Chara Brasserie @ Mercure ICON Singapore City Centre - Mediterranean-Asian Buffet with 4 Rotating Menus

Chara Brasserie is an all-day dining restaurant of the new Mercure ICON Singapore City Centre. Offering a Mediterranean Asian theme buffet, the menu lineup took on inspiration from different countries each day of the week. There are four menus in rotation each week. Be enticed by more than 100 varieties, from classic flavours to modern takes on familiar dishes.

Australian Angus Beef Prime Rib 3.8/5

Seabass 4.5/5

Spice Marinated Whole Baby Lamb Rotisserie 4.5/5

On Friday and Saturday, the Live Rotisserie Station will be fully charged with beautifully roasted meats. As the theme is Mediterranean and Asia Pacific, lamb rotisseries and roast carving stations will take centre stage. The star of this station is the Spice Marinated Whole Baby Lamb Rotisserie (for dinner), alongside other hearty roasts such as Australian Angus Beef Prime Rib and Roasted Chicken.

DIY Chicken Kebab 3/5

There is also an interactive DIY Kebab Station that lets you put together your own kebab. Although the chicken was a tad dry, the creamy hummus made up for the texture.

Seafood on Ice 4.5/5

The Seafood on Ice station brimmed with chilled clams, poached sea prawns, mussels, flower crabs, lobsters, crayfish, and oysters. The oysters were quite exceptional, and a variety of sauces complemented them.

Japanese Okonomiyaki 4.5/5

Korean Tteobokki 3/5

One standout dish from the buffet is the Japanese Okonomiyaki. It's a delightful blend of shredded cabbage, dough, whole egg, and oysters, resulting in a light and satisfying texture. The final touch of sauce and mayonnaise binds the savoury ingredients together with a contrasting sweet and creamy flavour. I reckoned the Korean Tteobokki needed a bit more sauce.

Sashimi 3.8/5

I appreciate the individually plated Sashimi from the Japanese station. You can also find aburi chirashi dons with free-flowing ikura, ebiko, and tobiko.

Chilli Crab 4/5

Black Pepper Crayfish 4/5

Local favourites and flavours are included as well. Both Black Pepper Crayfish and Chilli Crab were being snapped up really fast. Kung Po Smoked Chilli Prawns were an interesting rendition.

Prata Puff and Dahl Curry 4/5

Hand - Skewered Ariff Satay 4/5

Although the Prata Puff and Dahl Curry were a tad oily, they were exceptionally moreish. For the hand-skewered Ariff Satay, I suggest enjoying it early in your meal as they are limited in numbers.

Assorted Kuehs 4.5/5

The Dessert Station was decadent, with a wide range of Nyonya kueh, mini tarts, cupcakes, mini cakes, puddings, and even waffles, served with soft-serve gelato. I tried every single kueh, and they were really delicious!

To celebrate its grand launch, Chara Brasserie is offering an opening special of 25% off the prices of its buffet menu, valid daily until 31 May 2024

Chara Brasserie Buffet Lineup - Flavours From Across the World Four Rotating Menus.
Monday and Tuesday - Flavours of the Mediterranean and Southeast Asia, with the hot stations firing up to cook seafood - focused specialties.
Wednesday and Thursday - Mediterranean with Japanese flair
Friday and Saturday - Mediterranean and Asia Pacific, with lamb rotisseries and roast carving stations set up.
Sunday - An international Mediterranean buffet serving up all three menus from across the week.

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.


Chara Brasserie
Mercure ICON Singapore City Centre
8 Club Street
#02 - 01
Singapore 069472
Tel: +65 8826 8585
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Nearest MRT: Telok Ayer (DT Line), Chinatown (DT, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Breakfast: 6.30am -10.30am
Lunch: 11.30am to 3pm
Dinner: 6pm to 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Telok Ayer MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn left and walk down Cross Street. Turn left onto Club Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Chinatown MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk straight down Pagoda Street to North Bridge Road. Cross the road and walk to Mohd Ali Lane. Walk down Mohd Ali Lane. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

SHINRAI @ Telok Ayer Street - Bold Fusion of Aburi and Charcoal Grill Mastery

Nestled in the vibrant enclave of Telok Ayer, SHINRAI unveils an exquisite sushi-izakaya concept that seamlessly blends the artistry of omakase-inspired dishes with the convivial ambience of a traditional Japanese izakaya. Spearheaded by veteran omakase Chef Desmond Fong from Sushi Yujo and meticulously curated by Head Chef Haoey Cheah, SHINRAI promises a dining experience brimming with aburi and charcoal-grilled specialities that captivate the senses.

