Ginger.Lily @ Hilton Singapore Orchard - Latest Botanical Afternoon Tea: From Root to Bloom

Nestled within Hilton Singapore Orchard, the serene tea lounge of Ginger.Lily offers a tranquil retreat amidst the bustle of Orchard Road. With its airy, conservatory-inspired interiors and lush botanical accents, it provides a lovely setting to savour their latest Botanical Afternoon Tea: From Root to Bloom, for an afternoon of elegant pastries, chit chat and warm brews.

Botanical Afternoon Tea: From Root to Bloom 4.2/5

This seasonal afternoon tea is presented by Executive Sous Chef Cindy Khoo in collaboration with premium French dairy brand Président Professionnel and Meilleur Ouvrier de France (MOF) chef-confectioner Gabriel Le Quang. Inspired by the journey "from root to bloom", the menu draws on nature's forms and flavours to create dishes that are both gorgeous and quietly inventive.

Guests enjoy free-flow coffee and an artisanal Pryce tea selection, a delightful opportunity to sample a variety of brews throughout the afternoon. And for a little extra charm, the tea experience comes with complimentary stickers featuring hand-drawn illustrations by local artist @pwendraws.

Bergamot Gougère

First, we were served a light bite of Bergamot Gougère, aromatic and delicate. The baked choux puff was airy, topped with a crisp Gruyère cheese crust and shaved cheese. An easy and enjoyable bite to start the afternoon.

Savouries tray

Next, a pretty silver 3-tiered stand of savouries arrived at the table. I enjoyed this course a lot, as the selection offered a refreshing departure from typical afternoon tea fare. I also appreciated that the bites were less bread-heavy than on their previous menu, making each piece light enough to leave room to savour the sweets that followed.

Cured Trout Crêpe

Delicate crêpes rolled into neat layers around Cured Trout, finished with a light shichimi cream. Popped this into my mouth, and it was gone in one bite.

Tartiflette Croquette with Curry Pearls

Inspired by the classic Alpine dish, this Croquette combines Reblochon cheese, Hokkaido potatoes, and caramelised bacon into a crisp golden ball. The filling is indulgent and hearty, while the Japanese curry pearls bring a subtle spice that cuts through the richness.

Fungi Gyoza

A highlight was the Fungi Gyoza, filled with locally farmed mushrooms and béchamel, where the earthy umami of the mushrooms was enhanced by the sauce's creamy richness.

Smoked Duck Chip

Dainty cubes of citrus-marinated smoked duck are paired with bright orange segments and a touch of yuzu, all balanced on a delicate rice paper chip. The crisp base contrasts with the tender duck, and the citrus adds freshness to the flavours.

Shrimp Toast

Marinated shrimp atop crisp, golden toast, finished with sriracha mayonnaise. Tiny lime pearls add bursts of tangy brightness, and together they make for a delicious toast. The prawn-to-toast ratio was very good.

Braised Wagyu Brûlée

Another highlight was the Wagyu puff pastry braised with Ginger. Lily's house-blend dark chocolate, an unexpected pairing that worked surprisingly well, the bittersweet chocolate adding depth to the buttery, flaky pastry and tender wagyu. This course is presented with a touch of theatre, prepared tableside with some flames.

Sweets resin case

The sweets were just so pretty, showcased in a clear resin case by Singapore social enterprise JOJOMAMA, adorned with colourful pressed dried flowers. Each cake inside resembled a miniature edible sculpture.

Top Tier: Matcha Swan, Rose & Olive Oil

The Matcha Swan caught my eye immediately. Shaped gracefully like a swan, it features airy matcha Chantilly, a crunchy pistachio praline, and fresh raspberries perched delicately on its back.

The Rose & Olive Oil cake had an interesting flavour combination. Fragrant rose is paired with lychee and raspberry compote. Crafted to resemble a pink rose, it is stunning, though the olive oil made it a slightly acquired taste.

Second Tier: Chocolate & Pomelo, Président's Cheesecake

I was pleased to have at least one chocolate dessert on the menu, and Chocolate & Pomelo offered just that. The tart is flaky filo dough, filled with chocolate cream, layered with tangy citrus gel and fresh pomelo. This was my favourite sweet of the afternoon.

Meanwhile, the Président's Cheesecake features a smooth pink-glazed exterior and showcases creamy Camembert, perfectly complemented by sweet-tart blueberry compote.

