Monday, July 29, 2024

Oscar's @ Conrad Centennial Singapore - Best of Oscar's Dinner Buffet Featuring Local & International Flavours Under One Roof

Ice Bar 3

Oscar's at Conrad Centennial Singapore is renowned for its abundant buffet offerings, emphasising quality ingredients and a diverse selection of dishes. The Best of Oscar's Dinner Buffet is no exception, bringing together a harmonious blend of local and international flavours that cater to all palates.

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When you step into Oscar's, you're greeted with a warm and inviting ambience. The spacious, elegant dining area sets the stage for an unforgettable culinary journey. The attentive and courteous staff ensure that your dining experience is seamless and enjoyable from start to finish.

Ice Bar 1
Fresh Prawns on Ice 4/5

The Ice Bar offers a variety of fresh seafood on ice, such as prawns, clams, mussels, slipper lobsters and two types of oysters.

Ice Bar 4
Fresh Oysters 4/5

The buffet spread is a true feast for the senses. Highlights include Fresh Seafood On Ice, such as succulent oysters, prawns, slipper lobsters, clams and mussels, which are a delight for seafood lovers. We loved the sweetness of the fresh prawns; they were plump and crunchy, a testament to their quality. Oscar's offers two types of oysters from Ireland and Australia, and later in the evening, Japanese oysters made an appearance after the Australian ones ran out. The oysters from Ireland were very flavourful, while the Australian ones were plumper and juicier, each freshly shucked and placed on ice. The Slipper Lobsters were another standout, being sweet and meaty. Fresh salmon and tuna sashimi also added to the selection.

Salad 1
Compound Salad Bar 3.8/5

Cheese Wheel 1
Oscar’s Signature Caesar Salad 4/5

We usually skip the buffet salad station, but the Compound Salad Bar at Oscar's was so enticing that we couldn't resist trying a few items. We were pleasantly surprised by how beautifully seasoned even the simplest dishes, like the zucchini salad, were. Another standout feature was the enormous cheese wheel used for making Caesar Salad. You can select your preferred ingredients, add them to the cheese wheel, and have them all mixed.

Cheese & Charcuterie 1
Cheese & Charcuterie 3.5/5

Oscar's Cheese & Charcuterie selection is a feast for the senses. You'll find an impressive array of cheeses, including Camembert, Comte, Port Salut, and Emmental, perfectly paired with an assortment of charcuterie like Prosciutto di Parma, Salami, and Mortadella. Complementing these are fresh grapes, assorted crackers, walnuts, almonds, cashews, olives, and two types of chutney. There's also a variety of breads available, inviting you to slice your own and enjoy the freshest experience possible.

Western  Mains 1
Classic Western Mains 4/5

We were particularly impressed with the Classic Western Mains section, especially the Mac & Cheese. The dishes are kept on a hot plate, ensuring the food stays warm and sizzling. This attention to detail meant we still managed to enjoy a delightful cheese pull with the Mac & Cheese, enhancing the overall dining experience.

Local Flavours 1
Local Flavours 3.5/5

If you have a penchant for Local Flavours, Oscar's will not disappoint. The buffet features an array of rice, noodles, and oriental dishes, complemented by various vegetables, seafood, and meats. Our favourite from this section was the Steamed Halibut with Sambal, perfectly cooked with spice.

Striploin 1
Roasted Beef Sirloin 3.8/5

Salmon Wellington 1
Salmon Wellington 3.8/5

The Live Station featured Roasted Beef Sirloin and Salmon Wellington. The beef was tender and juicy, with a robust, savoury flavour. However, our favourite was the Salmon Wellington, which had a unique twist with Otak hidden within the salmon, adding a delightful burst of flavour. Later in the evening, Truffle Roasted Chicken was brought out to replace the Salmon Wellington that had run out, but we found it a bit dry.

Noodle Station
Noodle Bar

Laksa
Laksa 4/5

The buffet extends to the restaurant's outdoor area, where you'll find a Noodle Bar offering a variety of options such as Signature Laksa, Prawn Noodle Soup, Fish Noodle Soup, and Wonton Noodle Soup. Our must-have is the laksa, which is creamy and bursting with flavour.

BBQ
BBQ Zone

The BBQ Zone featured a range of local favourites, including Spicy Kecap Garlic Confit Beef Steak, Calamari, Yakitori Chicken Skewers, and Homemade Pork Sausage. The standout dishes for us were the beef steak and the pork sausage, which were flavourful, juicy and well-cooked. All ingredients are freshly grilled, simply tell them your table number and they will be served to you directly instead of having to wait at the station.

Flavours of India
Flavours of India

In the Flavours of India section, the live tandoori station is a highlight, offering smoky-flavoured chicken chunks that are succulent and perfectly paired with freshly made naan. You can choose from a variety of naan options, such as Cheese or Butter, to complement your meal. Additionally, dishes like Butter Chicken and Palak Paneer are excellent choices to enjoy with the naan.

Dessert 6

Dessert 5

With so many tempting options, dessert is a must at Oscar's. Besides classics like Bread & Butter Pudding, Apple Crumble, freshly made Waffles, Chocolate Fountain, and Mövenpick Ice Cream, the small cakes and pastries are equally delightful. A standout is the Tiramisu, which boasts a melt-in-your-mouth, cloud-like texture and just the right amount of Kahlua for a perfect finish.

