The Masses @ Arcade The Capitol Kempinski - Celebrates The Festive Season with 7-Course Chef Menu Priced at $68.90 per pax

The Masses is ringing in the festive season with a playful, French-Asian inspired Christmas and New Year menu that showcases Chef Dylan’s signature flair for bold flavours, familiar comforts, and unexpected twists. We were invited to preview the 7-Course Chef Menu (from $68.90 per pax) and their seasonal beverages. What unfolded was a lively mix of colours, textures and creative pairings that will spark conversation around the table.

The Jingle Juice and The Grinch 3/5

We began with two festive drinks created specially for the season - The Jingle Juice and The Grinch. The Jingle Juice ($7.90/glass or $17.90/jug) is a refreshing cranberry-apple mocktail brightened with lime and mint. It tastes exactly as cheerful as it looks, making it an easy pick for non-alcohol drinkers. The Grinch ($18/glass or $49.90/jug), on the other hand, is a melon-liqueur and Prosecco cocktail that arrives in a gorgeous sparkling green. Visually enticing, though we found the flavour slightly muted compared to its vibrant appearance.

Home Made “Rainbow” Brioche 4/5

Louis Oyster 3.8/5

Gougeres 3/5

The meal opens with a trio of breads and snacks, and the standout for us was the Home Made “Rainbow” Brioche, which came warm, crusty, and beautifully speckled with pecans and prunes for added dimension. Slightly dense but very satisfying, especially when paired with the accompanying umami butter.

The Louis Oyster, topped with Bloody Mary, lime and a rim of smoked chilli salt, brings acidity and spice, though subtly. The Gougeres, stuffed with black truffle and finished with melted comté and kumquat, were adorable and aromatic, but flavour-wise leaned milder than expected.

Wagyu Beef Tartare 3.5/5

Kawaebi Pasta 4.2/5

Foie Gras 4.2/5

Among the four starter options, our table sampled three. The Wagyu Beef Tartare surprised us with the clever addition of nashi pear, which added crunch and gentle sweetness to balance the beef. The Kawaebi Pasta was easily the most memorable, packed with “prawn mee” umami thanks to Penang laksa prawn stock, minced pork, confit lemon, kawaebi shrimp and tiger prawn. What the menu didn’t mention but elevated the dish tremendously was the pork lard hidden within.

If you want something indulgent, the Foie Gras (+$15) is a worthy upgrade. Generously portioned, luscious and beautifully complemented by cranberry mostarda, petite apple and poultry jus.

Duo Irish Duck 3.8/5

Halibut 4/5

We continued with all three main options. The Duo Irish Duck features a flavourful confit portion and a tender duck breast, which is slightly gamey for my palate but still well-executed. The carrot-tangerine purée was bright, though the purple cabbage purée felt less cohesive, and we ultimately preferred the duck enjoyed on its own.

The Halibut was the favourite among us! A moist, clean-tasting fillet sitting atop a luxurious shellfish fondue hidden underneath. Elegant, balanced and something I would return specifically to order.

Wagyu Petite Tender 4/5

For beef lovers, the Wagyu Petite Tender (+$15) is a satisfying upgrade. The meat is fork-tender, but the true scene-stealer is the much-talked-about potato pavé that we absolutely couldn’t get enough of. While the miso aubergine purée added depth, it didn’t particularly enhance the wagyu itself.

Blood Orange Granita 3.8/5

A refreshing interlude arrives before desserts: the Blood Orange Granita, which reminded us of a refined take on mango-pomelo dessert. The combination of mango sorbet and pomelo works as a bright palate cleanser after the richer courses.

Chestnut Crème Caramel 3/5

Truffle & Tulakalum 3/5

There are two dessert choices. The Chestnut Crème Caramel brings together chestnut ice cream, gingerbread spice and spiced honey under a crème brûlée. Individually, each element is enjoyable, but together the flavours didn’t harmonise as well as expected.

The Truffle & Tulakalum is undoubtedly unique, with a heavy focus on truffles. The truffle ice cream, however, was a touch oily, likely due to truffle oil, but the Valrhona dark chocolate ganache and mousse were rich and well executed.

