Beast Restaurant and Bar @ Duxton Hill - Savour The Art Of Steak At Beast Duxton

Inspired by North America steakhouses, Beast Restaurant and Bar, located at Duxton Hill, combines a modern steakhouse with chic bar vibes. Setting into the restaurant, you are first greeted by the bar. Then, stepping behind the curtain separating the bar and dining area, diners transform into an intimate dining room with exposed brick walls and leather banquettes.

The kitchen is helmed by Chef Muhamad, formerly from Santi Marina Bay Sands, Bam!, Gaig Singapore, and Park Grill in Kuala Lumpur. The food is centred around a specially designed grill and a special mix of Binchotan Charcoal, oak wood and lychee wood.

Live Pacific Oysters 4.5/5

We started our dinner with some Live Pacific Oysters ($38/ $72) that were freshly shucked, fresh and briny. The pairing of ponzu, kimchi and avruga caviar brightened the enjoyment.

Smoked Tuna Tataki 4/5

The other starter we had was the Smoked Tuna Tataki ($32). The smoked tuna, foie gras and terrine are layered like fallen domino blocks, paired with Aji Amarillo and hazelnut. It has a delightfully fruity sweetness from the Aji Amarillo, while the foie gras gives an extra soothing creaminess.

Grilled Bone Marrow 4.2/5

To go with our mains, we ordered a couple of sides to go along. First, we had the Grilled Bone Marrow ($22/2pc). It smelled so good that we started on it before the mains arrived. I love the sweetness from wine-braised caramelized onion and bacon bits that accentuated the taste profile.

Creamy Spinach 4.5

I decided to get some vegetables to our diet, so I went for the Creamy Spinach ($14), which consists of feta cheese and raisins. It is one of my favourite side dishes for any steakhouse.

Sanchoku MB7 Australian Grained Fed Wagyu Picanha 4.8/5

Unique at Beast is the extensive range of different cuts of meat ranging from Sanchoku Australian Grain Fed Wagyu Picanha ($68, 300g), Margaret River Australian Wagyu Tenderloin ($58, 180g) to Miyazaki Japanese A5 Wagyu Ribeye ($108, 200g). We had the Sanchoku MB7 Australian Grained Fed Wagyu Picanha cooked to medium pink. The priced cut with its beautiful marbling is tender and juicy. The beef is so flavourful on its own that no extra seasoning or sauces are needed.

Chilean Sea Bass 4.2/5

There are other protein choices for those who don't eat beef, such as the Chilean Sea Bass ($42). The moist fish is grilled to perfection, floating on a bed of green lentils and sake foam.

Earl Grey Tea Flan

Not to be missed are their desserts too. I definitely recommend you to save some space for the them. We had the Earl Grey Tea Flan ($14) and 72% Chocolate Cake ($16). The Earl Grey Tea Flan made from goats milk is light, but well-flavoured for a tealific finishing, paired with Madagascar vanilla ice cream.

72% Chocolate Cake 4.2/5

For the sweet tooth that prefers something richer and more intense, the 72% Chocolate Cake is a good choice. The chocolate is moist and soft, like tiramisu's texture, paired with salted caramel ice cream.

As the saying goes, never judge a book by its cover, don't be misled by the front of the restaurant thinking it is a drinking hole. The food here impressed me. It's one of those restaurants that I made a mental note to return or if my friend asked me for a recommendation.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Beast Restaurant and Bar
10 Duxton Hill
Singapore 089594
Tel: +65 97822661
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Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line), Maxwell (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 5pm - 12midnight
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Orchid Hotel. At Orchid Hotel turn right onto Tanjong Pagar Road. Cross the road to the opposite side of Tanjong Pagar Road. Walk along Tanjong Pagar Road to Duxton Hill. Turn left onto Duxton Hill and then turn right on Duxton Road. Journey time about 15 mins. [Map]

2) Alight at Maxwell MRT station. Take Exit 3. Turn righ and walk to Neil Road. Cross Neil Road. Walk to Duxton Road. Turn right onto Duxton Hill. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Racines @ Sofitel Singapore City Centre - New Semi-dinner Buffet Showcasing Newly Minted Executive Chef Eric Seow's Culinary Creations

Racines at Sofitel Singapore City Centre has recently introduced a new dining concept to present a weekday semi-buffet dinner. This refreshed dining concept is also Chef Eric Seow's debut as the hotel's newly minted Executive Chef, allowing you to have a taste of his culinary creations. You can enjoy a choice of main course along with a well-considered spread of salads, soups, appetisers, and desserts.

