Ya Ge (雅阁) @ Orchid Hotel Singapore - Exquisite Weekend Dim Sum Brunch

Ya Ge Chinese Restaurant, nestled in the Orchid Hotel Singapore, has introduced an enticing culinary experience - the Exquisite Weekend Dim Sum Brunch. This brunch affair promises an array of premium, one-of-a-kind Chef's Specials, comprising meticulously crafted artisanal dim sum, hearty main courses, and delectable desserts. As a bonus, diners can savour these delicacies alongside unlimited servings of the restaurant's signature dishes.

Siew Mai, Fresh Scallop Dumpling, Steamed Glutinous Rice Dumpling 4.8/5

Kicking off our brunch adventure was a trio of exquisitely prepared dim sum: Siew Mai with Abalone in Abalone Sauce, Fresh Scallop Dumplings with a delightful Mentaiko Mayo twist, and Steamed Glutinous Rice Dumplings crowned with lobster and bathed in a rich seafood sauce, topped with delicate bonito flakes. These were no ordinary dim sum; each bite was a carefully orchestrated symphony of flavours that danced on the palate.

Double-boiled Shark's Fin Pomegranate Dumpling in Shark's Bone Cartilage Broth 4.5/5

One standout was the Double-boiled Shark's Fin Pomegranate Dumpling in Shark's Bone Cartilage Broth. It was like enjoying two culinary treasures in one dish – a luxurious dumpling encasing premium ingredients submerged in a deeply satisfying and gelatinous broth.

Garden Greens Rill 3.8/5, Gyoza 3.8/5, Deep-fried Gourd-shaped Puff 4.2/5, Shrimp Ball 4.2/5

The dim sum brunch continued with another quartet of dim sum delights: Garden Greens Rill with Black Garlic and Tea Tree Mushroom, Pan-fried Snow-flakes Kurobuta Pork Gyoza paired with Japanese Leek, Deep-fried Gourd-shaped Sea Cucumber and King Oyster Mushroom Puff, and the innovative Lava Mango Shrimp Ball. Among these, the Deep-fried Gourd-shaped puff filled with sea cucumber and king oyster mushrooms was a revelation. The interplay of textures, from the chewy puff to the crunchy filling, was a delightful contrast. Equally impressive was the Shrimp Ball, a creative twist on the classic dim sum featuring a mouthwatering combination of fried prawn and mango.

Crispy Noodles with King Prawn in Superior Broth 4/5

Braised Minced Meat in House's Special X.O. Sauce with Japanese Pearl Rice 3.5/5

Moving on to the main courses, we savoured Crispy Noodles with King Prawn in Superior Broth and Braised Minced Meat in the House's Special X.O. Sauce served with Japanese Pearl Rice. While these dishes provided comfort and satiety, they couldn't quite match the artistry of the dim sum that had preceded them.

Chilled Blueberry Yogurt Snow Ball Mochi 4.8/5, Steamed Red Dates Cake 4.2/5

The grand finale of the Chef's Special selection featured a tempting dessert duo - a chilled Blueberry Yogurt Snow Ball Mochi and a Steamed Red Dates Cake. However, the chilled Blueberry Yogurt Snow Ball Mochi truly stole the spotlight. It was my inaugural encounter with this Taiwanese sensation, and it left a lasting impression. The creamy filling, beautifully balanced with a stretchy mochi skin, offered a delightful contrast of sweetness and chewiness. It was a lovely discovery that concluded our dining experience on a high note.

Chilled Mango Sago Pomelo 4/5

For those with ample room in their stomachs, the unlimited signature selections offered even more culinary treasures, including Mini Pumpkin Pastries with Minced Chicken, Mushroom, and Thyme, Ugly Duckling with Chicken, Yam, and Mushroom, Golden Pumpkin Seafood Thick Broth, Braised Ma Po Tofu Sze Chuan-style, Sautéed Kurobuta Pork with Garlic Sauce, Chilled Mango Sago Pomelo, and Chilled Lemongrass Jelly with Aloe Vera to name just a few.

Chilled Lemongrass Jelly with Aloe Vera 4/5

Available every Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays, this Exquisite Weekend Dim Sum Brunch is priced at $68 per adult and $48 per child (with a minimum of two adults per table). It offers two seating options from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm and 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm. For those looking to elevate their experience, a $35 top-up grants unlimited pours of Le Contesse Prosecco Spumante DOC Treviso Brut, adding a touch of effervescent luxury to an already exceptional brunch affair.

Note: This is an invited tasting


Ya Ge (雅阁)
Orchid Hotel
1 Tras Link
Level 3
Singapore 078867
Tel: +65 68186831
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Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 230pm, 530pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk straight towards Orchid Hotel. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Tanglin Cookhouse @ Paya Lebar Quarter (PLQ) - Opens new Outlet at Paya Lebar, Specialising in Contemporary British Colonial Cuisine

Tanglin Cookhouse is a hidden gem nestled in the tranquil corner of Tanglin Mall, providing an oasis of lush British colonial-style setting for diners to indulge in timeless yet contemporary colonial cuisine away from the bustling streets of Orchard. They are thrilled to announce their newly opened outlet at Paya Lebar Quarter, inviting diners to experience the harmonious blend of history and contemporary culinary delight at Tanglin Cookhouse.

