Showing posts with label Panettone. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Panettone. Show all posts

Sunday, December 8, 2024

ANTO Pizza E Aperitivi @ Jiak Chuan Road - A Blend of Artisan Pizzas and World-Class Cocktails

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Nestled among the charming heritage shophouses on Jiak Chuan Road, ANTO Pizza E Aperitivi is a restaurant helmed by renowned bartender/entrepreneur Giancarlo Mancino and Master Pizzaiolo Antonio Brancato. Here, authentic Italian pizzas meet innovative world-class cocktails, creating a unique dining experience.

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Bruschette - The Classic 4.5/5

We began with Bruschette - The Classic ($16), a timeless appetiser that highlights simplicity at its best. Sourdough bread is topped with oven-baked tomatoes, garlic olive oil, and fresh basil. The vibrant sweetness of the tomatoes combined with the earthy notes of olive oil makes this a refreshing and satisfying start to the meal.

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Bruscette - Cetara 4/5

Next was the Bruschette - Cetara ($20), featuring lemon zest butter, Cetara anchovies, and caper flowers. While the buttery richness felt slightly overpowering for some diners (a few were seen scraping off excess butter), the overall balance of zesty, salty, and tangy notes worked well for me.

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Rocco 4.2/5

The Rocco ($24) is a Southern Italian-style pizza baked in a small pan at over 250°C for 10-12 minutes. The result is a puffed dough with a crispy exterior and fluffy interior. Topped simply with mozzarella, thinly sliced potatoes, and fresh rosemary, each bite is a delightful combination of textures and flavours.

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Caponata 4/5

The Caponata ($36) is a vegan pizza topped with tomato sauce, Sicilian-style agrodolce vegetables (zucchini, aubergine, and capsicum), and homemade onion purée. While the combination isn't traditionally associated with pizza, the balance of sweet, tangy, and savoury flavours worked beautifully together.

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Rustica 4.2/5

From the more inventive "Le Antonio" section of the menu, the Rustica ($38) is a standout. Created by Chef Antonio a decade ago, this pizza features tomato sauce, fresh salsiccia (fennel pork sausage), smoked Scamorza cheese, radicchio, and rosemary. The play on textures from the smoky cheese and shredded raw chicory elevate this dish, making it a creative yet comforting option.

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Melanzana 4/5

Another innovative offering is the Melanzana ($38), a pizza topped with oven-baked eggplants, smoked Scamorza cheese, mint, and peperoncino oil. Specifically crafted for Singapore, the aubergine purée adds a creamy depth, while the fresh mint offers a surprising burst of flavour, giving it a refreshing touch.

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Margherita Dolce Fried 3/5

The Margherita Dolce Fried ($22) offers a playful, vegan twist on the classic pizza. It features sweetened house tomato sauce, soy cream in place of mozzarella, and a mint reduction instead of basil. While the dough's texture was enjoyable, the overly sweet sauce was not to my liking, making it less appealing overall.

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Classic Panettone 3.5/5

We ended the meal with the Classic Panettone ($20), served with a velvety vermouth zabaglione made using Mancino Vermouth. The dessert is reminiscent of bread pudding, offering a warm and comforting end to the meal, though it could have used a touch more excitement in flavour to leave a lasting impression.

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ANTO Pizza E Aperitivi masterfully blends tradition and creativity, offering pizzas that range from classic Italian styles to bold, modern creations. While a couple of dishes missed the mark slightly, the overall experience was delightful, particularly when paired with their expertly crafted cocktails. For pizza enthusiasts and those seeking a unique pizza experience, ANTO Pizza E Aperitivi is worth a visit.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


ANTO Pizzeria E Aperitivi
2 Jiak Chuan Road
Singapore 089260
Tel: +65 9689 6869
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Maxwell (TE Line), Outram Park (DT, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 12pm - 330pm, 6pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Maxwell MRT station. Take Exit 3. Walk down Neil Road to Teck Lim Road. Turn right onto Teck Lim Road. Walk down Teck Lim Road and turn left onto Jiak Chuan Road. Walk down Jiak Chuan Road and walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

1) Alight at Outram Park MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk straight towards Kreta Ayer Road. Turn right onto Keong Siak Road. Walk down Keong Siak Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Sunday, November 26, 2023

Shangri-La Singapore - Revel in the Enchanted Wonders of Christmas

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Elevate your festive celebrations this year with Shangri-La Singapore. The hotel's dining destinations offer a wondrous lineup of gastronomical feasts from 1 December 2023 to 1 January 2024, with a bountiful selection of festive artisanal creations available for takeaway and delivery from 23 November to 26 December 2023.

