Mitzo Restaurant & Bar Chinese New Year 2016 @ Grand Park Orchard

During the Lunar New Year, many families and offices will make booking at Chinese restaurant to celebrate the festive occasion with their family members or colleagues. I heard that the reservations at a lot of restaurants have already been filling up fast. If you have not make your reservation, you may like to check out Mitzo Restaurant & Bar at Grand Park Orchard known for offering progressive Cantonese cuisine.

Pearls of Prosperity Kanpachi Kingfish Yu Sheng 4.2/5

Tossing to an abundant year of happiness and wealth is the Pearls of Prosperity Kanpachi Kingfish Yu Sheng ($68/$108). The generous lashings of Kanpachi sashimi, crispy salmon skin, lychee caviar with the savoury Chu Hou sauce made this a magnificent platter in its unique play on textures and flavours.

Doubled Boiled Fish Maw with Cordyceps Flower and Pork Ribs 4.2/5

The Doubled Boiled Fish Maw with Cordyceps Flower and Pork Ribs is a comforting and nourishing bowl of soup to kick start the meal.

Superior Lobster Fortune Pot 4.5/5

Pen Cai a traditional Chinese dish where luxurious ingredients are layered into a pot. The Superior Lobster Fortune Pot ($398/$688)comes with braised lobster in Mao Tai Wine, abalone, dried scallop, flower mushroom, sea cucumber, deep fried fish maw, dried oyster, roast duck, cabbage, lotus root, white radish, roasted pork belly and fa cai. This is one dish I always look forward to during Lunar New Year.

Steamed Live Soon Hock with Minced Ginger in Soya Sauce 3.5/5

The Steamed Live Soon Hock with Minced Ginger in Soya Sauce did not keep impress me. First is the presentation without the fish head. In Chinese tradition, it is believe to be a good symbol if the head and tail is intact, 有头有尾. While I enjoy the soya sauce which brought out the flavour of the fresh fish, I felt that the minced ginger was on the overpowering side, throwing the dish slightly off.

Steamed Rice with Chinese Assorted Sausage, Chicken and Mushroom 4/5

Steamed Rice with Chinese Assorted Sausage, Chicken and Mushroom 4/5

The Steamed Rice with Chinese Assorted Sausage, Chicken and Mushroom is like a huge Lor Mai Kai. The fragrant rice with the assorted sausages accentuated the flavour and enjoyment to the fullest.

Koi Fish Nian Gao, Batter Deep Fried and Steamed Nian Gao 4/5

Another symbolic item during Lunar New Year is the Nian Gao which means promotions or prosperity year after year, 步步高升. Shaped into a Koi Fish Nian Gao ($28), it was sliced up and done in two ways. I preferred the Batter Deep Fried Niao Gao over the Steamed Niam Gao for its extra crispy texture.

Mitzo Restaurant & Bar has curated several set menus for the Lunar New Year, catering for groups of 4 to 10 people, ranging from $118++ per person to $1688++ per table. For more details, please refer to the restaurant's website.


Mitzo Restaurant & Bar
Grand Park Orchard
Level 4
270 Orchard Road
Singapore 238857
Tel: +65 66038855
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Somerset (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 230pm, 630pm - 1030pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Somerset MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Orchard Road. Turn left and walk down Orchard road to the junction of Orchard Road and Orchard Link. Cross the junction to Bideford Road. Walk down Bideford Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

The East Bureau (东局) @ Marina Square

Located at the newly renovated rooftop garden of Marina Square, facing The Esplanade is The East Bureau (东局), a Pan Asian Restaurant and Bar. If you have not visited the new food establishment, I would recommend you to do so. The restaurant offers an unique take to oriental classics which is something familiar but yet something different. You will understand what I mean as I walk you through the menu.

Spiced and Salted Edamame Beans 3/5

While we are waiting for the rest of the group to turn up, we have the Spiced and Salted Edamame Beans ($6) to start. A delightful snack to kick start the night.

House Seafood Salad with Confit Vine Tomatoes in Chuka Fu Dressing 3/5

Starting on a light note we had the House Seafood Salad with Confit Vine Tomatoes in Chuka Fu Dressing ($16). It comes with fresh seafood and sashimi with crunchy greens in a sesame zesty vinaigrette. There is even an abalone.

