The Sampan @ Boat Quay - A Refreshed Menu Focused on Local Produce And Asian Flavours

We are back at The Sampan located along the Singapore River in Boat Quay for its revamped menu. The new menu will focus on local and regional produces, transforming them into sensational dishes, incorporating Asian flavours. Lead by Head Chef Ahmad, even the kitchen team is local.

Espresso Martini 4/5

Emping Crackers

I started with an Espresso Martini ($18) and snack on the complimentary Emping Crackers. I realised many restaurants have begun to introduce emping crackers on their menu, not sure whether it is a trend but I find it a bold move, as not many people like the bitterness taste of it.

Half Shell Japanese Scallops 3/5

For appetisers, we started with the Half Shell Japanese Scallops ($15 for 3pc). The scallop is topped with laksa leave pesto. I like the idea, but the sauce didn't quite bring out the taste of the scallop for me.

Silken Egg Tofu with Peanut Sauce 3/5

The Silken Egg Tofu with Peanut Sauce ($12) is probably inspired by the local Tahu Goreng. It is topped with vegetable fritters for that extra crunch. However, I didn't find it quite as inspiring as a dish. It felt more like a shrink version of Tahu Goreng which is presented delicately but at a steeper price.

Pot Sticker Dumpling 3.5/5

The Pot Sticker Dumpling ($12) fares better than the other two appetisers. The dumpling skin is not too thick, with a decent proportion of minced meat stuffing. It even has delectable crispiness on one side, giving it an additional contrast in texture.

Spicy and Tangy Singapore Salad 3/5

Moving on to the salad menu, they are not actually the most healthy salad I have eaten. The Spicy and Tangy Singapore Salad ($14) is an interpretation of our local multi-cultural dish - Rojak, with a prawn paste sauce to hold the different components together.

Crispy Thai Beef Salad 3.5/5

The Crispy Thai Beef Salad ($15) compared to the Singapore salad has more textures, and I enjoyed the addition of the basil leaves to give it a boost in taste profile.

Kampung Bali Fried Rice 4/5

Sad to say, the dish that I enjoyed most is the Kampung Bali Fried Rice ($15) which is packed with rustic flavours infused with the smoky aroma.

Beef Cheek Rendang 3.5/5

I was left feeling speechless and stunned when the Beef Cheek Rendang ($26) was served. The plating with the grilled vegetables and steamed rice cake was so elementary. I also didn't get the idea behind the steamed rice cake. The saving grace has to be the flavourful and fork tender beef cheek.

Fresh Local Seabass 3.8/5

Among the mains, the Fresh Local Seabass ($21) is my favourite. The portion is generous, moist and comes with crispy skin glazed with Asian soya sauce. It is paired with smooth potato puree and pickled cucumbers.

Charred Chicken with Mango Sambal 2.8/5

Whole Baby Chicken with Tomato Sambal Aubergine 2.8/5

We tried both the chicken dishes, Charred Chicken with Mango Sambal ($19) and Whole Baby Chicken with Tomato Sambal Aubergine ($22). Putting aside that the chicken is tender and juicy, I didn't enjoy them. The chickens were bland, and the sauces didn't help to bring it together.

Local Coconut Pudding 3.8/5

For dessert, we have the Local Coconut Pudding ($13) that is topped with crunchy coffee tuille and served with a scoop of charred bread ice cream. A well-balanced dessert that is not overly sweet and has a smooth, creamy consistency.

Pandan Pancakes 4/5

The Pandan Pancakes ($13) is served with vanilla ice cream and palm sugar syrup. The texture of the pancakes tasted more like our local "Min Jiang Kueh" with the fragrant peanut filling.

Thai Sticky Rice 3.5/5

The Thai Sticky Rice ($13) with mango slices and mango sorbet is enjoyable, but I think there is room for improvements. I felt it was missing some elements such as coconut milk to bring everything together. Perhaps, also garnished with some mung beans for the extra texture.

