’s Indian Curry started by Madam Letcimi more than a decade ago. It is popular for its nostalgic and freshly made Appam, Putu Mayam and Thosai.

Appam 4.5/5

Heavens may be well known for its Putu Mayam and Thosai but what brought me back every time to the stall is their freshly made Appam ($2). Appam is a pancake like dish made from the batter of fermented rice flour and fresh milk.

At Heavens, the batter is cooked in rustic cast iron miniwoks that is specially bought from India. The result is a light, tangy pancake with paper thin crispy edges and a fluffy centre. It is best eaten with the orange sugar and coconut.

Two pieces of these artisan plain appam is only $2. This is really cheap and value for money. The stall also offers egg, cheese and butter flavoured appam, and the price remains the same at $2 for 2 pieces. Even the putu ayam is only selling at $2 if you are space for more of the nostalgic Indian dishes.


Heavens
Ghim Moh Food Centre
Blk 20 Ghim Moh Road
#01-26
Singapore 270020
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Nearest MRT: Buona Vista (CC Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 6am - 130pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Buona Vista MRT station. Walk to bus stop along Buona Vista Road (Stop ID 11361). Take bus no. 92. Alight 1 stops later. Journey time about 3 mins. [Map]

2) Alight at Buona Vista MRT station. Cross the underpass towards Ghim Moh Estate Blk 12A. Cut across the open air carpark towards Ghim Moh Road. Cross the road and walk towards Blk 20. Journey time about 8 mins. [Map]

Melt Cafe @ Mandarin Oriental Singapore - Explore The Flavours of India

Melt Cafe at Mandarin Oriental Singapore will be drawing your attention to a special showcase of Indian cuisine by Indian Specialty Chef Santosh Kumar from 16 to 31 May 2016. And not just the food itself, I was welcomed by a beautiful lady dressed in Sari, with Indian music to waltz me in.

Mutton Biryani 4/5

What caught my eyes at the Indian cuisine section was their Mutton Biryani. Like a King indeed, the mutton biryani is cooked with a whole lamb, which has been roasted for hours. Apart from the tender mutton, I love the aromatic spiced basmasti rice, punctuated with sweetness lent from raisins, dried apricot etc. There was also a lot of textures to it, thanks to the crunchy carrots and green peas.

Tandoori Jhinga King Prawns 3.8/5

A few notable items which I particularly like. The Tandoori Jhinga King Prawns marinated with spices and carom seeds is definitely one of them, something different from the usual tandoori fish or chicken. Fresh and succulent, the spices and carom seeds really whetted my appetite.

Lamb Foie Gras 3.8/5

Lamb paired with Foie Gras is not something that I would expect, given that both ingredients inherited a rather strong and acquired flavour. However, perhaps given the right proportion, this petite item turned out to be quite palate pleasing, rather than giving me a flavour assault. The patty was moist, and not gamey. The marriage of these two is almost like that of beef patty and bacon.

Potato Stuffed with Cottage Cheese and Vegetable 3.8/5

One of my favourite snacks of the evening was this unassuming looking Potato Stuffed with Cottage Cheese and Vegetable. The potato was roasted to the right tenderness, and I really like the comforting sweetness of the stuffing.

Vegetable Curries and Flat Bread, Yogurt and Chutney 3.5/5

There is a range of vegetable curries, which you can pair with an assortment of naan flat breads with flavours such as garlic, butter, olive and cheese. To mellow the fiery and creamy curries, you may want to visit their special 'Indian snack bar' for some homemade chutneys and yogurt.

Rasmalai Cottage Cheese Balls in Cream, Dumpling with Light Syrup, Apricot Pudding

To complete the entire Indian dining experience, there are 3 Indian flavoured desserts. They are Rasmalai Cottage Cheese Balls in Cream, Dumpling with Light Syrup, Apricot Pudding. My favourite is the apricot pudding. It was sweet and sour, and aromatic with cardamom.

Sushi and Sashimi 3.5/5

Herbal Prawn 3/5

Other international cuisines are available - Japanese, Asian, cold sections and desserts.

Cheese and Accompaniments 3.8/5

Apart from the Indian cuisine, another highlight for me is their cheese platter and crepes station.

Crepes with Ice Cream 4.5/5

The crepes was soft and fluffy, and was delicious even on its own. No matter how filled you are, their ice creams are a must-try. Their chocolate ice cream was rich, velvety and edged with bitterness, while the strawberry sorbet was tangy and refreshing. Their yogurt ice cream is also not-to-be missed.

 Explore The Flavours of India is available for lunch and dinner at Melt Cafe from 16 to 31 May 2016,

Lunch
Mon-Sat: $62
Sun Brunch:
$98 (inclusive of free flow of juices and soft drinks)
$158 (inclusive of free flow of champagne, wines, beer, juices and soft drinks)

Dinner
Sun-Wed: $78
Thu-Sat: $88 (inclusive of barbecue selections)


Melt Cafe
Mandarin Oriental Singapore
5 Raffles Avenue
Singapore 039797
Tel: +65 68853500
Facebook
Website
Nearest: Promenade (CC Line), Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Breakfast: 630am - 1030am
Lunch: 12pm - 230pm
Brunch: 12pm - 3pm (Sun)
Dinner: 630pm - 930pm

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

2) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit B. Take the Marina Square Link to Marina Square. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes.[Map]