Gordon Grill @ Goodwood Park Hotel - New Winter Indulgence Menu Featuring a 1.5kg Wagyu Beef Tomahawk Steak Flambéed Tableside

There’s something about dining at a classic grill restaurant that feels especially fitting during the cooler months - imagine cosy interiors, rich sauces, indulgent ingredients and the occasional tableside theatrics that make the experience feel a little more special. Gordon Grill’s A Winter Indulgence menu leans fully into this mood, offering a comforting yet refined selection that spans land and sea, with premium produce, generous portions, and a touch of old-school charm throughout the meal.

Complimentary Amuse-Bouche 3.8/5

Complimentary Bread Basket 4/5

We started the meal with a complimentary Kimchi Chicken Tartlet as an amuse-bouche and a Bread Basket served with butter. The tartlet was a pleasant opener with a hint of spice, while the bread selection was satisfying and a simple but welcoming start to ease into the meal.

Tsarskaya Oyster 4/5

Tsarskaya Oyster Thermidor 4.2/5

Oysters play a starring role in the Winter Indulgence menu, featuring live Tsarskaya oysters from France presented two ways. Fresh Oysters (6 pcs $58 / 12 pcs $118) were served simply with mignonette sauce and lemon - clean, briny, and refreshing, allowing the natural sweetness of the oysters to shine through.

For the Baked Oysters options (6 pcs $68 / 12 pcs $133), diners can choose between Kilpatrick or Thermidor style. We tried the Thermidor, and it was excellent! Cheesy and creamy, yet not overpowering, striking a good balance while still letting the oysters remain the star. It’s a more indulgent take and one we would happily order again.

Sautéed Chanterelle Mushroom 3.8/5

From the land, we had the Sautéed Chanterelle Mushroom ($29), served with an onsen egg, shaved truffles and natural jus. Beneath it sat a layer of creamy mashed potato. While the flavours were comforting and earthy, the dish leaned heavily towards soft and creamy textures. We found ourselves wishing for a bit more contrast to elevate it further.

Risotto 4.5/5

The Risotto ($29), on the other hand, was very well executed. Made with morel mushrooms and finished with shaved truffles, it was rich yet balanced, with well-cooked grains that retained their structure. This was easily one of the stronger savoury dishes of the night and a comforting choice for truffle lovers.

Wagyu Beef Tomahawk Steak 4.5/5

One of the highlights of the meal was the Wagyu Beef Tomahawk Steak ($372), which comes with an impressive tableside flambé. Cooked medium as recommended, the steak was tender and flavourful, especially the parts with well-rendered fats. It was served with roasted potatoes, baked tomato, sautéed vegetables and red wine jus. A definite dish to share and savour. The other beef option on the menu is the Black Angus Beef Porterhouse Steak ($348), which also looks equally tempting.

Seared Red Emperor Snapper 4/5

From the sea, we tried the Seared Red Emperor Snapper ($38), served with truffle petit pois, fresh maize and split fish jus. The skin was nicely crisp, the fish was fresh and delicate, with clean, restrained flavours. Simple yet well-executed, allowing the quality of the fish to speak for itself. The menu also offers a Pan-Seared Red Grouper ($38) as an alternative seafood option.

Crêpe Suzette 5/5

Desserts were a definite highlight and deserving of full marks. Gordon Grill’s signature Crêpe Suzette ($26) is a must-have, especially for fans of classic French desserts. Flambéed tableside with Cointreau and brandy and served with vanilla bean ice cream, the soft crêpe, soaked in citrusy syrup, was both nostalgic and indulgent. Not many places in Singapore still do this, and I found myself salivating just thinking about it again while writing this.

Morello Cherry Tart 5/5

The Morello Cherry Tart ($18) also impressed us. It may look simple, but the buttery tart shell was so good it left us wanting more, even with already very full stomachs.

Overall, Gordon Grill’s A Winter Indulgence menu is a comforting, well-curated offering that showcases classic flavours with a touch of tableside drama. While some dishes stood out more than others. The Winter Indulgence menu is available till 31 March and is best enjoyed unhurriedly, with good company and a hearty appetite.

