Monday, January 2, 2023

Shangri La Chinese New Year 2023 at Shang Palace

ShangriLaCNY23-15

Shangri-La Singapore ushers in the Year of The Rabbit with an abundance of divine reunion feasts and thoughtfully curated festive goodies. The Year of the Rabbit beckons a prosperous new beginning at the Michelin-starred Shang Palace, with a refined repertoire of Cantonese culinary treasures befitting a new year's feast from 9 January to 5 February 2023. Specially curated by Executive Chinese Chef Daniel Cheung, guests can choose to indulge in the eight-course menus or select from the quintessential à la carte new year dishes that will delight your palate and satisfy your senses.

ShangriLaCNY23-6

ShangriLaCNY23-11

Like every Chinese New Year dinner, we start with the Lo Hei, tossing to a year of prosperity and abundance. Be impressed by the limited-edition Auspicious Rabbit Yu Sheng (SGD388++ for 6 pax), arranged into an endearing image of a cute rabbit and is available for dine-in orders from 9 January to 5 February 2023. The Auspicious Rabbit Yu Sheng is served with South African Abalone, Hokkaido Scallop, Local Lobster and Scottish Smoked Salmon, with a minimum of 2 days advance order.

ShangriLaCNY23-19
Double-boiled Chicken Soup with Sea Conch & Dried Sarcodon Aspratus 4.5/5

Kickstarting our meal is a bowl of comforting and delicious Double-boiled Chicken Soup with Sea Conch & Dried Sarcodon Aspratus. The dried sarcodon aspratus has health benefits such as lowering cholesterol levels, muscle relaxation and blood circulation.

ShangriLaCNY23-15
Abundance Pen Cai 4.5/5

Brimming with 18 different ingredients is the Abundance Pen Cai. A whole dace fish lying on the top of the treasure pot caught my attention. It is a delicious change from the usual pen cai we get in Singapore. I am delighted the pen cai comes with well-braised goose web too. A delicacy few enjoy and hence rarely found in most pen cai served in Singapore.

ShangriLaCNY23-25
Steamed Garoupa Fillet with Crispy Bean Crumb Sauce 4.2/5

The Steamed Garoupa Fillet with Crispy Bean Crumb Sauce is a clean and flavoursome dish given an elevated texture enjoyment from the crispy bean crumb.

ShangriLaCNY23-27
Spring Onion Chicken 4.5/5

The Spring Onion Chicken is a delightful dish whereby the tender steamed chicken is piled with spring onions and deep-fired shallots for an aromatic finish.

ShangriLaCNY23-31
Stir-fried Glutinous Rice with Air-dried Preserved Meat 4/5

The Stir-fried Glutinous Rice with Air-dried Preserved Meat wraps up on the savoury. The preserved meat's aroma accentuates the sticky rice served at the end of Chinese dinner.

ShangriLaCNY23-35
Red Date Nian Gao with Bird's Nest accompanied with Rabbit Custard Bun 4/5

Lastly, we have the Red Date Nian Gao with Bird's Nest and Rabbit Custard Bun to end the dinner on a sweet note. My favourite is the rabbit custard bun, which is too cute to be eaten.

Chinese New Year goodies are available for purchase from now to 3 February 2023. In addition, a 15% Early Bird Discount is applicable for selected items and is valid till 8 January 2023. To order online, please visit https://bit.ly/shangrilacny23, call +65 6213 4511 or email festive.sls@shangri-la.com. For dining reservations or enquiries, please call +65 6213 4398 or email dining.sls@shangri-la.com.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Shangri-La Singapore
22 Orange Grove Road
Singapore 258350
Tel: +65 67373644
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Sunday, January 1, 2023

Cafe Natsu @ Joo Chiat - Offers Refreshed Flavours With A Stronger Japanese Influence

DSC04284

DSC04268

Following the opening of their second outlet at Clemenceau Citadines Connect Hotel just six months from the brand's debut in the heritage district of Joo Chiat, Cafe Natsu has launched a refreshed set of offerings for their Joo Chiat outlet as well. Approximately half the menu features brand-new dishes with a stronger Japanese influence.

DSC04276
Fried Ebi Croquette 4.2/5

We kickstarted the meal with the Fried Ebi Croquette ($12) appetiser. The deep-fried ebi croquette has a nice crispy exterior. Biting into it reveals a moist and creamy shrimp filling on the inside.

DSC04286
Wagyu Hamburg 4/5

The Wagyu Hamburg ($26) with Okonomiyaki was one of our favourites. The hamburg was tender and juicy, while the pan-fried base of batter and cabbage was executed perfectly as well. The combination of western wagyu hamburg and Japanese Okonomuyaki hit all the right notes with its savoury flavours. The downside is that it might get slightly cloying with such a highly-flavoured dish.

DSC04281
Cold Somen 3.8/5

The Cold Somen ($14) features a bowl of al dente somen with confit egg yolk, soy dashi, myiga, capers, cucumber and shiso. Break the yolk and mix all the ingredients for a creamy finish. The dish may be a tad mild in flavour, which might be more suitable for diners who prefer a lighter main.

DSC04292
Mochi Fried Doughnuts 4.2/5

We ended the meal on a sweet note with the Mochi Fried Doughnuts ($12). Whilst simple, the dessert is nothing short of amazing. The mochi doughnuts were superbly fluffy and chewy on the inside. It does not have many flavours on its own, so dipping into the salted Hokkaido milk ice cream lends a nice saltish-sweet creamy flavour to the doughnuts, which elevates the whole experience.

DSC04270

The evolving menu goes beyond traditional brunch standards to offer versatile, comforting dishes ideal for any time of day — a testament to the Café Natsu team's progressive interpretation of a cafe experience.

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.


Cafe Natsu
283 Joo Chiat Road
Singapore 427537
Tel: +65 88864497
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Dakota (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 830am - 530pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Dakota MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn right and walk to bus stop at block 99 (Stop ID 81181). Take bus number 33. Alight 4 stops later. Walk to Koon Seng Road. Turn right onto Koon Seng Road. Walk to Joo Chiat Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]