One-Ninety @ Four Seasons Hotel - Festive Celebrations At Its Best

With less than a month to Christmas,  One-Ninety at Four Seasons Hotel has lined up a series of classic dining menus and lavish buffets, as well as gourmet takeaways for the festive celebrations.

Fresh Seafood on Ice 4.8/5

Christmas is a time of giving and sharing, and what best is to have the Fresh Seafood on Ice to share with family members and friends. Accompanying is the cocktail sauce, horseradish cream and marie rose sauce which brightens the sweetness of the seafood. This is only available during Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve Semi-Buffet Dinner and Christmas Day Brunch.

Winter Squash Soup with Goat Cheese 3.5/5

For something homely and comforting is the Winter Squash Soup with Goat Cheese. Mix reviews from the table. Some likes it sweeter whole others appreciate the natural flavour of the winter squash lifted by the goat cheese when eaten together.

Ricotta Tortellini with Truffle Mushroom Sauce 4/5

It is a joy to receive gifts during Christmas and what best gift is this little parcels filled with ricotta and paired with truffle mushroom sauce. What I enjoyed most is the delightful texture encasing the creamy ricotta. The Ricotta Tortellini with Truffle Mushroom Sauce is available only during Semi-Buffet Lunch and Christmas Day Brunch.

Oven-Roasted Organic Turkey with Chestnut Stuffing 4/5

A must-have in every Christmas dinner is the turkey. Not to be missed at Four Seasons Hotel is the Oven-Roasted Organic Turkey with Chestnut Stuffing which uses a house-secret recipe, prepared for 18 hours before roasting, The turkey is stuffed with chestnuts and served with homemade bread, chestnut stuffing and condiments. This is also available for the festive takeaways.

Asian Spices Glazed Ham with Lemongrass and Pineapple Raisin Sauce 4.2/5

The Asian Spices Glazed Ham with Lemongrass and Pineapple Raisin Sauce is a new rendition of the well-loved festive ham. A perfect balance of local spices and herbs, for that festive indulgence. This is available only for festive takeaways.

Cherry Panna Cotta 3.5/5

Valrhona Chocolate Pot de Creme 4.5/5

Moving to the desserts, we have the Cherry Panna Cotta, Valrhona Chocolate Pot de Creme and Pumpkin Pie. I love all three desserts. If only I have the stomach space to clean all up. The Cherry Panna Cotta while light and delicious, would be more enjoyable if it is smoother and creamier. As for the Valrhona Chocolate Pot de Creme, it is rich with a bittersweet aftertaste. Fans of chocolate will love it.

Pumpkin Pie 4.2/5

Usually eaten during Thanksgiving, the Pumpkin Pie is not to be missed. With a delectable pumpkin-based custard filling in a buttery pie shell, this is the perfect after-meal sweet treat for the festive celebration.

Holiday Cookies and Sweets 4/5

In the spirit of giving, you can let the hotel's Gift Professionals put together an impressive gift or design your own Yuletide Hamper. With an extensive selection of signature goodies, traditional treats and festive sweets such as Nicolai Bergmann Signature Preserved Flower Box, Chombost Salami from Lyon, Marron Glacé, Musical Box with Fine Oblaten Lebkuchen (German cookies) and a variety of Panettones to select from, a Four Seasons Yuletide Hamper is perfect for business associates and loved ones.

These festive takeaway items will be available from 12 November to 24 December 2019 at the Festive Desk (Lobby Level) of Four Seasons Hotel Singapore, 10.00 am to 7.00 pm daily. An advanced order of three days is required. For orders and enquiries, speak with us at (65) 6831 7253, email festiveseason.sin@fourseasons.com or visit http://bit.ly/FSSIN-XmasGoodies2019

il Cielo @ Hilton Hotel - Rediscover The Colors Of Spring

il Cielo on the rooftop of Hilton Hotel, on level 24, welcomes Spring with a new menu that features seasonal harvest from the Italy and Japan. Some of the highlights in the spring menu, includes the Hokkaido Asari clams, fresh bamboo shoots and Amadai fish from Japan as well as black truffle, white asparagus and cured Culatello ham from Italy.

Amuse Bouche 4.2/5

Our six course degustation menu started with the Amuse Bouche which consists of Mozzarella with tomato chip and parma ham, and Foie Gras Macaron. I prefer the foie gras macaron for its intensity, and rather unique combination of sweet and savoury.

Marinated Japanese Asari Clam 'Vongole Bianco' 4/5

Our next dish is Marinated Japanese Asari Clam 'Vongole Bianco' ($32) that is paired with Baerii caviar, white wine jelly, aglio olio peperoncino powder. The dish looks very spring with the circle of green parsley sauce. The highlight is actually the Asari Clam, though small in size but is very sweet.

