The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Chinese New Year Offerings

For the upcoming Lunar New Year gatherings, usher in the Year of Rat with less traditional feasts, but nothing short of an abundant celebration. At The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore, depending on whether you are with families, friends or partners, choose from full course sets or ala carte items offered by 15 Stamford by Alvin Leong and all six outlets at Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski Hotel.

Yu Sheng 2.5/5

The 4-course/5-course Chinese Lunar Set Menu ($138/$158 per pax) by 15 Stamford by Alvin Leung start off with Pat Chun Vinegar Cured Fjord Trout “Yu Sheng” with Lime Salt, Honey Plum Dressing. The Salmon slices have been treated beforehand and can be rather salty, especially when there wasn't enough vegetable slaw to balance the preserved conditions. To keep it light and refreshing, be more careful when dressing your Yu Sheng with the plum sauce.

Australian Abalone Ceviche 3/5

This particular Chinese Lunar Set Menu takes on a contemporary twist to the traditional festive dishes, such as Australian Abalone Ceviche. For somebody who doesn't quite appreciate the usual braised Abalone, I find this take on the ingredient quite interesting, although the vinaigrette was a tad too acidic.

Eight Treasure Rice Pudding with Frozen Dried Longan Red Date 4/5

One other dish we tried on the menu is the dessert. While we craved for a soul-warming Hor Yip Fan (Lotus Leaf Wrapped Rice) in this chilly weather, in place we had a Lotus Leaf Wrapped Eight Treasure Rice Pudding, but for a sweet ending! Flambe with Lychee Wine, the sweet and warm sticky rice along with the Frozen Dried Longan Red Date will sum up your feast perfectly.

Thai Fish Maw Soup 4/5

From Chalerm Thai, its 6-course CNY Festive Special ($88 per pax) features a classic Thai Fish Maw Soup. The soup was quite well seasoned, and biting into the gelatinous fish maw does make one feel nourished.

Soy Sauce Glazed Pork Belly 4.5

When it comes to pork, you can be assured that Frieda will deliver. My favourite of the evening is probably this Soy Sauce Glazed Pork Belly ($26) by Frieda. The pork belly was well caramelised at all sides and edges, with the accompanying salty and savoury sliced waxed meat sausages lending an extra layer of flavours. It comes with rice, but as the glaze is so well balanced without any overdose of saltiness or flavours, I reckon beer or even wine will be a much better accompaniment to indulge in this dish.

Bak Kwa & Roasted Duck Pizza 2.5/5

La Scala Ristorante also has its own version of what makes an auspicious CNY dish - Bak Kwa & Roasted Duck Pizza ($28) with plum and BBQ sauces. Coming from La Scala Ristorante, this pizza was quite a letdown. The sauces overwhelmed all the ingredients, including the mozzarella cheese which some of us even missed it. Given the good pizza dough, the pizza could have been a lot more refine and enjoyable with a more thought-out combination and presentation of the toppings. Perhaps the roasted duck slices could have been more elegantly portioned on the pizza, with coin-shaped bakkwa, and definitely a lot fewer sauces.

Abalone Golden Beancurd with dried Oyster, Fatt Choy, Spinach 3.5/5

For corporate bookings, you will be hosted at The Atelier by the Capitol Kempinski Banquet, offering 4 types of set menus in both individual plating and family-style format. One of the dishes from the Family Style 6-course Chinese set ($1,088 for 10pax) is the Abalone Golden Beancurd with dried Oyster, Fatt Choy, Spinach in superior brown sauce. Each individual ingredient was quite well treated, and their respective flavour combines to form a very pleasing CNY dish.

Cheng Tng Panna Cotta 4/5

Mandarin Orange Ivory Chocolate Mousse 3/5

Menus include very delicious desserts such as Mandarin Orange Ivory Chocolate Mousse with Salted Peanut and the most beloved sweet of the evening, Cheng Tng Panna Cotta. This is like a new sensation after all the hype around chendol.