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Black Angus Beef Wellington

Black Angus Beef Wellington ($348 nett, 1.5kg) is a refined version featuring a tender fillet of Black Angus beef enveloped in a layer of spinach and mushroom duxelles, enriched with bites of foie gras, all encased in a golden, flaky pastry. The combination of spinach and mushroom duxelles added an earthy and savoury depth to the flavour, and the buttery sweetness of the pastry complemented the decadent filling.

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Rustico Spice Roasted U.S. Whole Turkey

Rustico Spice Roasted U.S. Whole Turkey ($258 nett, 6kg | $280 nett, 8kg) is seasoned with a blend of Italian Rustico spices. The texture of the turkey was delightfully tender, much more than I had expected.

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Gammon Ham

Truffle Honey and Cinnamon Glazed Bone-in Gammon Ham ($298 nett, 7kg) glistened with a glaze concocted with truffles, honey and cinnamon.

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Salt Baked Seabass Fillet

Salt Baked Seabass Fillet ($168 nett, 2kg) features a seabass fillet encased and baked in a sea salt crust. While the fillet was very tender, it was too saltish for me.

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Leg of Lamb

New on the menu of savoury treats this year is the Slow Roasted Garlic and Rosemary Studded Leg of Lamb ($288 nett, 3.5kg), featuring a succulent leg of lamb. Infused with slow-roasted garlic and rosemary flavours, it is quite a show-stopper this year.

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Santa Sleigh

The lineup of sweet delights this year entices in both looks and flavours. My favourite is the new Santa Sleigh ($75 nett, 1kg) - featuring a chiffon sponge base, yuzu curd, fraises compote, vanilla Chantilly, and abundant strawberries. The tartness of the fraises compote was perfect on the airy chiffon and chantilly cream, and the strawberries atop were at their ideal ripeness. I find the yuzu curd, being cloyingly sweet with a thick consistency, a distraction.

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Rich Mango Indulgence Log Cake

This year's new rendition of the log cake is the Rich Mango Indulgence Log Cake ($88 nett, 1kg). Joyful and sunny in hues of shades of yellow and orange, this log cake oozes tropical flavours coming from a fusion of mango and passion fruit mascarpone and peach lime chutney.

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Triple Truffle Crunchy Log Cake

Triple Truffle Crunchy Log Cake ($88 nett, 1kg), a hot favourite last year, also returns for this season. It boasts a chocolate and nutty flavour - a cocoa sponge filled with hazelnut crunch, Gianduja Crémeux, and truffle praline mousse.

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Mao Shan Wang Durian and Coconut Log Cake

Mao Shan Wang Durian and Coconut Log Cake ($90 nett, 1kg) is a twist on a classic vanilla Victorian sponge cake featuring Mao Shan Wang durian mousse coated with coconut flakes. It had a decadent mouth filling texture, but the sweetness can be a tad overwhelming.

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Banana Rocher Travel Cake

The newly added Banana Rocher Travel Cake ($35 nett, 750gm) is memorable, considering the rarity of an elevated banana cake being offered in such a season. Crafted with brown sugar, ripe bananas and macadamia nuts, the cake had a good density without being overly sweet. The coating of creamy dulce chocolate boosted its texture as well.

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English Fruit Cake with Drunken Fruits

For some traditional must-haves, my absolute favourite is the house-made English Fruit Cake with Drunken Fruits ($40 nett, 400gm), loaded with bitter-sweet dried mixed fruits.

