Osteria Mozza @ Hilton Singapore Orchard - Famous Artisanal Wood-fire Pizzas By Celebrity Chef Nancy Silverton

Osteria Mozza in Hilton Singapore Orchard is the restaurant's only Asian outpost, with a menu featuring Celebrity Chef Nancy Silverton's signature American-style salads and world-famous artisanal wood-fired pizzas. The restaurant's ambience and lunch menu exudes a more casual and playful side of the restaurant. We were here on a Sunday, and the restaurant was almost full, with tables of diners present for various celebrations.

Prosciutto Wrapped Grissini Sticks 4/5

First, we were served the Prosciutto Wrapped Grissini Sticks that successfully whetted our appetites. The thinly sliced prosciutto was soft with a buttery texture.

Roasted Chicken Salad 4/5

The Roasted Chicken Salad ($26) is one of the restaurant’s available American-style salads. It has a creamy yet light mix of napa cabbage, olives, grain mustard and chicken. Other salad options include the Shrimp Caesar and Cobb Salad.

Margherita 4.2/5

Moving on to the highlight of Osteria Mozza, Chef Nancy Silverton's artisanal wood-fired pizzas. The classic Margherita ($34) is topped with mozzarella, tomato and basil. We thoroughly enjoyed the airy and puffy sourdough crust and the wonderfully thin and crisp base.

Fennel Sausage 4.5/5

Our vote goes to the Fennel Sausage ($40) between both pizzas we had. On top of the well-executed pizza base, the savoury combination of panna, mozzarella, red onion, and scallion worked perfectly together. All pizzas ordered are fired in the restaurant's custom wood-burning oven over California almond wood, known for its fruit wood flavour, high heat, low smoke and balanced sweetness.

Tin Roof Sundae 3.8/5

Caramel gelato, marshmallow sauce, salted peanuts and a waffle biscuit base form the Tin Roof Sundae. My dining companion and I found this too sweet to our liking but appreciated the intentional variety of textures. It would work better as a group sharing dessert.

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.


Osteria Mozza
Hilton Singapore Orchard
333 Orchard Rd, Level 5
Singapore 238867
Tel: +65 68316271
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Nearest MRT: Somerset (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 230pm, 5pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Somerset MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Orchard Road. Turn left and walk to junction of Orchard Road and Grange Road. Cross the road. Continue on Orchard Road to Orchard Link. Turn left onto Orchard Link. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 mins. [Map]

Binary @ Palais Renaissance - Celebrating One Year Milestone With A Revamped Menu

Binary at Palais Renaissance is a gastro-bar that conceptualises its menu based on the concept of Binary. Presenting a single produce in both Asian and Western versions, you can choose either one flavour or even both if one intrigues you just as much as the other. One year on, Binary has recently refreshed its menu to incorporate new creations in a more considered format that better reflects its binary approach towards cuisine.

Signature Kubaneh Bread 5/5

Kubaneh is a Jewish Yemeni pull-apart bread, and what we had was done using the chef's very own winning formula. Apparently, this Signature Kubaneh Bread ($14) has made itself quite a name for the past year. And indeed, it was on every occupied table. Its beautiful gold crust illuminated in the light, and pulling it apart revealed the soft and fluffy interior. While some like it slathered with the accompanying garlic butter and kombu butter, I enjoyed it equally with the small plates and mains that were served after.

Octopus/Lao Gan Ma Chilli Crisp 4.5/5

From Small Plates Section ($18 each), we were first served with Octopus tossed with Lao Gan Ma Chilli Crisp (+$14) was moreish and definitely the most innovative way of presenting a grilled octopus. Using the household Lao Gan Ma Chilli, the crisp itself was piquant with a desired amount of heat. The grilled octopus is served thoughtfully sliced up instead of whole, allowing each slice to be enjoyed easily with the crisp without having to slice it up with utensils.

Sesame Prawn Toast 2/5

The following Small Plate, however, paled in comparison. The Asian approach of the Tiger Prawns is presented through a Hong Kong-style sesame prawn toast. A housemade tiger prawn paste is spread onto white bread, deep-fried and finished with a drizzle of kecap manis sauce. The idea is appealing, but not our greasy toast and the salty prawn paste.