Written and photography 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 Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore
13 Stamford Road
Singapore 178906
Tel: +65 63688888
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Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW Line, NS Line)

Lawry's The Prime Rib @ Mandarin Gallery - Presents A Magnifique Spread This Festive Season

For this festive season, Lawry's The Prime Ribs at Mandarin Gallery has put together a collection of set course menus for the festive celebrations. The set course menu emphasis top-quality meats and seafood while featuring the restaurant's sublime signatures such as the Signature Roasted USDA Prime Rib of Beef and Broiled Atlantic Lobster Tail.

Ocean Gems Fresh Chilean Scallop 3.5/5

I tried the 6-Course Christmas Eve Set Menu ($168++/$189++) which starts with the Ocean Gems Fresh Chilean Scallop for amuse-bouche. The Chilean scallop is drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and served with baby carrot puree beetroot puree and green pea puree.

Boston Lobster Bisque with Fresh Lobster Claw 3.8/5

Next is the hearty Boston Lobster Bisque with Fresh Lobster Claw, served with chive bits, cream and a drizzle of Grand Marnier. However, I felt that it lacked the robustness of the crustacean flavour.

Foie Gras 4/5, Baby Octopus with Crabmeat Salad 3/5 and Chicken Gyoza 3/5

For the appetiser, we have a trio of small bites. From left to right, we have the baby octopus in Roma tomato puree with crabmeat salad, pan-seared goose foie gras with homemade red wine raisin sauce over bacon-wrapped chicken, and chicken gyoza with homemade spicy sauce.

Signature Roasted USDA Prime Rib of Beef with Turkey Combo 4.5/5

For mains, diners get to have three choices. They can opt for the Signature Roasted USDA Prime Rib of Beef with Turkey Combo, Grilled Kurobuta Pork Collar or Broiled Atlantic Lobster Trio and Wild Salmon Roe.

If you opt for the Signature Roasted USDA Prime Rib of Beef with Turkey Combo, it comes with 100grams roasted beef, 100grams roasted sliced turkey, 100grams smoked turkey ham, US Idaho mashed potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, whipped cream horseradish, chestnut stuffing as well as a choice of creamed corn, creamed spinach or buttered peas. For the doneness of the beef, I would recommend going for rare. I was afraid it will be too raw for my liking, but it turned out this is the perfect doneness to appreciate the tender and beautiful flavour of the prime rib. Not forgetting the soft and fluffy Yorkshire pudding which complements the dish. Do allow it to soak up the delicious and flavourful sauce.

Grilled Kurobuta Pork Collar 4/5

If you are not into beef, you can go for the Grilled Kurobuta Pork Collar. The slab of pork collar is served with US Idaho potato wedges, caramelised onion, and grilled tomato stuffed with creamed spinach.

Broiled Atlantic Lobster Trio and Wild Salmon Roe 4.5/5

Another favourite at Lawry's The Prime Ribs is their Broiled Atlantic Lobster Trio and Wild Salmon Roe. For a change, instead of the meat, these broiled lobsters will delight you with their delicate freshness. Not only one but you get 3 pieces of it. It is served together with US Idaho mashed potato, sauteed vegetables and drawn butter.

For dessert, one can choose between the Sakura Cremeux with Mango-Pear Coulis and Haagen-Dazs Chocolate Ice Cream or Glazed Chocolate Mousse Praline Dome with Haagen-Dazs Vanilla Ice Cream.  Subject to individual preference, the sakura cremeux is light with a little sweetness from the mango-pear coulis while the glazed chocolate mousse praline is pack with the bittersweet chocolate richness. One can order either coffee or tea to go with their dessert.

For the festive set course menu, guests will get a 10% discount if all guests are seated between 5-6pm. On top of that, for every three set course menu ordered, you will receive a bottle of Bolla Prosecco (750ml) or Casillero del Diablo Devil's Brut Sparkling Wine (750ml) for takeaway subject to which set course menu ordered.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Lawry’s The Prime Rib
Mandarin Gallery
333A Orchard Road
#04-01/31
Singapore 238897
Tel: +65 68363333
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Website
Nearest MRT: Somerset (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Sun-Thu: 1130am - 10pm
Fri-Sat: 1130am - 1030pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Somerset MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to ground level. Turn left onto Orchard Road. Walk down Orchard Road. Cross the road and walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]