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


Gordon Grill
Goodwood Park Hotel
22 Scotts Road
Singapore 228221
Tel: +65 67301744
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Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 230pm, 7pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 1. Walk down Scotts Road to the destination. Journey time is about 10 minutes. [Map]

Amor @ Amoy Street - New Spanish Restaurant by Chef Wang, Former Founding Team Member of Olivia Restaurant

Opened in February, Amor is a warm and intimate Spanish restaurant inspired by leisurely meals, shared plates, and the unhurried rhythm of life in Barcelona. Set within a charming shophouse at 107 Amoy Street, its menu draws inspiration from sun-drenched markets, lively tapas bars, and coastal villages by the sea.

Co-founded by Head Chef Yu Wang Leung (Chef Wang), a founding team member of Olivia, and Executive Director Azad Sharma, a hospitality veteran with over a decade of global experience, Amor invites diners to linger, share, and fall in love, one plate at a time.

Watermelon

To start, we were served an amuse-bouche of juicy Watermelon Cubes, a refreshing burst of sweetness to awaken the palate.

Escalivada Tarta 4.2/5

The first tapas was the Escalivada Tarta ($16 for two pieces), a Catalan classic reimagined. Smoky, roasted eggplant, capsicum, and onion are layered over a crisp tarta shell and paired with a foie gras terrine, then finished with extra-virgin olive oil, sherry vinegar, and a Parmesan cheese sauce. While I'm not usually a fan of foie gras, its presence here was unexpectedly subtle, adding creaminess to the dish that complemented the crunchy tarta base. A vegetarian version is also available, substituting cheese for the foie gras.

Happy Egggg 4.8/5

Happy Egggg ($18) lives up to its name, an easy-to-love dish that delivers pure comfort. Served in a martini glass, it reveals layers of silky truffle sabayon, a perfectly cooked 65°C onsen egg with a luscious runny yolk, roasted pumpkin coulis, crispy jamon chips, and brown butter sourdough croutons, finished with a fresh chervil and dill salad. Utterly delicious, it's the kind of indulgent comfort food I would happily eat again and again.

Gambas Al Ajillo 4.5/5

We sampled a tasting portion of Gambas al Ajillo ($34); the full serving comprises four prawns. The prawns are actually sashimi grade, and were firm and generously sized, cooked in fragrant garlic oil and paired with a smoked potato foam, finished with a dusting of sweet paprika. Addictive and tasty, we just wished we had some bread to mop up the sauce.

Pulpo De Galicia 4.8/5

The Pulpo de Galicia ($32) was another of the evening's more memorable dishes. The octopus was impeccably cooked, tender yet springy, with crisped edges. Its savoury and lightly smoky flavours were complemented by soft potatoes, sweet corn, and a rich sobrasada sofrito.

Tea Smoked King Salmon with Avruga Caviar 5/5

We were genuinely blown away by the Tea-Smoked King Salmon with Avruga Caviar ($34), both for its execution and the thoughtfulness behind the dish. Norwegian sashimi-grade salmon is used, combining both belly and back portions and shaped to resemble a single fillet. The fish is gently sous vide before being smoked with Chinese tea, then finished generously with Avruga caviar. The result is exceptionally tender salmon, paired with the savoury caviar. It's finished with vichyssoise (a soup made of cooked and puréed leeks, potatoes, onions and cream), parsley emulsion and wasabi. Pure indulgence, I loved eating this!

Foie Gras' A La Brasa' 4/5

My dining companion also tried the Foie Gras' A La Brasa' ($40), a barbecued foie gras served with sweet-and-sour endive and burnt onion soup. Presenting the foie gras in a soup was quite unique, though its texture became a bit too soft.

Paella- Mediterranean Seafood 3.5/5

Naturally, we had to try their Paella ($56), and had the Mediterranean Seafood version, which featured seabass, squid, and shrimp. I found the rice of this paella a bit wet and sticky, lacking the coveted toasted rice bottom layer. While I don't really mind the sticky rice texture, the seabass also imparted a strong fishy taste to the dish, which I didn't enjoy.

Signature Basque Burnt Cheesecake 4/5

Moving on to desserts, we had their Signature Basque Burnt Cheesecake ($16), a creamy confection with a hint of savoury blue cheese complexity. I was initially hesitant, as blue cheese is not my thing. However, it was surprisingly pretty good: the blue cheese flavour was mild, offering more smoky savouriness than an overpowering blue cheese taste. It was still a bit too rich overall, and we couldn't finish the slice between the two of us, but cheese lovers will definitely enjoy this one!

