Friday, November 10, 2023

Lobby Bar @ Sheraton Towers Singapore - Exquisite Oriental-themed Afternoon Tea Featuring Sweet and Savoury Bites

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The time-limited Oriental Soirée Afternoon Tea at Lobby Bar of Sheraton Towers was one of the most memorable afternoon teas I’ve had recently. Drawing inspiration from the iconic Shanghai Tang “Chinese Garden” home collection, the set features a delightful array of savouries and sweets crafted with oriental nuances. It also continues to embrace classic afternoon tea elements such as scones and sandwiches.

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Available from now to 31 December 2023, the afternoon tea is priced at $88 per person and $150 per pair. Guests ordering the afternoon tea will receive an exclusive memento – limited edition Sheraton Towers Singapore x Shanghai Tang postcards and a Shanghai Tang voucher (10% off regular items and redemption of a mini room spray), available while stocks last.

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Welcome Drinks

For Welcome Drinks, opt for a glass of Moscato, Lychee Oolong Mocktail (+$7) or Passionfruit Mint Cocktail (+$11). I did not manage to try their house Moscato, but my dining companions were huge fans of it.

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Li Bai’s Special 4.8/5

We were strongly recommended to begin with two exquisite creations from the award-winning Li Bai Cantonese Restaurant - the Bird’s Nest Almond Egg White Tart and Mini Chilli Lobster Bolo Bun.

Both were stellar, with the former featuring a generous bird's nest topping and flaky tart base and the latter boasting a crusty exterior and mildly spicy filling. It's best to savour these bites freshly served while they are still warm.

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Silken Tofu with Shoyu Salmon Roe and Roasted Sesame Yuzu Dressing 4.2/5

We continued with the savouries and had the Silken Tofu with Shoyu Salmon Roe and Roasted Sesame Yuzu Dressing first. The tofu was smooth, while the nutty sauce was light and refreshing.

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Savoury 4/5

Other savoury items included the Smoked Salmon Blini with Szechuan Pepper Crème Fraîche and Smoked Caviar, Free-range Truffle Chicken Sandwich, and Duck Rillette Brioche with Hoisin Sauce. I especially enjoyed the crème fraiche in the Smoked Salmon Blini for its unique subtle peppercorn notes.

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Creamy Crabmeat and Peppercorn Gournay Cheese Choux 4/5

Our final savoury dish was the Creamy Crabmeat and Peppercorn Gournay Cheese Choux. Across all the savouries, I appreciated how the flavours were paired harmoniously and did not overpower.

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High Mountain Oolong Brûlée 4.2/5

The first sweet item we reached out for was the High Mountain Oolong Brûlée with Valrhona Caraïbe 66% and Li Bai’s Candied Cashew. It had a marriage of tea notes, nuttiness and chocolate richness.

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Osmanthus Black Sesame Macaron 4.8/5

The Osmanthus Black Sesame Macaron was easily crowned as my favourite piece. These shells boasted the perfect slight crunch right on the outside and a chewy texture within. The filling sandwiched between the macaron halves had the most fragrant and wonderfully nutty profile.

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Da Hong Pao and Kumquat Sablé Breton 4.5/5

The Da Hong Pao and Kumquat Sablé Breton had a cute ladybug sitting atop them. Here, there were distinct tea notes with a lingering floral sweetness.

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Ispahan Sphere 4/5

Encased in a thin white chocolate shell, I found the Ispahan Sphere a tad sweeter than I would prefer, though it still served as a decent treat.

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Jasmine Mango Pomelo Tartlet 4.5/5

The Jasmine Mango Pomelo Tartlet is a must-try for mango pomelo sago fans! The delicate bite offers a burst of mango sweetness in the best possible way. It’s mildly sweetened and has a generous portion of pomelo bits on the base to balance off.

