Crystal Jade CNY 2025 - A Treasury of Lunar New Year Specialties to Savour at Crystal Jade Group of Restaurants

Crystal Jade ushers in the Year of the Snake with an exceptional array of festive dishes and set menus across its 17 outlets. Featuring both classic favourites and innovative creations, the offerings showcase the restaurant's hallmark artistry and dedication to authentic flavours. I had the privilege of sampling some highlights, and here's a rundown of the delectable experience.

Premium Prosperity Yu Sheng 5/5

The Premium Prosperity Yu Sheng ($128/$198) is an absolute standout. Showcasing Fresh South African Abalone, Great Amberjack Fish, and Australian Scallop, this dish is elevated by a medley of fresh and dried fruits, candied walnuts, and crispy Hsin Chu bee hoon. Deep-fried yam strips further enhance its textural appeal. With its refreshing taste and harmonious interplay of flavours, this Yu Sheng is hands down one of the best I’ve had this year.

Braised Superior Bird's Nest in Pumpkin Thick Soup 5/5

A bowl of comfort and indulgence, the Braised Superior Bird's Nest in Pumpkin Thick Soup ($68/pax) is a luxurious treat. Enriched with an assortment of seafood and Hokkaido Sea Urchin, the velvety pumpkin base imparts a natural sweetness that complements the nourishing bird's nest. It is a truly delightful and memorable dish.

Air-flown French Turbot Fish Prepared Two-ways 4.2/5

Crystal Jade's Air-Flown French Turbot ($24/100g) celebrates this delicate flatfish in two renditions: sautéed and deep-fried. Served with asparagus and black fungus, the preparation highlights the fish's natural sweetness while offering a delightful contrast of textures.

Shanghainese Style Treasure Pot 4.8/5

The Shanghainese Style Treasure Pot ($128), designed for 3-4 diners, is a refreshing take on the traditional pen cai. Brimming with ingredients such as homemade egg dumplings, mushrooms, prawns, oysters, and fish maw, this rustic one-pot dish is enveloped in a luscious yet lighter sauce — perfect for those seeking a healthier and less heavy alternative.

Salt-Baked Kampung Chicken with Hairy Fig 4.8/5

A crowd favourite, the Salt-Baked Kampung Chicken with Hairy Fig ($68.80) delivers exceptional flavour. The natural sweetness of the hairy fig complements the savoury, tender kampung chicken, making this dish a true celebration of balanced flavours.

Golden Vegetarian Yam Ring with Assorted Vegetable Medley 4.2/5

Vegetarian diners (and even non-vegetarians!) will enjoy the Golden Vegetarian Yam Ring with Assorted Vegetable Medley ($38). Crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, the fragrant yam ring pairs wonderfully with the vibrant vegetable medley, offering a delightful textural contrast.

Apple-shaped Mochi with Apple Cinnamon Puree 4.2/5

Crystal Jade showcases its creative flair with the Apple-Shaped Mochi with Apple Cinnamon Purée($8.80 for 3pc). This delicate dessert combines mochi's soft, chewy texture with a warmly spiced apple cinnamon filling, making it a unique and satisfying end to the meal.

Mango Pomelo & Sago Jelly 4.2/5

A playful twist on the classic dessert, the Mango Pomelo & Sago Jelly ($32.80) reimagines the traditional flavours in a visually stunning and refreshing jelly form. It’s a light and delightful finale to any festive feast.

Crystal Jade's Lunar New Year dining runs from 8 January to 12 February 2025 across all outlets, with set menus catering to up to 10 persons. Takeaway delicacies can be pre-ordered online at estore.crystaljade.com from 20 November 2024 to 8 January 2025 and at outlets starting from 11 November 2024. Collections will be available from 8 January to 12 February 2025 at select outlets. With its expertly curated menu and a wide range of festive delights, Crystal Jade ensures a prosperous and memorable Lunar New Year celebration for all.

Note: This is an invited tasting.

Tien Court Restaurant @ Copthorne King’s Hotel - Serves up the Most Auspicious of Teochew Traditions for Chinese New Year 2025

Celebrate the Year of the Snake in style with Tien Court’s auspicious Chinese New Year set menus. Helmed by the talented Chef Lui Wang Wing Keung, Tien Court promises a culinary journey steeped in Teochew traditions. We were privileged to preview the Bountiful Set Menu (priced at $148++ per person, minimum 2 persons), one of five curated menus designed to usher in prosperity and good fortune.