In my humble opinion, I felt that The Sampan has a great concept, but it still hasn't found the exact identity in its food yet. It seems that they are caught in this barrier to elevate the traditional dishes and/or flavours, into a modern take that is something new and creative. If I were to compare the dishes I tried, I would say the dessert are much closer to the goal than the savoury dishes.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


The Sampan
63 Boat Quay
Singapore 049851
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Nearest MRT: Clarke Quay (NE Line), Raffles Place (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 1130am - 12midnight
Sat: 430pm - 12midnight
(Closed on Sun)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Clarke Quay MRT station. Take Exit E. Cross the road walk to Upper Circular Road. Walk down Upper Circular Road to North Bridge Road. Cross the road and walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Raffles Place MRT station. Take Exit G. Walk to the riverfront. Turn left and walk down Boat Quay. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Goodwood Park Hotel - Exciting New Sweet And Savoury Prosperous Creations Filled With Joyful Abundance

Usher in the Year of the Pig at Goodwoood Park Hotel with a joyful abundance of new sweet and savoury prosperous creations, which is available from 18 January to 19 February 2019.

Prosperity Fa Cai Yu Sheng

Available at Min Jiang Goodwood Park Hotel for dine-in customers is the Prosperity Fa Cai Yu Sheng ($168++). The yusheng comes with a beautiful painting of eight pigs enjoying a stroll, illustrated by Master Chef Chan Hwan Kee. The Yusheng comprises of raw salmon slices, abalones, bak kwa, pickled radish, medley of crisp vegetables, pomelo, sesame seeds and strips of fried sweet potatoes. This is all hold together by the homemade dressing concoction consists of calamansi juice, plum sauce, lemongrass and strawberry jam.

Over at Min Jiang One-North, tossed to a fruitful and refreshing year with the Fruitful Abundance Yu Sheng with Whole Abalone in Raspberry and Sour Plum Sauce ($118++/$168++). Julienned peaches and  dragon fruit, thinly sliced honeydew, mangoes and kiwi together with medley of vegetables and baby abalones forms the yusheng. It looks like a sun on the plate.

Double-boiled Whole Chicken stuffed with Bird's Nest and Duck Foie Gras Dumplings

Available for takeaway at Min Jiang One-North and good for six pax is the Double-boiled Whole Chicken stuffed with Bird's Nest and Duck Foie Gras Dumplings ($308.15). The nourishing broth comes with deboned chicken stuffed with bird's nest that has been steamed for a good 45 minutes. It even comes with duck foie gras dumplings. This is a flavour packed soup that is fit for royal.

Deep-fried Pork Knuckle and Slow-baked Honey Butter Ribs

For pork lover, there is the Prosperity Duo of Deep-fried Pork Knuckle and Slow-baked Honey Butter Ribs ($147.65), available for takeaway at Min Jiang Goodwood Park Hotel. The portion is good for 6 pax.

Braised Pork Belly with Pan-fried Lotus Root Pork Patties and Sea Treasures in Claypot

The Braised Pork Belly with Pan-fried Lotus Root Pork Patties and Sea Treasures in Claypot ($298++ dine-in / $318.85 takeaway) is available for both dine-in and takeaway at Min Jiang One-North. In the treasure pot, one can find Australian 10-head abalones, sea cucumber, dried oysters, dried scallops, flower mushrooms, black moss and Tianjin cabbage. Not forgetting the patties that are made from a mix of minced pork and shredded lotus roots.

 Fortune Delight Crispy Heung Song Duck with Glutinous Rice

Also available at Min Jiang One-North for takeaway is the Fortune Delight Crispy Heung Song Duck with Glutinous Rice ($179.75). The duck if first marinated and then deep fried to crispy served with a bed of fluffy glutinous rice underneath.

Duo of Prosperity Fish

For those looking for Chinese New Year gift idea, one can consider the Duo of Prosperity Fish ($118). The auspicious pair of Koi fish is brimming with tropical fruit flavours. One is Mango with Pomelo & Sago Pudding, while the other is Durian Pudding. Guests can also opt to purchase a pair of Durian Pudding fishes for $128 nett.

Drum of Fortune

The majestic Drum of Fortune ($108, 1.3kg) is another ideal gift for Chinese New Year. The drum is a chocolate marble cake coated with fondant, and topped with eight lucky Mandarin oranges made with dark chocolate and mini chocolate ingots.

The Huat! Tart

Back by popular demand are The Huat! Tart ($48, 500g) and Pineapple Ingot Tarts ($40.80 per box of 10 pc). The Huat! Tart is an oversized 6.5 inch pineapple tart, filled with homemade pineapple jam. My favourite is the Pineapple Ingot Tarts for its buttery pastry complemented by the sourish sweet pineapple jam.

