LUCE @ Frasers House, a Luxury Collection Hotel - Season of Abundance Buffet For This Lunar New Year, Where Italian Conviviality Meets Festive Asian Traditions

This Lunar New Year, LUCE invites diners to gather around a table defined by abundance, craftsmanship and festive cheer. For its Season of Abundance buffet, the Italian restaurant blends the warmth of Italian conviviality with familiar Lunar New Year flavours, resulting in a spread that feels celebratory yet comforting, with plenty to explore across Western and Asian offerings.

DIY Yu Sheng Station

No Lunar New Year meal feels complete without Yu Sheng, and LUCE’s D.I.Y Yu Sheng station sets the tone nicely. What I really appreciated was the option to make smaller portions, so you can enjoy the ritual without sacrificing precious stomach space for the rest of the buffet. Even better, you’re free to add as many fish as you like, which is always a win in my books.

Seafood and Sashimi Station

The Seafood and Sashimi spread is a clear highlight, featuring Japanese oysters, mini abalone, jade salmon and ahi tuna sashimi. Everything looked fresh and inviting, making it dangerously easy to over-serve yourself early in the meal, which is a familiar buffet dilemma.

Salad, Cheese, Cold Cuts

We couldn’t take our eyes off the Salad Bar, where diners can customise their own bowls using the Harvest of the Day selection, featuring fresh greens, generous add-ons, and a wide variety of dressings. The adjacent Artisanal Cheese and Cold Cuts section is equally tempting, showcasing a weekly selection of Italian and French cheeses alongside the chef’s curated imported cold cuts, best enjoyed with freshly baked bread.

Prawn Noodle

Pasta with Salmon Vodka Cream Sauce

One of the most crowd-pleasing stations is the make-your-own Signature Frasers House Prawn Noodle. Ingredients include tiger prawns, fish cake, bean sprouts, quail eggs and noodles, all finished in a rich prawn broth. If you’re in the mood for pasta, the chef also prepares Pasta with Salmon Vodka Cream Sauce tossed in a Parmesan wheel. The pasta was perfectly al dente — so good I genuinely wished I had more stomach space for a second portion.

Luce Pizza

Melanzane alla Parmigiana

Pasta alla Norma

Pure di Patate al Tartufo

Sicilian Style Branzino

The Italian Hot Dishes are a carb lover’s dream. From LUCE Pizza to Melanzane alla Parmigiana, Pasta alla Norma, Purè di Patate al Tartufo and Sicilian-style Branzino, the selection is generous and varied. Sadly, I could only manage small bites of each, but most dishes were well executed and satisfying, making it hard to pick favourites.

Salted Egg Pizza

Another standout is the buffet-exclusive Salted Egg Pizza, specially created for this Lunar New Year spread. Topped with roasted chicken and melted mozzarella, the pizza strikes a surprisingly balanced flavour profile that is lightly sweet, savoury and rich without being overwhelming. The salted egg sauce adds a creamy depth, while the fragrant curry leaves lift the whole dish, giving it an unmistakable Southeast Asian twist. It’s indulgent yet approachable, and easily one of those slices you go back for “just one more” even when you’re already full.

Roman-style Roasted Pork Knuckle

Roasted Australian Beef Ribeye

At the Carving station, the Roman-style Roasted Pork Knuckle stood out with its irresistibly crispy skin. At the same time, the Roasted Australian Beef Ribeye was juicy and tender - exactly what you’d hope for from a carving station at a festive buffet.

Netted Seafood Springroll

Nonya Chicken Curry

Five-spice Slow-braised Pork Trotter

XO Tiger Prawn with Scallop Sauce

Lotus-leaf Wrapped Glutinous Rice

The Asian Delights section brings a comforting familiarity to the spread, featuring Netted Seafood Spring Rolls, Nonya Chicken Curry, Five-Spice Slow-Braised Pork Trotter, and Lotus-Leaf Wrapped Glutinous Rice. A dish that stood out quietly was the XO Tiger Prawn with Scallop Sauce, served with broccoli and mushrooms - a well-balanced Cantonese-style dish where the prawns were sweet and plump and the XO scallop sauce added a savoury depth without overpowering the vegetables.

We were told these dishes are prepared by the team from Man Fu Yuan, the hotel’s Cantonese restaurant, and it shows. Some dishes tasted reassuringly homely, while others surprised us with flavour profiles that were pleasantly unexpected in a good way.