Superior Trio Combination Platter 3.8/5

Our feast began with a delightful Superior Trio of Combination Platter. While the platter included two beautifully fried items, the highlight for us was undoubtedly the marinated cherry tomatoes. Bursting with a refreshing plum flavour and a subtle hint of alcohol, possibly plum wine, these tomatoes offered a tangy and slightly sweet kick that whetted our appetites perfectly.

Braised Fish Maw in Golden Pumpkin Soup 4.5/5

Served sizzling in a hot stone bowl, this Braised Fish Maw in Golden Pumpkin Soup was the star of the meal. The tender fish maw, perfectly braised to achieve a melt-in-the-mouth texture and paired wonderfully with the slightly sweet and velvety pumpkin soup. Each spoonful was a harmonious blend of flavour and texture, leaving us craving more.

Signature Braised White Teat Sea Cucumber in Oyster Sauce 4/5

For those hesitant about sea cucumber, the Signature Braised White Teat Sea Cucumber in Oyster Sauce might just change your mind. The sea cucumber is deep-fried to perfection, resulting in an unexpected crispy texture that contrasts delightfully with the rich oyster sauce. This innovative preparation was a pleasant surprise and an absolute treat.

Steamed Cod Fish with Golden Garlic 4/5

A Chinese New Year essential, fish symbolizes abundance and prosperity (年年有鱼). Tien Court's version features a succulent cod fillet steamed to perfection and topped with aromatic golden garlic sauce. This Steamed Cod Fish with Golden Garlic offers tender, flaky fish paired beautifully with the sauce. We highly recommend this with a bowl of fragrant white rice to soak up every bit of flavour.

Braised Ee Fu Noodles with King Prawn in XO Sauce 4/5

The last savoury course concludes with satisfaction in the Braised Ee Fu Noodles with King Prawn in XO Sauce. The perfectly cooked Ee Fu noodles, infused with the umami-rich flavours of XO sauce, were paired with a plump and juicy king prawn. The slight hint of spice added a touch of intrigue, leaving us wishing for a larger portion.

Chilled Mango Sago Pomelo accompanied Steamed ‘Nian Gao” with Peanut 3.5/5

Dessert consisted of two classic favourites. The Chilled Mango Sago Pomelo offered a refreshing citrusy sweetness, while the Steamed Nian Gao coated in crushed peanuts provided a traditional festive touch. Though both were well-executed, they lacked the wow factor of the preceding savoury dishes.

Set Menus for Every Occasion
Tien Court offers a range of set menus to cater to different group sizes and budgets:

• Sweet Happiness Set: $568++ for 4 persons
• Spring Blossom Set: $1,388++ for 8 persons / $1,728++ for 10 persons
• Delightful Blossom Reunion Set: $1,888++ per table of 10 persons

These luxurious options include highlights such as Prosperity Smoked Salmon Yu Sheng, South African 6-Head Abalone, Lobster, and Bird’s Nest for a truly opulent feast. For vegetarian diners, the Vegetarian Set ($138++ per person) offers an equally indulgent experience.

Ala Carte Specialties
Add to your celebrations with Tien Court’s signature à la carte dishes, including:

• Teochew Golden Fortune Roasted Suckling Pig
• Signature Braised White Teat Sea Cucumber in Oyster Sauce
• Teochew Braised Sliced Irish Silver Hill Duck

Promotions and Availability
Chinese New Year offerings are available from 10 January to 12 February 2025. Enjoy an Early Bird promotion of 20% off for orders placed between 1–17 January 2025. Orders from 18 January onwards are entitled to 10% off.

