LUCE @ InterContinental Singapore - Banquet of Hoshena Festive Edition

This festive season, the Banquet of Hoshena promises a dining experience like no other, where every detail is carefully crafted to transport you to a magical realm. From the twinkling lights to the delightful seasonal flavours, this festive edition enhances the spirit of the season. Let the magic unfold as you indulge in a feast as captivating as the season itself.

The 7-course festive menu is priced at $158++ per person and is available until 1 January 2025. This enchanting experience takes place in a cosy private room within LUCE, where you will be graciously hosted by the charming Queen and her magical mirror as they take you on a journey to a land far, far away. As you dine, expect the table to come alive with stunning animated displays, interactive tasks, mythical creatures and a sense of wonder that elevates every moment.

Rosemary & Olive Tartlet 4/5

To begin our evening, we were presented with the Keys to A Parallel world, in the delicious form of a Rosemary & Olive Tartlet with caramelised fig, duck rillette and onion jam. This bite-sized creation was a perfect balance of flavours, as the buttery tart shell paired beautifully with the rich, savoury rillette, sweet figs, and tangy jam. A delectable start to our dinner.

Truffled Celeriac 4/5

The Truffled Celeriac comes with a touch of playful magic. It features a stick of Granny Smith apple suspended in a floating bowl at the centre of the table. Alongside it is a dish of tender celeriac shaved fresh truffles and Amalfi lemon gel, inviting diners to combine the elements for a refreshing bite to whet the palate.

Salmon Tartare 4.2/5

We enjoyed the Salmon Tartare, delicately balanced on a hot, crispy shiso leaf tempura that provided a satisfying crunch. It is an indulgent bite that offers a nice contrast in textures, with the richness of the salmon tartare offset by the crispness of the leaf.

Chestnut Soup 3.8/5

Next, we were served a hearty Chestnut Soup with crispy bacon bits, chickpeas, and garlic croutons. The velvety texture is comforting, with a subtle, earthy sweetness from the chestnuts. The chickpeas, bacon bits, and croutons also added a nice bite to the soup. However, I detected some citrusy notes that felt slightly out of place. The soup is served with bread and a nice, light seaweed butter.

Pasta al Granchio 4.5/5

The Squid Ink Spaghetti is served with impressive flair, accompanied by a fiery red animation display that adds to the drama of the dish. It features generous chunks of blue crab meat, Calabria Nduja sausage, and a rich tomato ragout, creating a wonderful combination of flavours. The dish can be further spiced to your liking with three condiments — Sichuan pepper, Timut pepper, and chilli oil — allowing you to adjust the heat and elevate the experience to your preferred level of spice. A very enjoyable pasta dish that left us wanting more.

The dinner experience also includes a ‘potion-making’ session, where diners are invited to follow the Queen's instructions to craft their very own apple drink (non-alcoholic). It's a delightful and engaging way to add an extra layer of fun to the dining experience.

Chicken Roulade 4/5

The main course was a lovely Chicken Roulade elegantly paired with chicory, mascarpone, braised red cabbage, cress salad, and a vibrant salsa verde. The roulade itself was tender and juicy, with the mascarpone adding a luscious creaminess to the dish. The slight bitterness of the chicory and the braised red cabbage provided some contrast. It is a tasty dish; however, this dish is overall on the rich side.

Dessert 3.8/5

Dessert arrives amidst a stunning animated display of colourful blooms, and the Guanaja 70% Chocolate Raspberry Gâteau is suitably pretty in pink. This creation features layers of rich cocoa sponge, decadent chocolate crunch, and a raspberry marmalade. A raspberry sorbet adds a refreshing, tangy contrast. Whilst it was fine for me, I can imagine that some diners will find this cake a tad too sweet for their liking.

I was also fortunate to dine alongside two couples celebrating an anniversary and a birthday. The atmosphere was thus made even more lively with special animation effects, and the whole table joined in their celebration. Each couple was presented with a slice of cake to mark their special occasion.

It was definitely a memorable night out, and I appreciated the thought and creativity behind each element of this immersive dining experience. The food is good, and the animations and theatrics added a unique touch to the dinner experience. The cosy, intimate atmosphere also makes this a great choice for those celebrating a special occasion, offering a perfect blend of warmth, magic, and indulgence.

Menu suitable for Vegetarians ($158++) and Young Ones ($108++) are available. For reservations and enquiries, please contact the Dining Reservations Team at +65 6825 1008, or email InterContinental.Dining@ihg.com

Photographed and penned by Shermine. Through her pictures and stories, she shares her journey of savouring new flavours and experiences. Note: This is an invited tasting.


