Esora @ Mohamed Sultan Road - Celebration of the Organic Beauty and Purity Found in the Finest Seasonal Produce

Located in the quaint conservation area of Mohamed Sultan Road, Esora, a Michelin-starred restaurant under the guidance of Head Chef Takeshi Araki, this modern Japanese Kappo Restaurant invites diners on a gastronomic journey inspired by kisetsukan – the changing seasons. Esora's cuisine celebrates the organic beauty and purity of the finest seasonal produce, harmoniously marrying traditional Japanese techniques with a modern flair.

Foie Gras Monaka 4.5/5

Embarking on the Winter Dinner Menu ($368++), Esora unfolds a symphony of flavours, capturing the essence of the season. Each dish is meticulously crafted to showcase the beauty of winter's bounty and the artistry of Chef Takeshi Araki.

The dinner commences with the Foie Gras Monaka, a signature creation of Maison Mitteault foie gras takes centre stage, accompanied by the seasonal brightness of kumquat. Layered with black sesame paste, this dish is a dance of sweet and tangy notes adorned with myoga, kinome, and fresh kumquat slices.

Snowcrab 4.2/5

The Snowcrab presents the Matsuba snow crab in all its wintry glory. This seemingly simple cold dish conceals intricate layers of white vinegar pickled red turnip, blanched snow spinach in dashi, and a base of black vinegar jelly. With the addition of kani miso and crab roe, each bite is a celebration of sweetness, expertly balanced.

Fugu 4.8/5

The Fugu, or puffer fish, is a winter delight presented in a deep-fried masterpiece. Marinated with kanzuri, a Niigata fermented chilli paste, and deep-fried, it is served with a squeeze of kabosu, a unique citrus fruit from Oita Prefecture, offering a refreshing twist.

Esora Winter Hassun

The Esora Winter Hassun artfully arranges seasonal delicacies on a 'snow' bed, showcasing Chef Araki's dedication to aesthetic presentation and flavorful cohesion.

Himi Kanburi - Winter Yellowtail Fish 4.5/5

Himi Kanburi, or Winter Yellowtail Fish, takes the spotlight as a seasonal delight. With its heightened fattiness and creamy texture during winter, it is paired with negi shio to enhance its inherent sweetness.

Ankimo - Monkfish Liver 4/5

Ankimo, also known as the foie gras of the sea, graces the menu. Paired with winter Kyoto Kujyo Negi, Akagai (blood clam), Koshin Daikon (watermelon radish), and Nuta, a sweet Japanese mustard, it is a testament to the richness of the ocean.

Ruri'lro Nasu - Blue Eggplant 4.5/5

The Ruri'lro Nasu, a deep-fried blue eggplant, is a sensory experience. Cooked in dashi until tender, it is crowned with lobster butter, sea urchin, and wasabi, creating a flavourful crescendo.

Kasujiru 4.8/5

In homage to winter comfort, Kasujiru, a sake lees soup, graces the table. Somen, dashi-braised awabi, daikon, carrots, and kuro shichimi are immersed in a sea bream stock, white miso, ginger, garlic, and sake lees broth, offering warmth and depth.

Akamutsu - Black Throat Sea Perch 4.2/5

Akamutsu, or Black Throat Sea Perch, showcases Chef Araki's finesse in grilling. Lightly seasoned and grilled over binchotan, it is served with sautéed Chinese dragon chives, presenting a harmonious play of flavours.

Omi Wagyu 4.5/5

The mainstay at Esora, the Omi Wagyu, is recognised as one of Japan's Wagyu masterpieces. Inspired by the joy of eating a sukiyaki in winter, it is paired with a sukiyaki sauce. Chargrilled maitake mushroom, charred pecoros onion, and shungiku accompany this A5 Omi Wagyu, offering a symphony of textures and tastes.

Donabe 4.5/5

The Donabe, evolving with the seasons, features anago (saltwater eel) cooked with eel stock. Topped with Japanese herbs, chargrilled anago, wasabi, seaweed, and dashi sauce, it is a testament to Esora's commitment to seasonal variety. Miso soup is presented alongside the rice.