Whole Salmon Confit

Starting from the Starters station, you will find a gorgeous Whole Salmon Confit with caviar, served with crème fraîche, chives, eggs and shallots.

Honey-smoked Duck Breast

Another of my favourite starters is these plump slices of Honey-smoked Duck Breast. The zesty sweet caramelised pineapple and tomato salsa cut through the meat's richness and livened the dish with vibrant flavours.

French Cheese and Charcuterie

Country Pate

Another highlight of this semi-buffet spread is the range of fine French Cheeses and Charcuterie available for selection. Apart from the beautiful cheeses, the housemade Country Pate with cognac, dried fruits and pistachios wrapped in bacon should be on your cheese board. It's perfect with a glass of wine or rose if you are in for more indulgence.

Sushi

Sahimi

Assorted Sushi and Sashimi are also available, beautifully arranged in Japanese-style boxes. Replacing the regular tuna sashimi with Tataki Tuna definitely sets itself apart from the usual buffet sashimi fare.

Chilled Seafood

There is also a small but well-curated seafood station.

Arborio Risotto 3.8/5

The Main courses feature a balance of western and Asian delights that showcase Chef Eric's strength in both cooking styles. If you wish to skip the meats, the lusciously creamy Arborio Risotto is toothsome with a chewy texture put together by short-grained rice and sauteed morel mushrooms. It comes with a finishing shaving of truffle to excite your senses.

Wagyu Flank Steak 4/5

Wagyu Flank Steak wows not just with its rich beefy flavour and tenderness, but I also appreciate how Chef Eric has given it a touch of Asian flair by giving it an umami dashi soy glaze.

Sambal Seafood Rice 4/5

Under the Asian selection, the humble sweet, and spicy Sambal Seafood Rice shines with a morish citrusy sambal paste that complements the fresh seafood and turmeric rice.

The buffet offers one of the best dessert selections. From mini caneles, rum babas, and chocolate tarts to dainty Fraisier Cake, a vanilla mascarpone with strawberries, sable breton and mixed berry sauce, they are each exquisitely made by the pastry chef. Also available are Belgian Waffles served a la minute with chantilly cream and berry compote from the live station.

Semi-Buffet Dinner at Racines is available Monday to Thursday, 6pm to 10pm.
- $88++ per adult
- $44++ per child (6 to 11 years old)

For dining reservations, please visit https://bit.ly/racines-weekday-buffet. For enquiries, please call +65 6428 5000 or email HA152@sofitel.com.

Photos and words 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.


Racines
Sofitel City Centre
9 Wallich Street
5th floor
Singapore 078885
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Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT Station. Take Exit A. Turn left and walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Pang Zi Durian @ Jurong West - Neighbourhood Durian Specialty Cafe

Looking for durian treats but can't wait for the durian season to arrive? Pang Zi Durian is a neighbourhood durian speciality cafe aiming to offer a wide range of handcrafted durian desserts that contain no preservatives to satisfy your cravings. They've recently launched three new innovative durian creations.

Durian Milkshake 3.5/5

The first dessert we had was their Durian Milkshake ($6.50). It was creamy and smooth, with a thick consistency. Mix the shake thoroughly to enjoy the durian flesh on the bottom. The shake tastes more on the milky end, while the durian notes are much lighter. It can get quite heavy for some, hence would recommend sharing this with a friend.

