Tiffin Room @ Raffles Hotel Singapore

Christmas is coming, and each hotelier has its own way of celebrating this joyous occasion with its guests. If you would like to experience a cross cultural Christmas experience, dining at Tiffin Room at our iconic Raffles hotel this year may be a good option. For this festive month of December, Chef de Cuisine Kuldeep Negi has created a special buffet menu for lunch and dinner featuring some of the restaurant’s North Indian signatures.

Red Snapper 3.5/5, Spinach 3.5/5, Butter Chicken 3/5, Murgh Dum Biryani 4/5

Seldom that I will head straight to the mains instead of the starters, but I was magnetised by the array of curries and the golden bryani rice. I started off with a bit of each – fish curry, meat, greens, rice and yogurt. The Basmati Rice says a lot about quality. Perfectly cooked, each grain was close, yet separated from one another at the same time. Perhaps it is the rose water that it has been cooked it, it embedded a fragrance which elevates the overall taste of the basmati rice. The Red Snapper curry was milder than I imagined it would be, and relatively light on the palette. That discarded my worry of leaving this place ‘heavier’ than I should be. I particularly like the Spinach. It wasn’t oily, compared to what I have tried elsewhere. Despite being mashed, it still tasted ‘green’!.

There is also a vegetarian section, which is just as tasty as its counterpart. Apart from the Spinach, you should also try the Dal Makhani, a curry made with Black Lentils Cooked Overnight with Tomatoes, Butter and Cream. I saw quite a few going back for a few more servings.

Palak Ki Tikki 4/5

From their vegetarian section, don't miss out their deep-fried Spinach Patties. It has a very enjoyable chewy texture and robust flavour.

Roasted Stuffed Christmas Turkey 3.8/5

A Christmas spread wont be completed without live carving stations. Tonight the stars were the Roasted Stuffed Christmas Turkey and Glazed Christmas Ham. The turkey meat was juicy and tender. Its stuffing was served at the side. I had my fair share of roasted butternut and brussels sprouts, which were great accompaniments to the meat.

Keema Mattar 3.8/5

In between we had 2 Pass Around Dishes. I quite like the sweetness in the minced Lamb Curry, and eating it with the piping hot naan was comforting.

Khumb-e-Malai 3.8/5

The Grilled Mushroom filled with Cheese, Onion, Garlic and Cream Cheese was very juicy, something that I didn’t expect coming from Indian cuisine.

Tummy half filled, I visited the cold section. That was when I spotted an array of colourful chutneys. I have always love Indian Chutneys. Sweet and tangy, they complement savoury dishes really well. I tried a couple of them as I went for my second round of mains. I so regretted not taking them in my first round!

Bread and Butter Pudding with Brandy 4/5 

For desserts, I was quite impressed with its western desserts. I love its mini Bread and Butter Pudding with Brandy. The brandy sauce was so yummy that I almost drown my pudding in it. I adores its homemade Rum and Raisin ice cream. It was infused with cardamom, and hence it has a more complex flavour. It tastes as delicious as it smells.

Wines from India is also available if you would like to make it a real complete experience. Simple spread but the flavours are robust and intense enough to satiate my appetite. With its antiquated and charming surrounding, it does set everyone in the mood for Christmas!

North Indian Curry Buffet Lunch & Dinner with Live Festive Carving Station
Date: 1 December to 24 December 2015
Price
Lunch: $65++ per Adult, $35++ per Child
Dinner: $75++ per Adult, $40++ per Child

Photograph and written 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.


Tiffin Room
Raffles Hotel Singapore
1 Beach Road
Singapore 189673
Tel: +65 64121190
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW Line, NS Line), Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Lunch: 12pm - 2pm
Dinner: 7pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at City Hall MRT station. Take Exit A. Cut through Raffles City Shopping Centre. Walk to Bras Basah Road. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit F. Walk to Beach Road. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Three Bistro @ Marina Square

Conveniently located at Marina Square, Three Bistro is a modern restaurant, bar and wine space which offers a wide range of western fusion food ranging from salads, pizzas to hearty main courses and desserts. Wine lovers will be delighted to know that Three Bistro actually offers a good selection of wine that is rarely found elsewhere in Singapore.