Fresh Burrata 4.5/5

Coming to the single produce Cheese, we had a vegan-friendly Western style - Fresh Burrata, served with homemade impossible meat sauce and basil. The meat sauce was impossibly delicious! Like a good bolognese sauce, it was well seasoned with herbs, spices and sweetness from plumb tomatoes, and the minced impossible had a nice bite to it, unlike some other vegan versions, which turned out somewhat mushy. It was indeed a fitting match with the divine pillowy soft burrata.

Wagyu Petit Tender 3/5

The Asian-style Wagyu Petit Tender is new, glazed with savoury char siew sauce. My favourite parts were the tail and front, fully caramelized on one side. Unfortunately, the larger slices in between were a tad underseasoned.

King Prawn 2.5/5

We had King Prawn (tasting portion) oven baked with cajun herb butter for the Mains. The flavours were good, but the prawns lacked the desired firmness.

Oven-Roasted Whole Spatchcock Chicken 4/5

We also had Asian-style Oven-Roasted Whole Spatchcock Chicken (tasting portion). It has the flavours of an Asian soy chicken but is even tastier with a savoury-sweet, slightly charred skin. The meat was tender, and even the lean breast meat portion was delectable.

Grilled Asparagus 3.5/5

New highlights under Sides ($14) include a Grilled Asparagus flavoured with housemade egg aioli, grated Parmigiano and salt-cured egg yolk. I couldn't taste the latter as it was being grated, but overall, it was an excellent complement to the mains.

Hongkong Egglet 4/5

The Dessert section surprised us with an unexpected offering - Hongkong Egglet with blue sea salt ice cream, yuzu jam and chocolate balls. I enjoyed it far more than any egglet I have tried in Singapore. You get an abundance of textures. Some egg pockets were fluffy, some were crisp on one side and doughy on the other, just like a typical egglet. I was impressed! The accompaniments are odd though. Perhaps they should just serve in Hongkong style, with condensed milk, sugar and peanut butter.

Alongside Binary also debuts a cocktail menu that adopts the same binary presentation, where you get a list of Classic offerings synergised with another list with an Asian style.

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.


Binary
Palais Renaissance
390 Orchard Road
#01-01A
Singapore 238871
Tel: +65 93630101
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Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS, TE Line)

Opening Hours
Sun-Tue: 1130am - 1030pm
Wed–Sat: 1130am to 12midnight

Direction:
Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk to Wheelock Place. Walk to traffic junction of Orchard Road and Angullia Park. Cross the road to Royal Thai Embassy. Turn left and continue down Orchard Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Crown Prince Kitchenette @ United Square - Invites All To A Reunion Feast Of Good Fortune For Lunar New Year

Crown Prince Kitchenette, located at United Square, is opened by a team of Malaysian Tze Char chefs, woking up an array of authentic Malaysian Tze Char and Chinese cuisine. To welcome the Year of the Rabbit, Crown Prince Kitchenette has put together two set menus catering for group size 5 and 8.

Fortune Abalone Yusheng 3/5

A tradition to kickstart all Lunar New Year meals is the Lo Hei, Diners gathered around the table tossing to a year of prosperity and abundance. Catering for the occasion, Crown Prince Kitchenette has put together the Fortune Abalone Yusheng ($39.80/$69.80).

Marble Goby in Three Delicacies 4/5

Fish is a must in the Lunar New Year meal as it symbolises well-being and prosperity. The Marble Goby in Three Delicacies ($78) is a fitting celebratory dish for the occasion. The three delicacies are marble goby, clam and prawn. The broth has a hint of herbal flavour and is fragrant with loads of garlic. It may not be for those that dislike garlic.

Clams with Basil Leaves 4.2/5

Basil leaves are usually used in Thai cuisine, but their incorporation into the Clams with Basil Leaves ($15.80) gives the shellfish an accentuated aromatic enjoyment.

Superior Soy Sauce Prawns 4.5/5

Another beautiful seafood dish on the menu is the Superior Soy Sauce Prawns ($36.80). Deep-fried and stir-fried in superior soy sauce, it gives the prawn's sweetness a boost in taste profile.

Dry Fried Green Beans 4.2/5

The Dry Fried Green Beans ($12.80) is a delectable vegetable dish that is fragrant and crunchy. 

Homemade Tofu with Enoki Mushroom & Scallops 4.5/5

The Homemade Tofu with Enoki Mushroom & Scallops ($11.80) will delight the young and old for its soft and silky texture paired with a robust scallop sauce.

Crispy Roasted Sesame Chicken 4.2/5

Crispy on the skin and juicy inside is the Crispy Roasted Sesame Chicken ($38.80). The addition of sesame further enhances the taste profile for a delightful finish.