Tortellini in Blodo 4.2/5

The Tortellini in Blodo ($28) clearly showcases Chef Yohhei Sasaki culinary philosophy of incorporating Japanese fair into Italian cuisine. The homemade tortellini stuffed with bamboo shoot ragout and truffle paste comes in a rich Japanese style chicken broth and shaved black truffle. The little tortellini has an enjoyable chewy bite to it while the refreshing clear soup, delivers a gentle smoothing element to the dish.

Homemade Chitarra alla 'Carbonara' 4/5

The Homemade Chitarra alla 'Carbonara' ($38) is a deconstructed cabonara which consists of white asparagus salad, herb poached egg, culatello ham and carbonara espuma. Give it a good toss, mixing everything together to enjoy the texture of the Chitarra pasta, which has a thicker and more doughy.

Maple Duck Variation 3.8/5

For the mains, diner has an option of choosing the Maple Duck Variation ($48) or Pan Fried Amadai Fish ($56). Diner can find several components on the Maple Duck Variation dish such as roasted duck breast, Japanese spring mountain vegetables, duck leg confit salad and pan-fried foie gras. The duck breast itself was cooked beautiful but the skin was somehow rather elastic, which I have difficulty breaking it down.

Pan Fried Amadai Fish 3.5/5

For the Pan Fried Amadai Fish ($56), Chef Chef Yohhei Sasaki  has even used the fish scales to provide the extra crispiness as a crumble. While it is an enjoyable dish, I thought it needs a bit more acidity to heighten the flavours. It is a bit too clean tasting for me.

Zuppa Inglese con Fragola 4.2/5

Last but not least, wrapping up the six course degustation menu for dessert is the Zuppa Inglese con Fragola ($20). The traditional Tuscany dessert is paired with Japanese ichigo (strawberry) and variation of valrhona chocolate. I don't really have a sweet tooth, so I like the fact that the sponge cake layered with custard is light and airy, and more importantly not overly sweet. This is complemented by the fruity sweetness from the Japanese ichigo.

Diners can opt for the six-course degustation menu ($138) or select from the the a la carte menu priced from $28 onwards. The spring menu will be available from 12 March to 30 April 2018.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


il Cielo Restaurant
Hilton Hotel
Level 24
581 Orchard Road
Singapore 23883
Tel: +65 67303395
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT:

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 12pm - 230pm, 7pm - 1030pm
Sat: 7pm - 1030pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit E. Walk towards Wheelock Place via ION. Exit Wheelock Place and turn left towards Liat Tower. Continue walking along Orchard Road. Journey time is about 8 minutes. [Map]

Dolce Vita @ Mandarin Oriental Singapore - Discover The New And Refreshed Dolce Vita

Dolce Vita at Mandarin Oriental Singapore has reopened its doors with a fresh sense of sophistication and modernity. In the shades of browns and neutral tones, two classic Italian black and white tile showpieces stood out, promising you an authentic Italian fare with an added flavour of excitement. Other added features like an accent wall with vertical slit windows which allows you to catch the chefs in action has shaken up its traditional format as well, perhaps to align with the image of its head chef, Chef Marco Manocchio! We got the chance to be hosted for a Chef's tasting, to get a glimpse of his creative mind through the dishes, which are presented onto the table with a modern twist.

Vitello Tonnato 4/5

Dinner started with a taste of Northern Italy - Vitello Tonnato. The Milk-fed veal loin tasted like a fatty tuna belly sashimi but much more creamier and richer. The classic Tonnato sauce aka Tuna sauce, slated over it was savoury and layered with flavours akin to dijon mustard, giving the meat a lot of punches to its mild flavour. The pickled petals cut the richness of the sauce and meat which whetted up my appetite for more at the same time.

Tortelli 3.8/5

Next up, we had Homemade Tomato Tortelli. The idea of hot and warm elements within a dish is being played out by dressing the homemade tortilla with seared languostine caciucco on cold burrata flakes and marjoram. The tomato filling was rich and flavourful - sweet, tangy and sharp which goes really well with the savoury langoustine caciucco. When on one hand I had the warm and bold flavour, on the other hand I had the milder flavour from the cold burrata and the citrusy, herbaceous taste of the marjoram. Is this Chef's take of a traditional burrata antipasti, with the tomato, burrata and greens? Perhaps...

Merluzzo 3.8/5

For main, we had a Merluzzo - steamed cod fish fillet with almond milk. I really like the idea of using almond milk with some toasted almonds for visual purposes. That gives the buttery cod fish a interesting nutty flavour along with some crunchy bits. Given cod's flavour and texture, there's always a need for some umami. And that's when the sea urchin dressing comes in, seasoning it like Fleur de Sel.

Tiramisu 4/5

Rounding off the evening, we were treated to one of their signature desserts - Tiramisu. One of the most airy and fluffy tiramisu ever. The secret lies in the soft Mascarpone mousse, and encapsulated within is coffee ice cream. The chocolate texture lying underneath is like granolas sprinkled on yogurt, providing that satisfying crunch in every bite.

