Man Fu Yuan Chinese New Year 2016 @ InterContinental Singapore

With the turn of the year, we will be ushering in the year of the monkey. This Lunar New Year, Man Fu Yuan at InterContinental Singapore will launch a selection of prosperity set menus from 18 January to 22 February 2016, crafted by Executive Chinese Chef Kwan Yiu Kan and his team.

Yusheng with Crispy Monkey Head Mushrooms, Prosperity Flakes and Peach Dressing 4/5

A tradition and must have at every Lunar New Year is the Yusheng or Loi Hei. This year Man Fu Yan presents the Yusheng with Crispy Monkey Head Mushrooms, Prosperity Flakes and Peach Dressing ($118 Large). The used of monkey head mushrooms symbolize the year of monkey while providing the additional crispy texture. The prosperity honey gold flakes represents abundance of wealth, dressed in a refreshing sweet peach sauce.

Australian Lobster and Geoduck Sashimi 4.2/5

I was privileged to be given a glimpse of some of the prosperity offerings at Man Fu Yuan this year. The dinner started with the fresh and natural sweetness of the Australian Lobster and Geoduck Sashimi with Freshly Grated Wasabi and Bonito Shoyu.

Doubled Boiled Sakura Chicken Soup with Bird's Nest, Fish Maw, Abalone and Black Truffles 4.2/5

Following the sashimi is the nourishing and comforting bowl of Doubled Boiled Sakura Chicken Soup with Bird's Nest, Fish Maw, Abalone and Black Truffles. The essence of the luxurious ingredients were well extracted, brimming with beautiful and sumptuous flavours.

Braised Australian Green Lip Abalone and Chinese Mushrooms with Spiky Sea Cucumber and Seasonal Vegetables. 4/5

Braised to a nice tender and absorbing the flavours from the braising sauce is the Braised Australian Green Lip Abalone and Chinese Mushrooms with Spiky Sea Cucumber and Seasonal Vegetables. The sea cucumber is also braised to a soft bouncy texture that is every enjoyable.

Braised South African Abalone and Chicken in Casserole 4/5

Yes it is another abalone dish again but cooked differently. The Braised South African and Chicken in Casserole allows the appreciation of the abalone in a different way.

Alaskan King Crab in Chinese Rice Wine with Chicken Oil and Crispy Pork Lard 4.5/5

The highlight in this year Man Fu Yuan Lunar New Year offering has to be the Alaskan King Crab in Chinese Rice Wine with Chicken Oil and Crispy Pork Lard. I was exactly quite surprised how the chinese rice wine and crispy pork lard, can bring out the full flavour of the crustacean.

Man Fu Yuan Treasure Pot 4.5/5

The one dish I look forward to everyone Lunar New Year is the Pen Cai. This year's Man Fu Yuan Treasure Pot will come with 18 prized ingredients including Whole Baby Abalone, Canadian Lobster, Fish Maw, Goose Web, Pig's Trotter, Scallops, Dried Oyster, Quail, Flower Mushroom, Sea Moss and Roasted Duck.

Barbecued Whole Suckling Pig with Wok Fried Glutinous Rice and Goose Liver Sausage 4.8/5

The highly popular signature a Man Fu Yuan is their Barbecued Whole Suckling Pig with Wok Fried Glutinous Rice and Goose Liver Sausage. I have heard about the dish from fellow foodies and it definitely lifts up to its reputation. The crispy pork skin, succulent pork and the delicious wok fried glutinous with goose liver sausage that is packed with rich aroma and flavour.

Doubled Boiled Superior Bird's Nest with Julienned Young Coconut 4.5/5

With all the rich flavoured dishes, it is fitting to end the dinner with the Double Boiled Superior Bird's Nest with Julienned Young Coconut that is light and refreshing. The other delightful desserts to wrap up the dinner are Golden Egg Custard Pastry, Scented Osmanthus Nian Gao with Shandong Premium Red Dates, Cream of Almond and Sesame Dumpling coated with Ground Peanuts.