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Scones 4/5

No afternoon tea is complete without scones. In addition to the classic Madagascar Vanilla Scone, the oriental twist is evident in their Chinese Chicken Sausage Scone. Homemade Roselle Preserve and Lemon Clotted Cream accompany these crumbly treats. Remember to complement them with a complimentary cup of coffee or TWG tea of your choice!

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Dessert 4/5

To conclude the afternoon, you can choose between the Oolong Tea Ice Cream or Osmanthus Sorbet. While I found both lovely regarding the fragrant tea flavours infused within, the slightly icy textures were a minor drawback.

Enjoy an exclusive 15% promotion if you are a Citibank cardmember. To make a reservation, contact Lobby Bar at +65 6839 5625, drop an email to lobbybar@sheratonsingapore.com or confirm your table via https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/sinsi-sheraton-towers-singapore/dining/.

Photos and words by Jo. A girl who loves her Mala (麻辣) at Da La (大辣), discovering hidden food gems and a good cup of matcha latte. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Lobby Bar
Sheraton Towers Singapore
G Floor
39 Scotts Road
Singapore 228230
Tel: +65 6839 5625
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Nearest MRT: Newton (DT, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 12midnight
Afternoon Tea: 2pm - 5pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Newton MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn right and walk down Scotts Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Curry Times Restaurant - Unveils New Chicken Cutlet Curry Pao Fan

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Founded by Old Chang Kee, Curry Times restaurant is a new dine-in concept specializing in curry dishes. Set in a nostalgic setting reminiscent of the glorious days of Mama's home-cooked food, Curry Times aims to bring back flavours and dishes from the past to be enjoyed once again. With multiple outlets island-wide, we visited the Curry Times Restaurant outlet at Westgate. The restaurant provides a casual and welcoming atmosphere for patrons to enjoy a wide range of dishes, including Hainanese Chicken Rice and Nasi Lemak, alongside various curry-based options.

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Chicken Cutlet Curry Pao Fan 4.2/5

Curry Times is introducing an exciting new creation: the Chicken Cutlet Curry Pao Fan. This creation combines a generous serving of pao fan, a comforting rice porridge, and a crispy chicken cutlet placed on top. The dish is further enhanced with fragrant and creamy curry sauce, creating a harmonious blend of flavours and textures. For enthusiasts of both curry and pao fan, this inventive creation promises a must-try experience, allowing you to enjoy the best of both culinary worlds in a single, satisfying bowl. This set also comes with a free Barley drink at $10.90++.

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Nasi Lemak with Chicken Super Drum 4/5

Apart from their new dish, we also tried the popular Nasi Lemak with Chicken Super Drum ($10.90). The Nasi lemak is a traditional Malaysian and Singaporean dish known for its fragrant coconut rice, and it is typically accompanied by various condiments such as sambal (spicy chilli paste), peanuts, fried anchovies, cucumber, and a hard-boiled or fried egg. In this variation, the dish is elevated with a huge chicken drumstick, adding a substantial and flavourful element to the classic nasi lemak.

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Curry Chap Chye 4/5

The Curry Chap Chye is a flavourful and aromatic dish that combines the essence of two classic Asian dishes: curry and chap chye. This dish typically features a rich and savoury curry sauce infused with a blend of aromatic spices. The curry is then generously loaded with a variety of fresh vegetables and ingredients, such as tofu, beancurd skin, and assorted vegetables like cabbage, carrots, and mushrooms. The result is a hearty and wholesome curry that serves as a perfect complement to your steamed white rice or Nasi Lemak rice.

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Crispy Chicken Wing (3pc) 3.8/5

The Crispy Chicken Wing dish ($6.50) at Curry Times is a mouthwatering treat. We ordered them as a snack, which features a perfectly fried and crispy exterior while being tender and juicy on the inside. The wings paired well with the sweet chilli sauce provided on the side.

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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.


Curry Times
Westage
3 Gateway Drive
#02-08
Singapore 608532
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Nearest MRT: Jurong East (EW, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Jurong East MRT station. Take Exit D. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]