In true Chef Dylan fashion, the festive menu is creative, bold and peppered with unexpected pairings that make dining here a lively experience. While not every component landed perfectly for us, the menu offers variety, value and conversation-worthy dishes especially for festive gatherings with friends and loved ones.

Aside from the 7-Course Chef Menu, diners can also opt for a 10-Course Communal Menu ($68.90 per pax, min. 3 pax) and a 2-Course Lunch Menu (from $30.90 per pax) if you’re planning a daytime get-together.

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


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

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 1130am - 1030pm
Sun: 1130am - 10pm

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

Broth & Beyond Hot Pot @ Chijmes - Yunnan Ecological Hotpot Concept, Available Till 2.30am Daily

Joining the vibrant dining scene at CHIJMES is Broth & Beyond Hot Pot, a Yunnan-inspired individual hotpot concept that remains open daily until 230am.

The restaurant takes pride in offering MSG and preservative-free broths and ingredients at wallet-friendly prices.

Broth & Beyond Hot Pot 4/5

We opted for the Black Truffle & Eight-Mushroom Broth and the Golden Fungus Chicken Broth. Both are brewed in-house using natural ingredients, including produce flown in from Yunnan. Diners can also choose from five other exciting broths, such as 100% Pure Coconut Chicken, Spicy Broth, and Vegetarian Tom Yum, all created under the direction of their head chef.

The Black Truffle & Eight-Mushroom Broth offered earthy depth with a subtle umami lift from the black truffle, all made from a base of Yunnan mushrooms and chicken fat.

Meanwhile, the Golden Fungus Chicken Broth was creamy and nourishing. The individual hotpots are perfect for accommodating personal preferences.

Market Table

A standout feature is the Market Table, available for just $4.99 per diner, which grants access to a rotating selection of condiments, appetisers, fruits, and desserts. During our visit, the appetisers included house-made kimchi and mala king oyster mushrooms, reminiscent of another well-loved hot pot chain.

Yunnan Delicacy Mushroom Platter

We couldn't leave without trying their signature Yunnan Delicacy Mushroom Platter ($28.99), featuring lesser-seen varieties such as golden fungus, wine cap mushrooms, and chanterelles.

Seafood Platter

For seafood enthusiasts, the Seafood Platter ($43.99) had a mix of tiger prawns, scallops, abalone, mussels, and grouper slices. While pricey, we thoroughly appreciated the freshness and sweetness of the seafood in each item.

Jasmine Flower Shrimp Paté

The handcrafted Jasmine Flower Shrimp Paté ($18.99) was a highlight for us. Unlike the usual prawn paste, this had a delicate floral note infused within. The cooked shrimp paste was nicely springy with a bite.

Tri-Coloured Hand Crafted La Mian

For carbs, the Tri-Coloured Hand Crafted La Mian ($8.99), which had a chewy texture, was served in a portion sufficient for two to three people.

Fragrant Fermented Beancurd Chicken Wings 4/5

For sides, we tried out the Fragrant Fermented Beancurd Chicken Wings ($13.99), which were marinated in Yunnan spices and fermented Beancurd. They were enjoyable on their own, though they also came with tartar sauce for an optional twist.

To end the meal, we returned to the Market Table for dessert, where we could choose from sticks of candied hawthorn or create our own DIY Ice Jelly bowl. Toppings ranged from red bean and osmanthus jelly to taro balls and adorably shaped marshmallows.

If you're looking to try Broth & Beyond, consider their lunch set menu, the Flavour Discovery Set. Starting from $29.90 and available daily from 1130am to 5pm, each set includes a broth of your choice, meat, vegetables, noodles or rice, plus access to the Market Table.

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.


Broth & Beyond
CHIJMES
30 Victoria Street
#B1-02
Singapore 187996
Tel: +65 8220 7993
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Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW, NS Line), Bras Basah (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
11.30am to 2.30am Daily

Direction:
1) Alight at City Hall MRT station. Take Exit A. Cut across Raffles City Shopping Centre to Bras Basah Road. At the junction of Bras Basah Road and North Bridge Road, cross the road to Chijmes. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Bras Basah MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk southwards towards Victoria Road. At the junction of Bras Basah Road and Victoria Road, cross the junction to Chijmes. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Taiga Dining @ Regent Hotel Singapore - Semi Hidden Omakase Restaurant Offering Edomae Style Sushi

Taiga Dining is a 13-seater fine-dining sushi-ya located in Regent Hotel Singapore. The restaurant is somewhat semi-hidden behind a mountainous rockscape. Upon finding the hidden entrance, diners are transformed into a dark and contemporary interior. The restaurant is helmed by Master Chef Taiga Kanekuni, who specialises in Edomae-style sushi.