Setoka

Chef Araki introduces Setoka mandarin in a refreshing pre-dessert, a citrus fruit that heralds the transition from winter to spring. Served with white yuzu snow ice cream and sansho pepper, it creates a sweet, zesty experience.

Sweet Potato 4/5

The dessert finale is a homage to winter nights, featuring Sweet Potatoes drizzled with kuro mirin caramel. Layered with vanilla ice cream, diced caramelised sweet potato, red bean paste, sweet potato tuille, and lemon jam, it captures the essence of winter warmth.

Esora, with its Winter Elegance menu, invites discerning diners to partake in a culinary journey that transcends seasons. Chef Takeshi Araki's meticulous approach to presenting the finest seasonal produce in a modern Japanese context transforms dining into a sensory symphony. Each dish, a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation, echoes the organic beauty of nature's bounty.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Esora
15 Mohamed Sultan Road
Singapore 238964
Tel: +65 8533 7528
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Fort Canning (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Wed & Fri: 6:30pm - 10:30pm
Thur: 12pm - 3:30pm, 6:30pm - 10:30pm
Sat & Sun: 5:30pm - 10:30pm
(Closed on Mon & Tue)

Direction:
1) Alight at Fort Canning MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to traffic junction Clemenceau Ave and River Valley Road. Cross the road. Continue walking down River Valley Road. Turn left onto Mohamed Sultan Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

Masa Saito Innovative @ OUE Downtown Gallery - Experience the UMAMI of Japanese Food Ingredients and Fermented Seasonings

Umami, the elusive, savoury taste our palate seeks, is the focus of the Japan Food Product Overseas Promotion Center's (JFOODO) latest campaign, 'Unlock UMAMI'.  This gastronomic promotion is taking place in New York, Los Angeles, and Singapore. It began on January 16 and runs until February 29. While fresh Japanese produce and ingredients are fundamental to restaurant menus, the promotion aims to draw attention to the taste of umami, which might not always be visible on our plates. With the tagline 'Unlock UMAMI, Live Deliciously Healthy with Japanese KOJI', the campaign will showcase how umami is derived from Japanese fermented seasonings, and the combinations of Japanese food ingredients and fermented seasonings can be used as key elements to create delicious and healthy foods.

The best way to experience Umami is, of course, through tasting it. In partnership with renowned chefs and restaurants (30 participant restaurants in total expected), special menus are featured, serving various Japanese dishes using Japanese fermented seasonings (including soy sauce, miso, mirin, and rice vinegar) combined with Japanese food ingredients. I was privileged to experience umami at Masa Saito Innovative, located at OUE Downtown Gallery. Helmed by Chef Masanao Saito, he crafts the KOJI SEASONING MENU under the 'Unlock Umami' concept using traditional Japanese seasoning and seasonal ingredients.

Snow Crab Crystal Potato Tarte 4.5/5

Our dinner started with an exquisite Fukui Snow Crab Crystal Potato Tarte, layered delicately with Hokkaido Yumepirika Rice Puree, Rice Puff, White Kombu, Yuzu Zest and finished off with a Yuzu garlic dressing.

Uni Brioche 5/5

2nd course was a luscious Uni brioche featuring Hokkaido Bafun Sea Urchin. Bringing together the various ocean-y ingredients together and binding them with the sweet buttery broiche was a dark Yamani Shoyu.

Charcoal-Grilled Squid 5/5

The third course featured Charcoal-Grilled Squid from Choshi, Chiba. The squid was skillfully grilled over charcoal, achieving a texture that was almost creamy within, yet with a delectable bounce to each bite. Accentuating its subtle flavour and the hint of smokiness from the grill was the use of Yamasa Soy Sauce, enlivened with zesty Ponzu.

Grilled Tilefish 4/5

Up next was Grilled Tilefish in dashi with Asari Clam seasoned with White Soy Sauce. The dashi was a tad salty, but the clams and the greens helped alleviate that. The fish was beautifully done with crispy skin.

Yellowtail in Sake Kasu Beurre Blanc 5/5

My favourite dish of the evening was Yellowtail in Sake Kasu Beurre Blanc. Delicately roasted over the straw fire, the yellowtail was laced with a hint of smokiness, enhancing its natural flavours. The beurre blanc was the highlight. Chef Saito had skilfully incorporated sake kasu into his beurre blanc, a departure from the traditional use of white wine. This byproduct of sake production imparted a different kind of flavour to the beurre blanc. It was delicious with a light consistency, boasting the mouthfeel of the buttery yellowtail.

