Social Square @ Parkway Parade

Social Square is a new all-in-one restaurant located just opposite the supermarket on level 3 at Parkway Parade opened by Ministry of Food (MOF). The new food establishment offers an array of European-Japanese gourmet delights and all day breakfast. The eclectic menu and its wallet friendly pricing means there is something for everyone with a choice of Western, Japanese, dessert and all day breakfast.

Tofu Avocado Salad 4/5

From the Japanese menu, the Tofu Avocado Salad ($4.50/$10) comes in an array of fresh ingredients such as tofu, avocado, tomato, cucumber, sliced cabbage and almond flakes with homemade wasabi mayo dressing. A light, healthy and refreshing salad to kick start the meal.

Tempura Moriawase 4/5

The Tempura Moriawase ($11) of prawns and vegetables were deep fried to a delightful crunchy bite.

Unagi Hotstone Rice 3.5/5

The Unagi Hot Stone Rice ($19.80) is cooked in a fragrant savoury dark sauce with delectable burnt crispy bites.

Chicken Wings 3.5/5

Moving on to the Western menu, we have the Chicken Wings ($6) which was well marinated with the special season. Paired with the Thai chilli sauce to enjoy the deep fried chicken wings to the fullest.

Spicy Salami Pizza 4/5

Bacon & Egg Pizza 4/5

Pizza lover will enjoy the thin crust pizza offering at Social Square. Both the tomato based Spicy Salami Pizza ($14.50/$17.50) and Bacon & Egg Pizza ($14.50/$17.50) were very favourful. The spicy salami pizza was my favourite topped with spicy salami and fresh cut chillies lending a spicy kick to it.

Mixed Mushroom Pasta 4/5

The Mixed Mushroom Pasta ($13.90) was cooked to a nice bite filled with an abundance of earthy flavour.

Pan Fried Salmon Mushroom 3.5/5

The Pan Fried Salmon Mushroom ($20) is served with garden salad and fries on the side. The salmon was nicely cooked to pinkish and moist. I found the mushroom sauce that was drizzled on top of the salmon weird. This is probably the first time I came across fish and mushroom pairing. I felt that it needed a better sauce for the salmon to shine brighter.

John Dees Ribeye 4.2/5

A must try here is the John Dees Ribeye ($18/100 gram, minimum 300 gram) served separately with a hot stone plate. The grain fed 180 days, aged 4-6 weeks Angus beef is served medium rare with sides and black pepper sauce. Patrons gets to cook the beef on the hot stone plate to the doneness they like. A good piece of beef that is very flavourful by itself.

Essential British 4/5

Smoked Salmon Benedict 4/5

For those that love brunch can check out Social Square's All Day Breakfast menu. The Essential British comes with a great selection of baked beans, Italian sausage, scrambled eggs on mashed potato with brown sauce and cheese on toast. The classic Smoked Salmon Benedict ($18.80) comes with oozing poached eggs, cheese, smoked salmon on toasted bread drizzled with hollandaise sauce served with side salad. Both breakfast sets are very hearty beaming with sunshine that just brightens one's day.

Abekawa Mochi 4/5

A change from the normal plain and chewy mochi is the Abekawa Mochi ($6.80) which is oven baked Japanese mochi with Japanese soya bean power (Kinako) and Hokkaido red  bean paste. After oven baked, it gave the mochi a nice slightly crispy texture on top of the chewiness.

Yuzu Kakigori 3.5/5

Matcha Imo 4/5

Since Social Square is opened by MOF, it is not surprise to have their signature dessert such as the Yuzu Kakigori ($7.90) and Matcha Imo ($6.80). The soft serves with classic Japanese flavour of yuzu and green tea sauce completed the meal on a sweet note.

The new all in one dining concept by MOF with its huge floor area is idea for families and group gathering. With an extensive menu covering Japanese, Western, All Day Breakfast and dessert, there is something for everyone. Social Square is not just a place for dining but a square for socialise and to gather in a garden setting with tall trees and majestic teak wood tables in the dining hall.


