Thursday, October 12, 2023

White Rose Café @ York Hotel - Debuts Classic All-Time Favourite Cantonese Claypot Rice Specials

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White Rose Café at York Hotel has recently launched its very first Claypot Rice Specials, available for a limited time only from 1 October to 30 November 2023. Four distinctly flavoured claypot rice are on the menu - Seafood Pao Fan, Wok-fried Black Pepper Angus Beef Claypot Rice, Black Olive Shrimp Claypot Rice, and Cantonese-style Chicken and Chinese Sausage Claypot Rice. Executive Chef Ho Chan Fei recreated this classic with all-time favourite Cantonese style to modern Asian flavours, with precise control of time, heat, and balance of the claypot during the cooking process to avoid burnt rice.

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Wok-fried Black Pepper Angus Beef 3.8/5

Wok-fried Black Pepper Angus Beef in Claypot was a rare delight, tantalizing with tender Angus beef coated in black pepper sauce and accompanied by an onsen egg. The sautéed onion, ginger, and spring onion added sweetness and a touch of freshness to elevate the overall taste. The onsen egg gave an extra oomph to the dish.

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Black Olive Shrimp Fried Rice 4.2/5

Black Olive Shrimp Fried Rice is uniquely delicious, a savoury Thai-Chinese style claypot rice featuring olive fried rice with egg as the base, topped with basil minced pork and crunchy cashew nuts. The texture of this dish was highly enjoyable, and the onsen egg beautifully bound the ingredients together.

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Cantonese-style Chicken and Chinese Sausage Claypot Rice 4.2/5

The classic flavour was good. The Cantonese-style Chicken and Chinese Sausage Claypot Rice is loaded with chicken, preserved Chinese chicken sausage, Chinese mushrooms, onsen egg, bok choy, and coated in dark soy sauce. The chicken was tender and exceptionally well-flavoured from marination. The sausages added richness and a mouthwatering depth of flavour to the dish, and I particularly enjoyed the chunks of mushrooms and bok choy, which complemented the meat perfectly.

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Seafood Pao Fun 3/5

Seafood Pao Fun features cooked rice soaked in a sweet and savoury broth served with sea prawns, clams, and sliced fish and topped with crispy fried garlic for a burst of flavour. While it was tasty, it was rather average.

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Sarawak Kolo Mee 3.5/5

Sarawak Kolo Mee is a new addition to their à la carte menu, served with wanton on the side. The kolo mee is flavoured with scallion oil and crispy pork lard bites, a simple combination that many of us found to be moreish and delicious. Personally, I would prefer the noodles to be more al dente.

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Singapore Rojak 4.5/5

Singapore Rojak is an amped-up version that delivers satisfaction. The culinary team went through more than 20 attempts to perfect the rojak recipe, even with precision in the cut of the ingredients. The result is a refreshing dish with chunky pineapples, cucumbers, and turnips, enhanced by the crunch of youtiao and an extra bite from jellyfish, making it irresistibly delicious. The prawn paste was elevated with calamansi, carrying hints of ginger flower, which paired exceptionally well with the distinct flavour of the century egg.

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Claypot Rice Specials Promotion
Period: 1 October to 30 November 2023
Time: 12pm to 1030pm (available for lunch and dinner)
Price: S$25*, inclusive of a Jasmine tea.

CREDIT CARD SPECIAL UOB card members enjoy 10% off the claypot rice menu. Valid for dine-in only. Offer is not valid or in conjunction with other offers and promotions.

Photos and 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.


White Rose Cafe
York Hotel
21 Mount Elizabeth
Singapore 228516
Tel: +65 67370511
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Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am to 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 1. Walk down Scotts Road towards Goodwood Park Hotel. At Goodwood Park, turn right and walk to the end of the carpark. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

The Astor Grill @ St. Regis Singapore - Expanded Menu Focusing on Heritage Breeds of Beef from Farms Around the World.

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Expanding on its initial pop-up concept, The Astor Grill by St. Regis has introduced an enhanced menu under the guidance of the newly-appointed Chef de Cuisine, Angelo Sergio. This extended selection boasts an array of premium beef cuts sourced from reputable farms in the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

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Amuse Bouche 4/5

Our dinner commenced with a delightful Amuse Bouche featuring Beef Croquettes crowned with a dollop of Horseradish Dip. These golden-brown croquettes were deep-fried to perfection, offering a satisfyingly crispy exterior that gave way to a burst of flavours upon every bite.