Tien Court will remain open throughout Chinese New Year, with two seatings available on Chinese New Year’s Eve (28 January 2025). For more information, please visit https://www.millenniumhotels.com/en/singapore/copthorne-kings-hotel/tien-court-restaurant/

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


Tien Court Restaurant
Copthorne King's Hotel
403 Havelock Road
Level 2
Singapore 169631
Tel: +65 63183193/ 63183198
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Nearest MRT: Havelock (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Havelock MRT station. Take Exit 5. Walk straight down Havelock Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Havelock MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk to bus stop opposite opposite Holiday Inn Atrium (Stop ID 06149). Take bus number 51, 64, 123, or 186. Alight 1 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Surrey Hills Grocer @ Vivocity - Largest Surrey Hills Outlet, Bringing Diners the Aussie Rainforest Experience

Surrey Hills Grocer has unveiled its largest branch on VivoCity's rooftop, offering diners an Aussie rainforest-themed experience. The cosy space is adorned with lush greenery and playful animal decor like kangaroos, koalas, and giraffes.

Like its other branches, this new outlet introduces outlet-exclusive dishes and their first ever full kids menu.

Pet owners will also be happy to know that the outlet is pet-friendly and offers an all-new pet-friendly menu. Their freshly made treats are all crafted with quality, human-grade ingredients.

Diners can find a great variety of produce and food items to be purchased. The retail space is in a dedicated store segment near the entrance.

Surrey’s Homemade Iced Lemon Tea

Surrey has an extensive beverage list, which includes alcohols, fresh juices, wines, smoothies, teas and homemade options, such as the mildly sweet Surrey's Homemade Iced Lemon Tea ($8). It is made in-house using cold-brewed premium black tea dust and fresh lemons.

Corn & Crab Chowder 4/5

For a comforting start, we opted for the Corn & Crab Chowder ($14), a mildly creamy soup peppered with sweet crab meat bits and served with a side of focaccia.

Pumpkin Soup 4/5

Equally satisfying was the Pumpkin Soup ($12), which featured warm flavours of burnt orange and dukkah, balanced by a refreshing touch of mint, accompanied by focaccia.

Tender Seared Turkey 4.8/5

To add to the festive cheer, Surrey Hills Grocer has rolled out a seasonal Christmas menu available till the end of December. I was especially excited to try their Tender Seared Turkey ($32), which was strongly recommended by the staff. It was stellar and indeed one of the most tender renditions I've had of the meat. The turkey breast is drizzled with fragrant truffle butter and served with a bed of creamy truffled pomme puree, sherry caramel, miso glaze butternut squash and mushroom gravy.

Christmas Porchetta 4.5/5

Another festive highlight was the Christmas Porchetta ($28), which features tender Spanish chestnut pork belly with perfectly crisped skin stuffed with aromatics and sweet yet tangy apple cider glaze and cranberry apple compote.

Octopus Salad 3.8/5

Unfortunately, the Octopus Salad ($28) was less memorable, primarily due to its texture, which was a little too chewy. The sides of edamame, grape salsa and whipped cod roe went well together.

Flat Bread Hammy Benny 4/5

From the standard menu, we had the Flat Bread Hammy Benny ($26), featuring smoked Kurobuta ham, eggs of your choice, wilted spinach, truffle mushroom ragout, and foam-textured hollandaise on warmed flatbread. While enjoyable, my companions found it slightly overpriced for its simplicity.

Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza 4.2/5

A standout speciality exclusive to this outlet is its Sicilian-style pizzas and pasta. The Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza ($12) was a crowd-pleaser, featuring creamy ricotta, spicy pepperoni, Parmigiano Reggiano, and a drizzle of hot honey for a sweet-spicy kick.

“Hokkien Mee” 4.8/5

Among the pasta options, the "Hokkien Mee" ($26) impressed us with its creative local twist. Al dente malfadine pasta was bathed in a rich prawn bisque with lard and topped with ikura, grilled prawns, and spicy shrimp sambal. It was a bold, crustacean-infused dish.

Roasted Garlic Miso Butter Pasta 4/5

By contrast, the Roasted Garlic Miso Butter Pasta ($22) felt slightly underwhelming. The casarecce pasta, paired with pork sausage, asparagus, and fresh herbs, was well-cooked but lacked the robust flavours of the other dishes.

Strawberries Donut with Vanilla Custard, Vanilla Glazed Donut 3/5

We sampled two donuts for dessert: the Strawberries Donut with Vanilla Custard ($6.50) and the Vanilla Glazed Donut ($5). Both were dense and much sweeter than expected. We favoured the latter for its delicate sugar coating.

