Verandah Rooftop Rotisserie @ Momentus Hotel Alexandra - Verandah Rooftop Rotisserie x Blue Smoke Four Hands Buffet Experience

Verandah Rooftop Rotisserie at Momentus Hotel Alexandra is elevating its buffet dining experience through a unique and limited-time collaboration with Blue Smoke, a local BBQ and smokehouse led by Executive Chef Ivan Yeo. Running from 1 to 31 July 2024, the weekend buffet dinner will feature an exquisite spread that highlights the best of both Momentus Hotel Alexandra’s Executive Chef Jeffrey Tan and the award-winning Executive Chef Ivan Yeo from Blue Smoke.

Smoked Garam Masala Beef Tomahawk

Among the many highlights of this buffet, the Smoked Garam Masala Beef Tomahawk was a rare treat. This dish features beef tomahawk marinated with garam masala, smoked for approximately an hour, and then grilled to a medium-rare finish.

Grilled Tamarind Barramundi

My personal favourite was the Grilled Tamarind Barramundi. Zested up with a thick tamarind paste, the fish was incredibly moist and tender. The smoky nuances combined with the tangy paste add a depth of flavor to the natural sweetness of the fish.

Charred Napa Cabbage

The Charred Napa Cabbage with Smoked Garlic Aioli, while flavorful, could benefit from more thorough cooking in the middle to ensure a consistent texture.

Grilled Australian Lamb Shoulder

Kombu Butter Tiger Prawns

The Grilled Australian Lamb Shoulder, seasoned impeccably with herbs and spices, had a pleasing flavor, though its texture leaned towards being slightly dry. Similarly, the Kombu Butter Tiger Prawns were flavorful but a bit dry.

Pork Belly Bulgogi

Balinese Chicken Wings

Pork Belly Bulgogi was another tantalizing dish, with a smoky-sweet caramelization on the surface that provided a satisfying bite. The Balinese Chicken Wings were also a crowd pleaser, thanks to their well-balanced seasoning and tender meat.

Green Lip Mussels

Smoked Wagyu Beef Brisket

In addition to the extensive buffet spread, there is a special tasting menu featuring five curated dishes, two of which are from Blue Smoke. The Green Lip Mussels stewed in Thai green curry and smoked lychee were particularly noteworthy, with a superb punchy green curry. The 20-hour Smoked Wagyu Beef Brisket, served in crispy pie tee cups, offered an unctuous mouthfeel with the contrast of crispy bites, making it a delightful indulgence.

Four Hands Buffet Experience: Verandah Rooftop Rotisserie x Blue Smoke
1 – 31 July 2024. Weekend Buffet Dinner Fri & Sat: 6:00pm – 10:00pm $98++ per adult, $42++ per child (6 – 11 years old).

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.


Verandah Rooftop Rotisserie
Momentus Hotel Alexandra
Level 7
323 Alexandra Road
Singapore 159972
Tel: +65 6828 8880
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Nearest MRT: Queenstown (EW Line), Redhill (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Breakfast Buffet (Daily): 6:30am - 10:30am
A La Carte Lunch and Dinner (Daily): 12noon - 10:00pm
Semi-buffet Lunch (Daily): 12noon – 2:30pm
Weekday Semi-buffet Dinner (Sun to Thu): 6:00pm – 10:00pm
Weekend Buffet Dinner (Fri & Sat): 6:00pm – 10:00pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Queenstown MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at Queenstown MRT station (Stop ID 11149). Take bus number 195. Alight 2 stops later. Walk towards Ikea, At Ikea, continuing walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Redhill MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop opposite Redhill MRT station (Stop ID 10201). Take bus number 33 or 120. Alight 4 stops later. Walk towards Ikea, At Ikea, continuing walk to destination. . Journey time 10 minutes. [Map]

SIRI House @ Dempsey Hill @ Bubbles & BBQ Experience amidst The Lush Greenery of Dempsey Hill

Nestled amidst the lush greenery of Dempsey Hill, Siri House presents an enchanting open-air dining escapade known as Bubbles & BBQ. Tailored for groups of 12 or more, this opulent garden soiree showcases a live BBQ station brimming with contemporary Asian BBQ delicacies. To elevate the experience, guests have the option to bedeck their tables with exquisite tropical adornments courtesy of Estilo & Co. These include hanging, table, and buffet floral centrepieces that infuse a touch of nature's elegance. And for a bit of effervescence, a champagne bar cart awaits, where patrons can concoct their own bubbly elixirs using fresh fruit, citrus, herbs, and liqueurs.