LUCE
InterContinental Singapore
Level 1
80 Middle Road
Singapore 188966
Tel: +65 68251008
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Nearest MRT: Bugis (EW Line, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Wed-Sun: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 1030pm
(Closed on Mon-Tue)

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

Surrey Hills Grocer @ Woodleigh Mall - Exclusive Month-long Collaboration Menu by Chef Damian D’Silva, Founder of Rempapa

Surrey Hills Grocer at Woodleigh Mall is introducing a fresh dining experience this April with a curated menu by Chef Damian D'Silva. Known for his multicultural cuisine at Rempapa, Chef Damian presents six specially crafted dishes exclusively for one month until 30 April 2024.

Located along The Woodleigh Mall's Heritage Walk, the Woodleigh outlet of Surrey Hills Grocer may require some navigation for first-time visitors. The air-conditioned environment accommodates up to 90 diners, making it an ideal gathering spot. Furry companions are welcome, too, with a dedicated menu tailored just for them.

Each Surrey Hills Grocer outlet offers a differentiated menu, ensuring diners experience new takes on familiar favourites. For instance, while the Woodleigh outlet serves Tom Yum Tater Tots, the ION outlet offers Mentaiko Tater Tots - a creative concept that adds variety to the dining experience.

Surrey's Homemade Iced Lemon Tea

I ordered the mildly sweet Surrey's Homemade Iced Lemon Tea ($8) from its extensive beverage list, which was made in-house using cold-brewed premium black tea dust and fresh lemons.

Berry Dragonfruit Smoothie

My dining companions went with the Berry Dragonfruit Smoothie ($13), Appily Ever After ($10) and Berrylicious Lemonade ($9).

Signature Nasi Lemak with Opor Ayam 3.8/5

We started with a few of Chef Damian's specialities first. Among what we had, we preferred the Signature Nasi Lemak with Opor Ayam ($25) - a classic nasi lemak ensemble featuring coconut rice, fried silver fish, sambal, a fried Nuyolk egg, and a side of opor ayam. The nasi lemak, with its fluffy and aromatic rice, was the biggest highlight. However, we found the opor ayam lacking the richness we anticipated. The traditional spiced coconut gravy was milder than expected, missing the aromatic notes of cumin and coriander. Nonetheless, the chicken remained tender.

Kerabu Ikan Tenggiri 3.8/5

I've not had Kerabu Ikan Tenggiri ($22) before, but the refreshing crunch and mildly spiced dressing were enticing. This traditional salad comprises barred Spanish mackerel, wing beans, cherry tomatoes, long beans, herbs and salted eggs. Considering the price tag, we were hoping for more significant portions of mackerel.

Peranakan Prawn Sambal 2.8/5

The Peranakan Prawn Sambal ($26) left us disappointed. Our prawns were dry and difficult to extract from their shells. Despite its sambal and shrimp paste base, intended to appeal to spice fans, the dish lacked the expected heat and flavour profile.

Skillet Squid Ink Pasta 4.5/5

The standout dish of the evening was unanimously the Skillet Squid Ink Pasta ($28), topped with creamy kewpie mayo. The briny and umami hints in the mouthfuls of broken squid ink pasta were addictive, and the addition of squid and shrimp further enhanced the experience.

Triple Truffle Fries 4.2/5

The Triple Truffle Fries ($19) is one of the few dishes available across the Surrey Hills Grocer outlets. Tossed in fragrant truffle olive oil and dusted with truffle powder, they are adorned with generous parmesan shavings. While they may not be the crispiest fries, their satisfying crunch and accompanying homemade truffle mayo dip made for a delightful sharing snack.

Matcha Udon 3.8/5

We were initially sceptical when we spotted the Matcha Udon ($26) on the menu, but with assurances from the staff, we decided to give it a try. The soft udon was cooked in a creamy white wine matcha sauce, accompanied by smoked pork belly, ramen egg, Korean seaweed flakes and grated parmesan cheese. Surprisingly, it was a pleasant combination, with the carbonara flavour taking the lead. We appreciated the balance that avoided being overly rich, but matcha lovers should note that the matcha bitterness was very subtle for what it's named. You'll find carbonara-based dishes prepared differently if you visit other Surrey Hills Grocer outlets.

The Signature Stack 4.2/5

The highly recommended Melburnian Pancake Parlour pancakes lived up to their reputation. Opting for The Signature Stack ($24) as our dessert, we were treated to two pieces of old-school style buttermilk pancakes, generously topped with vanilla crème chantilly, seasonal fruit compote, fresh berries, and sea salt butterscotch. The pancakes were worth a try, being somewhat fluffy and buttery. The additional crumbles littered on top added good texture contrast. For those with a sweet tooth, this also came with extra maple syrup and caramel sauce for drizzling. I recommend sharing this with a friend or two, as it gets heavy quickly.

While the prices are steep, we were fans of the restaurant's ambience and pet-friendly space. We enjoyed its main menu more than the seasonal offerings and look forward to trying the unique variations across its outlets.

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
The Woodleigh Mall
#01-52/53
11 Bidadari Park Drive
Singapore 367803
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Nearest MRT: Woodleigh (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 10am - 10pm

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