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Traditional Beef Tartare 4/5

Transitioning to the appetisers, we started with the Traditional Beef Tartare. This classic dish featured finely chopped raw beef, expertly seasoned to strike a harmonious balance between the pure, unadulterated essence of the meat and the complementary seasonings. It was a luxurious and velvety delight, embodying freshness in every mouthful.

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Grilled Spanish Octopus 4/5

A new addition to the appetiser menu was the Grilled Spanish Octopus, served with a delectable chorizo chickpea puree and garnished with semi-dried tomatoes. The octopus tentacles were grilled to perfection, exhibiting a tantalising char on the exterior while remaining tender and slightly springy within. The smokiness of the grill imparted a flavorful crust that elevated this seafood dish.

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Grilled Butternut Squash Salad 4/5

The Grilled Butternut Squash Salad was a medley of delightful flavours, combining the smokiness of grilled butternut squash with a vibrant assortment of greens. The golden-brown squash created a striking contrast with the greens, and accompaniments like olives, tomatoes, diced cucumber, and feta enriched the overall experience.

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Grilled Live Boston Lobster 4/5

For those who prefer alternatives to beef, the menu offers excellent choices like the Grilled Live Boston Lobster, bathed in butter and fragrant herbs. The butter complemented the lobster's succulent meat, while the herbs introduced a flavorful lift to the seafood dish.

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Pork Chop, US Grilled Kurobuta 4.5/5

Served with a slight pinkness in the centre, the Grilled Kurobuta Pork Chop is renowned for its exceptional marbling and tenderness. The pork was perfectly grilled, presenting a rich golden-brown crust on the outside while retaining its juicy and tender interior.

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45 Days Dry Aged Bone-In Shell Loin 4.2/5

A signature menu highlight is the 45 Days Dry Aged Bone-In Shell Loin from the United Kingdom. This extraordinary offering, comprising three distinct cuts - Bone-In Striploin, Bone-in Ribeye, and T-Bone, is 100% grass-fed and dry-aged for 45 days to infuse with a distinctive and intense beefy flavour.

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Full Blood Autumn Wagyu, MB4+/220g 4.8/5

The Full Blood Autumn Wagyu, sourced from Robbins Island, Australia, offers an artisanal striploin known for its natural saltiness from the island's botanicals. The cattle are subjected to a 500-day grain-fed diet, ensuring a tender and flavorful finish.

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Hanger Steak, Black Angus 4.2/5

Among the secondary cuts, we savoured the Hanger Steak, a distinctive Black Angus cut from Victoria, Australia. It boasted a subtle sweet aftertaste that added depth to the dining experience.

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Baked Alaska 4.5/5

Our meal concluded with the delightful Baked Alaska, presented under a grand dome. This dessert featured a medley of pistachio gelato and raspberry sorbet, resting on a chocolate sponge base, all topped with Italian meringue. This light and refreshing dessert was the perfect finale, offering a delightful contrast to the richness of the preceding beef dishes.

The expanded menu at The Astor Grill, curated by Chef de Cuisine Angelo Sergio, offers an impressive array of beef cuts, including bone-in, shell loin, dry-aged varieties, and non-steak main alternatives. These cuts are perfectly prepared on a custom-built parrilla grill using charcoal and vulcan stones. This results in a symphony of new flavour profiles and robust nuances created during caramelisation, complete with a slightly charred crust.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


The Astor Grill
St. Regis Singapore
Lobby Level
29 Tanglin Road
Singapore 247911
Tel: +65 65066860
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Nearest MRT: Orchard Boulevard (TE Line), Orchard (NS, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 12pm - 230pm, 630pm 1030pm
Sun: 630pm - 103pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk towards Wheelock Place via ION. Exit Wheelock Place and turn left towards Liat Tower. Continue onwards to Forum Shopping Mall. Walk further down to Orchard Parade Hotel. Turn left onto Tanglin Road. St Regis is just beside Tanglin Shopping Centre. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Orchard Boulevard MRT station. Take Exit 1. Turn left onto Cuscaden Road. Walk to Tomlinson Road. Turn left onto Tomlinson Road. Walk to Tanglin Road. Turn right onto Tanglin Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]