Bedrock Origin @ Oasia Resort Sentosa - The Great Beef & Reef Series Returns For the 3rd Edition With New Zealand Culinary Voyage

Bedrock Origin's The Great Beef & Reef Series has recently launched its 3rd edition for 2023 - New Zealand Culinary Voyage. From 2 August to 2 November 2023 (Sundays to Thursdays), this edition presents a 6-Course Dinner Tasting Menu (from $168++ per person) - with an option to include a curated 4-wine pairing (add $68++) with a selection from Cloudy Bay.

Cold Serve NZ Oysters 4.5/5

Our evening started with fresh Cold Serve NZ Oysters served in 2 variations - one waking up the senses with chilli-lime granita and lime caviar, the other that whets the appetite with ikura. To complement the brininess of the oysters, this course is paired with the Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc for its bright acidity.

Confit Ora King Salmon 4.5/5

The next course, Confit Ora King Salmon served with wasabi cream, showcasing the New Zealand King Salmon from Ora King, which is prized for its buttery texture and slightly sweet flavour. After curing for up to two days, the salmon is confit with fragrant aromatics. What is also notable is the thin sheet of nori that was placed delicately atop the fish, mimicking the appearance of the salmon skin! The wasabi cream not only brought the elements together, but it also enriched the fish's already luscious texture of the fish and imparted a hint of the sharp herbaceousness that cut the richness of the dish. There is an option to add on Oscietra caviar for an additional $45++. Balancing the complexity of this dish is the Cloudy Bay Te Koko, which possesses citrus and savoury notes of soft woodsmoke on the nose and mellow oak notes on the palate.

Braised Paua Abalone 4.8/5

Third course, which is my favourite dish on the menu, is the Braised Paua Abalone featuring New Zealand Black Wild Paua Abalone. It is braised in kombu and sake to enhance its tender texture and bring out its sweetness. What made this dish exceptional was the accompanying applewood-smoked cauliflower and leek cream that added a dimension to the dish, completing the experience with its contrasting creamy texture and tantalising umami flavour. The wine pairing for this dish is Cloudy Bay Chardonnay, which entices with white peach and ripe citrus notes.

Pan-seared South Island Lamb Rump 3/5

The fourth course features a pan-seared South Island Lamb Rump, carefully selected from Lumina Farms. Raised in a natural, free-range environment on specially cultivated chicory herb pastures, the lambs are known for their superb marbling and unique flavour. The lamb is sous vide for three hours before being pan-seared and finished on the applewood fire grill. It was incredibly tender with very pronounced marbling, delivering a much stronger and wilder flavour. The accompanying beluga lentils with green olives were delicious. Simmered in sundried tomato sauce, every spoonful packed a punch. The chosen wine for pairing is the aromatic Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir.

Beef-Fat Aged NZ Wagyu Striploin 3.8/5

The final course is the Beef-Fat Aged NZ Wagyu Striploin, featuring the 100% grass-fed F1/F2 Wagyu from Hastings, New Zealand. Dry-aged for 21 days, the 150g striploin is steeped in beef fat before grilling over applewood to concentrate the flavour and create a crust. While the aged beef delivered the expected flavours, the experience was slightly let down by the challenge of slicing the steak due to its notably thick cut. The hearty house-made eggplant parmigiana served alongside was a standout in its own rights with its cheesy top crust and layers of well-seasoned tender eggplants. To match the rich flavours of the dish, an intense Cloudy Bay Te Wahi is chosen for its dense tannins and vibrant freshness.

Pavlova 4/5

Completing the New Zealand Culinary Voyage is Pavlova, a national dessert often enjoyed on special occasions. Vibrant with tangy lemon custard, tart raspberry compote, and fresh berries, the well-executed meringue was the perfect vehicle to harmonise the beautiful flavours.

3 August to 2 November 2023:
6-Course Dinner Tasting Menu, $168++ per person
6-Course Dinner Tasting Menu with Oscietra Caviar, add $45++ per person
Wine Pairing Top-Up, $68++ per person
Available Sunday to Thursday for dine-in reservations made from 6pm to 8.30pm (last seating)
*A one-day advance reservation is required.