Eight Treasure Almond Fruit Cake

LUCE-misu

Lucky Gold Bar Chocolate Cake

Earl Grey Lavender Cake

Chocolate Swiss Roll

Auspicious Golden Ingot Nian Gao

Gelato Selections

The Desserts section is fully dressed in Lunar New Year colours and symbolism. Highlights include the Eight Treasure Almond Fruit Cake, LUCE-misu, Lucky Gold Bar Chocolate Cake and Earl Grey Lavender Cake. The Gelato selection is also worth saving space for; my personal favourites were the Mango and Matcha.

Overall, LUCE’s Season of Abundance buffet strikes a nice balance between festive indulgence and variety. Whether you’re drawn to Italian classics, comforting Asian dishes or seafood and desserts, there’s something here for every diner, making it a solid option for Lunar New Year gatherings with family and friends.

Buffet Dates & Prices

Pre-Lunar New Year | 1–15 February
Lunch from $59++ per adult
Dinner from $85++ per adult
Sunday Brunch from $118++ per adult

Lunar New Year Eve, Day 1 & Day 2 | 16–18 February
Lunch from $75++ per adult
Dinner from $95++ per adult

Lunar New Year | 19 February–3 March
Lunch from $69++ per adult
Dinner from $78++ per adult
Sunday Brunch from $118++ per adult

Enjoy preferential dining privileges with ‘LUCE30’ on weekdays and ‘LUCE25’ on weekends. Blackout dates apply: 14, 16, 17 and 18 February 2026.

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


LUCE
Fraser House, a Luxury Collection Hotel
Level 1
80 Middle Road
Singapore 188966
Tel: +65 6825 1008
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Nearest MRT: Bugis (EW, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 12pm - 2pm, 6pm - 10pm
Sun: 6pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Bugis MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 5 minutes. [Map]

Dancing Crab @ Orchard Central - Introduces a Limited-Time $60 Combo Bag Bundle

Seafood feasts just got a lot more value-packed at Dancing Crab. Known for its lively American-style seafood boils and hands-on dining experience, the popular restaurant is rolling out a limited-time $60 Combo Bag Bundle that’s perfect for sharing. Available from now till 28 February, this deal lets diners enjoy a generous spread of seafood, sauces, sides and desserts. If you’ve been looking for an excuse to revisit Dancing Crab (or try it for the first time), this might just be it.

#2 Combo Bag 4/5

The #2 Combo Bag ($60++), ideal for 2–3 diners, comes loaded with a satisfying mix of fresh prawns, hamaguri clams, half-shell scallops, sweet corn and Arabiki chicken sausage. What makes the experience even better is the ability to choose three sauces from Dancing Crab’s signature range. We went with the World Famous Signature Cajun, White Pepper Cream, and the new Garlic Chilli Crisps Sauce.

Cocktail Shrimp Salad with Zesty Lemongrass Dressing 4/5

Truffle Fries 3.8/5

For sides, we picked the Cocktail Shrimp Salad with Zesty Lemongrass Dressing and Truffle Fries. The salad was a pleasant surprise - light, refreshing and packed with texture. The zesty lemongrass dressing cuts through the richness of the seafood, while the crunchy granola adds a satisfying bite. Honestly, this is one dish I wouldn’t mind having as a meal on its own. The Truffle Fries were enjoyable but slightly overshadowed by other sides later in the meal. There are stronger contenders on the menu.

Hokkaido Cheesecake Creme Brulee 3.8/5

For dessert, we opted for the Hokkaido Cheesecake Crème Brûlée, with the alternative being the Gâteau au Chocolate Cake. This dessert surprised us in a good way! Creamy, smooth and indulgent with a nicely torched top. It leans on the sweeter side; if the sweetness were toned down slightly, it would be close to perfect.

Crab Cakes 4/5

We also add on other dishes to our meal. The Crab Cakes ($26.80) are made with generous amounts of fresh crab meat and coated in a crisp panko crust. Each bite delivers a balanced mix of crab sweetness and exterior crunch. Well-executed and comforting, this is a safe yet satisfying order for crab lovers.

Lobster Roll 4/5

The Lobster Roll ($58.80) features chunky pieces of fresh Boston lobster tucked into a soft buttery bun. Sweet, juicy and indulgent, it’s a straightforward dish done right. But the real star here? The sweet potato fries on the side are crispy, addictive and far more memorable than the truffle fries. I’ll definitely be choosing these on my next visit.

