Sunday, May 12, 2024

Chara Brasserie @ Mercure ICON Singapore City Centre - Mediterranean-Asian Buffet with 4 Rotating Menus

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Chara Brasserie is an all-day dining restaurant of the new Mercure ICON Singapore City Centre. Offering a Mediterranean Asian theme buffet, the menu lineup took on inspiration from different countries each day of the week. There are four menus in rotation each week. Be enticed by more than 100 varieties, from classic flavours to modern takes on familiar dishes.

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Australian Angus Beef Prime Rib 3.8/5

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Seabass 4.5/5

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Spice Marinated Whole Baby Lamb Rotisserie 4.5/5

On Friday and Saturday, the Live Rotisserie Station will be fully charged with beautifully roasted meats. As the theme is Mediterranean and Asia Pacific, lamb rotisseries and roast carving stations will take centre stage. The star of this station is the Spice Marinated Whole Baby Lamb Rotisserie (for dinner), alongside other hearty roasts such as Australian Angus Beef Prime Rib and Roasted Chicken.

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DIY Chicken Kebab 3/5

There is also an interactive DIY Kebab Station that lets you put together your own kebab. Although the chicken was a tad dry, the creamy hummus made up for the texture.

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Seafood on Ice 4.5/5

The Seafood on Ice station brimmed with chilled clams, poached sea prawns, mussels, flower crabs, lobsters, crayfish, and oysters. The oysters were quite exceptional, and a variety of sauces complemented them.

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Japanese Okonomiyaki 4.5/5

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Korean Tteobokki 3/5

One standout dish from the buffet is the Japanese Okonomiyaki. It's a delightful blend of shredded cabbage, dough, whole egg, and oysters, resulting in a light and satisfying texture. The final touch of sauce and mayonnaise binds the savoury ingredients together with a contrasting sweet and creamy flavour. I reckoned the Korean Tteobokki needed a bit more sauce.

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Sashimi 3.8/5

I appreciate the individually plated Sashimi from the Japanese station. You can also find aburi chirashi dons with free-flowing ikura, ebiko, and tobiko.

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Chilli Crab 4/5

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Black Pepper Crayfish 4/5

Local favourites and flavours are included as well. Both Black Pepper Crayfish and Chilli Crab were being snapped up really fast. Kung Po Smoked Chilli Prawns were an interesting rendition.

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Prata Puff and Dahl Curry 4/5

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Hand - Skewered Ariff Satay 4/5

Although the Prata Puff and Dahl Curry were a tad oily, they were exceptionally moreish. For the hand-skewered Ariff Satay, I suggest enjoying it early in your meal as they are limited in numbers.

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Assorted Kuehs 4.5/5

The Dessert Station was decadent, with a wide range of Nyonya kueh, mini tarts, cupcakes, mini cakes, puddings, and even waffles, served with soft-serve gelato. I tried every single kueh, and they were really delicious!

To celebrate its grand launch, Chara Brasserie is offering an opening special of 25% off the prices of its buffet menu, valid daily until 31 May 2024

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Chara Brasserie Buffet Lineup - Flavours From Across the World Four Rotating Menus.
Monday and Tuesday - Flavours of the Mediterranean and Southeast Asia, with the hot stations firing up to cook seafood - focused specialties.
Wednesday and Thursday - Mediterranean with Japanese flair
Friday and Saturday - Mediterranean and Asia Pacific, with lamb rotisseries and roast carving stations set up.
Sunday - An international Mediterranean buffet serving up all three menus from across the week.

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.