Words and photos 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.


Bedrock Origin
Oasia Resort Sentosa Hotel
#01-02
23 Beach View
Palawan Ridge
Singapore 098679
Tel:+65 6818 3333
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Harbourfront (CC, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 7am - 11am, 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Harbour Front MRT station. Exit station to Vivocity Shopping Mall. Go to Sentosa Express Station at Level 3 of Vivocity. Take Sentosa Express Train to Imbiah station. Alight at Imbiah station and walk to destination. Journey time about 15 mins. [Map]

Salt & Palm @ Joo Chiat - Neighbourhood Resto-Bar Serving Modern Flavours Of East Indies

Having won over Sydney, Australia, Salt & Palm has now opened in the colourful neighbourhood of Joo Chiat, bringing its fun new take on the flavours of the East Indies to our shore. Helmed by Executive Chef Natasya Soetantyo, she seeks to change the perception and introduce the diversity of Indonesian cuisine as a whole archipelago through contemporary cooking techniques using traditional spices, recreating the complex flavours and dishes in a modern way.

Fresh Oyster 4/5

We kickstarted our meals with a couple of starters, beginning with the Fresh Oyster ($28 for 3 pc). The freshly shucked Amelie oysters from Marennes-Oleron, France, can be paired with either a choice of lime wedges or tomato tamarind and basil kemangi pandan oil.

Hokkaido Scallop 4/5

Next is the Hokkaido Scallop ($22), lightly torched and paired with tempe chips, fried garlic, chilli peanut lime, sweet soy and lemon basil herbs. The combination gives a glimpse of Chef Natasya's philosophy of incorporating her Indonesian heritage into her cooking.

Fish Cake 4/5

The Balinese-style Fish Cake ($12 for 2pc), made from minced fish and a blend of traditional spices, is topped with chilli lemongrass shallot salsa which enlivens the flavour. The accompanying chicken skin tuille provides that extra textural enjoyment.

Potato Cake 3.5/5

There are also several Vegan dishes on the menu, such as the Potato Cake ($12 for 2pc). The potato cake is topped with vegan mayo and vegan caviar to finish. The combination and flavour are straightforward, which didn't come with any significant surprises.

Prawn Bisque Pasta 4/5

Moving to the mains, we had the Prawn Bisque Pasta ($32), inspired by Palembang Mie Celor, a seafood noodle in coconut broth. The interpretation, which comes with king prawns, south sumatran prawn bisque, onsen egg, beansprouts, tobiko and chives, is bursting with the sweetness of the sea.

Beef Short Ribs 3.8/5

Australian grain-fed beef is used for the Beef Short Ribs ($52). I wish the texture could be more tender, but the rendang sauce is fragranced with kaffir lime leaf, cinnamon, chilli, and candlenut. The flavour is more savoury than sweet, leaning more towards the Indonesian style instead of the sweeter Malaysian style.

Porchetta 4.5/5

The Porchetta ($32) at Salt & Palm is its version of Balinese Babi Guling. The pork belly is marinated in a unique Balinese spice blend but cooked in Italian style. The result is succulent with crispy crackling, paired with chilli lemongrass salsa for a lifted enjoyment. This is one of my favourite dishes for the night.

Mushroom Rendang 4.5/5

Another beautiful dish on the menu is the Mushroom Rendang ($30). The medley of mushrooms and baby potatoes is simmered in a housemade rendang sauce over long hours and topped with toasted coconut flakes for texture contrast.

Pandan Coconut Creme Brulee 2.8/5

We wrapped up our dinner with the Pandan Coconut Creme Brulee ($15) and Pavlova ($18) for dessert. The Pandan Coconut Creme Brulee is egg and dairy free, topped with jackfruit and berries. There was even young coconut filling in the custard. However, I wouldn't say I liked the texture of the creme brulee. It lacked that smooth, creamy texture without the use of egg and dairy.

