The Fullerton Bay Hotel Christmas 2014

Christmas is upon us again. To usher in this festive season, The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore has decided to hold a Giving Hope Charity Buffet Dinner at The Clifford Pier. The hotel will pledge S$20 net for every dining patron in support of Hope Centre Singapore's Bursary Awards. I considered myself lucky to be able to attend this meaningful event. Although the essence of Christmas has always been about sharing and giving, I find myself guilty of excessive indulgence at times. It is a indeed a rare opportunity to be able to indulge for a good cause.

This evening, diners also have the chance to witness the hotel's very first Christmas Light-Up Ceremony. As the ceremony began, I could see that the audience was captivated by the enchanting tune made by the handbell ringers as it rippled through the air of colonial grandeur of this conserved heritage site. The candle-lit march-in by the hotel staff added on to this magical moment. It was then followed by a special performance, staged by the children from the hotel's designated beneficiary, Hope Centre Singapore.

Roasted Turkey

Roasted Prime Ribs

With the ceremony coming to an end, it officially marks the start of the festive season. The buffet featured some of Singapore's traditional delights which I reckon are the star of this buffet. The spread also includes the season's classics such as the Traditional Roasted Turkey and Roasted Prime Ribs. To balance your meal, there is also quite a good varieties of greens and cold salads to choose from.

Rickshaw Noodles is known to be their signature. I must say it did taste as good as it looks. I find the minced meat very well braised which flavours the noodles really well. The spring egg somehow acts like a sauce to the dry noodles, coating the noodles with the delectable braised sauce.

Rickshaw Noodles

I have a soft spot for braised pork belly bun and writing about their Soya Sauce Braised Pork Belly in Lotus Bun simply adds on to my craving. Theirs indeed is must try. It was well braised with a slight charred flavour. The sinful layer of fats did not seem to leave much behind either.

Oriental Turkey

Their "Beggar Chicken"-inspired Oriental Turkey is surprisingly good. I could have mistaken the meat as chicken as it was almost as tender as that. It was subtly flavoured by the Chinese herbs during the baking process, such as Dang Gui, Red Dates, Wolfberries etc. This newly created item is also included in their Christmas takeaways.

Desserts was quite a sumptuous spread, and I got to try The Fullerton Hotel's creation, the 7th Heaven Yule Log as well as their in house Panettone made using their very own Italian recipe. Their Yule Log is truly an indulgence made using ingredients such as Bailey Irish Cream, Jivara Chocolate, Ivory Chocolate etc, that bounds to satiate your sweet tooth. Both items are available in their range of Christmas takeaways.

If you happen to miss this charity buffet and are keen to try out their signatures, here's your chance. The Fullerton Bay Hotel is going to hold another 2 sessions on Christmas Eve and Christmas day itself, priced at $128 and $68 for adult and child respectively. You will get to enjoy similar spread, as well as the marvellous view this place offers.

The Fullerton Bay Hotel has a list of festive dining lined up for you from now till New Year. So to give yourself or others a treat, do check it out among your other choices!

Christmas Heritage Buffet Dinner
Date: 24-25 December 2014
Time: 630pm - 1030pm
Adult $128*, Child $64*

New Year Eve Heritage Buffet Dinner
Date: 31 December 2014
Time: 630pm - 1030pm
Adult $148*, Child $74*

* prices are subject ot 10% service charge and government taxes.


The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore
80 Collyer Quay
Singapore 049326
Tel: +65 65975266
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheFullertonHotel
Website: http://www.fullertonbayhotel.com/dining/the-clifford-pier
Nearest MRT: Raffles Place (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Lunch: 12pm - 230pm
High Tea: 330pm - 530pm
Dinner: 630pm - 10pm
Supper: 10pm - 12midnight (Sun-Thu), 10pm - 1am (Fri-Sat)

Direction:
1) Alight at Raffles Place MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Clifford Centre. Cut across the building. Go to 2nd floor, take the overhead bridge link across the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Good Chance Popiah (好彩薄饼) @ Silat Ave (Jalan Bukit Merah)

A classic and tradition Chinese eatery since 1977, Good Chance Popiah (好彩薄饼) Eating House was founded by Mr Hou Shen Hu. It is a well known brand if you want to eat the Hokkien Popiah. Mr Hou who is from Long Xi, Fu Jian Province learnt the culinary skills and recipes from his parents which is passed down generations after generations. Currently Good Chance Popiah (好彩薄饼) Eating House is helmed by the third generation, Mr Hou's grandson, Mr Boon Kaichun or more popularly known as Ah Boy.

Good Chance Popiah (好彩薄饼) Eating House, the name itself tells you what it serves. Many has traveled from far to try this tradition Hokkien Popiah. Different to many places, the Hokkien popiah is served unwrap. Patrons have to roll it yourself. It can be quite fun making your own popiah where you can put the ingredients and condiments that you like.

Hokkien Popiah 4/5

The shredded turnip is served in a claypot. The flavour is not very intense but rather subtle and rustic. I know of friends that did not like the old school taste. It also took me a while to appreciate it. Stewed in  a light broth, it allows the natural sweetness of the turnip to come through instead.

Fish Head and Yam Soup 4.5/5

I was a bit skeptical when the pot of Fish Head and Yam Soup was served. It sounds like a weird combination. A sip of the cloudy soup totally changed my perception of the dish. I am not sure whether this is an authentic Hokkien dish but it was packed with goodness. The sweetness of the yam and napa cabbage further adds dimensions to the whole dish.

Hokkien Mee 3.5/5

Fried Vermicelli 3/5

Many may not know that besides popiah, Good Chance does offer many cooked dishes on their menu too. If popiah itself does not fill you up, some of the recommended staple will be their Claypot Hokkien Mee and Fried Vermicelli. The claypot hokkien mee will appeal to many with its slurping good noodles.

Prawn Rolls 3/5

Prawn Paste Chicken Wings 3.5/5

Good Chance Popiah also offers many popular zi char dishes such as the Prawn Rolls and Prawn Paste Chicken Wings. The prawn rolls were decent but I had better ones elsewhere. The prawn paste chicken wings on the other was lacking that distinct prawn paste flavour. However I did like the well fried exterior crispiness. I can hear the sound of crispiness as I bite into it.

Salted Egg Crayfish 3/5

The Salted Egg Crayfish should be well received by the locals as Singaporean seems quite crazy with anything that is salted egg. I noticed curry leaves were used in the dish but I could not detect the aroma in the dish. Decent but not impressive. I think the salted egg sauce can be more richer and thicker.

Stewed Pork with Steamed Bun 4.5/5

I must try at Good Chance is the Stewed Pork with Steamed Bun or commonly known as Kong Bak Pau. The pork belly with its layers of fats and lean meat was well infused with the braise sauce. Sandwiched a piece of the pork belly and the well braised yam in between the soft fluffy bun for a bite of everything that literally melted in the mouth.

If you do plan to visit and try the food at Good Chance Popiah Eating House. I would recommend trying your hand in making your own Hokkien popiah, the fishhead and yam soup as well as the stewed pork with steamed bun.


Good Chance Popiah  (好彩薄饼)
Blk 149 Silat Ave
#01-58
Singapore 160149
Tel: +65 62710698
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goodchancepopiahsg
Website: http://goodchancepopiah.com/
Nearest MRT: Outram Park (EW Line, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 11am - 230pm, 6pm - 930pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Outram Park MRT station. Take Exit H. Walk to bus stop at Outram Park MRT station (Stop ID 05069). Take bus number 147. Alight 3 stops later. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]