Sticky Date Pudding 4.5/5

Finally, the Sticky Date Pudding ($16) stole the show. This moist sponge cake was paired with sea salt butterscotch, almond crumble, and vanilla ice cream. The sweetness was balanced with a contrasting touch of saltiness.

Photos and words by Jo. A girl who loves her Mala (麻辣) at Da La (大辣), discovering hidden food gems and a good cup of matcha latte. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Surrey Hills Grocer
VivoCity
#03-02
1 HarbourFront Walk
Singapore 098585
Tel: +65 8189 6392
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Nearest MRT: Harbourfront MRT (NE, CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 10am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Harbourfront MRT station. Take Exit C & E. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

SPRUCE @ HillV2 - 15th Anniversary Grand Reopening with New Menu Featuring Collaboration by MasterChef Singapore Season 4 Winner Inderpal Singh

SPRUCE recently celebrated its 15th anniversary with a grand reopening at HillV2 and introduced a new bakery and bistro concept. Their all-new menu features a range of new dishes alongside an exclusive MasterChef collaboration with MasterChef Singapore Season 4 winner, Inderpal Singh. This collaboration consists of 5 items by Chef Inderpal, which showcase his expertise in spices.

The new modern space is adorned with warm lights and lots of greens, making it a cosy space for gatherings.

Beverages

Their beverage list is extensive, with homemade drinks such as Homemade Lemonade ($8), freshly squeezed lemon with fresh mint, and Arnold Palmer ($7), a blend of freshly brewed tea and homemade lemonade. Cocktails, created in collaboration with award-winning mixologist Nithi, are also available.

MasterChef Laksa Pumpkin Soup 3.8/5

The MasterChef Laksa Pumpkin Soup ($15) caught our eye for its intriguing combination of sweet pumpkin, laksa leaves, galanga and chilli! The creamy soup took some getting used to but paired well with a crunchy slice of garlic bread.

MasterChef - Fenugreek Crab Cake 4.2/5

A popular MasterChef creation is the Fenugreek Crab Cake ($22). Despite its price, it was chock full of succulent crab meat. We were also fans of the rich and aromatic fenugreek chutney, which enhanced the overall umami flavours.

MasterChef “Chilli Prawn” Roti John 3.5/5

The MasterChef "Chilli Prawn" Roti John ($27) featured prawns in chilli crab sauce on a basil roti john, offering a special twist on the classic beef or chicken versions. However, it was a tad pricey for its portion.

Prawn Orecchiette 4/5

For mains, we first had the Prawn Orecchiette ($24), which saw orecchiette pasta tossed in spinach and garlic cream sauce, with tiger prawn chunks and zucchini. While I would have liked the pasta a touch softer, the garlicky sauce was quite enjoyable.

Truffled & Mushroom Risotto 3.8/5

The Truffled & Mushroom Risotto ($23) was decent, with carnaroli rice simmered with mushrooms and mascarpone cheese. The thick texture made it better suited as a sharing dish.

Chimichurri Baby Back Ribs 4.2/5

Apart from the Fenugreek Crab Cake, our other unanimous favourite of the night was the Chimichurri Baby Back Ribs ($26). I rarely order baby back ribs as they usually come doused in a thick, sweet sauce, which I am not a fan of. SPRUCE's rendition, however, has the tender ribs served with a zesty homemade chimichurri sauce and shoestring fries on the side.

MasterChef - Barramundi & Coconut Briyani 4/5

The MasterChef — Barramundi & Coconut Briyani ($28), aptly described by my dining companions as a healthy briyani, was clean-tasting in a good way. The pan-seared barramundi had a crisp skin, while its meat remained tender. It was atop coconut briyani with pistachio and raisins and accompanied by a side of refreshing yogurt.

Photos and words by Jo. A girl who loves her Mala (麻辣) at Da La (大辣), discovering hidden food gems and a good cup of matcha latte. Note: This is an invited tasting.


SPRUCE
HillV2
#01-01
4 Hillview Rise
Singapore 667979
Tel: +65 9759 5790
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Nearest MRT: Hillview MRT (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 11am - 10pm
Sat-Sun, PH: 10am = 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Hillview MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Hillview Road. Turn right onto Hillview road. Walk down Hillview Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]