Hazelnut & Molten Lava Cake 4.5/5

The Hazelnut & Molten Lava Cake ($18) was a bigger hit with our taste buds; my dining companion even declared it the best dessert ever! This warm hazelnut and almond praline cake features a molten, flowing centre that's rich, intense, and indulgent, served straight from the oven. It's intriguingly paired with coconut ice cream, and together, it's very yummy.

Overall, this is a solid tapas spot, and their first menu is a strong start with lots of hits and even some exceptionally good dishes. As someone who enjoys veggie-forward dishes, I was pleased to know that many of their offerings can also be made vegetarian, as one of the investors is a vegetarian himself. Visiting in the afternoon also offers a leisurely lunch with great value: set menus at $38++ that include sharing tapas, a main course, and dessert.

Photographed and penned by Shermine. Through her pictures and stories, she shares her journey of savouring new flavours and experiences. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Amor
107 Amoy Street
Singapore 069927
Tel: +65 89165607
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Nearest MRT: Telok Ayer (DT Line), Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 12midnight
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Telok Ayer MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Amoy Street. Turn left onto Amoy Street. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit G. Walk down Telok Ayer Street. Turn left onto Amoy Street. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 8 minutes. [Map]

Gyu San Charcoal Bar @ The Forum Shopping Mall - First-of-its-Kind Grilled Wagyu Japanese Hamburg Over Binchotan Grill

Gyu San Charcoal Bar, a first-of-its-kind concept in Orchard, promises a compelling gastronomic experience centered around grilled wagyu Japanese hamburgs. This unique restaurant is located in The Forum Shopping Mall and features an open-concept island charcoal bar. The wagyu hamburgs are skillfully crafted from ball to patty right before your eyes and then cooked to perfection over binchotan charcoal.

Gyu San Hamburg Set

Green Salad

Baby Corn

Opting for the Gyu San Hamburg Set ($23.80), we were treated to two succulent wagyu patties weighing 90g each. Accompanying the hamburgs were a refreshing Green Salad, free-flow Niigata Japanese Premium Rice, and free-flow Miso Soup. To enhance our dining experience, we also indulged in a variety of sides, such as asparagus, shiitake mushrooms, kabocha, shishito peppers, enoki mushrooms with beef, and baby corn. For those seeking an even heartier feast, additional wagyu patties can be added for $8.50 each.

The rice served at Gyu San Charcoal Bar is exclusively harvested from Uonuma City in Niigata. Known as top-grade Koshihikari rice, it boasts a fluffy texture and natural sweetness that perfectly complements the savoury hamburg steaks. We decided to elevate our meal further by adding an onsen egg, adding a delightful layer of creaminess and helped bind all the flavours together.

When it comes to savouring the hamburg patties, there are two options. The first is to relish the beef's pure, unadulterated flavour by enjoying the patty on its own. Alternatively, the second patty can be savoured with any combination of the eight different accompaniments, allowing for a personalized gastronomic adventure. These accompaniments include traditional yuzu kosho, taberu rayu, sambal, shio lemon, garlic chips, kimchi, garlic confit, and chimichurri.

Chawanmushi

Pickled Cherry Tomato

In addition to the hamburgs, Gyu San Charcoal Bar offers a selection of delectable sides. The Chawanmushi, a savoury steamed egg custard, provides a comforting and velvety indulgence. Meanwhile, the chilled Pickled Cherry Tomatoes offer a delightful burst of sweetness and refreshment, making them an ideal accompaniment for a complete and satisfying meal.

Gyu San Charcoal Bar presents an innovative and unforgettable dining experience for wagyu enthusiasts and food lovers alike. With its mastery of grilling techniques, thoughtfully curated accompaniments, and delightful sides, this establishment truly sets itself apart as a must-visit destination for a remarkable wagyu hamburg adventure.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Gyu San Charcoal Bar
The Forum Shopping Mall
583 Orchard Road
Singapore 238884
Tel: +65 83136633
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Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 3pm, 5pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk towards Wheelock Place via ION. Exit Wheelock Place and turn left towards Liat Tower. Walk down Orchard Road to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

House of Happiness @ Simpang Bedok - The Heart Attack Pork Lard With Bacon, Furikake And Onsen Egg Claypot Rice Is To Die For

House of Happiness located at Simpang Bedok is a modernized claypot rice concept by the folks behind Mr Lor Bak. Realising that the number of claypot rice stalls were dwindling and customers are not willing to wait for more than 30 minutes for the rice to be cooked from scratch, House of Happiness has developed an unique method to shorten the cooking process as well as doing a part in preserving Singapore's heritage through their interpretation of  claypot rice dishes.

