Hanare By Takayama @ Takashimaya - Value For Money 6 Course Dinner At S$110 For 2 Pax

Hanare by Takayama at Takashimaya is Chef Taro Takayama's new concept, offering all a taste of the traditional Japanese rice dish known as Kamameshi. At Hanare, you get to experience the warmth of comfort food. There is also a chance to try some of Chef Taro's signature favourites from his omakase menu in a relatively more social and casual way of dining.

Sashimi

Tofu Salad

We had a special Dinner Set Menu which allows diners to try 6 courses of the restaurant's best dishes in one seating. We started with 2 appetisers - Tofu salad and Sashimi for two. The Tofu Salad was made extra scrumptious with a heap of crispy whitebait, brought together in harmony with a tangy-sweet ume dressing. The Sashimi also shone with freshness.

Assorted Tempura

 Original Dahimaki

The next course is Assorted Tempura with Tiger Prawns, mushrooms, lotus root and Shishito peppers and an Original Dahimaki. The sweetness and succulency of the Tiger prawn tempura were notable. The latter showcases the finesse of Chef Taro's skills. The humble rolled egg omelette was delicious with the deep and exquisite flavours of the dashi stock, infused and served with Chef Taro's special dashi stock.

Unagi Kamameshi

Halfway through the dishes, our Unagi Kamameshi finally arrived. And on it is a card earnestly telling diners, "good things come to those who wait", and let the pot cook for a precise 18 minutes till the portable fire dies out before you lift the wooden lid. The rice was plumped with a specially brewed dashi stock reduced for 1 - 2 hours. The unagi was delightfully unctuous, and I loved how the tiny pickles accented the pot of goodness with bursts of acidity.

Yuzu Sorbet

Dessert was a scoop of refreshing Yuzu Sorbet to round up the dinner.

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.


Hanare by Takayama
Takashimaya Shopping Centre
391 Orchard Road
#03-07
Ngee Ann City
Singapore 238872
Tel: +65 82989369
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line, TE Line), Somerset (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 4. Follow the walkway through Wisma Atria to Takashimaya. Continue walking straight at Ngee Ann City until destination. Journey about 8 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Somerset MRT station. Take Exit B to Orchard Road. Head west or turn left onto Orchard Road against the flow of traffic. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

5 On 25 @ Andaz Singapore - Weekend Dim Sum Club With Over 25 Varieties Of Handcrafted Delicacies

The newly launched modern Cantonese Restaurant in Andaz Singapore, 5 on 25 launches its inaugural weekend dim sum brunch experience - Weekend Dim Sum Club. Guests can look forward to an a la carte menu of over 25 varieties of handcrafted delicacies alongside sweeping views of Singapore.

Guests can also elevate the brunch experience with a suite of beverages. For an additional $78 per pax, guests can sip a free flow of Delamotte Brut N V Champagne, bottled beers as well as three low-alcoholic and non-alcoholic organic sparkling teas by Copenhagen Sparkling Tea Company in Denmark.

Shrimp and Cod Fish Beancurd Rolls 3.5/5

We started with the Shrimp and Cod Fish Beancurd Rolls ($3.50 pc). It is not something new, but the incorporation of cod fish elevated the textural bite.

Lemon Bacon Rolls 3.8/5

Next is the Lemon Bacon Rolls ($7.50), which come in a creamy sauce that helps to balance the savouriness and lemon's zestiness. 

Shrimp Dumplings, Lychee, Mustard 4.2/5

This is not your usual Shrimp Dumplings ($7.50). The addition of lychee and mustard brightens the taste profile of the beautiful morsel.

Chef Lam's Signature Deep-fried Duck Roll

One of Chef Lam's Signatures is the Deep-fried Duck Roll ($12) stuffed with duck and mushrooms, dressed in oyster sauce. It feels like having "Tau Kwa Pok", a traditional hawker item that is no longer commonly seen in Singapore.

Shredded Chicken with Sesame Sauce 3.5/5

Besides dim sum items, several chef's recommendations make up the weekend dim sum club menu. One of them is the Shredded Chicken with Sesame Sauce ($12) paired with cucumber and crispy rice puffs. The sesame sauce is interesting. It has a nutty, tangy taste profile giving the dish a delightful finishing.

Stir-fried Assorted Mushroom 4/5

Wrapping up on dim sum lunch, we had the Stir-fried Assorted Mushroom ($12) cooked in oyster sauce and Fried Rice with Wagyu Beef in Truffle Sauce ($38). 

Fried Rice with Wagyu Beef, Truffle Sauce 3/5

Having just the fried rice alone can be pretty dull. Hence I would recommend getting the stir-fried assorted mushroom to go along. As for the fried rice, the wagyu and truffle sauce were hardly distinguishable. Therefore it is pretty ordinary.

5 ON 25’s Weekend Dim Sum Club à la carte and set menus are available on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 pm to 2.30 pm.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


5 On 25
Andaz Singapore
5 Fraser Street
Level 25
Singapore 189354
Tel: +65 64081228
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Bugis (DT Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 12pm - 230pm, 6-1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Bugis MRT station. Take Exit E or F. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]