Take for example these three bottles of wine below. Notice the Chinese letters on the bottle? They are, in fact, French wine that are harvested and brewed in China. One of them has even clinched an award at the Hong Kong International Wine Tasting Competition!

Classic Mushroom 3.5/5

Our dinner started rolling with some warm comforting soups. Those who love truffle oil would love this rendition of Mushroom Soup ($6) as the chef is rather generous with the serving. However, a drizzle of truffle oil might just suffice as it overpowered the mushroom flavour.

Seafood Soup 3.8/5

This Seafood Soup ($8) resembled a fishermen’s stew with plenty of fresh fish, squid, in a perfect backdrop of sweet and sour tomato base that would rally up anyone's spirits on a rainy day.

BBQ Chicken Pizza 2.8/5

The pizza base is gratifyingly crisp and the combination of chicken, pineapples and bbq sauce in this BBQ Chicken Pizza ($10.50) sounded like a Hawaiian dream come true. And this dream would realize in reality if fresh honest ingredients were used and a little more effort were channeled to craft the dough.

Pan Seared Salmon with Tofu 3/5

The Pan Seared Salmon with Tofu ($12) left me in confusion because the components seemed to be isolated from one another. The pan-seared salmon in teriyaki sauce and the deep fried golden tofu were tasty on their own but there was just too little chemistry between the two, as well as the green smear of sweet wasabi custard, to inspire any beautiful love story.

Baby Back Ribs 2.8/5

Arriving in two hunky slabs, the Baby Back Ribs ($23) definitely got me salivating over the tantalizing looking BBQ sauce. I would love to have basked in the porky glory if the flavour had penetrated through the meat. They were overdone, resulting in an arduous task of chowing through the meat.

Duck Confit with Honey Vinaigrette Dressing with Creamy Mash Potato 3/5

Some chefs do it the crisp way; some chefs do the traditional braised way. Like it or not, the Duck Confit ($25) here belonged to the classic camp where the skin is soft and supple. The meat was fairly tender but could have retained more moisture. This would have been a good interpretation of a classic confit if the dry mash potato hadn't been "modernized" by the truffle oil.

Lamb Shank 3.5/5

Some people might find this Lamb Shank ($27) slightly gamey but I thought the meat was a good sign of long braising, boasting of the lovely silky, almost sticky texture. The side vegetables such as carrots and onions were also cooked down to a pleasant sweet mash. Perhaps a little touch of herbs and spice would do the trick to coax out the nuances of this dish.

Cod Fish, served with Tomato Salsa and Cream of Anchovy 3.5/5

Perhaps due to the choice of using oven-baked technique, the skin of the Codfish ($27) remained chewy, a pity because the great storage of fats could have been harnessed to produce an aromatic crisp fish. Nonetheless, it was a very healthy dish that is extremely light on seasoning, slightly too light to register on the palates of an average man. The cream of anchovy was also absent that day. That said, this is pretty ideal for ladies who are watching their diet.

Panna Cotta 3.5/5

Back to the desserts, the Panna Cotta ($5.50) has a unique consistency of a milk jelly pudding and the sugar content is well regulated.

Chocolate brownie with vanilla ice cream 3/5

Meanwhile, the Chocolate Brownie ($6.50) also made quick entrance, albeit at the mercy of the delicate ice cream that was melting in mid-way. This brownie might not be out-of-the-world delicious, but efforts still have to be credited to the chef who made this instead of outsourcing to external bakeries. It had a dense, nutty texture, which would be elevated to a next level if served warm.

Currently, the concept of the food at Three Bistro appears inherently fuzzy to me, though I sincerely appreciate the effort that goes into styling up some dishes here. If more energy is directed towards the balance of flavours and textures in each dish, I think Three Bistro would stand out as one of the quality all-day dining and chill-out spots in the CBD district. Live band music performance is also available during the evenings from 730pm go 1030pm on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

Written and Photograph by Li Tian, a passionate foodie behind Singapore-Japan Food Blog “Dairy & Cream”. Has an eye for pastries and desserts.