Mao Shan Wang Spaghettieis 3.8/5

The unique Mao Shan Wang Spaghettieis ($11.90) has pasta-shaped mao shan wang gelato sitting on vanilla cream, with coconut cream and coconut flakes on top. The mao shan wang gelato was rich, while the vanilla cream gave a different dimension to the dessert. We also appreciated the crisp bits of coconut flakes. We recommend sharing this as the sweetness and creaminess can get quite heavy. It melts pretty fast, so digs into it quickly upon serving.

Durian Sticky Rice 4.2/5

Our favourite was the Durian Sticky Rice ($7.90). You have warm glutinous rice served with coconut cream and a generous portion of unadulterated durian flesh. The rice was lovely. It was soft, chewy and fragrant, everything you'd want your sticky rice to be. If you want something not too sweet, this is the one to go for among the three shared here.

Apart from these new creations, Pang Zi Durian also offers other items, like durian puffs, durian mousse, and a range of ice cream flavours such as white coconut, dark chocolate, lychee yuzu, salted caramel popcorn, ondeh ondeh and more.

If you can't pop by their space, Pang Zi Durian also does island-wide delivery at $5 for a minimum spending of $40 and free for orders $80 and above. For Jurong and Bukit Batok residents, you can enjoy free delivery at a minimum of $40.

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.


Pang Zi Durian
Block 492 Jurong West Street 41
#01-18
Singapore 640492
Tel: +65 81939559
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Nearest MRT: Lakeside (EW Line)

Opening Hours
Daily: 12pm - 10pm

Directions:
1) Alight at Lake Side MRT station. Take Exit A. Cross the road. Walk to bus stop opposite Lakeside MRT station (Stop ID 28099). Take bus number 98 and 187. Alight 4 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

LUCE by Davide Giacomelli @ InterContinental Singapore - New Italian Restaurant Taking A Bistronomic Approach

Taking over the defunct Ash & Elm at InterContinental Singapore is LUCE by Davide Giacomelli. This new Italian restaurant embodies the marrying of gastronomic Italian dining experience with a warm and inviting bistro ambience.

Before starting our dinner, we are served complimentary bread paired with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. There is also a pot of herb with crackers placed in it.

Bruschetta 4/5

The Bruschetta ($19) here is enormous. It is not those that you can finish in one or two bites. The bread spread with grated garlic is toasted until very crispy. It is then piled with parma ham, buffalo mozzarella, cherry tomato concasse, rocket leaves and basil.

Octopus Peperonata 4.2/5

A recommended dish on the menu is the Octopus Peperonata ($36), a Sicilian-style cooked octopus pan-roasted with ratatouille of red and yellow pepper, red onions and fresh tomatoes. We enjoyed how the lovely sauce complemented the firm yet tender octopus.

Tagliatelle Coda di Manzo 4.5/5

The Tagliatelle Coda di Manzo ($36) may look plain, but each slurp contains punchy flavours from the deboned oxtail and shaved cheese. Not forgetting the fresh homemade tagliatelle pasta.

Acquerello Lobster 4.5/5

A LUCE signature must be their Acquerello Lobster ($46). Each mouthful of the carnaroli rice is cooked in lobster stock packed with robust crustacean flavours. It also comes with half de-shelled boston lobster.

Fragola 4.5/5

Luce-misu 4.5/5

For dessert, we had the Fragola ($18) and Luce-misu ($18). The Fragola is a light, sweet strawberry yoghurt mousse, yuzu chocolate cream, strawberry coulis, and dulce crumble. The Luce-misu is an upgraded version of the classic tiramisu sitting on top of a chocolate cake. It is like having two desserts in one.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


LUCE by Davide Giacomelli
InterContinental Singapore
Level 1
80 Middle Road
Singapore 188966
Tel: +65 68251008
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Nearest MRT: Bugis (EW Line, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Wed-Sun: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 1030pm
(Closed on Mon-Tue)

Direction:
1) Alight at Bugis MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

The Line @ Shangri-La Singapore - The Line's Multi-Sensorial Buffet Experience Returns

The Line, Shangri-La Singapore’s buffet restaurant, has reopened its live theatre kitchens and culinary stations, where guests can now come up close and personal to catch the chefs in action preparing their favourite food and serving them. Accompanying this latest move is an update of its menu, including six signature dishes across Western, Middle Eastern, Indian and Southeast Asian cuisines.