Siri House’s Bubbles & BBQ Private Dining Experience unfolds in three captivating packages:

1. Standard Package: Priced at $128++ or $148++ per person, this package entitles you to savour the live BBQ station's offerings, relish the buffet spread, and dine amidst a basic table setup.

2. Tropical Chic Package: For $208++ or $228++ per person, this package embraces the live BBQ station, the sumptuous buffet, and the enchantment of a stunning tropical table setup bedecked with captivating floral centrepieces by Estilo & Co.

3. Champagne Trolley Add-on: Available for $108++ per person, this add-on enriches your experience with 2 hours of free-flowing Champagne accompanied by delightful accompaniments.

Apple Coleslaw 4.5/5

Diving into the delectable spread, We commenced with the Apple Coleslaw, a delightful blend of red and white cabbage, mesclun, green apple, raisins, cashews, and house-pickled carrots. The addition of house-pickled carrots provides a tantalizing textural contrast.

Arugula Beet Salad 4/5

Another vibrant salad, the Arugula Beet Salad, combines arugula, pickled beetroot, pomelo, feta, and pistachios, elevated by a zesty dressing comprising yuzu kosho, yuzu juice, lime juice, and olive oil.

Nori Potatoes 4.8/5

The Nori Potatoes are a delightful treat, featuring cut potatoes blanched and deep-fried, then elevated with a dash of nori seaweed butter. The result? Fluffy and utterly addictive potato bites.

Nuoc Cham Street Corn 4/5

Grilled yellow Corn is impeccably dressed in Siri House's rendition of Nuoc Cham, featuring minced grilled spring onions, shallots, ginger, garlic, coriander, fish sauce, and lime juice, all perfectly punctuated with a drizzle of hot oil. This dish delivers sweet corn with a delightful hint of spiciness.

Mushroom Risotto 4.5/5

Japanese rice takes on a whole new dimension in the Mushroom Risotto, infused with a blend of burnt onion dashi and burnt mushroom puree. The dish is beautifully seasoned with the essence of burnt nori, creating a comforting and flavorful rice experience.

Green Curry Baked Mussels 4.2/5

The Mussels are bathed in a flavorful paste crafted from green chilli, coriander, lemongrass, holy basil, coconut milk, and coconut cream, with a rich finish of garlic butter. It's a Thai-inspired delight that marries beautifully with the plump mussels.

Sambal Grilled Barramundi 5/5

The Barramundi takes centre stage, adorned with a fiery sambal paste crafted from red chilli, shallots, garlic, lemongrass, galangal, and dried shrimp. Slow-cooked and nestled in banana leaves before grilling, it's a triumph of flavours. The sambal sauce deserves special mention—it's so good that it could easily outshine our local sambal stingray.

Duroc Pork Collar 4.2/5

The succulent Pork Collar is marinated in a tantalising blend of hoisin, fish sauce, ginger, garlic, shallots, coriander, chilli, cardamom, and brown sugar, then sous-vide cooked and expertly grilled. The result is a hint of smokiness with the perfect ratio of lean and fats.

Petite Tender 4.2/5

The Petite Tender Steak takes a journey through sous-vide cooking in olive oil, garlic, shallots, thyme, and tarragon before grilling. The finishing touch comes in the form of a housemade kombu aioli, where garlic aioli is artfully blended with charred onion puree, kombu, and lemon juice. This pairing elevates the tender beef to a mouthwatering

Tarts 4/5

To conclude your culinary voyage, indulge in two delightful Tarts. The first is crowned with chocolate ganache and adorned with seasonal fruits, while the second is generously filled with housemade passionfruit curd, leaving a sweet and tangy impression.