The revamped Dolce Vita is now even more in sync with its surrounding - its vast alfresco dining and drinking area that overlooks the skylight, the relax vibe of the entire space, the swimming pool at the side etc, dining here is simply a retreat from the city. The above are available ala carte, which you could enjoy with a range of fine wines curated by its award-winning sommelier. Lunch set menu is available as well, with a two course menu starting from $36++.

Words and photos 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.


Dolce Vita
Mandarin Oriental Singapore
5 Raffles Avenue
Singapore 039797
Tel: +65 68853500
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Promenade (CC Line), Esplanade (CC Line)


Opening Hours:
Weekday Lunch: 12pm - 230pm
Weekend Brunch: 12pm - 3pm
Daily Dinner: 630pm - 1030pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Promenade MRT station. Take Exit A. Cross the road. Walk to Marina Square. Follow the signage to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit B or D. Walk to Marina Square. Follow the signage to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Artemis Grill @ CapitaGreen

Opened in 16 November 2015, Artemis Grill is the latest restaurant in Singapore F&B scene located on level 40 of CapitaGreen with a stunting view of the Marina bay area. Artemis Grill menu brings to the Singapore shore, the best in organic Mediterranean and sustainable dining.

Homemade Bread with Dukkah Spice and Olive Oil 4/5

After placing our order, we were served complimentary Homemade Bread with Dukkah Spice and Olive Oil. The black stuff in the picture is the Dukkah Spice. This is my first time having bread with it and I enjoyed the different experience.

Alaskan Crabs Salad 4.5/5

Dinner began with the Alaskan Crabs Salad ($28) that is paired with grilled pimento peppers, avocado and tomato petals. I was told that the chef wants the guest to enjoy the freshness and natural sweetness of the crab meat and hence it is intentionally served in chunky pieces, I applauded the thought as I got to enjoy the delicious crustacean meat to the fullest.

Beetroot Tortellini 4/5

The Beetroot Tortellini ($20/$30) looks like little roses on my plate. The beetroot tortellini is stuffed with feta and ricotta, and served with asparagus, broccolini and carrot puree. The filling of the tortellini may come across a bit heavy for some. I would advice having it together with the sweet carrot puree for a more balance in flavour.

Maine Lobster Tail 3.8/5

From the grill section, we have the Maine Lobster Tail 900g ($90) with Corn and Potato Fricassee, drizzled with lobster jus. I enjoyed the fact that the lobster meat is grilled to a delectable crunchy bite, not over cooked. However it felt that some parts of it was burnt, giving it a bitter taste instead of the smokiness from the grill.

Spicy Iberico Pork Presa 4.5/5

An interesting and surprised dish is the Spicy Iberico Pork Presa ($40) with Tomato Relish and Padron Peppers. We usually wants our meat to be tender and moist but this is completely opposite. The iberico pork is actually quite dry. However, that is the surprising part, the more you bite or chew into it, the flavour seems to tease you more. Unknowingly, you continue to indulge in the flavour as you have more of it. It's like enjoying a piece of dried cuttlefish or bak kwa.

Crispy Heirloom Cauliflower 4.2/5

Besides the mains from the grill, we also order the Crispy Heirloom Cauliflower ($14) with lemon zest, almond, tarragon and spicy aoli from the side menu. It is like a mini cauliflower garden with the different color of cauliflowers. Among the various cauliflowers, the lightly battered tempura cauliflower is my favourite.

Chocolate Trio 4/5

Richness on a plate is the Chocolate Trio ($18). The chocolate haven consists of Valhorona chocolate tart, mocha ice cream and passionfruit chocolate cake. However it was the robust mocha ice cream that stole my heart among the trio.

Apricot & Lavender Souffle 4.2/5

It will be worthwhile to wait for 20 minutes for the Apricot & Lavender Souffle ($20). The unique combination is a good chance from the norm. I am not a sweet tooth person and hence I enjoyed the tartness of the souffle. If you do not have a good tolerance of sourness, I would recommend pouring the walnut creme anglaise into the souffle and have it together with the vanilla ice cream to neutralize it.

Apricot & Lavender Souffle 4.2/5

Artemis Grill is definitely one of the best dining experience for me in 2015. I am already planning for for next visit to impress my guest with the food as well as the breathtaking view from the rooftop at level 40.


Artemis Grill
CapitaGreen
138 Market Street
Level 40
Singapore 048946
Tel: +65 66358677
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Raffles Place (EW Line, NS Line), Telok Ayer (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 1130am - 3pm, 6pm - 1030pm
Sat: 6pm - 1030pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Raffles Place MRT station. Take Exit F. Walk down Cecil Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Telok Ayer MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn right and walk down Cross Street (against the flow of traffic). Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]