Three Bistro
Marina Square
6 Raffles Boulevard
 #01- 07/08
Singapore 039594
Tel: +65 63388644
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Thr3ebistro
Nearest MRT: Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 10am - 11pm
Fri-Sat: 10am - 12midnight
Sun: 12noon - 930pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take exit B. Walk to Marina Square via Marina Square Link. Walk to the destination. Journey time about 5 mins. [Map]

Crab Ah! @ Shangri-La's Rasa Sentosa & Spa

Pincers and Pints await you at Crab Ah! I am not referring to the all lobster Pince & Pints at Duxton. Instead I am bringing you to Shangri-La's Rasa Sentosa & Spa. The waterfront area of the resort is converted into an al fresco dining facing the South China Sea offering a feast for two which includes succulent Sri Lankan crabs and an array of appetisers, side dishes, desserts and free flowing house wines and beer.

The picturesque views of the sunset on the coast, music from a live band and the surrounding sea breeze present a perfect evening for couples to wrap up a delightful dinner. If you are lucky, you may also spot peacocks running around the waterfront or sleeping up in the trees.

Crab Ah! is available every Friday from 630pm to 9pm at $138++ for two inclusive of free flowing house wines and beer.

Deep Fried White Bait 4/5

The dinner for two started with some delectable Deep Fried White Bait. Well seasoned and crispy, this is a perfect appetiser to go with the free flow wines or beer while waiting for the mains.

Salted Egg Yolk Crab 4.2/5

Chilli Crab 4.5/5

For the set dinner of two, diners get to have a choice of four different sauces. The four sauces available are the signature Chilli sauce, popular Salted Egg sauce, black pepper sauce and superior XO sauce. I got the chance to try two out of the four sauces. Both sauces were as good. The crab was also fresh, sweet and juicy complemented by the delicious sauces. Among the two sauces I tried, I would have to be a bit bias and go for more favourite salted egg.

Deep Fried Mantou Buns 4.2/5

Golden Deep Fried Mantou Buns are also served for diners to dip into the flavourful crab sauces of their choice.

Stir Fried Seasonal Vegetables 4.2/5

Shrimp Fried Rice 4.5/5

After digging into the luscious crustaceans and getting my finger messy, there were more dishes awaiting for us to savour. Both the Stir Fried Seasonal Vegetable and Shrimp Fried Rice looked kind of plain but that's only in appearance. The stir fried vegetable was crunchy and flavourful. Each mouthful of the fragrant shrimp fried rice was filled with wok hei aroma. Thumbs up!

Pandan Ice Cream 3/5 and Teh Tarik Ice Cream 4/5

Dessert is a choice of the Pandan or Teh Tarik Ice cream. I personally prefer the teh tarik ice cream over the pandan ice cream. I find the pandan ice cream tasted more like kaya, a bit too sweet.

Assortment of Kuehs 4/5

Besides ice cream, there are also a selection of different Kuehs for diners to have a taste of the local snacks. There is even a Do-It-Yourself Ice Kachang dessert counter.


Crab Ah!
Shangri-La's Rasa Sentosa & Spa
Sentosa
101 Siloso Road
Singapore 098970
Tel: +65 63711020
Website: http://www.shangri-la.com/singapore/rasasentosaresort/press-room/press-releases/pincers-and-pints-await-at-crabs-ah/
Nearest MRT: Harbour Front (CC Line, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Fri: 630pm - 9pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Harbour Front MRT station. Take Exit C or E. Walk to pick up point at exit of Lobby F in Vivocity (near JPot and Nyonya & Baba Restaurants). Wait for the complimentary shuttle bus service. The shuttle service is available every 20 minutes of the hour. Journey time about 20 minutes. [Map]

Curbside Cafe & Wine Bar @ Nucleos (Biopolis)

Those staying in the west side of Singapore should rejoice with another new cafe at Biopolis joining Revolution Cafe and Hoopla Coffee in the vicinity. The month old Curbside Cafe & Wine Bar is located at Nucleo, Biopolis featuring a blend of classic American cuisine and coffee from Yahava Koffeeworks.

The cafe is decorated in a simple red and black theme with wooden tables using the natural lighting to light up the place in the day. Currently this is a little heaven for me as not many people is aware of their opening and I can spend my day sipping a cup of coffee as the day goes by.

Latte 4.2/5

The Caffe Latte ($4.50) at Curbside uses coffee beans from Yahava KoffeeWorks. This cup of coffee comes with a robust bitterness that will kick start one's morning. It was a perfect cup of coffee for me and this is a taste usually prefer by the non locals. It has a richer and stronger taste with a smooth finishing.