Salmon Carpaccio 3.5/5

We kickstarted the meal with several appetisers, starting with the Salmon Carpaccio ($16.80). This tantalising dish features thinly sliced salmon sashimi delicately drizzled with the chef's housemade aromatic truffle sauce, culminating in a harmonious symphony of flavours heightened by adding truffle caviar for an intensified earthy essence.

Seafood Chawanmushi with Truffle Caviar 4/5

Indulge in the rich flavours of the Seafood Chawanmushi ($9.80), a Japanese egg custard infused with succulent crab meat, prawns, and scallops, accentuated by the opulent notes of truffle caviar. Each spoonful offers a luxurious burst of flavour, making it a delightful appetiser that tantalises the palate.

Hotate with Foie Gras Sushi 4/5

Elevate your sushi experience with the decadent Hotate with Foie Gras Sushi ($23.80). This opulent creation showcases a perfect union of sweet scallops, and rich foie gras layered atop sushi rice. The scallops are enhanced with a sweet housemade sauce and torched to perfection, resulting in a delectable caramelised finish.

Shinrai Signature Maki 4.2/5

Dive into a world of flavours with the SHINRAI Signature Maki ($21.80), an irresistible sushi roll bursting with torched salmon, grilled unagi, creamy avocado, crisp cucumber, tobiko, and a delightful touch of chicken floss. The harmonious blend of textures and flavours offers a delightful, satisfying, and indulgent mouthful.

Tebasaki, Tsukune, Hotate 3.5/5

Savour the smoky and charred flavours of the Tebasaki ($3.80), Tsukune ($6.80), and Hotate ($7.80) skewers, each glazed with teriyaki sauce and grilled to perfection. Accompanied by a luscious onsen egg dip, these skewers offer a delightful interplay of flavours and textures that tantalise the taste buds.

Ebi with Mentaiko 4/5

Delight in the succulent flavours of the Ebi with Mentaiko ($21.80), featuring tiger prawns enveloped in a rich housemade mentaiko sauce that perfectly complements the sweet and crunchy prawns, resulting in a harmonious marriage of flavours.

Wagyu Foie Gras Don 4/5

Indulge in the ultimate indulgence with the Wagyu Foie Gras Don ($48.80), a sumptuous bowl starring prime A5 Kagoshima wagyu beef and decadent foie gras served over fluffy pearl rice, accompanied by a compelling onsen egg and truffle sauce. This hearty dish promises a symphony of flavours that delights the senses.

Tofu Cheesecake 3.8/5

Conclude your meal on a sweet note with the Tofu Cheesecake ($5.80), a delightful fusion of soybeans transformed into a melt-in-the-mouth cheesy indulgence. It is complemented by a sable base for added texture and depth of flavour.

Experience the culinary charms of SHINRAI with their lunch sets starting from $16.80, available every Monday to Friday from 11.30am to 2.30pm. With a diverse selection of options such as Chicken Teriyaki Don, Salmon Mentaiko Don, and Bara Chirashi Don, each lunch set includes miso soup, salad, and a delectable serving of tofu cheesecake, offering a delightful midday reprieve for discerning diners.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


SHINRAI
173 Telok Ayer Street
Singapore 068622
Tel: +65 8858 8831
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Nearest MRT: Telok Ayer (DT Line), Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 1030pm
Fri-Sat: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 1145pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit G. Turn left and walk down Telok Ayer Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Telok Ayer MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Telok Ayer Street. Turn left onto Telok Ayer Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Miraku 味楽 @ ICON Village (Tanjong Pagar) - Traditional Omakase Reimagined and Reinterpreted

Miraku - where Japanese culinary artistry meets intimate dining experience. The restaurant is conveniently located within Icon Village, right next to Tanjong Pagar MRT station, but tucked behind a discreet entrance. Step through and be transported to a zen oasis completely cut off from the hustle and bustle of the main street.