Start the feast with a variety of cheeses from the cheese deck or salad corner, where you can customise your own from a selection of salad choices.

Dive right into the Japanese section. Apart from the fresh seafood and sashimi, it now has a Tuna Poke Bowl, Salmon Aburi Maki and Salmon Sushi Aburi.

We had the Double Boiled Duck Soup, which was a comforting bowl of goodness prior to a night of indulgent feasting. The rich, flavourful broth was worth going for a second round.

Beef lovers will enjoy the two variations available. The first is with Hainanese-style noodles in collaboration with Wah Eng Beef Noodles, which popularised the dish, featuring a thick gravy and slices of tendon, pickled vegetables and grated peanuts. The second is the Roasted Australian Angus Prime Rib, marinated overnight with French mustard, extra virgin olive oil, sea salt and fresh herbs like thyme, sage and oregano.

Don't miss out on the laksa, a familiar favourite. The broth offers the right balance of spice and coconut milk. The piping hot bowl is topped with ingredients like prawns and fishcake.

From South Asia and the Middle East comes Matki Mutton and Lamb Ouzi, respectively. The former is slow-cooked in a traditional clay pot after the meat is marinated with yoghurt, ginger, garlic, red chilli powder and fibres of saffron. Expect a melange of aromas from the lamb ouzi explicitly hailed from Lebanon that has been stewed for 12 hours atop Arabic rice flavoured with an array of spices, nuts and raisins.

Take your pick from the scrumptious range of familiar Asian delights such as the crispy, tender Pork Belly or char siew, as well as the Chicken and Beef Satay.

Relish the Peranakan classic Babi Pongteh, where pork is braised in fermented soy bean sauce with garlic, coriander powder, brown sugar and dark soy sauce for more than an hour to yield bold, complex flavours. One of my Peranakan favourite is the Ayam Panggang. Likewise, the tender char-grilled chicken is aromatic and well-seasoned.

For something more substantial, go for the Seafood Ee Fu Noodles or Pork Fried Rice.

End the buffet on a sweet note with their extensive dessert options, such as the American Cheesecake, Cherry Blossom Cake, Coffee Roll, Rainbow Roll, Mango Mousse and Vanilla Roulade, as well as assorted Nonya Kueh. There are fluffy Waffles and different Ice Cream flavours available as well.

The Line’s signature Durian Cake, with fluffy layers of vanilla sponge and luscious filling of durian mousse, is a highlight in the dessert selections.

Flavours of the World Buffet
Lunch: 1230pm to 230pm
Thursday: SGD 68++ per adult, SGD 34++ per child*
Friday: SGD 78++ per adult, SGD 39++ per child*
Saturday: SGD 88++ per adult, SGD 44++ per child*

Dinner: 6pm to 930pm
Friday to Sunday: SGD 88++ per adult, SGD 44++ per child*

Seafood Extravaganza Buffet
Thursday Dinner: 6pm to 930pm
SGD 98++ per adult, SGD 49++ per child*

Sunday Breezy Buffet
Sunday Brunch: 1230pm to 230pm
SGD 98++ per adult, SGD 49++ per child

*Child price is applicable for children from 6 to 11 years old.

To make a reservation, please call 6213 4398 or email dining.sls@shangri-la.com.

Photos and words by Crystal. A girl who likes to eat, photograph, and write about food, and dreams about travelling around the world one day. Note: This is an invited tasting.


The Line
Shangri-La Hotel Singapore
Lobby Level
22 Orange Grove Road
Singapore 258350
Tel: +65 62134398
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Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 6am - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk towards Wheellock Place via ION. Exit Wheellock Place and turn left towards Liat Tower. Cross the road at the traffic light junction and turn left towards Royal Thai Embassy. Walk down to the end of Orchard Road. Turn right onto Orange Grove Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 23 minutes.[Map]