Trio Drinks

The buffet includes tea and Coffee, but if you are looking for an alternative drink for your dinner, Oscar's has a collection of local beverages such as Sugarcane with Lime, Bandung and Milo Dinosaur.

BEST OF OSCAR’S BUFFET DINNER
Time: 6:00pm to 10:00pm
Monday & Tuesday
Price: Adult: S$86++ | Child: S$43++ (6 – 12 years old)
Wednesday to Sunday
Price: Adult: S$96++ | Child: S$48++ (6 – 12 years old)

Dine Like A Member
As part of the ‘Dine Like A Member Program’, Hilton Honors members can enjoy up to 25 percent off and 500 bonus points when dining at Oscar's.

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


Oscar's
Conrad Centennial Hotel Singapore
2 Temasek Boulevard
Singapore 038982
Tel: +65 64327481
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Nearest MRT: Promenade (CC Line, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 6am - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Promenade MRT station. Take Exit B. Continue walking along Temasek Avenue to destination Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Sunday, July 28, 2024

Ingleside @ Tras Street - From Fermentation to Fire

Ingleside33

Ingleside is a new modern European restaurant in the heart of Tras Street in Tanjong Pagar. Spearheaded by the husband-and-wife team of Louis Chan and Jana Jusman as Head Chef and Head Fermentation Specialist respectively, Ingleside brings time-honoured techniques of fermentation, dry-aging, and wood-fired cooking, melded with innovative approaches to craft a contemporary European menu.

Ingleside8
Tuna Tartare 4/5

We embarked on the 6-Course Ingleside Experience Menu ($128++), starting with the Tuna Tartare. This dish features finely diced tuna housed in a crispy shell, paired with maitake shoyu, sesame oil, yuzu, and pickled shallot, and topped with caviar. Each bite is a delightful burst of flavours and textures.

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Truffle Toast 4/5

Next was the Truffle Toast, where fluffy brioche is deep-fried and topped with foie gras mousse, sauternes jelly, and fresh black truffle shavings. Every bite provides an explosion of rich and decadent flavours.

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Jamon Ball 3/5

The Jamon Ball, shaped into a crispy potato ball, is packed with the lovely flavours of jamon serrano and Gruyere cheese. The thin, crispy coating encases a savoury filling elevated by the sweetness of shrimp.

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Hand Cut Wagyu Tartare 4/5

Following the trio of snacks, we moved on to the appetisers, starting with the Hand Cut Wagyu Tartare served atop roasted bone marrow. This dish features a myriad of housemade ferments, including shoyu made from coffee, celery vinegar, and roast chicken garum, topped with cured egg yolk. This dish requires an additional top-up of $24 but is well worth it for its complexity and depth of flavour.

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Maitake & Pork 3.5/5

The other appetiser, Maitake & Pork, features confit pork cheek that melts in your mouth, paired with a split pea miso glaze. Crispy kale topped with shio koji sauce completes the dish for added crunch.

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Atlantic Octopus 4/5

Moving on to the mains, we had the Atlantic Octopus, cooked over a wood-fire grill and served with smoked pepper squid garum puree, black garlic aioli, herb aioli, prawn oil, and charred fennel. The octopus was tender, with a lovely char from the grill.

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Tajima MBS 6-7 Koji Picanha 4.2/5

The meal's highlight was the Tajima MBS 6-7 Koji Picanha, aged in house-grown shio koji. This ageing process adds a subtle sweetness, umami, and juiciness to the already well-marbled steak. It is accompanied by pomme puree and slow-roasted banana shallots, creating a perfectly balanced dish.

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Deconstructed Lemon Meringue Tart 4.2/5

For dessert, we enjoyed the Deconstructed Lemon Meringue Tart. This dessert is a medley of textures comprising yuzu granita, smoked ice cream, lavender lemon curd, and thyme crumb. It's sweet, tangy, and refreshing, making it an ideal sweet ending to the meal.

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Smoked Chocolate Brownie 4/5

For those craving a richer and sweeter finish, the Smoked Chocolate Brownie is moist and molten, paired with grilled pineapple and coconut foam. The coconut foam smoothens the richness of the brownie, although the grilled pineapple's tropical finish left me slightly puzzled by its intent.

Ingleside offers a captivating dining experience with its modern European menu, expertly crafted by the talented duo of Louis Chan and Jana Jusman. Each dish showcases its mastery of traditional techniques and innovative flair, making Ingleside a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts looking to experience a unique blend of flavours and textures in Tanjong Pagar.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Ingleside
49 Tras Street
Singapore 078988
Tel: +65 88394393
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Nearest: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line). Maxwell (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue: 6pm - 1130pm
Wed-Fri: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 1130pm
SatL 6pm - 1130pm
(Closed on Sun and Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Tras Street. Turn right onto Tras Street. Walk down Tras Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Maxwell MRT station. Take Exit 2. Turn left and walk down Tanjong Pagar Road. Turn left onto Tras Street. Walk down Tras Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]