Golden Egg Custard Pastry, Scented Osmanthus Nian Gao with Shandong Premium Red Dates, Cream of Almond and Sesame Dumpling coated with Ground Peanuts 4/5

A variety of set menus are created for intimate lunches and dinners for 2 persons, to extravagant gatherings for up to 10 or more persons. Man Fu Yuan's Deluxe Treasure Set  ($688++) is good for 5 persons while the Premium 8 Course Set ($2088++) is perfect for group of 10 persons. For those that is looking for a family reunion or business gathering, an assortment of 5 and 6 course sets are available from $108++ to $328++ per person. For more details of all their prosperity set menus, do refer to Man Fu Yuan website.


Man Fu Yuan
InterContinental Singapore
Level 2
80 Middle Road
Singapore 188966
Tel: +65 68251059
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Website
Nearest MRT: Bugis (EW Line, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1145am - 330pm, 630pm - 1030pm

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

Pardon My French @ Icon Village

Pardon My French? If you search online, the first thing that would come out is this " The phrase is uttered in an attempt to excuse the user of profanity, swearing, or curses in the presence of those offended by it under the pretense of the words being part of a foreign language." A couple of pages and you will find, there is actually a French restaurant by this name located at Icon Village. Barely a month old, I was looking forward to see what it has got to offer.  Judging by the name, would it be something quirky and bold?

With a small frontage, one may easily miss it. (it is right beside 7 Eleven). With only 3 tables plus another alfresco seating, its tiny space surprises me.  It holds a certain charm reminiscent of a small brasserie, and if warm lights were used instead of its current white, I believe it would be even cosier.  The menu is quite straight forward, with a few quintessential French dish - Poulet, Duck confit, Beef stew and Fish baked with ratatouille. Pastas are available as well.  It also offers quite affordable and interesting breakfast items for Saturday.  No coffee though, but its unique selection of teas makes up for it.

Paquet DePoisson 4/5

We went straight for their mains - Duck Confit ($25.00), Boeuf Bourguignon ( Beef stew $17.00) and my favourite dish Paquet De Poisson (Baked Fish Parcel $20.50) which seabass was the Fish of the Day.  The fish came to us hot in its baking paper. As we unveiled it, what intrigued me was the beautiful bright orangy sauce around it - Capsicum sauce, a twist to the original recipe created by the chef. Together with the huge slices of zucchini and just a tinge of seasoning, it enhances both the look and taste of the dish. Moist and tender, the fish even had a crisp-top even though it was baked enclosed in paper.

Duck Confit 3.8/5

Its Duck Confit ($25) has a slight twist to it as well, being paired with mashed pumpkin instead of potatoes. Thin and crisp skin with very tender meat, and it was not gamey at all.  However, I didn't feel the mashed pumpkin goes well with it. Something more starchy than the mashed pumpkin would have been better to counter the richness of the confit.

Beef Stew 3/5

Its Beef Stew came to us looking real promising but was also the most disappointing for me. The soupy gravy was very flavourful and I enjoyed soaking it up with the deep fried mantou which proves to be a yummy combination. According to the chef, Oxtail was used for its collagen, that will give the stew the rich consistency without having to add any fats to it. I expected the meat to be soft and tender and falling off the bones. That was what I had in Essen, my very first oxtail stew and I loved it!  However, this was simply too tough for me to chew.

Ruby Pear 4.2/5

As for dessert, Ruby Pear ($6.50) is a must-have here.  Soaked in red wine, the pear compote was served warmed with homemade Bailey's ice cream, adding on to its alcohol undertone. I have tried fruit compote served with vanilla ice cream which are often too sweet and dense, but this is light and tastes clean.  The only issue I have is with the ice cream, that melted so fast on the warm pear that 2 tiny bites were all I managed to get.

Pardon My French isn't as adventurous as I thought it will be, but after numerous big names sprouting in our small city, I appreciate such an earnest set up, without all the decorations. From the twists done to the dishes, I can see that the chefs have achieved a good foundation from their culinary training.  Certainly there are some rough edges (there are even handwritten strike offs & add ons in the menu), but as Derrick has cleverly pointed out, like its name, we should pardon them for being less of a French. (our expectations).

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.



Pardon My French
Icon Village
12 Gopeng Street
#01-16
Singapore 078877
Tel: +65 64109353
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Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 1130am - 230pm, 530pm - 830pm
Sat: 10am - 230pm

Direction: 
Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn left and walk down Peck Seah Street. Turn right onto Gopeng Street. Walk to the junction of Gopeng Street and Tras Street. Turn left onto Tras Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]