D9 Cakery @ Hilton Singapore - Partners Valrhona For A New Premium Cocoa Inspired Collection

A collaboration between D9 Cakery of Hilton Singapore and Valrhona, the French royalty of cocoa since 1922 sees an exquisite selection of 18 premium cocoa-inspired creations of artisanal cakes, French pastries and limited edition bonbons.

Double Chocolate Cake 4.5/5

One of the must-try is their Double Chocolate Cake ($6/slice ; $55/1kg). Poised to be one of the best quality chocolate cake in town, it bears eight layers of quality Valrhona chocolates and moist yoghurt cocoa sponge. It is made from two types of premium Valrhona chocolates - Sakanti Bali 68%, an aromatic dark chocolate with hints of toasted nut flavours and Itakuja 55% a rounded dark cocoa with hints of passion fruit flavours. That sheer decadence is definitely worth every calorie.

Rhubarb Origami Amour 4/5

The origami collection represents the epitome of artisanal cakes with definitive origami shapes of charming flavour profiles. The Rhubarb Origami Amour ($75/800g) features a tarty rhubarb compote well balanced with Valrhona Strawberry Inspiration chocolate, chamomile tea jelly, vanilla bourbon mousse and almond sponge.

Sakura Origami Ruby 4.2/5

The Sakura Origami Ruby ($75/800g) takes on the shape of a pink sakura flower origami with sweet raspberry crémeux. It is paired with light TWG sakura tea mousse and crunchy matcha tea dacquoise with Valrhona Raspberry Inspiration chocolate.

Mangue 4/5

For the fruit lovers, indulge in the Instagram-worthy fruit series of three fruit-shaped French pastries. These edible art pieces include the Mangue (Mango), Cerise (Cherry) and Poire (Pear).

The Mangue ($8) is a mango-shaped pastry is filled with fresh mango cubes and oozy mango lava tossed with lemongrass zest, TWG alfonso tea (black tea and mango), Valrhona Inspiration Passion Fruit chocolate and almond sponge.

Cerise 3.8/5

The Cerise ($8) takes the shape of a cherry with a glistening maroon glaze that unveils tarty Morello cherries balanced with fragrant rosemary lava, light vanilla bourbon mousse, Valrhona Inspiration Raspberry chocolate and almond sponge.

Poire 4.2/5

The Poire ($8) features a Williams pear-shaped pastry with refreshing real pear cubes and mint flavours combined with TWG crème caramel tea-infused mousse, Valrhona Inspiration Yuzu chocolate and almond sponge.

Café Caramelia 4/5

Other D9 creations with premium Valrhona chocolate include the new Café Caramelia ($65/1kg), which is embellished in gorgeous shades of glossy brown, black and white hues for the coffee lovers with layers of intense coffee crémeux. The caffeine is well-balanced with the sweeter Valrhona Caramélia chocolate and chocolate almond sponge.

D9 Cakery will also be welcoming a limited edition bonbon and tablet collection presented by Valrhona master pastry chef trainer Jérémy Aspa. Hailing from France with over 7 years of experience as a Valrhona pastry chef trainer, Chef Aspa will showcase his mastery of chocolate with six exclusive Valrhona bonbon creations and two chocolate tablets. The six capsule-shaped bonbons are priced at $4 each, all curated with an intricate selection of flavours including:

• Black Forest Bonbon - Tulakalum 75% dark chocolate ganache with cheery and vanilla
• Dulexo – Caramelized ganache with a mix of exotic fruits
• Comet Caramel - Tanariva 33% sweet caramel milk chocolate
• Truffle Opalys Coco - Opalys 33% white chocolate and coconut flakes
• Tender Rock - Bitter lactée 39% milk chocolate with crushed hazelnuts
• Raspberry Garden - Valrhona Raspberry Inspiration chocolate with red fruit bits

While the 100 gram chocolate tablets each priced at $10, come in two flavours of Tab Like A Cookie; rich Valrhona milk chocolate with cookie crumbs and a healthier option of Museli Tab; a mix of cereals combined with dried red fruit and Valrhona white chocolate.

Photos and words 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.


D9 Cakery 
Hilton Singapore
Lobby Level
581 Orchard Road
Singapore 238883
Tel: +65 67303392
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Sat: 12pm - 3pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit E. Walk towards Wheelock Place via ION. Exit Wheelock Place and turn left towards Liat Tower. Continue walking along Orchard Road. Journey time is about 8 minutes. [Map]

Sky22 @ Courtyard By Marriott Singapore Novena - Best Of Both Land And Sea

For a limited promotional period on every Friday to Sunday from 13 September to 10 November 2019, Sky22 at Courtyard By Marriott Singapore Novena is offering a weekend 'Surf & Turf' buffet. The buffet features the best of both worlds where diners get to feast on a gastronomic journey of premium meats and freshest seafood.

Tuna Nicoise 4/5

Starting from the sea, we tried the Tuna Nicoise. The tuna is seared to a beautiful pink in the middle. It is paired with green beans, olive, tomatoes and quail eggs. This is all held together by the citrus dressing for a refreshing finish.

Oyster Rockefeller 4/5

A much sought-after dish in every buffet line is probably the oyster. The baked Oyster Rockefeller is topped with a creamy, buttery sauce, parsley and bread crumbs.

Singapore Laksa 4.2/5

Not to be missed at Sky22 is their signature Singapore Laksa. What I like about the bowl of laksa, is the rich dried shrimp flavour in the flavoursome broth.

Pan-seared Norwegian Salmon 4/5

The Pan-seared Norwegian Salmon is cooked to a beautiful pink in the middle. It is moist on the inside with crispy skin. The Mediterranean salsa provides the refreshing touch that brightens up the dish.

Sambal Tiger Prawns 3.5/5

I was a little disappointed with the Sambal Tiger Prawns. While the prawn is fresh with a delightful crunchy texture, I thought the sambal can be spicier.

Grilled New Zealand Lamb Rack 4.5/5

From the Sea, we moved to the land. First up is the Grilled New Zealand Lamb Rack. It didn't have the gamey taste at all. What I enjoyed most is the mango chutney rub on the lamb rack. Not only did it provide the extra textural bite, it also gives it the needed boost in flavour.

Crackling Roasted Bungalow Pork Belly 4.2/5

Another lovely meat from the carving station is the Crackling Roasted Bungalow Pork Belly with prune stuffing. The sweetness from the prune stuffing provides the balance for the succulent pork belly.

Roast Australian Grass-fed Beef Sirloin 4.5/5

The fork-tender Roast Australian Grass-fed Beef Sirloin with natural jus is another favourite from the carving station. There is no need of any sauces as the piece of meat is grilled to perfection, Each bite is an explosion of its natural flavour.

Surf & Turf lunch and dinner buffet is priced at S$68++ per adult and S$34++ per child (6 to 12 years old). To book a table or for more information, please call the restaurant at 6378 2040 or email fnb.coutyardsg@marriott.com, reserve online at http://bit.ly/Sky22_Reservations.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Sky 22
Courtyard by Marriott Singapore Novena
Level 22
99 Irrawaddy Road
Singapore 329568
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Novena (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily:
630am - 1030am (breakfast)
12pm - 230pm (lunch)
3pm - 5pm (Tea)
6pm - 10pm (Dinner)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Novena MRT station. Take A or B. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]