Iberico Pork Pluma 4.8/5

Akanedashi Miso

This Unlock Umami menu also introduces Akanedashi Miso, which is featured in our Iberico Pork Pluma dish. Generously marbled with fats, Iberico Pork Pluma is prized for its rich flavours and texture, akin to wagyu. Akanedashi Miso, a pretty intense miso with a fiery kick, was an apt choice to complement the rich character of the pork. Sato Imo (Japanese Yum Potatoes) accompanying the pork has a dense and creamy texture, elevating the overall enjoyment of this dish.

Chestnut Gelato with Kintoki Carrot Paste 4/5

Summing up our meal was a velvety Chestnut Gelato, featuring alongside Kintoki Carrot Paste, known for its beautiful red hue and creamy texture.

The dishes are part of the dinner course menu ($250++). This "Unlock Umami Restaurant Campaign" Menu is available during dinner time. For more information on the campaign and participating restaurants https://japan-food.jetro.go.jp/odan/sg/

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.


Masa Saito Innovative
OUE Downtown Gallery
6A Shenton Way
#01-04
Singapore 068815
Tel: +65 9052 8810
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line), Shenton Way (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon - Sat: 12pm - 330pm, 7pm-11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit E. Walk to traffic junction of Maxwell Road and Shenton Way. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Shenton Way MRT station. Take Exit 6. Walk to Shenton Way. Cross the road. Turn left and walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Peach Blossoms @ PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay - Usher in The Majestic Year of The Dragon

Herald the Year of the Dragon with an array of Lunar New Year dine-in menus and takeaways at Peach Blossoms, curated by Executive Chinese Chef Edward Chong and his team. Six luxurious set menus are being presented this year, and we had the pleasure of trying the Year of the Dragon Imperial set at $398 per person.

Peach Blossoms Auspicious Yu Sheng 4/5

Peach Blossoms Auspicious Yu Sheng comprises a vibrant medley of fruits and vegetables, with individual serving of Kanpachi and Hokkaido Uni. The abundant fruits include fresh strawberries, kiwi, jackfruit, nashi pear, rockmelon, honeydew, and jambu.

Double Boiled Geoduck and Chicken Mousse Soup 4/5

Double Boiled Geoduck and Chicken Mousse Soup features a delicate butterfly-shaped chicken mousse and thin slices of geoduck blanched in the soup itself. Boiled over eight hours with free-range chicken, the soup is further sweetened with corn and peas.

Braised Dried Abalone, Fish Maw and Chicken 5/5

The next course is a dish that requires expertise and skills for execution - Braised Dried Abalone, Fish Maw and Chicken. The South Africa dried abalone is laboriously prepared in-house over the course of 2 to weeks. The abalone is complemented with a free-range chicken drumstick, expertly deboned with the meat removed. It is then stuffed with fish maw and sauce before being cooked.

Japanese Sea Cucumber, Sturgeon Fish Tendon Dumpling 4.5/5

The following course is an exquisite dish - Japanese Sea Cucumber, Sturgeon Fish Tendon Dumpling with Superior Sauce. Sturgeon fish is chosen for its head resembling a mythical dragon to celebrate the Year of the Dragon. The fish dumpling filling combines sturgeon meat and its prized tendon. A succulent Japanese sea cucumber in a sweet pumpkin and sturgeon broth is served alongside. The pan-fried Japanese sea cucumber had an enjoyable bouncy texture, further enhanced by its sturgeon meat filling.

Snow Crab and Wild Mushrooms 4/5

Next, we indulged in Snow Crab and Wild Mushrooms, served with Thai Jasmine Rice. The rice was savoury with nuttiness and crunch from toasted pine nuts. The snow crab leg meat was presented in a chawanmushi style, elevating it into a more complete dish.

