Saturday, November 26, 2016

Festive Offerings by InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) Singapore For 2016

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InterContinental Singapore


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For this Yuletide season, InterContinental Singapore will be introducing the new Maple Wood Bacon-Wrapped Tom Turkey ($168 for 5kg). The turkey is wrapped with strips of bacon and slow-roasted over maple wood. The essence of the bacon is infused into the tender turkey meat, capped with the unami flavour that is complemented with the smoked aroma of Maple wood. The huge bird is served with sides of charcoal baked potatoes, winter vegetables, mushroom stuffing and giblet gravy.

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Sweeten your celebrations with the Buche de Noel White Yule Log ($68 for 1kg) which compromises a moist red velvet sponge layered with lemon curd, sheathed beneath a beautiful layer of cheese frosting that is well balanced and not overwhelming.


Crowne Plaza Changi Airport


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At Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, ring in the festivity with the Traditional Roast Turkey with Chestnut Stuffing served with Cranberry Sauce ($158 for 5kg). Good for eight pax, the turkey is stuffed with finest ingredients such as foie gras, veal and chestnut. Impress your guest further with the flavourful Three-Cheese Chicken Roulade ($88 for 1.5kg). The chicken leg roulade, baked to golden brown comes with the combination of the boursin, red cheddar and smoked havarti cheese.

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Not to forget a must on the table to celebrate the holiday season is the a buche de Noel. A good choice is the Manjari Chocolate & Caremel Chestnut Yule Log Cake ($68) made up of rich, moist and decadent chocolate cake rolled up around a luscious and creamy caramel chestnut filling, and artfully crafted to resemble a log from an enchanted forest and garnished with seasonal decorations.


Holiday Inn Orchard City Centre


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Holiday Inn Orchard City Centre brings to you a collection of traditional and contemporary for the festive celebration with the Signature Tandoori Turkey and Festive Roast Turkey. The signature tandoori turkey is marinated with aromatic Indian spices and accompanied with masala potatoes. For the festive roast turkey, it is served with chestnut stuffing, thyme sauce and cranberry relish.

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On the sweet side, there is the Salted Caramel Chocolate Log Cake filled with chocolate ganache and homemade sea salted caramel. On top of that both adults and kids will be delighted with the Red Velvet White Chocolate Chip Cookies with a generous serving of white chocolate chunks in mildly sweet red velvet cookies.


Holiday Inn Atrium


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Festive delights not to be missed at Holiday Inn Atrium are the Roasted Aromatic Spices Tom Turkey with Chestnut Stuffing, Baked Gammon Ham with Sarawak Honey Pineapple Glaze ($108 for 3kg) and Oven Baked Australian Ribeye with Nutty Crust and Yorkshire Pudding.

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Sweeten the festive celebration with the new William Pear Log Cakes ($58 for 1kg) or Chocolate and Banana Log Cake ($58 for 1kg).


Hotel Indigo


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Paying homage to Katong’s Peranakan influences, Baba Chews’ takeaway menu (3 days pre-order) is a selection of festive must-haves with a Nonya twist created by Head Chef Alvin Leong. The Turkey Breast ‘Sio’ ($88) is a creative spin on the ubiquitous festive turkey and ‘Itek Sio’, the Nonya braised duck. In the place of a whole turkey, a 2kg turkey breast is slow-baked at 80°c for 90 minutes with tamarind and coriander seasoning to ensure tender, well-flavoured cuts of the meat.

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Wrapping up the takeaway menu are the classic Chocolate Christmas Log Cake ($72 for 1kg) and the Williams Pear Log Cake ($72 for 1kg) made of pear mousse, almond jaconde glazed with a calamansi jello for those favouring a different flavour.

Thursday, November 24, 2016

Melt Cafe @ Mandarin Oriental Hotel Singapore - Unlimited Servicing Of Sashimi, Sushi And Many Other Japanese Fare

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Just right before the onset of the festive season, Melt Cafe at Mandarin Oriental decided to celebrate the last bit of the year with a Japan Food Fair. Diners of Melt Cafe get to enjoy a wider selection of Japanese food specially prepared for a limited period of time from 23 November to 4 December 2016 (dinner only). For a complete experience, there is even sake to complement the promotion. That is rather rare for a buffet setting.

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Sashimi 4.5/5

Start off your meal with a plate of fresh Sashimi. If you like hamachi, theirs won't disappoint you with the thick cuts. I like their cute little triangular California roll with tobiko which has a balance of  the vinegary rice and sweet filling.

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Ebi Tempura Hand Roll 4.2/5

Upon request, hand rolls are made ala minute to ensure that the seaweed is still crispy when delivered into your mouth. Especially for their Ebi Tempura Hand Roll. The ebi tempura was still warm when I had it. The crust was crispy and the ebi remained firm and succulent.

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Pork and Chicken Katsu Curry 4.2/5

What I really want to highlight is the Japanese curry station which offers both Pork and Chicken Katsu Curry. The light and airy batter seems to have successfully locked in all the juice of the meats, resulting in an extremely tender and moist texture. It was such an indulgence to have an entire onsen egg to glaze over the mini curry don with its creamy egg yolk. What I regretted not doing there and then, was to ask for another scoop of the curry - robust with a spike of fiery, this curry don is certainly one of the most memorable so far.

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Melt cafe is also popular for their Indian cuisine. Their live nann station, serving fresh garlic and cheese naan are the best companions for the selection of curries and tandoori. Their curries were complexities with multitude of spices and ingredients. Despite finding them relatively creamy, I find it hard to stop after a few spoonful of it.

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Green Tea Swiss Roll 4.2/5

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Green Tea Yuzu Cake 4/5

During this Japanese Fest, there are a few unique desserts specially crafted for the occasion. There are the standard Green Tea Swiss Roll as well as the Green Tea Yuzu Cake. While the latter has a interesting tangy twist to its matcha flavour, I still prefer the simpler pure green tea swiss roll which exudes its matcha elegance.

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Melt Chocolate Cake 4.2/5

Never walk away without a slice of Melt Chocolate Cake- moist and spongy with bitter sweetness. This is one of the ultimate chocolate cakes to have. The other humble looking classic pandan cake may surprise you with its comforting pandan aroma and sweetness.

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Homemade Ice Creams 4.2/5

Last but not least, their Homemade Ice Creams. The sweetness of ice creams usually make your throat stick but theirs are almost thirst quenching.  My favourites are their yogurt, strawberry, chocolate etc... Almost all flavours! Just choose all to pair with your Green tea waffles.

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Available only for 2 weeks before the advent of the Christmas season, do make a date with Melt cafe soon!

Japanese Food Fair at Melt Cafe
Price points:
- $75 per person (Monday to Thursday) inclusive of free flow of juices additional $20 per person for free flow of house wines, beer and soft drinks.

- $85 per person (Friday and Saturday) with barbecue and inclusive of free flow of juices additional $20 per person for free flow of house wines, beer and soft drinks.

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. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Melt Cafe
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Singapore
5 Raffles Avenue
Singapore 039797
Tel: +65 68853500
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Website
Nearest MRT: Promenade (CC Line), Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 630am - 930pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Promenade MRT station. Take Exit A. Cross the road. Walk to Marina Square. Follow the signage to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit B or D. Walk to Marina Square. Follow the signage to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]