Third Tier: Pear & Shiso barquette, Japanese Strawberry & Dill

The Pear & Shiso barquette was fragrant with lemon curd, coconut cream barquette, fresh pear, and shiso, blending sweet, tart, and herbal notes in every bite that left me feeling pleasantly uplifted.

The Japanese Strawberry & Dill combines light citrus sponge with Japanese strawberry compote and dill pearls, though I found it a bit too sweet for my liking.

Bottom Tier: Scones

I was at this point getting a little too full to finish eating the scones at the table, and took home the Vanilla & Cranberry Seed Scones. They were delicious after being warmed up, and paired really well with the yuzu strawberry confit, citrus vanilla confit, and clotted cream.

An afternoon at Ginger.Lily is time well spent, with professional, friendly service and an afternoon tea that is charming to look at, and a pleasure to eat. For this particular menu, though, the savouries were the highlight for me, outshining the sweets. I left the tea lounge feeling refreshed and relaxed.

Time: 12pm to 5.30pm (last seating for walk-ins at 4.30pm) Please note each table is reserved for a two-hour seating.
Price: $65++ per diner, with coffee and tea served throughout
MOËT & CHANDON IMPÉRIAL BRUT CHAMPAGNE: additional $15 ++ for a glass or $65++ for a bottle

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.


Ginger.Lily
Hilton Singapore Orchard
Level 5
333 Orchard Road
Singapore 238867
Tel: +65 6831 6273
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Website
Nearest MRT: Somerset (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 8am to 1am

Direction:
1) Alight at Somerset MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to ground level. Turn left onto Orchard Road. Walk down Orchard Road. Cross the road and walk to the destination. Journey time is about 5 minutes. [Map]

French Fold @ Great World - An All-day Dining Contemporary Crêperie Serving Wholesome Galettes And Sweet Crêpes

French Fold's newest outlet at Great World is a delightful spot to enjoy galettes and crêpes any time of the day, from breakfast through to dinner. Each galette is crafted using 100% organic buckwheat flour from Brittany.

Wild Trout Galette 4/5

On my visit, the seasonal option was Wild Trout Galette with leek fondue and lime. Creamy leek has always been one of my favourites, so I couldn't resist this classic pairing. The galette came with its characteristic lacy holes and crispy edges, holding the filling well, unlike some I've tried that turn soggy within minutes. Despite being gluten-free, it had a pleasantly chewy texture, particularly at the corners and folding edges. The leek fondue was tender and just the right level of creaminess, though the sliced trout didn't quite deliver the moist, flaky texture I'd expected.

Duck Confit Galette 5/5

For a heartier option, we tried No. 15 Duck Confit, served with baby potatoes, caramelised onion, cream, Meule cheese, and Parmesan. The shredded duck confit was fatty and tender, each bite indulgent with a mix of cream and cheeses and mouth-filling with soft baby potatoes. A finishing sprinkle of thyme punctuated the richness with a subtle citrusy and herbaceous note, making this dish even more satisfying.

Crepe with Caramelised Apples 3.5/5

For desserts, Crepe No. 29 featured caramelised apple with a drizzle of salted caramel. The crepe itself was buttery and delicious. The apples nestled beneath the crepe were lightly softened rather than truly caramelised, and the salted caramel lacked depth, making the overall flavour lean more towards simple sweetness than a balanced sweet-salty profile.

Crepe with Dark Chocolate Sorbet 3/5

Crepe No. 31 paired a dark chocolate sorbet from Birds of Paradise with white chocolate sauce and chocolate crumble. While visually appealing, I preferred a richer, more intense dark chocolate ice cream to better complement the crepe.

Overall, French Fold at Great World City offers a charming space for galettes and crêpes, with thoughtful attention to ingredient quality and presentation.

Photos and words by Si An. A homebody who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, the smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food.


French Fold
Great World City
1 Kim Seng Promenade
#01-153
Singapore 237994
Tel: +65 6047 0248
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Nearest MRT: Great World (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 8am - 10pm

Direction:
Alight at the Great World MRT station. Take Exit 6. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 5 minutes. [Map]

Ginger.Lily @ Hilton Singapore Orchard - New Afternoon Tea Chapter, "A Symphony of Origins: Terroir and Bloom"

The next chapter in Ginger.Lily's storybook-inspired afternoon tea concept invites guests to discover "A Symphony of Origins: Terroir and Bloom", a collaboration between Michelin-starred Chef Adrien Descouls and Hilton Singapore Orchard's Executive Sous Chef Cindy Khoo. Inspired by the landscapes, traditions, and artistry that define their culinary journeys, this menu is a whimsical tribute to heritage and nature reimagined on the plate.