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German Stollen

The German Stollen ($46 nett, 750gm) was slightly too bread-like for me.

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Classic Italian Panettone

A better option is their panettone, which comes in two variations: the Classic Italian Panettone ($55 nett, 750gm) and the new Pandan Panettone ($55 nett, 750gm).

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Pandan Panettone

To order goodies online, visit https://bit.ly/shangrilafestive23, call +65 6213 4511, or email festive.sls@shangri-la.com. Enjoy 15% early bird offer on selected products for purchases made by 3 December 2023.

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.


Shangri-La Hotel Singapore
22 Orange Grove Road
Singapore 258350
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line, TE Line)

Friday, October 27, 2023

Celebrate Yulefest with JW Marriott Singapore South Beach 2023

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This festive season, JW Marriott Singapore South Beach invites you to indulge in a sumptuous array of celebratory delights that promise to make your gatherings with family and friends truly memorable. Be it dining at the hotel or taking home these culinary treasures, there's something for everyone.

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Traditional Roasted Turkey

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Truffle Maple Glazed Gammon Ham

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Classic Beef Wellington

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Unveil the spirit of Yulefest with signature roasts that promise a feast to remember. Traditional favourites like the whole Roasted Turkey marinated to perfection with over six types of herbs, the Honey Glazed Bone-In Ham and the iconic Classic Beef Wellington make a triumphant return.

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Seafood on Ice

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Charcoal Grilled Seafood

If you prefer your delights from the sea, a grand Seafood on Ice awaits, featuring an impressive spread of Boston Lobster, Snow Crab, Tiger Prawn, Crawfish, Black Mussel, Clams, and Japanese Oysters. Seafood lovers can rejoice with an exquisite selection of grilled treasures, including Charcoal Grilled Squid, Charcoal Grilled Tiger Prawns, and Charcoal Grilled Slipper Lobster with Wakame Butter.

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Grilled Catch of the Day

A standout at South Beach Kitchen is the Grilled Catch of the Day, an experience where you can savour a whole grilled fish served right at your table.

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Yuzu Mango Matcha Logcake

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White Coffee Caramel Passionfruit Logcake

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Hazelnut Gianduja Milk Chocolate Tart

For the sweetest of endings, Executive Pastry Chef Edina Si has handcrafted an array of festive delights that will add a glistening touch to your celebrations. Highlights include the vibrant Yuzu Mango Matcha Yule Log, which boasts a luscious centre of Japanese matcha cream, expertly complementing the zesty notes of yuzu and mango. Coffee enthusiasts can delight in the White Coffee Caramel Passionfruit Yule Log, a harmonious blend of homemade white coffee cream, caramel, and refreshing passionfruit accents. Chocolate lovers are in for a treat with the decadent Gianduja Milk Chocolate Hazelnut Tart, a velvety combination of hazelnut crunch and milk chocolate sweetness.

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Homemade Panettone

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Stollen

The festive treats continue with a selection of homemade confections, from the German Marzipan Stollen and Traditional Rich Fruit Cake to the Homemade Panettone. Don't miss the Christmas Sleigh Sharing Box, a delightful assortment of macarons, pralines, choux puffs, and cookies, perfect for sharing with your loved ones.

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Myers Dark Rum Infused Fruitcake

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In summary, JW Marriott Singapore South Beach brings an opulent and delectable array of festive delights that are perfect for celebrating this holiday season with your family and friends. Whether dining in or taking home, their signature roasts and luscious sweets will make your festivities shine.

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Signature Roasts, Confections & Cakes, The Art of Afternoon Tea and Gift Hampers are available from 23 November 2023 to 1 January 2024. Enjoy complimentary islandwide delivery with $288.00 nett minimum spend. A 2-day advance order is required. To order, please visit shopatjw.oddle.me

Note: This is an invited tasting.