Braised Pork Knuckle 4.5/5

One of my favourite dishes for dinner is the Braised Pork Knuckle ($58). The pork knuckle, well flavoured by the braising sauce, is deliciously tender, paired with snow peas and mushrooms.

Signature Crispy "Chao Ta" Beehoon with Seafood 3.5/5

A signature at Crown Prince Kitchenette is their Crispy "Chao Ta" Beehoon with Seafood ($12.80). It is good, but it lacked the crispiness and wok hei I had at other places.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Crown Prince Kitchenette
United Square
101 Thomson Road
#B1-09/64/65
Singapore 307591
Tel: +65 88774117
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Nearest MRT: Novena (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 230pm, 5-930pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Novena MRT station. Take Exit B1. Walk straight down Thomson Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

Usher In A Prosperous Year Of The Rabbit With Xin Cuisine Chinese Restaurant CNY 2023

Usher in a prosperous year of the Rabbit with Xin Cuisine Chinese Restaurant at Holiday Inn Atrium Singapore with perennial favourites for takeaways and lavish set menus.

Japanese Unagi Yu Sheng with Roselle Sauce 4/5

Instead of the usual salmon or abalone, Xin Cuisine introduces the new Japanese Unagi Yu Sheng with Roselle Sauce ($98/$138), starring mouth-watering and nutritious grilled Japanese unagi slices paired with chef's concoction of roselle sauce to give it a balance of sweetness with a hint of fresh flower.

Double-boiled Sea Whelk Soup with Dried Velvet Mushrooms 4/5

The Double-boiled Sea Whelk Soup with Dried Velvet Mushrooms is a hearty and nourishing bowl of goodness.

Baked Lobster in Superior Stock 4/5

Perfectly cooked to a delightful firm and bouncy texture is the Baked Lobster in Superior Stock.

Eight Treasure Duck 4/5

Besides the usual Pen Cai, the Eight Treasure Duck is a delicious alternative. The fork-tender duck is well flavoured by the braising sauce, accompanied by crunchy green broccoli.

Sliced Foie Gras with Roasted Chicken & Mango Sauce

The Sliced Foie Gras with Roasted Chicken & Mango Sauce is a delectable combination comprising creamy foie gras and tender roasted chicken gel together by the fruity sweetness from the mango sauce.

Braised Rice Vermicelli in Hong Kong Style 4.2/5

We had the Braised Rice Vermicelli in Hong Kong Style for our carb. The vermicelli has an interesting texture giving it a nice textural bite.

Chilled White Fungus with Kumquat and Peach Resin 3.5/5

Wrapping up the meal, we had the light and refreshing Chilled White Fungus with Kumquat and Peach Resin. A fitting dessert to wash down the richly flavoured Chinese New Year dishes and double up as a palate cleanser.

Xin Cuisine’s Chinese New Year Takeaways are available for order from 1 December 2022 till 2 February 2023 through its e-shop, for collection/delivery from 21 December 2022 to 5 February 2023. Order before 31 December 2022 to enjoy an early bird discount of 20% (key in promo code CNY20 to avail the offer).

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Xin Cuisine Chinese Restaurant
Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium
Level 4
317 Outram Road
Singapore 169075
Contact: +65 31382531
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Nearest MRT: Havelock Road (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Wed-Sun: 1130am - 3pm, 530pm - 930pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Havelock MRT station. Take Exit 5. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

YUN NANS (云海肴) @ ION Orchard - 6 Lunar New Year Set Menus For The Year Of The Rabbit

Whether you have a small group of 3 to 6 people or a big family of 10, YUN NANS has got you covered with their 6 new Lunar New Year set menus that will be available from 9 January to 5 February 2023. These range from $338 for 4 pax to $828 for 8 pax for dine-in, each accompanied by their Traditional Baked Rose Pastry and the new Prosperity Abalone Yu Sheng.

4 selected dishes are available for a la carte orders as well. They are the Prosperity Abalone Yu Sheng, Crispy Roast Chicken, Sautéed Tiger Prawns with Superior Soy Sauce and Yun Nans Prosperity Treasure Pot.

Prosperity Abalone Yu Sheng 鸿福鲍鱼捞生 4/5

We started with the Prosperity Abalone Yu Sheng ($68.80 for Regular, $88.80 for Large) featuring shredded white carrot adorably shaped as a rabbit and plump whole abalones. The plum sauce used leaned tangier, while the abalones were tender.