Social Square
Parkway Parade
80 Marine Parade Road
#03-26
Singapore 449269
Tel: +65 63487262
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SocialSquareSG
Website: http://ministryoffood.com.sg
Nearest MRT: Dakota (CC Line), Paya Lebar (CC Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thur: 1130am - 930pm
Fri: 1130am - 1030pm
Sat: 10am - 10pm
Sun: 10am - 930pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Dakota MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at Block 99 (Stop ID 81181). Take bus number 31. Alight 6 stops later. Cross the overhead bridge to Parkway Parade. Walk to destination. Journey time about 13 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Paya Lebar MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop along Paya Lebar Road (Stop ID 81111). Take bys number 43, 76 or 135. Alight 8 stops later. Cross the overhead bridge to Parkway Parade. Walk to destination. Journey time about 18 minutes. [Map]

Orchard Cafe @ Orchard Hotel

The buffet at Orchard Cafe has undergone a revamp with a newly launched Straits Cuisine buffet with a line up of authentic Peranakan dishes, traditional roasts, seafood options and all time local favourite. This is complete with live stations and a la minute highlights.

Condiments

A wide selection of condiments are available at the buffet spread with my favourite being the Cincaluk.

Kueh Pie Tee 3.5/5

A take from the classic is Chef Pual's version of Buah Keluak Kueh Pie Tee. The delicious delight is accentuated with the nyonya caviar aka buah keluak and fish roes. It is understand that the ultimate kueh pie tee was created during the Ultimate Hawker Fest 2013 and was well received. While I applauded the creativity and combination, the differ from the classic may cause some controversy over the authenticity of this traditional delight.

Popiah 4/5

Available at one of the live stations is the Popiah wrapped in a thin popiah skin. The popiah was plump and stuffed with generous fillings.

Steamed Black Cod Otah 4.2/5

Nyonya Hokkien Mee 4/5

Sambal Sting Ray in Banana Leaves 3.5/5

The buffet line also features Executive Chef Paul's signature dishes such as the Steamed Black Cod Otah, Nyonya Hokkien Mee and Sambal Sting Ray in Banana Leaves. The Steamed Black Cod Otah has a mixed of prawns in it which gave it a chunky bite. Fragrant with pork lard was the delectable Nyonya Hokkien Mee which was slurping good. The Sambal Sting Ray in Banana Leaves will appeal more to the tourist than local with its slightly on the sweet side chili sauce.

Ikan Kuah Lada 4.2/5

Nyonya Chap Chye 4/5

Lembu Rendang 3.5/5

Ayam Buah Keluak 4/5

Among the buffet spread is a row of claypots that features the traditional Perankan dishes such as the Ikan Kuah Lada, Nyonya Chap Chye, Lembu Rendang and Ayam Buah Keluak. The Ikan Kuah Lada was given a premium twist with the use of pink snapper instead of the usual mackerel. The tartness of the tumeric and peppercorn gravy went very well with a plate of rice. The Nyonya Chap Chye was well braised until soft with delectable sweetness of cabbage, fungus, pork belly and fermented yellow bean. Slow cooked to fork tender is the Lembu Rendang with nyonya spices. A must have is the staple Perankan dish, Ayam Buah Keluak. The black nut flesh is mixed with rempah and minced meat creating an unique and appealing flavour.

Durian Pengat 4/5

Nyonya Kueh Assortment 4/5

Chempedak Creme Brulee 4.8/5

Every buffet line is not complete without the dessert section. Indulge in a selection Nyonya Kueh Assortment,  Durian Pengat, Chempedak Creme Brulee and many more. Diner has the privilege to try from the creator Chef Paul, his Durian Pengat served in a short glass with pandan jelly. A must try is the Chempedak Creme Brulee that is an unique take from the classic with the eggy flavour nicely balanced by the fruity chempedak.

Double joy for diners at Orchard Cafe's Straits Cuisine Buffet as you may get the chance to win weekend staycations and other attractive prizes. All you have to do is capture your scrumptious moments of the buffet and share your photos on Orchard Hotel Facebook Page to stand a chance of winning these attractive prizes.

Buffet Lunch: $48 Adult, $24 Child
Buffet Dinner: $68 Adult, $34 Child

Senior citizen at the age of 55 years and above will be able to enjoy a 50% off the Straits Cuisine buffet lunch from Monday to Thursday, valid till 31 October 2014.


Orchard Cafe
Orchard Hotel Singapore
442 Orchard Road
Singapore 238879
Tel: +65 67347766
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/orchardhotelsingapore
Website: http://www.orchardhotel.com.sg
Nearest MRT:  Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Buffet Lunch: 12pm - 230pm
Buffet Dinner: 6pm - 10pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit E. Walk towards Wheelock Place via ION. Exit Wheelock Place and turn left towards Liat Tower. Cross the road at the traffic light junction and turn left towards Palais Renaissance. Continue walking down Orchard Road and turn right onto Orange Grove Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk towards Shaw House via underpass. At the road level, walk along Orchard Road towards Palais Renaissance. Continue walking down Orchard Road and turn right onto Orange Grove Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]