From savoury creations that echo the volcanic soils and rolling hills of Chef Adrien's native Auvergne, to delicate pastries where Chef Cindy infuses French precision with Japanese finesse, each bite tells a story of place, memory, and imagination. Together, they present an afternoon tea experience that is both refined and poetic, a celebration of origins transformed into flavours that linger.

Afternoon tea at Ginger.Lily is available in two seatings, 1:00pm to 3:00pm and 3:30pm to 5:30pm. The experience is priced at $78++ per diner and includes one glass of cocktail or mocktail and two pots of tea, with a minimum of two diners required. Guests are kindly encouraged to inform the team of any dietary restrictions at the time of reservation.

Tea Scent Bar

Before diving into the food, I must first share my love for the artisanal tea selection, thoughtfully curated with Pryce Tea. The offerings are pretty special, featuring floral and fruity blends such as Vanda Miss Joaquim, Pink Ginger.Lily, Forest Berries, Kyoho Oolong, and Shizuoka Muskmelon. There is a tea scent bar, where guests can smell the various tea blends before making a choice. Coffee is also available, with a regular selection of black coffee, Americano, Latte, Flat White and Cappuccino.

Peach Sour Mocktail

Guests are also treated to a welcome drink, either the Champignon "Mushrooms" Cocktail, an interesting blend of sous-vide shiitake, Lapsang Souchong tea, and Stranger & Sons gin, or the Peach Sour Mocktail, crafted with Hakuto peach oolong, slow-pressed guava, and yuzu. We opted for the mocktail, which was bright, refreshing, and a perfect start to the afternoon.

Huître - Oyster

To begin, we were served freshly shucked Oysters, delicately paired with floral tea jelly, lemongrass, and a hint of vin jaune.

Shepherds’ Truffle Broth

The next course was a heartwarming Shepherds’ Truffle Broth, where the velvety richness of Marabel potatoes blended with cheese, finished with fresh truffle shavings for an earthy, comforting, and luxurious touch.

Tartare de Bœuf

The Tartare de Bœuf features Fin Gras du Mézenc, a prized beef from the Auvergne region, paired with spiced tea and a roasted artichoke sabayon. Whilst this is of course meant to be served raw, I opted to have the beef cooked to suit my preference. It is a tasty, moreish appetiser.

Savouries In A Pink Box

The selection of savoury tea treats arrived in a charming pink, storybook-like box. On the top layer were the Pink Radish Flower Tarte, Cold-Smoked Trout, and Hen’s Egg with French Caviar, all of which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Pink Radish Flower Tarte

Cold-smoked Trout

The Pink Radish Flower Tarte was so pretty, and had vegetable top pesto as well as beurre noisette. The Cold-smoked Trout was a delicate finger sandwich with strained fresh cheese and some ikura.

Hen’s Egg with French Caviar

In particular, the Hen’s Egg with French Caviar was a luxurious miniature masterpiece, featuring a smooth vodka mousse crowned with exquisite French caviar, and with a whisper of umami from dashi.

Drawer of Sandwiches

In one of the drawers, there were heartier savoury options. There was the Seven-Grain French Baguette with Beef Ham and creamy Saint-Nectaire cheese, alongside the Slow-Cooked Veal Milk Bread Bun. However, there was too much bread for me, and this was quite filling.

Sweet Ending - In A Blue Box

The dessert selection was a charming array of inventive sweets, beautifully presented in a storybook-like box.

Plate of 4 Sweets

The Hakuto Peach Chouquette was a delicate puff, layered with herb gel, peach tea, and framboise jam, while the Pink Lady Macaron combined black sesame praline with a subtly tea-infused ganache. The Tarte aux Amandes with Avocado paired creamy avocado whip with tangy lemon crémeux for a surprisingly fresh twist, dressed with delicate purple edible flowers. There were also soft, fragrant Hojicha Honey Madeleines, glazed with a honey olive drizzle.

Hokkaido Potato Churros

I was very pleasantly surprised by the Golden Hokkaido Potato Churros, which were served hot and crispy, and tasted like a cross between French fries and sweet churros. These were super good! It was also served with a bright kumquat cream for dipping.