Prosperity Treasure Hot Pot 火焰聚宝盆菜 4.8/5

The crowd favourite Prosperity Treasure Hot Pot ($328 for Regular - 6 pax, $468 for Large - 8 pax and any additional at $40 per pax) makes a return this year. With an eye-catching golden broth base that is stewed for 6 hours. It's further topped with 11 auspicious ingredients of roast pork belly, bamboo pith, sea cucumber, abalone, scallops, prawns, mushrooms, fish maw, cordyceps flowers, yam and Chinese cabbage. The result was a comforting and luxurious savoury broth that had us going for seconds and thirds. It’s full of depth and not overly salty.

Crispy Roast Chicken 脆皮烤鸡 4/5

The Crispy Roast Chicken ($24.80 for Half, $39.80 for Whole) is another familiar dish from last Lunar New Year, but with an improved recipe. It is marinated with five-spice powder, air-dried and roasted. The meat was tender, but my dining companions and I agreed that we would prefer crispier skin. It's served with an in-house chilli sauce made with seven types of Yunnan's chillies and a salt and pepper dry dip.

Steamed Jade Perch 清蒸翡翠鲈鱼 4.2/5

Opt for the Steamed Jade Perch prepared in either spicy garlic lime or Hong Kong style. We had the former, and the fish was tender and fresh, carrying an appetising tangy-spicy kick.

Braised Spinach in Superior Stock with Dried Scallops and Bamboo Pith 瑶柱竹笙烩苋菜 4.2/5

The Braised Spinach in Superior Stock was a dish most of us enjoyed. It is paired with shredded dried scallops and bamboo pith. The flavourful stock is similar to that of the Prosperity Treasure Hot Pot.

Sauteed Tiger Prawns with Superior Soy Sauce 豉油王老虎虾 4/5

The Sauteed Tiger Prawns with Superior Soy Sauce ($38.80) is made with a blend of premium soy and nine specially curated ingredients such as aromatics and spices. After the prawns are flash-fried, it's stir-fried in the soy sauce mix, resulting in crispy shells and a fragrant finish.

Braised Truffle Ee-fu Noodles with Fresh Scallops 4.2/5

Braised Ee-fu Noodles is one of my favourite dishes to order at Chinese restaurants. YUN NANS' rendition features the noodles in truffle sauce, with scallops and mushrooms. The noodles were cooked to just the right texture and soaked up the sauce thoroughly.

Double Boiled Peach Gum with Snow Pear 桃胶炖雪梨 3.8/5

Our first dessert was a refreshing and sweet bowl of Double Boiled Peach Gum with Snow Pear made with peach gum, snow pear, red dates and wolfberries.

Traditional Baked Rose Pastry 现烤玫瑰鲜花饼 3/5

We ended with a traditional Yunnan dessert, the Traditional Baked Rose Pastry ($6.80 for 3 Pieces). It is almost similar to a tau sar piah but filled with fresh rose petals. We appreciated how these were served warm, but the interior was a tad too doughy.

Do note that YUN NANS operating hours for reunion dinners on Chinese New Year Eve (21 January 2023) is as follows:

Session 1: 4.30pm to 6pm
Session 2: 6.30pm to 8pm
Session 3: 8.15pm to 9.45pm

They will be closed on 22 January 2023, while operating hours remain the same for the rest of the days.

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.


YUN NANS (云海肴)
ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
#B3-17
Singapore 238801
Tel: +65 65130828
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Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 1130am - 10pm
Sat-Sun, PH: 11am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

The Marmalade Pantry Downtown @ Oasia Hotel Downtown - ‘Once Upon A Christmas'

This yuletide season, The Marmalade Pantry at Downtown Oasia presents 'Once Upon A Christmas' feast featuring a sumptuous lineup of delicacies like succulent roasts and new log cakes. The festive highlights are available online for takeaway and delivery, or you can choose to celebrate with your loved ones at the outlets with their 3-Course Festive Set Dinner or Jovial Afternoon Tea & Moscato Set.

Roasted Turkey

From the takeaway and delivery selection, the Carvery provides the perfect centrepiece of your dining table - Roasted Turkey with Honey, Lavender, and Peppercorn ($128+, 3.6kg). The turkey is house-brined overnight before being slow-roasted till golden brown. Then, to enhance the aromatic flora notes of the lavender, the turkey is brushed with a finishing touch made of apple honey, a blend of toasted spices including peppercorns, and dried lavender.