The enchanting experience is open for bookings for groups of 12 or more, from Tuesdays to Sundays, between 11:30 am and 8:00 pm. To make a reservation, you can email reservations.sg@sirihouse.com or book online via www.sirihouse.com/private-dining. A minimum of 7 days' advance notice is required to confirm date availability, and menu pre-orders are necessary 5 days ahead.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Siri House
Dempsey Hill
8D Dempsey Road
#01-02
Singapore 249672
Tel: +65 96670533
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Nearest MRT: Napier (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sat: 1130am - 230pm, 6pm - 1030pm
Sun: 1130am - 4pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Napier MRT station. Take Exit 2. Walk to bus stop opposite Singapore Botanic Gardens (Stop ID 13011). Take bus number 7, 75, 77, 105, 106, 123 or 174. Alight 2 stops later. Walk up to Dempsey Hill. Walk right to the back of the cluster. Walk to destination. Journey time 12 minutes. [Map]

Humpback @ Bukit Pasoh - A Refreshed Space With A New Menu

After two months of renovation, Humpback, the modern seafood restaurant and wine bar at Bukit Pasoh, has reopened with a refreshed space and a new menu. In line with the restaurant's commitment to transparency in its food sourcing chain, the menu is ingredient-focused, with the country of origin informed. Dishes are executed using European culinary techniques with Japanese influences, showcasing the best seafood of the season.

Humpback's signature oyster bar has remained the star of the restaurant ever since its opening in 2015. You can find a seasonal roster of oysters from the Pacific Northwest that is shucked upon order. It showcases seasonal oysters sourced from the Pacific Northwest - Hama Hama Oyster Company, a sixth-generation family-run oyster farm in Washington State in the US. We tried all three varieties, each with its distinctiveness - clean and crisp Hama Hama, briny and sweet Summerstone, as well as an earthy sweet Blue Pool. All oysters ($8/pc, minimum six per order) are served on the half shell on ice with Humpback's house sweet-tangy mignonette, lemon and seasonal citrus.

Hamachi Pastrami 4/5

The menu is organised into Snacks and Bites, Small Plates, Large Plates and Desserts. From Snacks and Bites, we had Chef Alynna Tan's elegant portrayal of fish charcuterie - House-cured Hamachi Pastrami ($18) that is smoked with apple wood, served with thinly sliced pickled Japanese cucumber and sourdough baguette crisps. They were savoury with pastrami spices laced with a hint of smoky aroma. Each slice had a delectable meaty texture, further enriched with dots of smoked sour cream.

Buckwheat Bread with Yuzu Butter 3.5/5

While they were great with the crunchy baguette crisps, I took the liberty to have it together with the Buckwheat Bread with Yuzu Butter ($13), and the combination of the toasty bread with the luscious pastrami was equally delicious. The accompanying citrusy yuzu butter is salted with smoked salt, which works well with the deep nuttiness of the bread.

Mussel Toast 4.8/5

My favourite snack would be this Mussel Toast with Spicy Nduja ($16, two pieces). I love its mouth-filling texture accompanied by a hefty punch of flavours, which will whet your appetite too. The buttery toasted brioche fingers were airy with a crusty exterior, slathered with rich, sweet-spicy nduja that allowed it to bind with the plump Australian mussels atop. Bringing the toast close to my nose teased my senses, an elusive layer of smokey notes imparted from the mussels that had been tossed in a smoked oil.

White Asparagus with Blue Crab and White Miso 4/5

Red Prawn Tartare 4.5/5

From Small Plates, we had two cold dishes that celebrate the fresh flavours of Spring. Humpback's rendition of a cold crab salad, White Asparagus with Blue Crab and White Miso ($25), features chunks of lump blue crab from Indonesia alongside shaved white asparagus, dressed lightly with a contrasting miso-mustard dressing, followed by fresh horseradish and olive oil. While the execution brought out both ingredients' delicate and subtle flavours, it didn't excite me as much when placed amongst others on the menu. On the other hand, Red Prawn Tartare with Tosazu jelly and Pomelo ($26) stood out with Argentinian scampi that was succulent and sweet with a meaty bite. Marinated in dashi and rice wine vinegar, their sweetness came through even more.