Miraku prides itself on the fresh, premium seafood used. With ingredients flown in daily from Japan, you can be assured of the quality of the produce. There are 18-counter seats, and the menu here is omakase only. For lunch, they offer a Lunch Sushi Course ($88++) or Lunch Omakase ($108++). For dinner, select between the Miraku Sushi Omakase ($178++) or the Miraku Premium Omakase ($228++). They also have a selection of sake to pair with your meal, including the Miraku Junmai Daigingyo, which has aromas of peach and pear and hints of spice and straw.

The Miraku Premium Omakase experience begins with a beautifully presented trio of house appetisers - Shiromi (marinated white fish) Tart on Rice Cracker, Minced Tuna Belly on Beetroot Cracker and a warm A4 Wagyu Croquette.

Next comes the first seasonal appetiser, a tangy and refreshing dish of Whelk with Umi Budo (sea grapes), some adorable micro Japanese fruit tomatoes and kumquat.

The second seasonal appetiser features a gooey mix of Hairy Crab and Lady's Finger in egg yolk vinegar, topped with Ikura.

For the seasonal warm dish, Tai Shirako (Seabream milt) is presented in tempura style, with green pepper and rice salt flakes. Soft, creamy and comparable to tofu in terms of texture, this dish will appeal to the adventurous diner.

Sashimi is next, a clean-tasting selection of Kinmedai (golden-eye red snapper) and Sawara (Spanish mackerel).

Then comes thick cuts of rich and buttery Chutoro. The sashimi is served with egg yolk shoyu and special Japanese Mountain wasabi shavings that enhance the fish's taste but do not burn the nasal passages.

As one of the only non-seafood dishes on this omakase menu, the A4 Wagyu Sukiyaki is melt-in-your-mouth perfection. It is served with onsen tamago, so mix well and enjoy!

Isaki (Grunt fish)

Kamasu (Barracuda)

Ira (Tusk fish)

What follows is sushi (7 pieces), and it was great that we could choose the amount of rice we wanted for the sushi. The pacing was also excellent, and we did not feel rushed through our meal. The chef paused to give us time to savour each creation before following with the next piece. We had Isaki (Grunt fish), Kamasu (Barracuda), Ira (Tusk fish), Kuromutsu (Blue fish), Hotate (Scallop), Hokkaido Uni (Sea urchin) and a delightfully creamy Toro Maki (Akami, Chutoro, and marinated egg yolk). We finished this with a light and fluffy Castella Tamago.

Kuromutsu (Blue fish)

Hotate (Scallop)

Hokkaido Uni (Sea urchin)

Toro Maki (Akami, Chutoro, and marinated egg yolk)

 

Castella Tamago

Lastly, we had a Uni Ikura Rice Bowl, and after all that seafood, it was nice to have a simple and comforting bowl of white miso soup served piping hot.

Uni Ikura Rice Bowl

The dessert was a slice of Shizuoka Muskmelon and Japanese Strawberry Wine Jelly. You can never go wrong with Shizuoka muskmelon; it's always sweet and juicy!!

Dinner at Miraku is undoubtedly a substantial and splendid affair. The menu offers good value for the many courses and luxe ingredients, including favourites such as chutoro, uni, and wagyu. We also enjoyed the friendly hospitality of the team. The chef was clearly knowledgeable and happy to chat or answer any questions we had. All in all, Miraku is a cosy space to pamper yourself and your loved ones with exquisite Japanese food.

Just a note for those who may have dietary restrictions: this is an omakase experience that focuses on showcasing the fresh taste of premium Japanese seafood, so please expect that there are not many fully cooked dishes or non-seafood items on the menu.