Pumpkin Ravioli and Biwa Trout 4/5

We had the Hi To To Se Omakase Menu ($480), which comprises 5 Signature Appetisers, 9 Pieces of Sushi, Trio of Uni Hand Roll, Miso Soup and Dessert. The omakase dinner kickstarted with the 5 appetisers, starting with the Pumpkin Ravioli and Biwa Trout, served with pumpkin sauce. I enjoyed the layer of crispy skin on the trout. However, I didn't expect to have ravioli in a Japanese restaurant, which made me slightly confused about what cuisine I was having for a moment.

Striped Jack with Mikan Orange and Caviar 4.2/5

Sandborer Tempura 4/5

Next is Striped Jack with Mikan Orange and Caviar served chilled. A light and refreshing appetiser that whetted up the appetite. Coated in a light tempura batter is the Sandborer paired with matcha salt. It is light and clean tasting. Though deep-fried, it is not greasy at all.

Fatty Tuna Pickled in Soy Sauce 5/5

Completing the 5 appetisers is the Fatty Tuna Pickled in Soy Sauce and White Shrimp with Murasaki Uni and Autumn Truffles. These were my favourites among the five appetisers. The melted in the mouth fatty tuna, complemented by mustard, tasted heavenly.

White Shrimp with Murasaki Uni and Autumn Truffles 5/5

Shaved Autumn truffles are piled atop sweet white shrimp with Murasaki uni hidden in it. Have it all in one bite to get a burst of luxe flavours working harmoniously together.

Sea Bream 5/5

Sardine 4.2/5

Lean Tuna 4.2/5

Sujiko Roe 3.8/5

Following that, we moved on to the Sushi course. There are 9 sushi pieces starting with the Sea Bream, Sardine, Lean Tuna and Sujiko Roe. Sitting at the sushi counter, it is with great pleasure to see Chef Taiga meticulously put each morsel together, giving justice to the premium and fresh ingredients.

Medium Fatty Tuna 4.5/5

Blackthroat Seaperch 5/5

Orient Clam

The Medium Fatty Tuna, Blackthroat Seaperch and Orient Clam are next. The highlight has to be the blackthroat seaperch which comes with a hint of charred fragrance, lightly seared on the surface over binchotan.

Sea Urchin Handroll 5/5

Who can resist the Sea Urchin Handroll brimming with three different types of sea urchin? Atop the sushi rice is Bafun Uni and two varieties of Murasaki Uni wrapped in A-grade jet black nori seaweed.

Botan Shrimp 4.8/5

Sea Eel 4.2/5

Wrapping up the sushi course are the Botan Shrimp and Sea Eel. We are given a glimpse of the fresh, enormous botan shrimp before Chef Taiga skilfully deshelled and served the sweet and meaty shrimp on top sushi rice. The sea eel grilled over binchotan has an incredibly soft texture that easily falls apart in my mouth.

Dessert 3.8/5

Wrapping up our omakase meal, we are served a bowl of Miso Soup followed by a platter of Fresh Fruits with a scoop of chestnut ice cream.

Besides the Hi To To Se Omakase Menu ($480) we had, Taiga has another two menus. They are Ino Shika Cho Omakase Menu (3 appetisers, 8 pieces of sushi, miso soup and dessert) and Ka Cho Huu Getsu Omakase Menu (4 appetisers, 9 pieces of sushi, uni hand roll, miso soup and dessert) priced at $280 and $380 respectively.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Taiga Dining
Regent Hotel Singapore
1 Cuscaden Road
#01-03/04
Singapore 249715
Tel: +65 80314306
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Nearest MRT: Orchard Boulevard (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard Boulevard MRT station. Take Exit 1. Turn right and walk down Cuscaden Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 mintues. [Map]