Showing posts with label Tartare. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tartare. Show all posts

Saturday, June 21, 2025

The Masses @ Arcade The Capitol Kempinski - New Rustic Farm-style Communal Brunch with Franco-Asian Twist Every Sunday

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Celebrate Sundays with loved ones over a new rustic farm-style communal brunch at The Masses, located in Capitol Singapore. Their Franco-Asian experience celebrates seasonal produce through a 10-dish sharing menu, priced at $68.80++ per adult and $38++ per child (6–10 years). Children 5 and below dine free with a complimentary main.

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Sunday Communal Brunch 4.2/5

The brunch is available every Sunday, with two seatings at 11am and 4pm, and requires a minimum of two diners with full table participation.

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Freshly Shucked Oysters

To elevate your brunch, top up for Freshly Shucked Oysters ($30++ for 6) from their mobile oyster cart, featuring Boutrais La Sentinelle from Ireland and Amelie Super Spéciale from France.

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If you’re in the mood for a drink, add on free-flow prosecco at $48++, or opt for prosecco and wines on tap at $58++ per person.

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Bread & Dips

The Bread & Dips was simple yet delicious, comprising sourdough, brioche, and baguette paired with strawberry jam, smashed avocado, and a standout umami butter rich with kombu. The butter was so addictive that I was tempted to take home a jar with me (they are available for sale). The smashed avocado, accompanied by a generous drizzle of olive oil, was perfect with the bread as well.

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Salade

Next was a refreshing Salade of crunchy haricot vert beans, strawberries, brillat-savarin cheese, and hazelnuts, brightened with a tangy honey mustard dressing.

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Cold Cuts

The Cold Cuts Platter featured an assortment of pork and chicken liver pâté, salmon rillettes, Parma ham, and hot-smoked mackerel, served with breadsticks, pickled mushrooms, pearl onions, cornichons, Pommery mustard, and cornichons. If the breadsticks are insufficient for you, you can request more bread to pair.

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Caviar

The Caviar arrived next, accompanied by thin homemade potato chips paired with a sour cream dip featuring egg, chives, and caviar. It was lighter than we expected, and we wished there was a touch bit more salt for better balance.

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Tartare

For Tartare, we had slices of hay-smoked hamachi crudo paired with zesty grapefruit and orange. The balance of citrus and smokiness worked well.

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Seasonal Roasted Mushrooms

We were excited to learn that the restaurant collaborates with local farmers every month to offer a curated selection of seasonal dishes. During our visit, we had Seasonal Roasted Mushrooms - incredibly fresh and lightly dressed, allowing the natural, earthy flavours to come through.

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Egg

For the next Egg dish, diners will be presented with Scrambled Eggs topped with thinly shaved winter black truffle. It was a pity that this was a touch dry for us.

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Signature Meat

We moved on to the Signature Meat: a Crispy Chicken Leg with tender meat finished with a luscious sauce suprême. This was one of our stars of the brunch.

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Chef’s Special

The Chef's Special featured the Barramundi Ala Meuniere sat atop brown butter, with capers, herbs and citrus.

Before moving on to the final sweet, it's worth noting that second helpings of dishes are also available, specifically the Bread & Dips, Caviar, Tartare, and Signature Meat.

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Dessert

Dessert paled slightly in comparison to the savouries even though it was served nicely warm, as their Blueberry Tart with Rhubarb Jam came with a softer crust than we’d prefer.

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DPlease make reservations before heading down by calling 6518 4988 or visiting https://www.sevenrooms.com/reservations/themassescapitol.

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.


The Masses
Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski
13 Stamford Road
#01-84
Singapore 178905
Tel: +65 6518 4988
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 1130am - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at City Hall MRT station. Take Exit B. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Friday, May 16, 2025

MoVida @ Raffles City - Affordable San Sebastian-Inspired Lunch Set from $29

Restaurant 1

Movida introduces a wallet-friendly San Sebastian-inspired lunch set, starting from just $29 – an attractive deal given its prime city centre location. Available daily from 12pm to 3pm, the set lets diners choose from 2 Tapas + 1 Main for $29, 4 Tapas + 1 Main for $35, or 5 Tapas + 1 Main for $40. Perfect for foodies looking to sample a spread of dishes in one sitting, this offering brings variety and value to the table.

We went with the 4 Tapas + 1 Main option, and since there were two of us, we managed to sample a total of 8 tapas. It gave us an excellent overview of the selection available.