Purple Clams with Toasted Koji and Green Asparagus 4.8/5

Among the hot selections, Purple Clams with Toasted Koji and Green Asparagus ($31) is a winner. Inspired by local milky fish soup, sweet purple clams from Hama Hama Oyster Company are simmered in sake, mirin and toasted koji cream, enlivened with Dill oil and chilli oil. The broth was milky sweet, aromatic with a whiff, liven up the dish, while asparagus chunks lend texture.

Ricotta Cavatelli 4.5/5

Ricotta Cavatelli with Swordfish Bacon and Chitose Corn ($28) is Humpback's sole pasta offering, and it is a solid one. Handmade cavatelli is tossed in corn stock with oyster mushrooms and Chitose corn from Malaysia. And what brought out the sweetness of the corn, besides the sharp cheese, were the chunks of swordfish belly bacon cured in juniper, thyme, star anise and bay leaf. These smoky fish bacon not only impart that mouthwatering savoury flavour to the pasta akin to typical bacon, but they also add little nuggets of creaminess into the dish.

Marble Goby 4.5/5

Of the Large Plates, what's highly recommend is the Marble Goby ($52). Wild-caught marble goby from Tembilahan River in Sumatra, Indonesia, is filleted and pan-seared with thyme and brown butter, served with a reduction of mussel jus and butter, as well as a dollop of sweet-tangy black garlic and shallot puree. I love the idea of blending black garlic into black garlic and shallot puree, as that mellows the intensity of it, allowing it to complement the fish without overpowering the dish. The accompanying juicy Australian mussels cooked in sake gave the dish an additional bite and flavour.

Toasted Castella Cake 4.5/5

Our dessert was a very comforting Toasted Castella Cake with Crème Fraîche Ice Cream and Soy Caramel ($14), conceived by Chef Alynna out of her food memory of a toasted angel food cake dessert in San Francisco. It's a very well-considered plate of dessert with balanced flavours. Evident in the chosen ingredients - you have the warm and indulging sweetness from the light and airy toasted Japanese-style castella cake, contrasted with a scoop of cold, mildly acidic crème fraîche ice cream, finished with a drizzle of umami soy caramel and a layer of saltish snow salt flakes that counterbalanced the overall sweetness of the dish.

Promotions/Special Nights - Oyster Happy Hour: Enjoy oysters at half price all day every Monday at Humpback Oysters at $4++ per piece (minimum 6 pieces per order) on Mondays and public holidays From opening to 6.30pm on other days of the week

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.


Humpback
20 Bukit Pasoh Road
Singapore 089834
Tel: +65 97729896
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Nearest MRT: Outram Park (EW, NE, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon - Fri: 5pm - 11pm
Sat: 12pm - 11pm
Sun: 12pm - 9pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Outram Park MRT station. Take Exit 4. Turn right and walk down Teo Hong Road. Continue left onto Bukit Pasoh  Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Armoury Craft Beer & Steak @ South Beach Quarter - Craft Beer Bar That Offers Spanish Tapas and Wagyu Steaks

Armoury at South Beach Quarter started in 2016 as a craft beer speciality bistro. Collaborating with local and international breweries, it introduces a wide range of craft beers, including its very own Armoury Lager and Armoury IPA. The food menu was basic back then, but it has now evolved to include Spanish-style offerings such as tapas, paella and even wagyu ribeye for the gourmands.

Its Armoury IPA is suitable for an easy start, as well as the Watermelon Martini.

Madrid Broken Egg 4/5

Our evening started strong with very enjoyable dishes from the Tapas menu. Madrid Broken Egg ($16) is a dish that will cure your hangover and set you up for more alcohol! I love the broken pieces of gooey egg yolks tossed alongside roasted potato chunks and chorizo sausages. It is on the saltier side but deeply satisfying nonetheless.

Spicy Mussel Bowl 4.5/5

The Spicy Mussel Bowl ($20) will whet your appetite with its garlic white wine broth. Aromatic with a depth of flavour lent from the white wine, it comes with a fiery kick but is gentle on the taste buds.

Gambas al Ajillo 4.5/5

Gambas al Ajillo ($20) was simple, with all three ingredients done well - prawns, olive oil and garlic. The perfectly browned chopped garlic was indeed the flavour bomb, which explained the side toasts to mop up the garlic-infused olive oil.