Desserts 5/5

Desserts were the highlight for me. Aesthetically presented in a Japanese garden-like setting, we had Green Tea Puff with Osmanthus, Pineapple Sorbet and Red Date Cake. The latter was my favourite, reminiscent of a red bean rice cake. The Green Tea Puff was creatively crafted with cucumber slices, imparted a delightful crunch and flavour that perfectly complemented the green tea paste. The Pineapple Sorbet pleases in the form of a majestic stone lion for prosperity this Lunar New Year.

Peanuts and Pine Nuts Soup 5/5

Concluding the meal was a warm and comforting Peanuts and Pine Nuts Soup encased in an eye-catching shell, which can be cracked open with a mini golden mallet to usher in the brand new year.

In celebration of the Lunar New Year, Peach Blossoms presents six specially curated Lunar New Year set menus, which include the seven-course Blessings set at $2,388 per table of 10. The six-course Year of the Dragon Imperial set is at $398++ per person.

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.


Peach Blossoms
PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay
Level 5
6 Raffles Boulevard
Singapore 039594
Tel: +65 68451118
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Esplanade (CC Line), Promenade (CC, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 12pm - 3pm, 630pm - 1030pm
Sat-Sun: 11am - 3pm, 630pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn right and walk down Raffles Boulevard. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Promenade MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk down Raffles Boulevard. Cross the road at Millenia Walk or Marina Square. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Azur @ Crown Plaza Changi Airport - Launches The Seafood N' Grill Weekend Buffet

Azur at Crown Plaza Changi Airport has made a comeback with its popular Seafood N' Grill Weekend buffet! Diners can indulge in a tantalising spread of fresh premium seafood delights and grill dishes during the Seafood N' Grill Dinner Buffet promotion, available every Friday and Saturday till 29 July 2023.

Indulge in the array of fresh and succulent Seafood-On-Ice, which features fresh oysters, snow crab legs, New Zealand green-lipped mussels, half-shelled scallops and poached sweet prawns, as well as fresh sushi and sashimi.

Azur Restaurant's Char-Grilled Seafood section is not to be missed as you canter down the aisle. Be sure to tuck into other seafood delicacies prepared ala minute, with the chefs grilling the baby crayfish, jumbo prawns, and skewer squids over charcoal fire.

Amp up your palette with the Herb's Thyme Rubbed Roasted Wagyu Rump at the Chef's carving section. Pair the tender and juicy wagyu rump with sauces and condiments such as the Merlot Beef Jus, Béarnaise or French Mustard.

In addition to all these mouth-watering selections, you will also get to enjoy their Peranakan delicacies, with all-time classics such as the Ayam Curry Kapitan, Homemade Ngoh Hiang, Chap Chye, and Nonya Assam Mackerel.

For carb-loving diners, indulge in the Nonya Hokkien Mee with Shrimp, Squid and Pork Belly or the Nonya Fried Rice with Shrimp and Balachan.

Not to be missed is the Nonya Iberico Rice Dumpling, where they have entire rice dumplings filled with premium ingredients, including five-spiced Iberico pork, dried scallops, mushrooms, chestnut, salted egg and dried shrimps.

Diners who prefer Western options may also choose from the mouth-watering selection of their Western show kitchen. Savour the signature Char-grilled Angus Beef Steak with Burnt Onion Sauce, Lamb with Mustard with Red Wine Jus, Scallop Cheese Gratin, and French Chicken with Rosemary.

Complete the delectable dining experience with decadent treats from the Dessert Bar, including the American Cheesecake, Green Tea Chestnut Mousse, Chocolate Brownie, Red Velvet, Lemon Meringue Tart, and Vanilla Berries Panna Cotta. There is also a tall chocolate fondue served with marshmallows, fruit skewers and waffle cubes. You can also pair them with a delectable scoop of gelato.

S$68++ for adults & S$34++ for child (aged 9 to 12 yrs old) respectively
Kids aged 8 years old and below dine for free.

Photos and words 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.


Crowne Plaza Changi Airport
75 Airport Boulevard
Singapore 819664
Tel: +65 68235354
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Changi Airport (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 630am - 10am, 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 10pm
Fri-Sun: 630am - 11am, 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Changi Airport MRT station. Take Exit to Terminal 3. Take lift to level 2. Walk to Crowne Plaza Hotel. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]