Lor Bak with Onsen Egg 4/5

It's inevitable that the signature Lor Bak has to be featured in their claypot rice. This is what made them famous. The Lor Bak with Onsen Egg ($7) is served in an individual claypot which is good for one pax consumption. Having tried their lor bak back at the Ubi outlet, I am glad to say the consistency is still there. For those that have not tried Mr Lor Bak's lor bak before, the braising sauce has a stronger herbal taste with a slight bitterness.

Assorted Mushrooms with Baby Bok Choy 4/5

The thoughtful eatery even offers a vegetarian claypot rice in the Assorted Mushrooms with Baby Bok Choy ($7). The natural sweetness from the oyster and shimeji mushrooms, together with the dark sauce made from red bean, shaoxing wine and garlic pairs excellently together with the cooked rice.

16 Hour Slow Cooked Teriyaki Pork Jowl 4.2/5

A crowd favourite is the 16 Hour Slow Cooked Teriyaki Pork Jowl ($7) which comes with pork cheek slices that have been sous vide for 16 hours, marinated in teriyaki sauce and pan seared. What I enjoyed is the tender pork jowl that comes with a delightful crunchy bite.

Pork Lard with Bacon, Furikake and Onsen Egg 4.5/5

My favourite is the Pork Lard with Bacon, Furikake and Onsen Egg Claypot Rice ($7). The sight of pork lard crowning the claypot rice already made me drool. Every mouthful of this has many beautiful flavours and textures at play which is irresistible not to go back for more.

Onsen Egg with Ikura and Toriko 3.8/5

Influenced by the Japanese cuisine is the Onsen Egg with Ikura and Toriko ($11). Besides the vibrant colour and its popping surprises with each mouthful of rice, I find the seafood flavours of the ikura and toriko kind of distorted the balance in flavours. The hipster diners may like it but this is my less favourite.

12 Hour Braised Pork Trotter 4.2/5

Besides the claypot rice, you may want to order some extra dishes to go along with it. I tried the 12 Hour Braised Pork Trotter ($8) which was both fatty and tender, absorbing the delicious braising sauce. The braising sauce is lighter and sweeter compare to the lor bak.

I like the claypot rice concept by House of Happiness. I think they have injected something new to a heritage dish, giving it a new lease of life to capture the appetite of the new generation as well as giving the old generation something new to try but not forgetting the fundamental of a good pot of rice.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


House of Happiness
Simpang Bedok
294 Bedok Road
Singapore 469450
Tel: +65 62412648
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Nearest MRT: Tanah Merah (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon, Wed-Sun: 12pm - 10pm
(Closed on Tue)

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanah Merah MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop at Tanah Merah MRT station (Stop ID). Take bus number 2, 9 or 48. Alight 2 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Ninja Bowl @ Duxton Road – Japanese Fusion Grain Bowls At CBD

Opened by The Astronauts Group, Ninja Bowl is the third brainchild of former 987FM radio deejay Darren Wee. Perhaps not the newest kid on the block by now, this hip dining joint situated along Duxton Road first opened its doors in April 2016, establishing a solid fan base since then with its hearty one-dish meals - an extensive range of vibrant Japanese-inspired grain bowls and unique all-day fusion brunch items. Geared towards providing healthy, fuss-free meal options to cater to the busy CBD workers seeking a quick bowl of nutrition during their short lunch hours, it is also the perfect spot of weekend brunch indulgences for the unconventional brunch or rice bowl go-getters.

A recent revamp of its menu features a whole new slew of exciting dishes to choose from, and patrons are bound to be spoilt for choice. The different types of bowls come carb-free with its default ingredients, and diners can choose to add on a bed of carbs of their choice, such as the ninja rice (+$2), orzo pasta (+$2), garden greens (+$2) or Quinoa (+$3) at an additional cost for a more filling meal.