Mediterranean Seafood Paella 4/5

Mediterranean Seafood Paella ($39) is wholesome for mains with prawns, squids and scallops. The rice had a delicious bite, and the various seafood added to that enjoyable texture.

Armoury Wagyu + Pork Ribs Set 4/5

When you have a curation of craft beers to choose from, perhaps one way to amp up the experience is to have something luscious and sinfully indulgent. Other than its Spanish-style tapas and mains, what's worth highlighting is its wagyu steaks which are not so commonly available in such places. We had the Wagyu Ribeye and Pork Ribs Set ($95) served with Mentaiko Fries.

Molten Lava Cake 4/5

If you do need a dessert, the Molten Lava Cake($14) is good for sharing.

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.


Armoury Craft Beer & Steak
South Beach Quarter
36 Beach Road
#01-01
Singapore 189766
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Nearest MRT: Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sat: 1130am - 1030pm
Sun: 1130am - 10pm

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

Yu Zhong Bu Tong (鱼众不同) @ Wisma Atria Food Republic - Fresh Daily Live Harvest From Coastal Fish Farm to Food Court Concept

Yu Zhong Bu Tong (鱼众不同) brings the freshest daily live harvest from local Singapore-based coastal fish farm directly to the public at Wisma Atria, Food Republic at a value for money price. To ensure uncompromised freshness, live fresh marine fish from its farm, located less than an hour’s drive away, is delivered daily to the kitchen. Fish at Yu Zhong Bu Tong is hence always fresh.

Collagen Fish Soup 3.5/5

The Collagen Fish Soup ($9.80) comes with tofu, enoki mushroom, romaine lettuce and a bowl of rice. I like the idea that for under $10, I get to settle a meal in Orchard Road. Though it is labelled as collagen fish soup, you don't get that rich gelatin mouth fill.

Spicy Poached Fish Soup 3.5/5

The Spicy Poached Fish Soup ($9.80) comes with two choices of sides and a bowl of rice. Side choices include enoki mushroom, big beansprouts, black fungus, tofu skin, lettuce, tomatoes, tapioca noodles and more. More add-ons are also available at a top-up for those with bigger appetites. I felt the mala is not fiery enough, though.

Sauerkraut Fish Soup 3.5/5

Like the spicy poached fish soup, the Sauerkraut Fish Soup ($9.80) comes with 2 choices of sides and and a bowl of rice. The 6-month-old naturally fermented pickled mustard sauerkraut lends an appetising acidity. However, it lacks the bold and punchy kick from the peppercorn.

Tomato Fish Soup 4/5

The surprise among the four styles of fish soup has to be the Tomato Fish Soup ($9.80), and it's one of my favourites out of the four I tried. The sweet broth is made from fresh tomatoes, sweetened with generous servings of live fresh fish slices.

Zesty Winter Melon 3/5

There are a number of sides to complement the various fish soup flavours, such as the Zesty Winter Melon ($3.80). The zesty came from the orange flavoured sauce drenched over the winter melon.

Fried Fresh Fish Bites with Mustard Dip 4/5

The Fried Fresh Fish Bites with Mustard Dip ($7.80) is crispy on the exterior and moist inside. It is a delectable bite fragrant by the sprinkles of sesame seeds.

Fresh Green Mussels with Spicy Sauce 4/5

Last but not least, I had the plump and juicy Fresh Green Mussels with Spicy Sauce ($7.80) that is harvested and delivered live daily to the stall. The live mussels are simply poached and served alongside Chef's special spicy sauce. I prefer to enjoy the briny and sweet mussel on its own, to enjoy its natural flavour.

I applaud the farm to table concept of bringing freshly harvested seafood at an affordable price to the masses in a food court setting. The concept will work, but I feel Yu Zhong Bu Tong still needs to improve its cooking. While the concept is good, you still need to win over the customer's love for the food for it to work.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Yu Zhong Bu Tong (鱼众不同)
Wisma Atrium
Food Republic
435 Orchard Road
#04-21
Singapore 238877
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Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 1115am - till sold out

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 3. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]