Ultraviolet Berry Lemonade & Southern Iced Sweet Tea

To wash everything down, we tried the Ultraviolet Berry Lemonade ($5.80), made with freshly squeezed lemon juice and blue pea flower, and the Southern Iced Sweet Tea ($5.80), a refreshing blend of Earl Grey and English Breakfast tea topped with mint. Both drinks are light and refreshing and pair well with the heavier seafood dishes.

The $60 Combo Bag Bundle at Dancing Crab is a solid value, especially for those who enjoy variety and communal dining. With generous portions, flexible sauce choices and the inclusion of sides and desserts, it’s a well-rounded feast without breaking the bank. Available till 28 February for dine-in only, this deal is ideal for casual catch-ups, family meals, or a fun, messy seafood night out. If you’re a fan of bold flavours and hands-on dining, this is one promotion worth checking out before it ends.

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


Dancing Crab
Orchard Central
181 Orchard Road
#07-14/15
Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 6509 1878
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Nearest MRT: Somerset (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 3pm, 530pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Somerset MRT station. Take Exit C or D. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 3 minutes. [Map]

Violet Oon Singapore @ Dempsey Hill - Launches Four CNY Set Menus For Intimate Gatherings in an Elegant Setting

For the upcoming Chinese New Year, Violet Oon Singapore at Dempsey introduces festive set menus available exclusively within its private dining rooms. Four specially curated Chinese New Year set menus are available, designed for intimate gatherings in an elegant setting.

VO Fragrant Yu Sheng 5/5

The Prosperity Sharing Set Menu (from S$148++ per person) opens with the VO Fragrant Yu Sheng. I have always enjoyed the addition of kaffir lime leaves in this rendition, and here, their presence was especially generous. The sharp, citrusy fragrance was further elevated by pink ginger flower, while an increased amount of julienned beetroot and the inclusion of ice plant, known for its heightened crunch, added both texture and freshness to the dish.

Hee Peow Soup 5/5

This was followed by an individually served bowl of Hee Peow Soup, a seasonal Peranakan Lunar New Year classic. The comforting broth is slow-simmered using a superior pork and chicken stock, enriched with whole baby abalone, fish maw, sea cucumber, and impressively juicy house-made prawn, crab, fish and pork balls.

Kuey Pie Tee 3/5

Ngoh Hiang 4/5

Starters included Kuay Pie Tee and Ngoh Hiang. Both were well seasoned, with the latter offering a tender bite. The addition of water chestnut provided a pleasant crunch that balanced the richness and meatiness of the filling.

Beef Rendang 4.5/5

For Mains, the slow-braised Beef Rendang featured beef shin braised in spices and kaffir lime leaves, then finished in coconut milk, resulting in fork-tender meat that was both rich and crowd-pleasing.

Ayam Buah Keluak 4.5/5

I particularly enjoyed the equally well-executed Ayam Buah Keluak, notable for its punchy gravy and generous chunks of buah keluak that delivered depth and intensity.

Garam Assam Fish 4.5/5

Garam Assam Fish was another highlight, featuring red snapper in a spicy-sour gravy accented with pineapple and pink ginger flower. The pineapples were thinly sliced, and their fruity tartness made the dish even more appetising.

Udang Goreng Chilli 3/5

Udang Goreng Chilli showcased angka prawns topped with chilli padi and garlic rempah. While flavourful, the dish leaned slightly towards greasy.

Chap Chye 4/5

Chap Chye, braised in a full-bodied prawn bisque that impressed with its deep savouriness, but the cabbage needed a much longer stewing time to soften thoroughly.

Nasi Ulam 5/5

One of my favourite dishes of the meal was the herbaceous Nasi Ulam. Diced prawns were folded into the rice, adding sweetness and textural contrast that complemented the raw, aromatic herbs.

Handmade Perankan Kueh 4/5

Dessert concluded the meal with a thoughtful selection of Handmade Peranakan Kueh, including Ang Ku Kueh, Kueh Kochi and Kueh Ambon. Both the ang ku kueh and kueh ambon stood out for their texture, with the kueh ambon being exceptionally spongy, though the overall sweetness could be toned down slightly.

Photos and words by Si An. A homebody who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, the smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food.


Violet Oon Singapore
Dempsey Hill
7 Dempsey Road
#01-05
Singapore 249671
Tel: +65 9834 9935
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Nearest MRT: Napier (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Napier MRT station. Take Exit 2. Walk to the bus stop at Napier Station (Stop ID 13011). Take bus number 7, 75, 77, 105, 106, 123 or 174. Alright 2 stops later. Walk to Dempsey Road. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 10 minutes.[Map]