Crystal Jade Palace @ Ngee Ann City - Unveils A Brand New Look And Menu

After undergoing a three month of renovation, Crystal Jade Group's flagship fine-dining restaurant, Crystal Jade Palace at Ngee Ann City has unveiled a brand new look and menu. The restaurant now boasts a sophisticated contemporary space that includes an intimate tea room, breezy communal dining hall, elegant courtyard, as well as chic private dining rooms.

Garden Salad with Crab Meat, Pomelo & Sakura Ebi 4.2/5

We kickstarted the dinner with the light and refreshing Garden Salad with Crab Meat, Pomelo and Sakura Ebi ($14.80). This dish used to be only served upon request has made permanently into the menu. It is an elevated rendition of the classic Thai-inspired appetiser that is a medley of fireworks, with the flavours coming together.

Deep-fried Chive Stem Pancake 3.5/5

At first sight, the Deep-fried Chive Stem Pancake ($14.80) looks like any ordinary Chinese style pancake. However, I find the ingredient used to put this together is interesting. The crispiness comes from the thin sheets of spring roll skin, while the filling is a tasty combination of sweet chives stem, minced prawns and bits of Chinese Lap Cheong.

Steamed XO Scallop Dumpling Wrapped in 'Marbled' Skin 3.5/5

Crystal Jade Palace also offers dim sum on their menu. We got to try the Steamed XO Scallop Dumpling Wrapped in 'Marbled' Skin ($8.80 for 3pc). This is a premium take from the usual with the used of the scallop. The parcel is filled with plump scallop and prawn, crowned by a robust homemade XO sauce. Steamed scallop can be quite tasteless; hence, the XO sauce played an important role in holding the whole parcel together.

Roasted Honey BBQ Iberico Pork 4.2/5

Personally not to be missed at Crystal Jade Palace is the Roasted Honey BBQ Iberico Pork ($30 regular portion) and the Roasted Irish Duck with Black Truffle ($26/$48/$95). Using the prime pork shoulder meat for the roasted honey BBQ pork, it is really tender and juicy with the right fat and lean ration which I enjoyed. The sauce is also just right, not overly sweet.

Roasted Irish Duck with Black Truffle 5/5

As for the Roasted Irish Duck, this is a winner for me. The Irish duck is already well known for its amazing texture. The addition of the black truffle is a match in heaven that lifted the flavour and whole appreciation of the beautiful poultry.

Double-boiled Chicken Soup with Peruvian Ginseng 4/5

Perfect after all the richness, is the nourishing Double-boiled Chicken Soup with Peruvian Ginseng ($26 per pax). This is my first time coming across Peruvian Ginseng or also known as Maca. It is actually a member of the radish family. It is also claimed that the root plant helps to boost energy, may improve libido and reduce the psychological symptoms of menopause.

Sauteed Beef Cubes with Shishito Peppers in Black Pepper Sauce 4.2/5

Filled with "Wok Hei" on top of the succulence is the Sauteed Beef Cubes with Shishito Peppers in Black Pepper Sauce ($36 for regular portion). The shishito peppers are actually not spicy, and it has a delightful crunchy texture. The black pepper sauce was not peppery, leaning towards the sweet side.

Braised Sea Cucumber with Grandma's Braised Pork Belly 4.5/5

A new favourite for me at Crystal Jade Palace is the Braised Sea Cucumber with Grandma's Braised Pork Belly ($36). It is a comforting pot of sea cucumber and fork-tender pork belly that has been slow braised with soy sauce, rock sugar and spices. That rustic home-style flavour is a home run for me.

Poached Seasonal Vegetable with Fresh Beancurd Skin and Gingko Nus in Superior Broth 4.2/5

A usual order at any Chinese restaurant for me is the poached vegetable with trio eggs. Thanks to the recommendation, I would order the Poached Seasonal Vegetable with Fresh Beancurd Skin and Gingko Nus in Superior Broth ($26) whenever I visit Crystal Jade in the future. It is a simple poached vegetable dish elevated by the flavourful and collagen-rich chicken stock, with fried ginko and garlic cloves. The bonus is the addition of the smooth sheets of fresh beancurd skin.

Fried Crispy Rice and Arzo Pasta with Prawn and Shrimp 4/5

A unique dish on the menu is the Fried Crispy Rice and Arzo Pasta with Prawn and Shrimp ($26). It looks like fried rice, but it is not. Chef Foo has substituted the rice grains with orzo pasta. The orzo pasta is skilfully tossed over high heat with prawns, char siew, red and green capsicums to get that al dente rice texture. Crispy sakura ebi and deep-fried rice grains are added for the textural contrast. It is undoubtedly a delicious dish to eat. However, it lacks the wok hei and egg fragrant, which I think the rice grains can absorb better than the orzo pasta.