Crab Crumpet and Duck Rillete in Crumpet 1
Crab Crumpet 4/5 and Home-made Duck Rillette in Crumpet 4/5

The Crab Crumpet (+$2) was a delightful one-biter. It is light, fresh and elegantly paired with saffron emulsion and finger lime. Meanwhile, the Home-made Duck Rillette in Crumpet was richer and more flavourful, featuring confit duck, pipparas, gherkin and a touch of oriental mustard for contrast.

Tuna Tartare with Grilled Avocado 1
Tuna Tartare with Grilled Avocado 4/5

Tarteleta 1
Tarteleta 4.2/5

Two tapas stood out in particular. The Tuna Tartare paired well with roasted avocado and a bright citrus dressing, a refreshing and well-balanced dish. The Tarteleta (+$2), a brik pastry tart filled with chicken liver parfait and verjuice, surprised us. Despite usually avoiding liver, this tartlet delivered a burst of flavour that was both rich and nuanced.

Anchoa 1
Anchoa 3.8/5

Pan con Tomate & Jamón 1
Pan con Tomate & Jamón 3.5/5

The Anchoa (+$2) – a Cantabrian artisan anchovy with smoked tomato sorbet – impressed with its quality and pleasant saltiness. However, as we shared it, the portion felt a little too small to savour fully. The Pan con Tomate & Jamón was classic but unremarkable, with a faint 'bad oil' aftertaste on the bread that distracted from the otherwise fresh components.

Croqueta 1
Croqueta Del Dia 4/5

Octopus with Panchetta 1
Octopus with Panchetta 3/5

The Croqueta del Día, made with Manchego cheese, was a comforting and well-loved classic. Ask the staff about the daily flavour. On the other hand, the Octopus with Pancetta was a miss – the pancetta overpowered the octopus entirely, which got lost in the bite.

Gambas al Ajilio 1
Gambas al Ajilio 3.5/5

Paella del Día 1
Paella del Día 4/5

For mains, we tried the Gambas al Ajillo and Paella del Día. The gambas were fresh and crunchy but let down by burnt garlic, which left a bitter finish. The portion also felt a little small as a main, though the preceding tapas helped to fill us up. The highlight was the Paella, a squid ink version with calamari and fish. It is bold, briny, and well-executed.

Flan 1
Flan 3.8/5

Churros con Chocolate 1
Churros con Chocolate 3.8/5

For an additional $8, you can opt for dessert. Our pick is always the Churros, served with a chocolate sauce, but it was a bit too diluted for our liking. While the texture was crunchy, we missed the chewy centre we're accustomed to. The Flan, a creamy Spanish-style caramel custard, was pleasantly spiced and complemented by pestinos pastries that reminded us of masala chai. The third option available is a Spanish-style Rice Pudding.

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Lychee Blossom and Aperol Spritz

Top up $4 for non-alcoholic beverages like Lychee Blossom or Shirley Temple, or $8 for alcoholic options such as Kalimotxo or Aperol Spritz. These make great pairings to round off your lunch.

Movida's new lunch set offers a solid, value-for-money experience that encourages exploration of Spanish flavours. While there were hits and a few misses, the variety and affordability make this a worthwhile option for a satisfying midday indulgence in the heart of the city.

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


MoVida
Raffles City
252 North Bridge Road
#03-43
Singapore 179103
Tel: +65 83808509
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 10pm

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

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Wild Blaze @ Tras Street - Newly Launched $38++ Lunch Set At a Premium Dining Experience

Vintage Ribeye 2

Located along the bustling street of Tras Street, Wild Blaze is a premium steakhouse that has been quietly making waves since its opening nine months ago. This elegant establishment is helmed by Chef Nic Wong, who spent 12 years as the executive chef at Brasserie Gavroche before taking over the space. At Wild Blaze, the dining experience extends beyond perfectly cooked steaks – it's about craftsmanship, attention to detail, and an all-around elevated experience.

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The restaurant exudes sophistication, with plush interiors, warm lighting and exceptional service. Their newly launched $38++ lunch set offers incredible value despite the fine-dining ambience. With quality ingredients, hearty portions, and thoughtful presentation, it's a steal!

Foccacia

Foccacia Bread with Sundried Tomato Butter
Focaccia with Sundried Tomato Butter 4/5

Each set begins with a serving of their homemade Focaccia paired with Sun-Dried Tomato Butter — a combination so delicious that it's hard to stop at just one slice. The butter is rich, tangy, and aromatic, elevating the freshly baked bread effortlessly.