Berries en Fleurs Gâteau

The Berries en Fleurs Gâteau was a decadent composition of tea-infused crémeux, freeze-dried raspberries, and rich Botanique en Fleurs 68% house-blend chocolate.

Scones

No afternoon tea is complete without scones and Ginger.Lily offering features Tahitian Vanilla and Strawberry Scones, accompanied by passionfruit compote, lychee muscat marmalade, and rich clotted cream.

Overall, it was a thoughtfully curated afternoon tea experience, with lovely presentation, nuanced flavours, and a delightful play of floral and fruity notes that I really enjoyed. Warm and thoughtful service too from the team, who made our afternoon very enjoyable and relaxing.

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.


Ginger.Lily
Hilton Singapore Orchard
Level 5
333 Orchard Road
Singapore 238867
Tel: +65 6831 6273
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Somerset MRT (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 8am to 1am

Direction:
1) Alight at Somerset MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to ground level. Turn left onto Orchard Road. Walk down Orchard Road. Cross the road and walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Big Wine Freaks @ Bukit Pasoh Road - Champagne and Wine Restaurant with Ingredient-forward Cuisine

Big Wine Freaks at Bukit Pasoh is a Champagne and wine restaurant with an outstanding wine selection that showcases labels from a new generation of star producers, natural wines from renowned French regions, and rare picks from unique micro-farms. Channelling the same electric energy as their Moscow origins, the space is brought to life by Sabrina Bignami and Alessandro Capellaro of B-Arch Architectural Bureau in Florence. It's an expressive blend of light, colour, and texture, a setting that speaks about the experience that they want to offer. Their ingredient-forward menu features a raw seafood bar, bite-sized starters, vegetables, and mains cooked over an open-fire grill.

Oysters 3.5/5

Daily from 5.30pm to 7pm is the time for Aperitivo ($58), which I believe is the best way to soak in the atmosphere of Big Wine Freaks. We were served a Cichetti Assortment comprising Oysters, Trout Gravlax, Parma Ham, Arancini, and Padron Peppers.

Parma Ham 4/5

Trout Gravlax 5/5

There was plenty to love about this assortment. It offered a satisfying balance of cold and hot starters and, more importantly, the rich mouthfeel and savouriness that pair beautifully with their wines and Champagne. Both the Parma Ham and Trout Gravlax stood out for their indulgent textures, especially the latter, with its tangy and mustardy toast and delicate ribbons of gravlax that paired perfectly with the glass of Gounel-Lassalle Esprit Voyager we had.

Padron Peppers 4.5/5

Arancini 4.5/5

The Arancini were well executed too. Encased in a crisp golden crust was a molten mixture of rice, mozzarella, and Jamon, made even more indulgent with the accompanying aioli. Rounding off the plate, the blistered Padron Peppers were juicy and vibrant, adding a fresh green bite that nicely balanced the lineup.

Octopus 3/5

The mains feature selections from the Josper Basque Grill. The Octopus ($58) was incredibly well cooked, with a texture and flavour that stood out as one of the better renditions I've had. Unfortunately, the dish was slightly let down by an oversprinkle of finishing salt.

Beef Short Rib 3/5

For the Beef Short Rib ($46), while the meat wasn't as tender as hoped, it made up for it with flavour. The caramelised, charred exterior imparted a depth and smokiness that was deeply satisfying.

Donut 4.5/5

Dessert was a pure joy. The fluffy Donuts, filled with berry jam and custard, were a delightful way to end the meal. While I would have preferred the custard to be a touch lighter, the overall experience was still indulgent and comforting.

There's also a noticeable attention to detail when it comes to presentation. Each dish is served on dinnerware by Ginori 1735, the renowned Florentine porcelain house now under the creative direction of Alessandro Michele. The wine-by-the-glass list is equally thoughtful, featuring over 40 rotating options that highlight fresh finds from their cellar. Every glass is served in exceptional stemware, featuring brands such as Zalto from Austria, Sydonios from France, and Kimura from Japan, which further elevates the overall experience.

Photos and words by Si An. A girl who is allured by travelling loves the feel of freedom, the smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food.


Big Wine Freaks
44 Bukit Pasoh Road
Singapore 089857
Tel: +65 6019 0765
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Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Outram Park (EW, NE, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 530pm till Late
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Outram Park MRT station. Take Exit 4. Turn right and walk down Teo Hong Road. Walk to Bukit Pasoh Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]