Pavlova 4.2/5

Compared to the creme brulee, I preferred the Pavlova ($18) for its brighter flavours. The plant-based meringue with plant-based mango and passionfruit cream is further embellished with fresh mango, blueberry, grilled peach and coconut flakes.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Salt & Palm
467 Joo Chiat Road
Singapore 427678
Tel: +65 89399617
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Dakota (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon, Wed-Thu: 5pm - 11pm
Fri-Sun: 9am - 3pm, 5pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Dakota MRT station. Take exit A. Walk to bus stop at Blk 99 Old Airport Road (Stop ID 81181). Take bus number 16. Alight 4 stops later. Walk down Joo Chiat Road to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

Fat Prince @ Peck Seah Street - A Fresh, New Season At Fat Prince

Fat Prince, which has been around for five years, welcomes the new Chef de Cuisine, Simon Bell, giving the menu a refreshed take of Modern Middle Eastern cuisine. Chef Simon marries his contemporary Australian background with Middle Eastern cuisine, breathing new life and flavour to the venue.

Chilled Oysters 4/5

Served in a pair is the Chilled Oysters ($16++). The Hyogo Oysters are topped with saffron-infused charred orange juice, coriander cress, and charred orange segments. The pairing is Chef Simon's memories of his childhood flavours of sweet orange, salty sea air and grassy meadows.

Cannellini Bean Hummus 4.2/5

Turkish Pide 4.5/5

Instead of the usual chickpea hummus, Chef Simon uses the Cannellini Bean Hummus ($14++), which has a creamier texture. It is then topped with muhammara, lime zest and pita croutons, brightening the flavours. Turkey pide is served on the side to scoop up the delicious hummus.

Pit Smoked Aubergine 4/5

Next, we have the Pit Smoked Aubergine ($19++). I could smell the smokiness even from a distance when served. The smoky, smooth aubergine sat on a bed of yoghurt tahini and finished with fresh harissa in the ingredients' natural form rather than the traditional paste. The pairing helps to lift and lighten the experience.

Warm Mud Crab 4.8/5

The Warm Mud Crab ($29++) is served in a crab shell with Turkish pide. The hand-picked crab meat is lightly seasoned with shallots, chives, parsley, olive oil, lemon juice, and salt, enhancing the sweetness of the crab. There is a layer of hazelnut tarator at the base of the crab shell too. Give it a good mix and have it together with the Turkish pide.

Adana Kebab Tartare 2.0 4.2/5

The Adana Kebab Tartare 2.0 ($19++) is a beautiful iteration to capture the flavour of adana kebab in tartare form. The wagyu is tossed with herbs, lemon juice, Turkish peppers and shallots for freshness and heat. At the same time, the charcoal oil lends the smokiness. Diners can enjoy the wagyu tartare together with the buttermilk and rye crackers.

Pit Smoked Pork Ribeye 4.2/5

I decided to have the Pit Smoked Pork Ribeye ($31++ per 100g) as the mains. The smoky and tender pork ribeye has the right ratio of fats and lean meat. It is paired with black garlic sauce and crunch fresh cabbage slaw to cut the richness. It also comes with warm pita, which you can have the smoked pork ribeye like a wrap.

Wild Mushroom 4.2/5

The Wild Mushroom ($18++) is ideal with the mains. The oyster mushrooms are grilled, then tossed with balsamic, garlic, and thyme, finished with gremolata.

Rosewater Pavlova 4/5

We started with the Rosewater Pavlova ($15++) for desserts. It is a sweet and light dessert that brings Chef Simon's Christmas day memories back home in Adelaide. It can also be served as a palate cleanser.

Mascarpone Knafeh 4.2/5

The Mascarpone Knafeh ($15++) dessert is served warm. The traditional Middle Eastern dessert comes in layers of kataifi, syrup and nuts. The culinary team even incorporated coconut, pandan and gula melaka, giving the traditional dessert a local take which I enjoyed a lot.

It is my first time visiting Fat Prince. Unlike the typical Middle Eastern cuisine, Chef Simon has given them vibrancy, redefining modern Middle Eastern cuisine.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Fat Prince
48 Peck Seah Street
Singapore 079317
Tel: +65 62217794
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 3pm, 530pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn right and walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

The Botanic @ Raffles City Shopping Centre - Reincarnation Of Salt Tapas & Bar

The Botanic at Raffles City Shopping Centre is an reincarnation of Salt tapas & bar, with a new focus on plant-based dining and eco-conscious wines. Helming this new concept is Group Executive Chef Shannon Binnie, whose Australian culinary culture and travel experiences in Asia form the main forces behind the nature-inspired menu. Alongside free-range, organic meat and seafood offerings, there is an equivalent number of plant-based dishes with vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free plates.