Chendol with Coconut Ice Cream 3.5/5

Last but not least, we wrapped up the dinner with the Chendol with Coconut Ice Cream ($12.80) for dessert. Inside the coconut husk, there are coconut gelato, chendol, grass jelly cubes and feuilletine shards. I like the idea and presentation, but somehow I didn't feel satisfied, especially if I am looking forward to a bowl of chendol dessert. I couldn't really enjoy the different components in the husk together to associate it to the chendol dessert, as I ended up tackling the elements individually.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Crystal Jade Palace
Ngee Ann City
391 Orchard Road
#04-19
Singapore 238872
Tel: +65 67352388
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 1130am - 3pm, 6pm - 1030pm
Sat: 11am - 1030pm
Sun & PH: 10am - 1030pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit C or D. Walk to Ngee Ann City. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

The Refinery @ King George's Avenue - Revamped Menu With Lunch Set For As Low As $14

The Refinery at King George's Avenue has recently revamped their menu with new creations. Known for its Refinery Truffle Gyudon since it opened its doors 3 years ago, the new menu now includes lighter donburi options as well as vegetarian side dishes for sharing. Regulars can also look forward to new dishes every month on the seasonal menu.

Yuzu Tako Carpaccio 4/5

Yuzu Tako Carpaccio ($8) is a great way to start your meal, especially if you have a glass of wine in hand. Sliced to the right thickness, each piece of octopus was tender and enjoyable. I love the zesty and savoury yuzu shoyu dressing, which works well with the delicate flavours of the octopus.

Wakame Salad 3.5/5

An excellent vegetarian alternative to the Tako Carpaccio would the Wakame Salad ($4), which is full of crunch from the cucumber slices and assorted Japanese seaweed rehydrated with vinegar dressing.

Kang Kong Tempura 3/5

I was quite amused by the sight of this bunch of Kang Kong Tempura ($8) when it first arrived. The batter was light, airy and nicely seasoned. Each piece was a pleasure to snack on, especially when the batter had a slight chewiness to it. The Kang Kong itself was almost tasteless, and it served merely as a body for the batter. As for the dipping sauce, I prefer the original tempura dip, which has a refreshing effect on the tempura. This Thai Chilli sauce has the texture of Gochujang with a hint of sambal flavour, which is too rich for the battered Kang Kong.

Mixed Chirashi Bowl Lunch Set 3/5

My lunch set comes with a Mixed Chirashi Bowl ($14), Appetiser, Miso Soup & Iced Coffee Ball (+$2.50). I like the crushed fried wanton skins layered at the bottom of the toppings, which gave extra flavour and texture to the don. The entire experience could be better if my appetiser was not another plate of raw salmon cubes. It was somewhat like an afterthought.

Iced Coffee Ball

When you are done with your meal, the Iced Coffee Ball would have melted, turning your coffee into a chilled coffee. Available in 2 flavours - Macadamia or Praline, it can be a little sweet, but I thought it serves well as a post-meal drink.

Cold Dip Tom Yum Udon 4/5

The seasonal special of the month is Cold Dip Tom Yum Udon ($16). It features cold Japanese Inaniwa udon with crab meat, ebi and enoki tempura, served with Tom Yum consommé. Reminiscent of Korean's cold noodles Naengmyeon, the chilled Tom Yum Consommé was piquant and pretty intense in flavours despite its seemingly light consistency, but not too assertive, which paired well with the thin Inaniwa udon.

The ambience here simply sets up the mood for a waffle moment. Its signature The Refinery Waffles ($14) comes with a scoop of Hokkaido milk ice cream, which I believe will be perfect with the berry compote that comes with it but sadly, that was out of stock, and we got to replace ours with a dark chocolate ice cream. The waffles' golden brown crispy crust allow them to hold the ice cream really well and I really love the buttery edges. Although we didn't get to try the Hokkaido milk ice cream, this dark chocolate ice cream was decadent enough. The tart berry compote is an important acidic element of this dessert, and a more generous portion of it would definitely give it a better balance in flavour.

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.


The Refinery
115 King George's Avenue
#01-02
Singapore 208561
Tel: +65 62931204
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Lavender (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm
Fri: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 1am
Sat: 11am - 4pm, 6pm - 1am
Sun: 11am - 4pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Lavender MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Horne Road. Turn left and walk down Horne Road. Walk towards King George's Avenue. Turn right onto King George's Avenue. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]