Jade Restaurant @ Fullerton Hotel Singapore - A Whole New Dim Sum Experience

Jade Restaurant at Fullerton Hotel Singapore has just undergone a revamp. Imbued with elegance, garden-inspired wallpaper now adorns the partitioned areas with hues of Spring. With this new light and warm interiors, yes, Spring it is with Jade's new experience - Gourmet Dim Sum Treasures, available on weekends and public holidays. Reflecting the native birds residing on the wallpapers, master Chef Leong Chee Yeng and his award-winning team named their new dim sum set menus Purple Finch, Paradise Flycatcher and Royal Peacock respectively.

3 Assorted Dim Sum 4/5

We started off with a trio of contemporary bites from Royal Peacock ($108* per pax) - Scallop Dumpling topped with Salmon Roe, Golden Sea Urchin Siew Mai, and Foie Gras Truffle Shrimp Dumpling. Crowned with luscious ingredients, each dainty piece of dim sum is packed with extravagance in both taste and texture. Served in an individual basket, I love the fact that I get to have a private moment with all the 3 assorted dim sum instead of having to pick from the common basket.

Double Boiled Fish Maw 4/5

One of the most prided dishes in Cantonese cuisine is of course the double boiled soup - Double Boiled Fish Maw from Paradise Flycatcher menu ($88* per person). Despite it's clear base, I could instantly taste the collagen rich consistency in one sip.

Garden of Roasted Delight 4/5

The roasts here are highly recommended. None of the set includes that, so you got to order from the Master Chef’s Specialty section. Our Garden of Roasted Delight is made of Honey-glazed BBQ Pork, Roasted Duck, Thousand Layer of Pig's Ear, Thinly Sliced Pork and Crispy Roasted Pork Belly. The cold and crunchy pig's ear, which reminds me of Sichuan's pig's ear salad, adds an interesting character to this garden of roast meats. Start off with this appetising crunch before you proceed with the rest. The char siew has fats that melts away readily to flavour its caramelised sweet sauce encasing the meat, and the Crispy Pork Belly provides the same satisfaction with its incredibly crispy skin atop its tender meat which is almost wobblingly tender.

Wok-fried Rice Flour Rolls with Scallop in X.O. Sauce 4/5

To cap the meal, we had Wok-fried Rice Flour Rolls with Scallop in X.O. Sauce from the Purple Finch menu ($68* per person). The star of the dish is not the scallop but the umami-laden X.O sauce here that makes any plain carbs a treat on its own. The essence of dried scallops and prawns, spiced up with chilli, garlic and onion, brings life to the otherwise plain rice flour rolls as it imprints a layer of wok-hei on its surface.

Dessert 3/5

Wrapping up is a summery dessert - Shaved Pineapple Coconut Ice with Champagne Jelly, that comes together with a Bird’s Nest Egg Tart. The icy dessert is indeed a refreshing respite from the meal. Served warm, the egg tart perfumed my fingers with its buttery crust which is so fine that I could barely hold it without crushing it.

Although the new menu is a lot more refine, I feel the spirit of chit chatting with loved ones over sharing baskets of dim sum is lost. That said, single portion serving allows much more intimate dining, especially for table of two. Moreover, you get to enjoy the luxurious dim sum in an unhurried manner as there is only one seating implemented from 12.00 p.m. to 3.00 p.m.

*All set menus require a minimum of two persons to dine. Prices are subject to service charge and prevailing government taxes.

Words 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.