The Botanic 2.5/5, Caffeine Fix 3/5, Guacamole 3/5

Our pre-meal drinks were The Botanic ($18) and Caffeine Fix ($22). Their signature The Botanic is concocted with house infused gin combined with lemongrass, fresh basil and lime juice. Shaken with egg white to give it its foamy body, instead of refreshing the palate, it was too raw for our liking. The latter was also rather average. Guacamole ($14) being our first starter was quite disappointing to see the creamy guacamole being spread thinly on the plate, as if to make up for the small portion.

Grilled Haloumi 3.8/5

Things started to pick up with our second appertiser, Grilled Haloumi ($22). Dust with sumac powder, the combination of its salty sweet taste and the tomato reminded me of the addictive Taiwanese cherry tomatoes stuffed with preserved plum in between. Unusual but the sweet and juicy watermelon worked harmoniously with the savoury haloumi.

Smoked Sambal Short Rib 4/5

Unforgettable was the Smoked Sambal Short Rib ($39) with flavours inspired by Chef Binnie’s travels to Indonesia but cooked with the classic American smokehouse techniques. What resulted was a smokey sweet meat that fell apart easily with a slight tug. The caramelised shallots elevated its smokey sweetness, which was balanced by the sharp horseradish and roasted padron peppers.

Grilled Cape Grim Pasture-fed Sirloin 3.5/5

I like the clean look of Grilled Cape Grim Pasture-fed Sirloin ($42). Meant to be gluten free, hence only roasted onion and slow cooked tomato are served as sides. The meat itself was flavorful but more of the chimichurri would make it even more enjoyable.

Baklava 3.8/5

Our desserts are quite different in terms of their origins but both were equally delightful. The Mediterranean Baklava ($14) stood out with the very distinctive fragrance and flavour of leatherwood honey, bringing me back to Tasmania instantly.

Chendol Pavlova 3.8/5

The Chendol Pavlova ($12) impressed me with its vegan version of an eggless meringue made from chickpeas with coconut cream, albeit a little too sweet. But the rest of the components were well put together to represent that authentic chendol flavour- the jackfruit granita, harum manis mango and salted gula melaka just shout chendol in every way.

Such focus on plant-based dining is not new but The Botanic's way of presentation is different. The dishes are not grouped under starters and mains but into four main category - Vegan, vegetarian, fish and meats. A huge deviation from Salt tapas & bar but hopefully you will enjoy it just as much.

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.


The Botanic
Raffles City Shopping Centre
252 North Bridge Road
#01-22A
Singapore 179103
Tel: +65 68370995
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 11pm

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

WAKANUI Grill Dining @ Marina One - The Restaurant That Redefined Steak Experience In Tokyo Now Opens In Marina One

It seems like there is a new trend of grill houses opening in Singapore and one of them is WAKANUI Grill Dining located on the level 4 of the new Marina One complex. The restaurant is situated in a stunning glass structure on the fourth floor of the West Tower offering New Zealand Ocean Beef and Wakanui Spring Lamb which are grilled over Japan-sourced Binchotan charcoal. It also offers New Zealand seafood, such as Ora King salmon, New Zealand-sourced sashimi-quality fresh fish and green lip mussels, and other seasonal produce and dairy products imported from New Zealand.

WAKANUI Spring Lamb Chop 4.8/5

Wakanui is not only known for their beef but they are also popular with their lamb. It is so popular that it opens a lamb specialty restaurant in Japan. The WAKANUI Spring Lamb Chop ($8/pc) uses lamb that is born in late winter/early spring, raises for 4-6 months and aged for around 4 weeks. The lamb chop was very tender and juicy. The flavour and texture was really top notch. This is probably one the best lamp chop I have eaten and you don't get that gaminess at all.