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Chef Nic presented us with four out of the five appetiser choices (the fifth being a Beetroot Salad with Goat Cheese). Here's what we tasted:

Clam Chowder 1
Clam Chowder 4.2/5

This comforting bowl of Clam Chowder was rich without being overly heavy. Brimming with ingredients, the soup was creamy, flavourful and satisfying.

Salmon Tartare 1
Salmon Tartare 4/5

A visual delight, the Salmon Tartare (+$4) was fresh and well-balanced, with crème fraîche, chives and cucumber pickles adding a nice zing. It paired beautifully with their house focaccia – we recommend saving a piece (or asking for more) to mop up the goodness.

Fried Calamari 1
Fried Calamari 3/5

While we appreciated the use of fresh squid, the Fried Calamari was slightly over-fried, resulting in a tougher texture. The seasoning was spot on, and the chorizo aioli added a nice kick, but the chewiness slightly overshadowed the dish.

Melon Ham 1
Melon Ham 3.8/5

A classic combination of sweet Melon and savoury Ham. While the flavours worked, the portion felt a bit lean – just three slices of ham to a generous heap of melon. Still, it was a refreshing start to the meal.

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We sampled three of the five main options. Grilled Miso Salmon and Beef Bourguignon Bone Marrow Pie were not featured.

Fettuccine Crab Pasta 1

Fettuccine Crab Pasta 4
Fettuccine Crab Pasta 4.2/5

The Fettuccine Crab Pasta was a delightful surprise. The tomato-based sauce, subtly spiced, reminded us of our local dish - chilli crab. Generous shreds of crab clung to every al dente strand of pasta, delivering a flavourful, comforting bite. It grew on us quickly – not a strand was left behind!

Vintage Ribeye 1
Vintage Ribeye 4.2/5

Another thing Chef Nic takes pride in, other than great cooking, is ageing meats. Their ageing room is visible to all guests, where premium cuts of meat undergo a meticulous transformation, enhancing their natural flavours and creating unparalleled depth. This process is overseen by Chef Nic Wong, who travelled to Italy to earn his certification from the prestigious Stagionello Academy. His mastery of ageing techniques elevates every steak to a true work of art.

For just $10 more, you can upgrade to their Vintage Ribeye – a must-try. The steak was beautifully seared, well-seasoned and cooked to our preferred medium doneness. It had a familiar depth of flavour reminiscent of Cantonese roast pork on our first bite, which was both surprising and enjoyable. Served with bearnaise sauce and the in-house fries, which were crisp and addictive – no frozen alternatives here! Tip: Request for the mini chopper instead of the regular steak knife for cute photos.

Duck Parmentier 1
Duck Parmentier 3.8/5

The Duck Parmentier felt like a French twist on shepherd's pie, featuring shredded duck beneath a layer of mashed potatoes. While flavourful and comforting, it leaned a bit heavy and dry after several bites. It works better as a sharing dish than being a main dish.

Apple Pie 1
Apple Pie 3.8/5

To end the meal, we tried both dessert options. Served with Madagascar vanilla ice cream, the Apple Pie featured apple slices that retained their crunch. Not too sweet and fragrant from real vanilla beans, it's a lovely ending for those who enjoy a fruity dessert.

Creme Brulee 1
Crème Brûlée 4.5/5

This is a clear winner in our books. Creamy, silky, and with just the right level of sweetness, the Crème Brûlée was rich and satisfying, with a perfectly torched caramel top. It was a standout finish to the meal.

Restaurant 2

Wild Blaze’s $38++ set lunch offers tremendous value for a premium dining experience. With its sophisticated setting, warm hospitality and Chef Nic’s thoughtful menu, it’s a treat for both steak lovers and those seeking quality European fare. There’s also a well-curated wine selection for those who wish to pair their meal with a glass (or two).

For private occasions, the restaurant features an intimate dining room that seats up to 12 guests. The minimum spend for lunch is $2,000, and for dinner, it is $4,000 — ideal for celebrations or corporate gatherings.

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


Wild Blaze
66 Tras Street
Singapore 079005
Tel: +65 9371 3900
Facebook
Instagram
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line), Maxwell (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 230pm, 6pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Tras Street. Turn right onto Tras Street. Walk down Tras Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Maxwell MRT station. Take Exit 2. Turn left and walk down Tanjong Pagar Road. Turn left onto Tras Street. Walk down Tras Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]