Jade Restaurant (玉楼）
The Fullerton Hotel Singapore
1 Fullerton Square
Singapore 049178
Tel: +65 68778188
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Raffles Place (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Dim Sum
Weekends & PH: 12pm - 3pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Raffles Place MRT Station. Take Exit H. Turn right and walk towards the river. At the river, turn right again and walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Brothers In Fine Food @ Tampines West Community Centre – Halal Neighbourhood Café With Quality Food At Affordable Prices

Opened by the same folks behind Penny University, Brothers in Fine Food is a Muslim-owned halal cafe established late last year in 2016. No doubt a true hidden gem - with its inconspicuous locale on the second level of Tampines West Community Club, and an extensive menu of delicious yet creative fusion offerings inspired by a mix of modern European, Mediterranean, North African and other Asian influences. What's more all the dishes are affordably priced at nett prices. Think mains such as a plate of generously portioned beef steak with substantial sides at $14, and even a chicken waffles dish at only $8.

The interiors with its minimalistic design - contemporary wooden furnishings, cement floorings and metallic accents, add a casual chic industrial feel to the place. Fuss-free and comfortable, the space gives off a chill and relaxed vibe, perfect for lazy weekend brunches or a temporary hideout to get lunch and some work done on quiet weekday afternoons.

Butcher’s Daugher 4.5/5

The Butcher's Daughter ($14) is a dish available only on their weekend brunch menu. The highlight of the dish would be those generous pieces of sous-vide seared beef steak, lusciously tender and succulent with a slight browning on the outside in its perfect medium-rare done form. Tendons are intact, which may be less favourable with its rubbery texture and flavourless taste. Not forgetting, eggs on the side done in your selected choice of way (scrambled/sunny side-up/over easy), a generous portion of well-seasoned frites, as well as a side of salad to boot. The best part is that the dish is priced affordably at only $14. What's there not to love?

Builder’s Breakfast 4.2/5

The Builder's Breakfast ($15) comes in an assortment of the usual elements on a breakfast platter, including the rosemary chicken sausage, strips of beef bacon, mushrooms, potatoes, tomatoes, toasted sourdough with a side of salad, and eggs done in your selected choice of way. Seasoned simply with pepper and salt, all the components are decently executed and complement well with one another. I had the eggs done in scrambled form, and it leans towards the milkier and creamier side.

Moroccan Baked Eggs 4/5

The Moroccan Baked Eggs ($12) comes in slices of chicken sausage, harissa, chopped tomates, with an egg atop, and 3 pieces of toasted sourdough for dipping. It is an extremely hearty comfort dish that suffices as a filling meal by itself despite the seemingly small portion, albeit a tad too spicy.

Waffles with Fresh Fruits 3.8/5

There are different options of toppings available for the waffle, such as Nutella and cheese, Peanut butter and jelly or chicken karage and beef bacon. I had the Waffles with Fresh Fruits ($8), which comes in a thick buttery waffle with generous slices of fresh bananas, strawberries and blueberries atop. The waffle leans more towards the denser and stodgier side, though I'd prefer a fluffier version with a crispier exterior.

Nagasari 4.2/5

The Nagasari ($8) is a traditional dessert hailing from Indonesia. Intricately plated, it is an eye-catching piece in the cake display at the counter, which tastes equally unique as well. The white steamed cake with caramelised bananas boasts such a smooth and soft texture that it literally melts in the mouth. The accompaniments of gula melaka foam, sautéed coconut shavings and panadan crumbs contribute to a perfect mix of flavours and textures.

Recipes at Brothers in Fine Food undergo constant fine-tunings, and menu items are refreshed every few months to excite tastebuds and prompt revisits. As it passes its one year hallmark of operations, Brothers in Fine Food continues to draw in crowds with its remarkable fusion cafe fare and amazingly affordable prices that is hard to beat for its food quality and variety, despite its slightly obscure location.

Words and photos by Crystal. A girl who likes to eat, photograph, and write about food, and dreams about travelling around the world one day. Note: This is an invited tasting


Brothers in Fine Food
Tampines West Community Centre
5 Tampines Ave 3
#02-07
Singapore 529705
Tel: +65 90089314
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Tampines West (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 12pm - 1030pm
Sat-Sun: 9am - 1030pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Tampines West MRT station. Take Exit A. Cut across the hosing estate to Tampines Street 81. Cross the road at Tampines Street 81. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]