Kikorangi Blue Cheese Caesar Salad 4/5

The Kikorangi Blue Cheese Caesar Salad ($22) comes with a medley of New Zealand Romaine lettuce, jazz apple, walnuts tossed with Kikorangi blue cheese. It is then topped with shaved parmasen and walnuts. For those that is worried about the strong flavour of blue cheese, you will not get it here as the blue cheese dressing is made of a blend of Italian anchovies, whipped cream, a touch of salt and extra virgin olive oil.

Hot Smoked Salmon 3.5/5

Mentioned earlier the restaurant also offers seafood on the menu such as the Hot Smoked Salmon ($24) topped with diced fresh tomatoes. While I love the smokiness from the cherrywood chips but I thought the texture was a bit dry due to the cooking. I still prefer my piece of the salmon to be more pink in colour. for that moister texture.

Seasonal Hassun 3.5/5

Giving a feminine touch to the restaurant is the Seasonal Hassun ($32), a traditional kaiseki style starter using seasonal ingredients. On the plate, we have Japanese Tomatoes with Plum Sauce, Lotus Root Tempura topped with Bonito Flakes and Unagi on Daikon and Beetroot Puree. Beautifully plated and thoughtfully put together for guest to enjoy a combination of flavorus and textures.

What is actually Ocean Beef? It is started by ANZCO Foods, a New Zealand-based meat company specializing in premium-quality New Zealand beef and lamb. The concept behind Ocean Beef was to develop beef that achieves the perfect balance between marbling and leanness, while retaining natural juiciness and an intense beef flavour. The cattle are grass-fed for 18 months on the lush green, high-protein pastures in a stress-free environment to develop a muscular form, and then finished on specially formulated wheat, barley and maize-based feed for 4 months.

Bone-in Ribeye 4.2/5, Ribeye Cut 4.5/5, Canterbury Grass-fed Fillet 4/5

To taste the difference of the different beef, we had the Ocean Beef Bone-in Ribeye ($199 for 1Kg), Ocean Beef Ribeye Cut ($79 for 350gram/ $109 for 500gram) and Canterbury Grass-fed Fillet ($78 for 250gram/ $138 for 500gram). Among us we have our own preference and I prefer the Ocean Beef Ribeye Cut for its sweeter flavour. For those that likes a stronger beefy and earthy flavour, then the Canterbury Grass-fed fillet will be your choice.

WAKANUI Spring Lamb 4.2/5

Earlier we had the lamb chop and you think it is not sufficient, you can go for the WAKANUI Spring Lamb ($42 half rack/ $82 full rack). Wow the lamb rack is nicely cooked, I would preferred the lamb chop because I will get the sear on both sides and I also find that there is lesser fats.

Hokey Pokey Ice Cream 3.8/5

Moving to the dessert, we started with the Hokey Pokey Ice Cream ($14) which consists of housemade vanilla ice cream with caramel brittle. For those that is not familiar, hokey pokey is a flavour of ice cream from New Zealand. It actually means honeycomb toffee in New Zealand.

Pavlova 3.5/5

Unfortunately I am not a big fan of Pavlova ($14) as I find the dessert itself is too sweet for me. If you have a sweet tooth, then you will enjoy the pavlova with chantilly cream, passion fruit sauce and mixed fruits.

Baked Rare Chocolate Cake 4/5

I actually enjoyed the Baked Rare Chocolate Cake ($14) most among the 3 desserts. The richness of the bake chocolate cake is perfectly balanced with the tang from the strawberry ice cream.

WAKANUI Grill Dining is a culinary experience enjoyed in a quiet oasis, where the views of the lush central gardens of Marina One provide a welcome respite from the bustle of city life. Pricing maybe a bit on the steep side but the dry-aged beef and lamb here are top quality and well executed.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


WAKANUI Grill Dining
Marina One The Heart
5 Straits View
#04-02
Singapore 018935
Tel: +65 63842665
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Downtown (DT Line), Marina Bay (CC Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 1130am - 3pm, 530pm - 11pm
Sat: 530pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Downtown MRT station. Take Exit D. What to Straits View road. Turn right on Straits View road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Marina Bay MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Marina Way road. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]