Chara Brasserie
Mercure ICON Singapore City Centre
8 Club Street
#02 - 01
Singapore 069472
Tel: +65 8826 8585
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Nearest MRT: Telok Ayer (DT Line), Chinatown (DT, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Breakfast: 6.30am -10.30am
Lunch: 11.30am to 3pm
Dinner: 6pm to 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Telok Ayer MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn left and walk down Cross Street. Turn left onto Club Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Chinatown MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk straight down Pagoda Street to North Bridge Road. Cross the road and walk to Mohd Ali Lane. Walk down Mohd Ali Lane. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Saturday, May 11, 2024

SHINRAI @ Telok Ayer Street - Bold Fusion of Aburi and Charcoal Grill Mastery

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Nestled in the vibrant enclave of Telok Ayer, SHINRAI unveils an exquisite sushi-izakaya concept that seamlessly blends the artistry of omakase-inspired dishes with the convivial ambience of a traditional Japanese izakaya. Spearheaded by veteran omakase Chef Desmond Fong from Sushi Yujo and meticulously curated by Head Chef Haoey Cheah, SHINRAI promises a dining experience brimming with aburi and charcoal-grilled specialities that captivate the senses.

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Salmon Carpaccio 3.5/5

We kickstarted the meal with several appetisers, starting with the Salmon Carpaccio ($16.80). This tantalising dish features thinly sliced salmon sashimi delicately drizzled with the chef's housemade aromatic truffle sauce, culminating in a harmonious symphony of flavours heightened by adding truffle caviar for an intensified earthy essence.

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Seafood Chawanmushi with Truffle Caviar 4/5

Indulge in the rich flavours of the Seafood Chawanmushi ($9.80), a Japanese egg custard infused with succulent crab meat, prawns, and scallops, accentuated by the opulent notes of truffle caviar. Each spoonful offers a luxurious burst of flavour, making it a delightful appetiser that tantalises the palate.

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Hotate with Foie Gras Sushi 4/5

Elevate your sushi experience with the decadent Hotate with Foie Gras Sushi ($23.80). This opulent creation showcases a perfect union of sweet scallops, and rich foie gras layered atop sushi rice. The scallops are enhanced with a sweet housemade sauce and torched to perfection, resulting in a delectable caramelised finish.

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Shinrai Signature Maki 4.2/5

Dive into a world of flavours with the SHINRAI Signature Maki ($21.80), an irresistible sushi roll bursting with torched salmon, grilled unagi, creamy avocado, crisp cucumber, tobiko, and a delightful touch of chicken floss. The harmonious blend of textures and flavours offers a delightful, satisfying, and indulgent mouthful.

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Tebasaki, Tsukune, Hotate 3.5/5

Savour the smoky and charred flavours of the Tebasaki ($3.80), Tsukune ($6.80), and Hotate ($7.80) skewers, each glazed with teriyaki sauce and grilled to perfection. Accompanied by a luscious onsen egg dip, these skewers offer a delightful interplay of flavours and textures that tantalise the taste buds.

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Ebi with Mentaiko 4/5

Delight in the succulent flavours of the Ebi with Mentaiko ($21.80), featuring tiger prawns enveloped in a rich housemade mentaiko sauce that perfectly complements the sweet and crunchy prawns, resulting in a harmonious marriage of flavours.

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Wagyu Foie Gras Don 4/5

Indulge in the ultimate indulgence with the Wagyu Foie Gras Don ($48.80), a sumptuous bowl starring prime A5 Kagoshima wagyu beef and decadent foie gras served over fluffy pearl rice, accompanied by a compelling onsen egg and truffle sauce. This hearty dish promises a symphony of flavours that delights the senses.

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Tofu Cheesecake 3.8/5

Conclude your meal on a sweet note with the Tofu Cheesecake ($5.80), a delightful fusion of soybeans transformed into a melt-in-the-mouth cheesy indulgence. It is complemented by a sable base for added texture and depth of flavour.

Experience the culinary charms of SHINRAI with their lunch sets starting from $16.80, available every Monday to Friday from 11.30am to 2.30pm. With a diverse selection of options such as Chicken Teriyaki Don, Salmon Mentaiko Don, and Bara Chirashi Don, each lunch set includes miso soup, salad, and a delectable serving of tofu cheesecake, offering a delightful midday reprieve for discerning diners.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


SHINRAI
173 Telok Ayer Street
Singapore 068622
Tel: +65 8858 8831
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Nearest MRT: Telok Ayer (DT Line), Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 1030pm
Fri-Sat: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 1145pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit G. Turn left and walk down Telok Ayer Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Telok Ayer MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Telok Ayer Street. Turn left onto Telok Ayer Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]