The Line @ Shangri-La Singapore - Modern Vietnamese Pop-Up By LILY.S Till 29 Sept With 30% Off Buffet

LILY.S, a modern Vietnamese restaurant, has taken over one of the buffet stations at The Line, Shangri-La, until 29 September. Every Thursday to Sunday, guests can enjoy a rotating menu of Vietnamese dishes in addition to the usual international buffet spread.

A special promotion also offers diners 30% off when paying with GRAB Dine-Out, making the buffet price start at $68++ per adult before the discount.

During our dinner visit, we sampled traditional Vietnamese dishes such as Hanoi Buncha and Vietnamese Beef Pho, the latter being freshly prepared at a live station.

A selection of skewers and fried items were also available, with the crunchy Yam & Carrot Roll and the pan-fried Meat Patties standing out as our picks.

Moving to the international buffet, we particularly enjoyed the fresh sashimi options, including salmon, scallops, and amaebi. However, the shellfish offerings paled in comparison in both their freshness and sweetness.

The Carving Station was particularly popular among the hot stations, serving up Roasted Australian 100-day Grain-fed Angus Prime Rib with Red Wine Jus.

Other hot stations included a variety of Western Mains, Asian Dishes, an Indian Station, and a Noodle Station.

My dining companion and I were both impressed by the line-up of Desserts. They offer a wide range of items and deliver on taste.

We highly recommend saving room for their ice creams and sorbets, which are rich in flavours without being too sweet.

Standout options included the creamy Durian and Strawberry ice cream, especially when paired with the freshly made Mochi Waffle.

Other dessert options included the Mini Fruit Tartlet, Uji Matcha Tiramisu, Raspberry Coconut Mousse, and a delightful selection of nonya kueh, such as Ondeh Ondeh, Rainbow Lapis, Ubi Bingka, and Kueh Salat.

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.


The Line Restaurant
22 Orange Grove Road
Singapore 258350
Tel: +65 6213 4398
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Nearest MRT: Stevens MRT (DT, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 2.30pm, 6pm - 9.30pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk towards Wheellock Place via ION. Exit Wheellock Place and turn left towards Liat Tower. Cross the road at the traffic light junction and turn left towards Royal Thai Embassy. Walk down to the end of Orchard Road. Turn right onto Orange Grove Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 23 minutes.[Map]

Joie @ Orchard Central - Meatless Fine Dining with A Rooftop Dining View

Perched atop Orchard Central, Joie offers a unique fine-dining experience that is not just for vegetarians or vegans. With a creative meatless menu featuring a delightful Korean twist, this upscale restaurant caters to all occasions, whether you're celebrating a memorable moment or simply enjoying a meal with a view.

Surrounded by the lush greenery of a rooftop garden, we were fortunate to be seated at one of the best tables, perfectly positioned to watch the sunset as we enjoyed our dinner.

Welcome Drink, Roasted Korean Sunchoke Tea and Artemisia Tea

We had the 6-Course Dinner, priced at $78++ per person, which includes three starters, a vegetable dish, a main course, and dessert. As there were 2 of us, we had the opportunity to sample all the options available on the course menu.

“Tuna Tartare” 4/5

This dish truly impressed with its creative use of watermelon to mimic tuna. Served with crispy rice paper, sesame powder, egg yolk gel, apricot, and pickled pears, the Tuna Tartare was both appetising and refreshing - a perfect start to the meal.

Joie’s Crispy Layered Fries 4/5

An elevated take on a classic, these Crispy Layered Fries are made with imported potatoes from Holland and served with fermented kimchi, gochujang mayo, and black garlic mayo. Each fry offers a combination of textures and flavours that make every bite unique.

Charcoal Makgeoli Slider 3.8/5

The Charcoal Makgeoli Slider, which includes halloumi cheese sandwiched between charcoal buns, comes in two pieces per person. The combination of pickled radish, arugula, kimchi puree, and the signature egg yolk gel make this dish enjoyable, although not a standout.

“Ddukgalbi” Century Scotch Egg 4/5

An additional starter from the ala carte menu we get to try was the "Ddukgalbi" Century Scotch Egg, a unique twist on the traditional British dish made with century egg. Paired with gochujang and black garlic mayo, this dish is a must-try for century egg lovers.

Grilled Roots Vegetables 2.8/5

Heirloom Cherry Tomato Salad & Burratina 3/5

We had both vegetable options on the menu, but unfortunately, both dishes were underwhelming compared to our starters. The Grilled Root Vegetables are tough and lacking flavour. As for the Heirloom Cherry Tomato Salad & Burratina, while the sweet cherry tomatoes were enjoyable, the burrata was unfortunately dry. The dish was garnished with olive oil powder, a unique touch, though it didn't elevate the overall experience.

Mapadubu Lasagna 3/5

Grilled Summer Mushroom Steak 4/5

We also got both options for the mains on the course menu. Despite being inspired by mapo tofu, the Mapadubu Lasagna lacked the distinct flavours of the dish. The texture of the lasagna sheets was inconsistent; they were soft in some areas and tough in others, which detracted from the overall enjoyment.

The Grilled Summer Mushroom Steak was the highlight of the main courses. Served on a hot plate with homemade black pepper sauce, the monkey head mushroom's texture closely mimicked a steak, making this a satisfying dish.

Burnt Basque Cheese Cake 3/5

Unfortunately, the Burnt Basque Cheese Cake served with an Oreo crust, and homemade milk ice cream was too dense, more reminiscent of a New York cheesecake than a Basque-style one. It was enjoyable but could be lighter in texture. Joie has recently added a new dessert option to the menu - Black Sesame Ice Cream - which was unavailable at our visit.

Joie also offers other set lunch and dinner options daily:

• 3-Course: $38++ per person (lunch only, Monday to Friday except public holidays and eve of public holidays)
• 5-Course: $58++ per person
• 6-Course: $78++ per person
• 8-Course: $98++ per person (available for both lunch and dinner)

The spacious restaurant includes four private dining rooms, perfect for hosting special gatherings.

Photos and words by Jaslyn. An avid cook who lives to eat and travel for food. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Joie
Orchard Central
#12-01
181 Orchard Road
Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 9663 0901
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Nearest MRT: Somerset (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Somerset MRT station. Take Exit C or D. Walk to Orchard Central. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]