Ushi 4.2/5

One of the bestsellers in the menu, the Ushi ($22) is a remake of a popular bowl that made its debut back in Sep 2016. It features slices of tender grass-fed marbled Australian tenderloin steak, glazed with fragrant truffle leek butter, a myraid of vegetables, and runny onsen egg to pack a good variety of textures and flavours to this bowl of goodness. With an add-on of Quinoa for just $3, it is the perfect option for those seeking a high protein meal.

Kabuki 4.2/5

The Kabuki ($16) comes with a whole maple mustard glazed smoked chicken leg confit and generous servings of vegetables, with the quintessential presence of an onsen egg to boot. The highlight of this dish – that huge slab of chicken leg boasts a beautifully crisp brown skin and tender juicy meat within. To round off the meal, I had the Orzo pasta for an additional $2, which is essentially short-cut pasta shaped like rice grains and tossed with honey, multigrain mustard, miso and chilli.

Torinosu 4.5/5

The Torinosu ($18) features a nest of crispy shrimp and vegetable tempura kakiage, accompanied by an onsen egg atop, together with a medley of vegetables and a bed of Ninja rice underneath. Slice into the egg, let that glorious runny yellow flow over, as you break the "nest" and mix all the ingredients together. A tad different from the aforementioned rice bowls, the Torinosu is not overly complicated at all, and all the elements are essential complements that gel together just right. This is one gem of a dish that is definitely worth trying.

Merry Melon 3.8/5

Last but not least, desserts to round off a perfect meal. The Merry Melon ($19) arrives in a huge block of brioche french toast, with a lightly browned toasted exterior and delicately plated with an assortment of accompaniments. It already constitutes as an aesthetic enjoyment on its own. Perhaps the french toast was not coated substantially with enough egg batter, it does not boast a soft pillowy texture, and leans slightly towards the stodgier side. Slathered with thyme shiso infused honey, and with the addition of fresh rock melons, watermelons, and a scoop of rock melon ice cream to boot, it contributes to a luscious sweetness of the dish, while the parma ham chips provide a strong hint of saltiness and smokiness to balance it off. Overall, a pretty decent dessert with a balanced salty.

With a strong focus on Japanese-inspired rice bowls, Ninja Bowl infuses a healthy twist to their menu prolific of creative offerings - also a refreshing change to the usual brunch dishes elseplace. Made al-la-minute to ensure freshness, I liked how the bowls can be lighter or heartier depending on personal preferences too.

Words and photos 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


Ninja Bowl
15 Duxton Road
Singapore 089481
Tel: +65 62228055
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Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 930am - 730pm
Sat-Sun: 9am - 6pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Orchid Hotel. At Orchid Hotel turn right onto Tanjong Pagar Road. Cross the road to the opposite side of Tanjong Pagar Road. Walk along Tanjong Pagar Road to Duxton Hill. Turn left onto Duxton Hill and then turn right on Duxton Road. Journey time about 15 mins. [Map]

Buta Kin @ Beauty World Food Centre - Cheap Japanese Ramen at $6.90 And Below

When I heard that there was a new ramen stall at Beauty World Food Centre, I gathered a few foodie friends to check out to check out the stall. Buta Kin at Beauty World Food Centre offers 5 types of ramen/udon dishes and 4 different Japanese curry dishes on their menu with most items not more than $6. Sounds like a steal isn't it? Let's us find out whether the taste matches up to the price.

Special Tonkotsu Ramen 3/5

The most expensive item on the menu is the Special Tonkotsu Ramen ($6.90). Diner has a choice of either ramen and udon. The bowl of ramen comes with 3 slices of pork belly, black fungus, half boiled egg and seaweed. Why the ingredients are generous, the taste was rather lacklustre. The broth lacked the robustness of good tonkotsu soup based. It felt more like have a bowl of Chinese La Mian instead.

Tonkotsu Black 2.8/5

Same goes to the Tonkotsu Black ($6) which comes with a slice of char siew and black fungus, it is disappointing. This is not Japanese ramen at all. Both the noodles and soup is way of the mark of the standard ramen.

While the presentation and price of the Japanese ramen is very attractive, the taste was a let down. Unless you are satisfy with just a bowl of average la mian disgusted as Japanese ramen at a reasonable low price, I would advise giving this a miss.

Buta Kin
Beauty World Food Centre
144 Upper Bukit Timah
#04-41
Singapore 588177
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Nearest Station: Beauty World (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 9pm

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