Poached Drunken Chicken in Savoury Cucumber Granita 4/5

Inspired from the local Hainanese Chicken Rice, the Poached Drunken Chicken in Savoury Cucumber Granita ($15) comes with chunky pieces of juicy chicken thigh poached in Chinese wine. The cucumber granita gives the dish a refreshing touch with the icy-savoury accompaniment rounding up the flavours.

Savoury Soya Milk Panna Cotta with Shoyu Jelly and Abalone 4.2/5

I was a bit puzzled when the dish was presented. Why is the restaurant serving me a dessert in the middle of dinner. The Soya Milk Panna Cotta with Shoyu Jelly and Abalone ($15) turns out to be a savoury dish. The combination of the silky smooth soy pudding, shoyu jelly and mushroom dust, when eaten together, felt like having chawanmushi.

Thai Basil Minced Pork Gyoza 4.8/5

If there is one dish I would highly recommend is the Thai Basil Minced Pork Gyoza ($12). Creation doesn't mean has to be complicated. I was surprised how the fusion of Thai and Japanese cuisine, with a simple twist can elevate the dish to a whole new level.

Taiwanese Inspired Lor Bak with Poutine Fries 3.5/5

Replacing the rice with poutine fries is the Taiwanese Inspired Lor Bak with Poutine Fries ($12). The homemade braised minced pork, yellow Japanese takuan pickles and egg white bits made the poutine fries quite addictive to eat.

Homemade Pork and Shrimp Ngoh Hiang Spring Rolls with Spicy Dip 4.5/5

This is not your ordinary spring roll. You will be greatly content with every bite of the Homemade Pork and Shrimp Ngoh Hiang Spring Rolls with Spicy Dip ($14). Another clever creation putting two Pan Asian dishes together for a whole new level of enjoyment.

The Bureau Signature with Prawn 4/5

The Bureau Signature with Prawns ($20) is like an united ASEAN in a plate. The different flavours work harmoniously with the different ingredients from the region. It is a unique taste that is pleasing but difficult to put words to it. Diner has a choice between orecchiette or linguine, and the option of chicken, pork or prawns.

Tom Yum Fried Rice with Chicken $15

For a hearty and substantial meal, the Tom Yum Fried Rice with Chicken ($15) will be a good option served like a bibimbap. I like the addition of the fried shallots, boosting the flavours on top of the spicy and piquant kick.

Dynasty 4.2/5

The Dynasty ($18) is a subtle trio of desserts representing the three great dynasties (Han, Tang and Qing) of China bridged by a bed of chocolate soil and roselle gel. Starting from the left is the Peach Sorbet with Oolong Goji Berries representing the Han, Followed by Almond White Chocolate Mousse on a Chocolate Almond Cake Base topped with Jasmine Poached Asian Pear and Sliced Red Dates from the Tang. Lastly from the Qin we have the Genmaicha Dew with Popped Rice. The trio of dessert basically tells a story of the progression over the years in the different dynasties.

Menage A Trios $19

The Menage A Trios ($19) may look like any other cream puffs but be surprised as the mini tower of Bo Luo crusted cream puffs are filled with Salted Egg Yolk creme patisserie, whipped Orh Nee paste or Black Sesame soy milk bavarian cream. It is drizzled with coconut caramel and desiccated coconut before serving. The sound of it already made me drooling. I preferred the orh nee paste followed by the salted egg yolk creme patisserie.

Having been eaten in several modern Asian restaurant, I would say non has managed to impress me more than East Bureau. The dishes are creative but yet not losing the fundamental characteristic of Asian cuisine. I look forward to my next visit to check out the rest of the menu as well as any new creations.


The East Bureau (东局)
Marina Square
6 Raffles Boulevard
#03-03
Singapore 039594
Tel: +65 6837014
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Sun-Thu: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 1030pm
Fri-Sat: 1130pm - 3pm, 6pm - 1am

Direction: 
1) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit B. Take the escalator to level 3. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]