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


Miraku
Icon Village
12 Gopeng Street
#01-01/04
Singapore 078877
Tel: +65 69049783
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Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon: 6pm - 10pm
Tue-Sat: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 10pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn left and walk down Peck Seah Street. Walk to Icon Village. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

G Izakaya @ Golden Mile Tower - 1-for-1 8-Course Japanese Omakase Till 31 May 2024, Featuring Lobster Tail, Chutoro, and Uni Hand Roll

From now till 31 May 2024, G Izakaya at Golden Mile Tower is offering a value-for-money 8-course Omakase at a promotional price of $188++ for two pax. The restaurant has garnered popularity for its seasonal omakase menus, which are offered at attractive prices.

It took us a while to locate the restaurant. When facing Golden Mile Tower, veer to the left instead of entering from the main entrance. The cosy 10-seater omakase space is next to their larger izakaya dining area.

Welcome Drink

We were each given a shot glass of Butterfly Pea Welcome Drink to start. I would have liked this a lot less sweet.

Hotaru Ika with Yuzu Miso

The starter featured Hotaru Ika with Yuzu Miso. Hotaru ika, currently in season, boasted a rich and briny flavour. It harmoniously paired with the zesty yuzu miso.

Lobster Tail with Uni Paste & Pan-Fried Scallop

The succulent Lobster Tail was served warm and accompanied by an intriguing combination of uni paste, pan-fried scallop and tempura bananas. This unexpected mix of elements was surprisingly likeable, with the sweetness from the lobster and banana complementing the umami notes of the uni paste.

3-Kind Sashimi

Next was 3-Kind Sashimi, with fresh and thick cuts of Shima Aji, Akami and Otoro.

Gindara Saikyo with Sweet Potato

Following that, the chef presented us with the Gindara Saikyo with Sweet Potato. The miso cod was firm yet flaky, and despite the side of shiokoji dressing, we found it to be adequately flavourful on its own.

Noresore with Mozuku Seaweed

I was excited to try the chef's palate cleanser of Noresore with Mozuku Seaweed, as I had never tried noresore (young conger eel) before. The noresore was light with a subtle sweetness, refreshing when paired with the tangy vinegared seaweed.

Isaki

The next part of the omakase was the 6-Piece Nigiri Sushi. First was Isaki, a lean cut white-fleshed fish.

Madai

The Madai was served next. The sea bream was mild with a clean sweetness and became one of my favourites.

Hirame

The chef lightly torched a piece of engawa for our third sushi to add on top of our Hirame.

Chutoro

The Chutoro was served with slender strips of delicate young spring onion, which I found particularly enjoyable. The fatty cut of chutoro melted in the mouth.

Hotate

Lightly dressed in soy, the plump and fresh Hotate will satisfy scallop lovers.

Uni

The last of our 6-Piece Nigiri Sushi was also a highlight of the meal. The luxurious mouthful of Uni hand roll was layered with sushi rice, chutoro, and a generous scoop of uni, all finished with a spray of gold dust. This was a flavour explosion of the sea.

Pumpkin Fish Soup with Fish Curd

The soup course varies daily, and during our visit, we were served the Pumpkin Fish Soup with Fish Curd. With its thicker consistency, the warm soup was a comforting closure before desserts.

Pineapple Sherbet and Warabi Mochi

The desserts didn't quite match the preceding dishes. We tried the Pineapple Sherbet and Warabi Mochi; while the sherbet was refreshing, it was pretty average.

Pineapple Sherbet and Warabi Mochi

The homemade warabi mochi paired with azuki beans was better, but the combination was slightly too sweet for my liking.

8-Course Omakase 4.5/5

At this 1-for-1 price point, G Izakaya's omakase offered excellent quality and value. Overall, I thoroughly appreciated the thoughtful curation of the dishes and the quality of the ingredients. I particularly liked how the ingredients' natural flavours are allowed to shine without being overshadowed by additional seasonings.

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.


G Izakaya
Golden Mile Tower
6001 Beach Road
#01-52A/B
Singapore 199589
Tel: +65 91835393
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Nearest MRT: Nicoll Highway (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 1130am - 130pm, 530pm - 930pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Nicoll Highway MRT station. Take Exit A. Take the overhead bridge to Beach Road. Turn right onto Beach Road and walk down Beach Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]