Egg and Toast 3.5/5

We tried the Egg and Toast ($9) with Smoked Salmon (add on $5). It comes with a choice of bread and eggs. We opted for sourdough and scrambled egg. The scrambled egg was quite well executed, moist and creamy. Toast was average. Presentation of the smoked salmon can be improved to make it look more value for money.

Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownie 4/5

The Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownie ($8) was a pleasant surprise. The brownie was moist with the cream cheese lending a nice balance to the enjoyment. We understand from the staff that the red velvet cheesecake brownie is made by the owner Samantha herself.

Curbside Cafe & Wine Bar is definitely a welcome addition to the ever growing cafe scene in Singapore. For me a good cafe must comes in a package with good coffee, ambience as well as food. I think Curbside has the potential to be one minus the accessibility.


Curbside Cafe & Wine Bar
Nucleos
21 Biopolis Way
#01-21
Singapore 138567
Tel: +65 81811805
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CurbsideCafeSG
Website: http://www.curbside.com.sg/
Nearest MRT: Buona Vista (CC Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Tue: 8am - 10pm
Thu-Sat: 8am - 10pm
Sun: 8am - 6pm
(Closed on Wed)

Direction:
1) Alight at Buona Vista MRT station. Take Exit D. Walk to North Biopolis Way. Continue on North Biopolis Way and turn right onto Biopolis Drive. Continue on Biopolis Drive. Walk to destination. Journey time about 18 minutes. [Map]

Nederburg Wines Heritage Heros

Award winning South African wine producer Nederburg Wines (with 200 years of history) has created a selection of limited edition, home made gourmet wines known as Heritage Heros. Each individually named, they have been made to honour some of the major figures in South Africa winemaking who have been a source of inspiration to award winning winemaker Razvan Macici.

The Anchorman - Chenin Blanc 2011

The Anchorman is named after Nederburg’s founder, Philippus Wolvaart, who bought the farm in 1791 and planted Chenin Blanc, amongst other varietals. He had the vision and courage to tame a wilderness and grow great wine. His fingertips are still on every wine we make.

The Anchorman - Chenin Blanc 2011

Vineyards: Fruit from old, low lying dryland bush vines in Darling, Paarl and Durbanville.
Colour: Brilliant with a golden hue.
Bouquet: Reminiscent of ripe fruits, especially apricots and oranges with a floral hints and traces of raisin and spice.
Palate: Well balanced, fresh and fruity with a beautiful minerality and an excellent structure.

The Motorcycle Marvel - Rhone Style Blend 2009

The Motorcycle Marvel honours the legendary winemaker Günter Brőzel, who was cellarmaster at Nederburg from 1956 to 1989. He played a leading role in building Nederburg’s reputation as the most awarded winery in South Africa

The Motorcycle Marvel - Rhone Style Blend 2009

Vineyards: The Shiraz grapes were sourced from an award winning bock of trellised vines in the Philadelphia area while the Carignan and Grenache came from old bush vines in Paarl.
Colour:Dark intense red
Bouquet: An abundance of spicy, peppery berry and sweet fruit characters.
Palate: A rich and intense, full bodied explosion of flavour with ripe and silky tannins and an excellent integration between fruit and wood.

The other 2 Heritage Heros Wines which I have not get to try is The Young Airhawk - Sauvignon Blanc 2012 and The Brew Master - Bordeaux Style Blend 2009. Nederburg’s II Centuries Cabernet Sauvignon will also debut in Singapore. A celebration of two centuries of skill, tradition and heritage, II Centuries forms the apex of the multi-tiered range of wines produced by Nederburg. All single-varietal wines, the “best of best” collection of hand-made wines are produced from grapes sourced from the best vines within top-performing vineyards jointly identified by our highly-skilled winemaking and viticultural teams.

The Heritage Heroes range is available at S$39 per bottle and the II Centuries Cabernet Sauvignon is available at S$79 per bottle at DFS. They are also available in popular dining venues and hotel outlets.

Direct sales
Auric Pacific Marketing Pte Ltd
General Enquiries Hotline: +65 6867 9100.

Nederburg Wines
Website: http://www.nederburg.com/