We kickstarted the meal with an enticing cocktail selection. The "Tanglin Classic" ($18) offers a refreshing blend of Widges London Dry Gin, cucumber, rosemary, and Fever Tree tonic. At the same time, the "Bloody Brilliant" ($18) features Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin, fresh blood orange, and Fever Tree tonic. Our favourite goes to the latter, which delivered a fruity explosion that sets the perfect tone for the dining adventure ahead.

Tanglin Scotch Egg 4.2/5

The Tanglin Scotch Egg ($20) is a modern twist on a classic dish. It features a cage-free organic egg with a perfectly runny yolk, served on a vibrant bed of purple cabbage slaw. The dish is elevated by adding pickled mustard seeds, which provide a tangy contrast, and a creamy ranch dressing that ties all the flavours together.

Spiced Curry Lamb Papadum Nachos 4/5

The Spiced Curry Lamb Papadum Nachos ($16) are a delightful fusion of Indian and Western flavours, offering a unique and delicious twist on traditional nachos. It features crispy papadum chips as a base, providing a delightful crunch. These chips are then generously topped with tender and flavourful spiced curry lamb, which adds a rich and aromatic dimension to the dish. The yoghurt dressing adds a creamy texture and a hint of tanginess that complements the spiciness of the curry.

White "Rojak" Fruit Salad with Kaffir Lime Quinoa 4/5

The White "Rojak" Fruit Salad with Kaffir Lime Quinoa ($22) is a vibrant and refreshing dish that combines the best of both worlds - the traditional flavours of Rojak and a contemporary twist with quinoa. The salad boasts a mesclun salad base, artfully adorned with a colourful medley of ingredients, including dragonfruit, pineapple, turnip, cucumber, and cherry tomatoes. The unique twist in this dish is the Kaffir Lime Quinoa, as its tangy and aromatic profile adds depth and complexity to the salad. To further elevate the dish, it includes You Tiao Croutons, which offer a crispy contrast to the fruits and quinoa. The cashew nuts add a delightful crunch, while the ginger flower vinaigrette ties all the flavours together with its aromatic and slightly spicy notes.

Crispy Hainanese Kurobuta Pork Chop 4/5

The Crispy Hainanese Kurobuta Pork Chop ($32) is a harmonious fusion of Asian and Western flavours, showcasing the rich culinary heritage of Hainanese cuisine with a modern twist. Featuring a succulent Kurobuta pork chop with a crispy exterior, it's complemented by an Oriental tomato sauce that balances sweet and tangy notes. The dish is enriched with garden peas, golden fries, and a refreshing purple cabbage slaw.

Tanglin Style Pao Fan 3.5/5

The Tanglin Style Pao Fan ($34) is an exquisite and comforting dish that showcases a lavish array of seafood and flavours. The poached rice dish features organic jasmine rice, known for its delicate fragrance and fluffy texture. The seafood selection is a highlight, including locally farmed tiger prawns, succulent crabmeat, tender clams, plump scallops, and squid. The Pao Fan is further elevated with puffed rice, which adds a delightful crunch and playful contrast to the tender seafood and rice and an onsen egg, which enriches the dish with its velvety yolk. What ties everything together is the superior broth. However, the broth was slightly less rich than expected.

Sunday Roast 4.2/5

The Sunday Roast (36) is a classic and hearty meal that pays homage to a Sunday roast dinner tradition. The beautifully roasted grass-fed Angus beef is at the heart of this dish, cooked to perfection to ensure tenderness and flavour. A rich and savoury onion gravy is generously drizzled over the meat, enhancing its taste and adding depth to every bite. The Yorkshire pudding, an essential component of a traditional Sunday roast, is served alongside the beef. These crispy and airy delights are the perfect complement to the meat, providing a satisfying contrast in texture. A medley of vegetables on the side, which includes garden peas, roasted potatoes, carrots, and charred broccoli, adds colour and vibrancy to the dish.

British Danish Bread & Butter Pudding 4.2/5

Finally, we round off the meal on a sweet note with the British Danish Bread & Butter Pudding ($18). It is a delightful dessert that marries the comforting charm of a classic British bread pudding with the sweet indulgence of Danish flavours. This dessert features a decadent bread and butter pudding base made with rich and flavourful ingredients like rum-soaked raisins, velvety chocolate, and aromatic cinnamon. These elements come together to create a comforting, warm, and slightly spiced sensation. It is topped with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream, which adds a refreshing contrast to the warm pudding. As a finishing touch, it is adorned with delicate cocoa nibs, which provide a delightful crunch and a hint of bittersweet chocolate flavour.

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.


Tanglin Cookhouse
PLQ 3
2 Tanjong Katong Road
#01-06/07
Singapore 437161
Tel: +65 65924572
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Nearest MRT: Paya Lebar (CC, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 9am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Paya Lebar MRT station. Take Exit E. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]