Pineapple Ingot Tarts

The Lunar New Year Treats and Abundant Feasting Specials will be available for takeaway from the hotel's The Deli, Min Jiang Goodwood Park Hotel and Min Jiang One-North from 18 January to 19 February 2019. Advance order of five days is required for takeaways and the last order is 15 February 2019, 12pm.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


The Deli
Tel: (65) 67301786
Email: deli@goodwoodparkhotel.com

Min Jiang Goodwood Park Hotel
Tel: (65) 67301704
Email: min_jiang@goodwoodparkhotel.com

Min Jiang One-North
Tel: (65) 67740122
Email: mj1n@goodwoodparkhotel.com

Online Orders
Website: http://festivepromotions.goodwoodparkhotel.com

Lewin Terrace @ Fort Canning Hill - Bask In The Spirits Of Festivities With Their Special Berry Merry Dessert Buffet

This Christmas, Lewin Terrace at Fort Canning Hill presents their special Berry Merry Dessert Buffet ($38++ per pax) available from 4 to 27 December 2018, whereby for a limited time only, diners get to indulge in an exquisite seasonal collection of Japanese-French desserts made from delicate Chitose Strawberries, assorted fresh, juicy berries and rich chocolate. The festive spread include delectable treats such as the Strawberry Tiramisu, Mixed Berry Mille Feuille, Mixed Berry tart to the classics like the Gingerbread Man, Stollen and Apple Paris Brest.

The elegantly set-up festive themed dessert table displays a variety of mouthwatering sweet treats for diners to indulge in while basking in the Christmas splendour. What caught my eyes were the mini snow covered cottage house smacked right in the center of the table and the golden tiered stand with the Ginger breadman cookies - an essential treat for the festive season.

Among the amazing spread of Japanese Chitose strawberry-inspired dessert buffet, the Strawberry Tiramisu stood out with its soft and smooth jelly-like texture, finished off with a fragrant strawberry layer atop.

The White Wine Jelly with Fruits come with bits of kiwi fruits embedded within the jelly. An absolutely light, refreshing treat before digging in and indulging in the richer heavier items.

The Mixed Berries Pound Cake stood out with slices of delectable cakes, gorgeously presented with cream and berries atop. The toppings balances the drier cake texture and exudes out a fresh strawberry fragrance. For other fruity flavours, diners can expect a few classic items such as the Apple Paris Brest which features juicy apple pieces and rich cream encased within a flaky buttery pastry shell.

The Stollen has a nice strong fruit scent from the mixed nuts, spices and dried candied fruits embedded within the moist fruit bread.

Besides the berry-flavoured treats, if you're craving for something rich and chocolatey, Lewin Terrace also introduced a variety of chocolate-flavoured desserts. The gorgeous Raw Chocolate Tart with golden crumbles was a favourite with its rich bittersweet chocolate fudge encased in a dark chocolate tart shell.

The White & Dark Chocolate Macarons lean on the sweeter side with its white chocolate shell. The flavour is balanced by the subtly bitter chocolate filling in the middle.

The Chocolate Pound Cake has a firmer fudge-like cake texture, with a rich bitter sweetness. It was so addictive I couldn't resist popping more of those rich mini pieces into my mouth.

The Caramel Pudding comes in a cute egg-shell shaped cup and has strong notes of caramel, yet not cloyingly sweet.

While the dessert buffet has a nice variety of sweet treats, I feel that more strawberry-flavoured items could be featured as the bulk of the spread, as what the name of the buffet suggests. Variety aside, the quality and taste of the dessert items were executed excellently - perfect for berries/chocolate dessert lovers to indulge in for a sweet sweet Christmas this year.

Berry Merry Christmas Dessert Buffet available 4th to 27th December 2018, Lunch only. Tuesday to Friday, 1PM – 3PM.  $38++ per pax, $20++ for children aged between 4 to 12 years.

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.


Lewin Terrace
21 Lewin Terrace
Singapore 179290
Tel: +65 63339905
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 12pm - 3pm, 630pm - 1100pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction: 
1) Alight at City Hall MRT station. Take Exit B. Take left onto North Bridge. Walk to the traffic light junction of North Bridge Road and Coleman Street. Cross the road towards Peninsula Plaza and continue walking towards the junction of Coleman Street and Hill Street. Cross the road to the central fire station. Continue on Coleman Street until Singapore Philatelic Museum. Look out for the metal gate before the museum, turn left in and take the stairs to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]