Shangri-La Singapore - Revel in the Enchanted Wonders of Christmas

Elevate your festive celebrations this year with Shangri-La Singapore. The hotel's dining destinations offer a wondrous lineup of gastronomical feasts from 1 December 2023 to 1 January 2024, with a bountiful selection of festive artisanal creations available for takeaway and delivery from 23 November to 26 December 2023.

Black Angus Beef Wellington

Black Angus Beef Wellington ($348 nett, 1.5kg) is a refined version featuring a tender fillet of Black Angus beef enveloped in a layer of spinach and mushroom duxelles, enriched with bites of foie gras, all encased in a golden, flaky pastry. The combination of spinach and mushroom duxelles added an earthy and savoury depth to the flavour, and the buttery sweetness of the pastry complemented the decadent filling.

Rustico Spice Roasted U.S. Whole Turkey

Rustico Spice Roasted U.S. Whole Turkey ($258 nett, 6kg | $280 nett, 8kg) is seasoned with a blend of Italian Rustico spices. The texture of the turkey was delightfully tender, much more than I had expected.

Gammon Ham

Truffle Honey and Cinnamon Glazed Bone-in Gammon Ham ($298 nett, 7kg) glistened with a glaze concocted with truffles, honey and cinnamon.

Salt Baked Seabass Fillet

Salt Baked Seabass Fillet ($168 nett, 2kg) features a seabass fillet encased and baked in a sea salt crust. While the fillet was very tender, it was too saltish for me.

Leg of Lamb

New on the menu of savoury treats this year is the Slow Roasted Garlic and Rosemary Studded Leg of Lamb ($288 nett, 3.5kg), featuring a succulent leg of lamb. Infused with slow-roasted garlic and rosemary flavours, it is quite a show-stopper this year.

Santa Sleigh

The lineup of sweet delights this year entices in both looks and flavours. My favourite is the new Santa Sleigh ($75 nett, 1kg) - featuring a chiffon sponge base, yuzu curd, fraises compote, vanilla Chantilly, and abundant strawberries. The tartness of the fraises compote was perfect on the airy chiffon and chantilly cream, and the strawberries atop were at their ideal ripeness. I find the yuzu curd, being cloyingly sweet with a thick consistency, a distraction.

Rich Mango Indulgence Log Cake

This year's new rendition of the log cake is the Rich Mango Indulgence Log Cake ($88 nett, 1kg). Joyful and sunny in hues of shades of yellow and orange, this log cake oozes tropical flavours coming from a fusion of mango and passion fruit mascarpone and peach lime chutney.

Triple Truffle Crunchy Log Cake

Triple Truffle Crunchy Log Cake ($88 nett, 1kg), a hot favourite last year, also returns for this season. It boasts a chocolate and nutty flavour - a cocoa sponge filled with hazelnut crunch, Gianduja Crémeux, and truffle praline mousse.

Mao Shan Wang Durian and Coconut Log Cake

Mao Shan Wang Durian and Coconut Log Cake ($90 nett, 1kg) is a twist on a classic vanilla Victorian sponge cake featuring Mao Shan Wang durian mousse coated with coconut flakes. It had a decadent mouth filling texture, but the sweetness can be a tad overwhelming.

Banana Rocher Travel Cake

The newly added Banana Rocher Travel Cake ($35 nett, 750gm) is memorable, considering the rarity of an elevated banana cake being offered in such a season. Crafted with brown sugar, ripe bananas and macadamia nuts, the cake had a good density without being overly sweet. The coating of creamy dulce chocolate boosted its texture as well.

English Fruit Cake with Drunken Fruits

For some traditional must-haves, my absolute favourite is the house-made English Fruit Cake with Drunken Fruits ($40 nett, 400gm), loaded with bitter-sweet dried mixed fruits.

German Stollen

The German Stollen ($46 nett, 750gm) was slightly too bread-like for me.

Classic Italian Panettone

A better option is their panettone, which comes in two variations: the Classic Italian Panettone ($55 nett, 750gm) and the new Pandan Panettone ($55 nett, 750gm).

Pandan Panettone

To order goodies online, visit https://bit.ly/shangrilafestive23, call +65 6213 4511, or email festive.sls@shangri-la.com. Enjoy 15% early bird offer on selected products for purchases made by 3 December 2023.

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.


Shangri-La Hotel Singapore
22 Orange Grove Road
Singapore 258350
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line, TE Line)

Hakata Japanese Restaurant @ NeWest - Homely Japanese Comfort In The West

Nestled in NeWest, Hakata Japanese Restaurant welcomes diners to a cosy haven offering affordable Japanese cuisine. With roots tracing back to 1999 at Hong Leong Garden Shopping Centre, this establishment prides itself on a diverse menu featuring traditional Japanese delights, including sashimi, sushi, domburimono, tempura, sukiyaki, shabu-shabu, yakitori, udon, soba, and ramen. The commitment to freshness is evident, with all fish items air-flown four times a week from Japan.

Shishamo Isobe Age 4/5

For a delightful start, the Shishamo Isobe Age ($9) caught my attention. A popular choice among diners, this dish features crispy fried shishamo flavoured with seaweed, providing a unique blend of crunch and seaweed-infused richness, complemented by the burst of shishamo egg roes.

Potato Salad 4/5

A classic favourite, the Potato Salad ($5) offered a creamy medley of mashed potatoes, carrots, and eggs enveloped in mayonnaise. Adding cucumber and tomato refreshed the palate, adding a crisp contrast to the creamy texture.

Buta Shogayaki 3.8/5

Transitioning to the mains, the Buta Shogayaki ($16) stole the spotlight. A comforting ensemble of stir-fried pork with vegetables in ginger sauce, this set included rice, tofu, miso soup, a slice of watermelon, and pickles. The tender pork and the medley of sides provided a substantial and satisfying meal at an excellent value.

Matsu Nigiri Sushi Set 3.5/5

We continued with the Matsu Nigiri Sushi Set ($27), an assortment of 11 sushi types. While it may not compete with the premium offerings of high-end Japanese omakase restaurants, it delivers a good variety and value for money, satisfying Japanese food cravings without breaking the bank.

Hakata Japanese Restaurant has become a neighbourhood favourite, drawing locals with its homely charm and affordable Japanese fare. While it may not aim for the premium spectrum of Japanese cuisine, it excels in providing a diverse and wallet-friendly menu that caters to the masses. For those seeking a comforting Japanese dining experience without the frills, Hakata Japanese Restaurant at NeWest is a reliable choice.


Hakata Japanese Restaurant
NeWest
1 West Coast Drive
#01-93/70
Singapore 128020
Tel: +65 6265 3680
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Nearest MRT: Clementi (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun, PH: 1130am - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Clementi MRT station. Take Exit A. Take bus number 154 or 201. Alight 3 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]