JW Marriott Singapore South Beach
30 Beach Road
Singapore 189763


Tuesday, October 24, 2023

Usher in this Joyous Season with Da Paolo Gastronomia’s ‘Everyday Italian’ Festive Highlights 2023

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Usher in this joyous season with Da Paolo Gastronomia's 'Everyday Italian' Festive Highlights available for self pick-up and delivery. They are available for orders online from 1 November to 31 December 2023 or while stocks last (whichever is earlier) for self pick-up from any Da Paolo Gastronomia outlet and delivery from 4 November 2023.

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Stuffed & Deboned Roast Turkey 4.8/5

The Stuffed & Deboned Roast Turkey ($388, approximately 4kg) was excellent. Filled with its own meat and its Christmas Stuffing, which comprises chestnuts, shiitake mushrooms, and veggies, enveloping a classic Italian sausage Cotechino, it breaks the monotony of having roast turkey during the Christmas season. The stuffing itself was seasoned just enough to complement the tender turkey meat, and the flavoursome sausage imparted a depth of savoury and meaty flavour that truly enhanced the experience of enjoying a roast turkey on this special occasion.

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Braised Beef Rib 3/5

The Braised Beef Ribs ($248, approximately 1.3kg) is new to the line-up, suitable for 6 to 8 persons. It's low-cooked in red wine and served with roasted potatoes, onions, carrots, and cherry tomatoes. While the rib was fork-tender, I found it lacking in flavour.

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Brussels Sprouts, Turnip & Cranberry Salad

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Truffle Mac & Cheese

Sumptuous sides are available to pair with the roasts. For a refreshing crunch, the best option would be Brussels Sprouts, Turnip & Cranberry Salad ($69). The cranberries lent pop of sweetness to the roots and vegetables. For something hearty and indulgent, Da Paolo's signature Truffle Mac & Cheese ($110) is good for 4 to 6 persons.

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White Forest Log Cake 4.8/5

For the very first time, I've found a white log cake that isn't cloyingly sweet. Conversely, this White Forest Log Cake ($89, approximately 900g) was light, featuring white chocolate yoghurt chantilly. What makes all the difference is the homemade rum-spiked morello cherry compote in the centre. Sweet and tart, with a depth of smoky and bittersweetness imparted by the rum, perfectly matches the yoghurt chantilly.

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Homemade Stollen 4/5

The new Homemade Stollen ($48, approximately 400g) is crafted with month-long macerated dried fruit and toasted nuts in their very own spice blend and traditional Kirschwasser. The toasted nuts are melded within, giving it a moreish nutty flavour, which helps cut through the richness of the sweet marzipan core.

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Gingerbread Chocolate Tart 3.5/5

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Rocky Road Eggless Brownie 3.5/5

There are new sweet delights as well. The Gingerbread Chocolate Tart ($89, approximately 700g) boasts a buttery gingerbread spiced crust with a gooey homemade caramel layer between almond frangipane and dark chocolate. While the tart is unique with its gingerbread tart shell, it could have been less sweet for a better balance. The new Rocky Road Eggless Brownie ($89, approximately 850g) features a layer of dark chocolate ganache and is topped with walnuts, marshmallows, and Maraschino cherries. I find the chocolate notes a tad overwhelmed by the sweetness.

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Panettone

Exquisite Gift Hamper Panettone - Handmade by Da Paolo's artisan bakers in Italy, the dough is leavened for 36 hours to develop a softer and fluffier crumb with more intense flavours. Panettone Classico ($72 for 750g) and Panettoncino Classico ($14.90, 100g) are filled with raisins and candied citrus peels. In contrast, the Panettone Cioccolato ($75 for 750g) is studded with dark chocolate chips, and the Panettone Prosecco ($75 for 750g) contains Prosecco D.O.C.G. cream.

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All offerings other than the Gingerbread Cookies, Stollen, Tea Tins, and Panettone are exclusively available online at https://gastronomia-foodtoorder.dapaolo.com.sg from 1 November to 31 December 2023 or while stocks last (whichever is earlier) for self pick-up from any Da Paolo Gastronomia outlet, and delivery from 4 November 2023. Orders must be made three days in advance, before 12pm. Enjoy anlol early bird offer of 15% off the Christmas Roast Bundle for orders placed from 1 November till 30 November 2023.