Butcher's Block @ Raffles Hotel Singapore - A Homage to Butchery, Wood-fire, and Hawai'ian Spirit

Having visited Butcher's Block before, my return was met with heightened anticipation, eager to explore the new culinary direction spearheaded by Chef Jordan Keao. Hailing from Hawaii, Chef Jordan brings his rich heritage to the forefront, seamlessly blending the art of butchery with the mastery of contemporary wood-fire cooking. The result is a symphony of flavours that spotlight fine seasonal ingredients in all their intrinsic fullness.

Scallop, Parsnip Blini, Kumquat Kosho, Shiso 4.8/5

Embarking on the IMUA tasting menu, a gastronomic adventure awaited. The evening commenced with a trio of snacks that set the stage for what would come.

The Scallop is a delicately crafted dish featuring a plump scallop perched atop a parsnip blini adorned with kumquat kosho, scallop roe, puffed barley, and microgreens. The marriage of flavours and textural contrast showcased Chef Jordan's finesse.

Roasted Beetroot Tartlet, Taleggio 4.8/5

An unexpected yet delightful creation, the Roasted Beetroot Tartlet unfolded layers of flavour with Taleggio cream, fennel blossoms, and micro-planed roasted macadamia. It is a clever play of textures and flavours in every bite.

Korean BBQ Wagyu Tartare 4.2/5

A morsel of delight, the Korean BBQ Wagyu Tartare presented hand-chopped A5 Saga tenderloin and Wylarah striploin. Seasoned with dehydrated kimchi powder, cold-smoked sesame oil, and other exquisite elements, each bite was a burst of flavour.

Hokkaido Milk Parker Roll with Konbu Butter 4.8/5

A complimentary delight accompanying the IMUA menu, the Hokkaido Milk Parker Roll with Konbu Butter was a testament to classic recipes crafted with precision. Fluffy as an Asian milk bun left us craving for more.

Smoked Sashimi Poke, Kukui nut, Ogo Seaweed, Herb Dashi 4.2/5

A contemporary take on the traditional Hawaiian poke, the dish featured Smoked Sashimi Poke with Kukui nut, seaweed, and herb dashi. It is a visual and flavorful homage to Chef Jordan's hometown.

Dry-aged Duck, Black Garlic, Grilled dumpling 4.5/5

A masterpiece of Dry-aged Duck Breast, grilled to perfection and paired with crispy duck tongue and a pan-seared dumpling. Accompanied by black garlic puree and chive emulsion, it was a symphony of flavours and textures.

Mackerel, Starfruit Curd, Hokkaido Ymepirika Sushi Rice 4.5/5

Grilled Japanese Mackerel on Hokkaido Yumepirika sushi rice, enhanced with starfruit puree, Swiss chard achar, and a side of fish broth. A nod to Hawaii's culinary influences, this dish elevated the appreciation of grilled fish.

Wylarah Wagyu Australian Striploin 4.5/5

The pinnacle of the evening was the Wylarah Wagyu Australian Striploin MBS 8-9, grilled over wood-fire. Drizzled with beef jus and paired with Kabocha squash bone marrow puree, it was a celebration of marbling and melt-in-the-mouth perfection.

Pumpkin Pie, Burnt Marshmallow Ice Cream 4.2/5

A deconstructed Pumpkin Pie rounded off the meal with marshmallow ice cream, a five-spice biscuit, roasted pumpkin puree, coconut mochi, and fresh passionfruit. It is a light and vibrant dessert that leaves a sweet imprint. Lastly, the Petit Fours of Hazelnut Chocolate Bonbon, Lilikoi Pate de Fruit, and Charcoal Macaron—adding the perfect final notes to a memorable dining experience.

Chef Jordan Keao's culinary finesse, coupled with Butcher's Block's commitment to quality, resulted in an evening of gastronomic excellence, a testament to the evolving culinary landscape at this esteemed establishment.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Butcher's Block
Raffles Hotel Singapore
Raffles Arcade
328 North Bridge Road
#02-02
Singapore 188719
Tel: +65 6337 1886
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Website
Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW, NS Line), Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Lunch (Thu-Fri): 12pm - 230pm
Dinner (Wed-Sun): 6pm - 945pm
(Closed on Mon and Tue)

Direction:
1) Alight at City Hall MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Junction of North Bridge Road and Bras Basah Road. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit F. Walk to Beach Road. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Merci Marcel @ Katong - All-day Dining of Comfort Food with a French Flair in Merci Marcel’s 4th Outlet in Singapore

Merci Marcel's 4th outlet sits in the heart of Katong, their first venture into the East. Located in Santa Grand Hotel, the casual French restaurant is decked out in a fun new colonial and contemporary interior.

Early birds will be happy to have another spot to enjoy as they open every day from 8am into the night. Diners can expect a French tapas menu alongside speciality coffee, curated cocktails and French wines.

Drinks

A centrepiece of this new outlet is the snazzy bar offering unique and vibrant selections of cocktails.

Salmon Crudo 4/5

To start, we had the Salmon Crudo ($20), which had salmon tartare on tangy pickled enoki with a dressing of cucumber gazpacho to be enjoyed with bread. I personally expected a bit more of this, but the clean flavour profile may suit if you're looking for something light.

Roasted Feta 4/5

The Roasted Feta ($16) is a decent sharing plate, with the slab of cheese served on a bed of poached pear, with slices of fresh pair, rosemary and a drizzle of honey and rosemary.

Ravioles de Royans 4.5/5

Merci Marcel's Ravioles de Royans ($20 for Small, $32 for Large) has been one of their most loved dishes since its opening. The adorable bites of French dumpling pasta are filled with Tête de Moine cheese, served with a creamy sauce and further topped with cheese florets.

It may look unassuming, but it gets more addictive with each bite. We loved how flavourful it was with the unadulterated taste of cheese, without being overwhelming.

French Mac & Cheese 4.5/5

Fans of mac & cheese got to try their rendition of French Mac & Cheese ($25). The creamy and lightly seasoned cheese macaroni is held within a buttery, flaky pastry, paired with ham chiffonnade and cheese crisps. Surprisingly, it wasn't as heavy as we thought, and we thoroughly enjoyed the variety of textures.

Marcel’s Waffle Iron Style “Croiffle” 4/5

The Marcel's Waffle Iron Style "Croiffle" ($11) was recommended by our server as her favourite on the menu for desserts. There's caramel, bananas and a scoop of vanilla ice cream to accompany the croiffle. While the combination was likeable, I preferred the croiffle to be served more warmly.

Chocolate & Whisky Pie 4.2/5

We ended our night with the Chocolate & Whisky Pie ($13). The crisp shortcrust pastry and mildly sweet yet rich chocolate filling will easily satisfy any chocolate lovers.

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.


Merci Marcel
171 East Coast Road
Singapore 428877
Tel: +65 6015 0906
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Nearest MRT: Dakota MRT (CC Line), Marine Parade (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sat: 8am - 12midnight
Sun-Mon: 8am - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Dakota MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at block 99 (Stop ID 81181). Take bus number 10 or 32. Alight 7 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 18 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Marine Parade MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk to Sea Avenue. Turn left onto Sea Avenue. Walk down Sea Avenue to East Coast Road. Cross the road at East Coast Road. Turn right and walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]