Lavender Honey Pepper Chicken

For smaller gatherings, you can still enjoy the flavours with this Lavender Honey Pepper Chicken ($58+, 2kg), which is done with the same technique.

Rosemary-Infused Roasted Ribeye

Beef up your spread with the Rosemary-Infused Roasted Ribeye ($128+, 1kg). To retain its flavours, the Argentinian grass-fed ribeye is seared on a hot plate before being sous vide overnight with rosemary. The ribeye is then roasted to a turn in the oven with a simple seasoning of salt and pepper.

Lemon & Thyme Slow-Baked Salmon Fillet

My favourite is this Lemon & Thyme Slow-Baked Salmon Fillet ($78+, 0.8kg). Overnight cured Norwegian salmon is marinated in lemon zest and thyme before being slow-baked. It was incredibly moist and tender and flaked easily with a fork. I love its elusive lemony flavour as well.

Maple and Clove Glazed Gammon Ham

The sweet and savoury Maple and Clove Glazed Gammon Ham ($98+, 1.5kg) is a well-loved delicacy of many. The boneless gammon ham is marinated with a mellow sweet maple glaze overnight before roasting.

Chilli Con Carne with Cornbread

For some mouthwatering sides, new this year are the Chilli Con Carne with Cornbread ($28) and Impossible Beef Lasagne ($32). The former features a chilli con carne, a stew of minced beef, red capsicum, onions, carrots, and kidney beans seasoned with warm spices, covered by cornbread. The cornbread is sweet and very buttery, which beautifully complements the chilli con Carne's heat.

Impossible Beef Lasagne

The latter is a plant-based lasagne with layers of Impossible Beef 'Bolognese sauce', pasta sheets, mozzarella, and grana padano cheese. It's a beautiful meatless option, but I find it a tad too highly flavoured. I much prefer the simple Mac & Cheese ($25), a signature recipe of maccheroni pasta coated with a cream-base sauce of truffle paste, truffle oil, cream, and three kinds of cheese – cheddar, mozzarella, and grana padano.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes

The sides are purely delightful. There are Roasted Vegetables ($22), a medley of brussels sprouts, cauliflower and broccoli lightly charred for an elevated smokey flavour; and very comforting Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Vanilla and Maple Glaze ($18) that is reminiscent of warm fluffy hotcakes.

Quinoa Salad with Prawns

A very wholesome offering is this Quinoa Salad with Prawns ($26). It is bright and zesty with a piquant pineapple and chilli dressing and full of textural enjoyment with quinoa, seared prawns, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and cashews.

Classic Chocolate Truffle Log Cake

For log cakes, this year The Marmalade Pantry presents two new flavours. The Classic Chocolate Truffle Log Cake ($68) allures with a rich 60% dark chocolate truffle core enveloped in a chocolate crème of melted chocolate ganache and whipped cream.

Tangy Lemon Pistachio Log Cake

The Tangy Lemon Pistachio Log Cake ($68) is wintry and elegant with a lemon white chocolate truffle core wrapped in a pistachio frosting of pistachio paste and Chantilly cream and rolled with a fluffy vanilla sponge.

Jovial Afternoon Tea & Moscato Set

For dining in, The Marmalade Pantry Downtown also offer a 3-Course Festive Set Dinner ($42) comprising a starter, main and log cake for dessert; and the menu is also available for takeaway and delivery. Or, sip away the afternoon with the Jovial Afternoon Tea & Moscato Set ($86++ for two persons, $78++ for two persons without Moscato) featuring thoughtfully created sweets and savouries along with two glasses of NV Corvezzo Moscato Dolce.

The Marmalade Pantry’s ‘Once Upon A Christmas’ festive gourmet highlights are available for orders from now till 23 December 2022, 12pm at all outlets – The Marmalade Pantry ION and Downtown, The Marmalade Pantry Petite Bugis, as well as via the online store. Takeaway (self-collection) is only available at The Marmalade Pantry Novena, while delivery is available from 1 to 26 December 2022.

*The Novena outlet only offers takeaway (self-collection). Pre-order with Mastercard® by 30 November 2022 to enjoy 15% off festive à la carte orders (not applicable for Festive Bundles) – use promo code for online purchases.


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 Marmalade Pantry Downtown
Oasia Hotel Downtown
#01-01
100 Peck Seah Street
Singapore 079333
Tel: +65 63850741
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Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am – 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjang Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn left and walk to destination. [Map]