Friday, November 8, 2024

Crystal Jade Group of Fine-dining Restaurants Unveils an Enticing Array of New Dishes

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Crystal Jade Group has introduced refreshed menus across its fine dining restaurants — Crystal Jade Palace, Crystal Jade Golden Palace, and Crystal Jade Pavilion — offering a modern take on heritage Chinese cuisine. These new dishes creatively blend classic flavours with refined techniques, resulting in a memorable dining experience for both traditional and modern palates.

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Crystal Jade Palace - Palace Signature Starters Platter 4/5

We began our meal with the Palace Signature Starters Platter ($38.80) from Crystal Jade Palace. This vibrant quartet of appetizers includes Crispy Sakura Shrimp Cracker, Crab Meat & Avocado Salsa Tartlet, ‘Bi Feng Tang’ Whitebait with chili and garlic, and Chilled Jellyfish & Fresh Lily Bulb in a wasabi-aged vinegar. Each bite was thoughtfully crafted, with flavours that balanced savoury, spicy, and refreshing notes, making for a delightful start to the meal.

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Crystal Jade Palace - Crispy Chicken 4.8/5

Another standout from Crystal Jade Palace was the Crispy Chicken with Homemade Ginger Scallion & Chilli Lime Sauce ($42 for half, $80 for whole). The chicken features a beautifully crisp “glass skin” that crackles with every bite, while the meat remains juicy and tender. Paired with the ginger scallion and chilli lime sauces, the flavours are lifted, adding a tangy and spicy kick to this Cantonese classic — a true crowd-pleaser.

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Crystal Jade Pavilion - Double-boiled Coconut Water Chicken Soup 5/5

The Double-boiled Fish Maw with Coconut Water, Baby Cabbage & Bamboo Pith in Chicken Soup ($72) from Crystal Jade Pavilion was a heartwarming highlight. Made with fresh coconut water, chicken, baby cabbage, bamboo pith, and fish maw, this soup carries a subtle sweetness and a light, refreshing taste. The pure flavours of coconut water create a comforting, healthful dish that resonates with traditional Chinese soup-making techniques.

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Crystal Jade Pavilion - Stir-Fried Fresh Crab Meat in Lettuce Cup 4.5/5

A nostalgic and heritage-inspired dish, the Stir-fried Fresh Crab Meat with Chinese Olive Seed, Egg & Conpoy in Lettuce Cup ($58.80 for six pieces) is a unique offering from Crystal Jade Pavilion. The eggs and crab meat are meticulously scrambled over medium heat until they resemble the small buds of yellow osmanthus flowers., and serves in a crisp lettuce cup. This thoughtful presentation enhances the refreshing, crunchy texture and highlights the delicately seasoned crab.

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Crystal Jade Golden Palace - Sauteed Tiger Prawn with Morel Mushroom 4.2/5

From Crystal Jade Golden Palace, the Sautéed Tiger Prawn with Morel Mushroom ($42) is a standout. The earthy, nutty notes of morel mushrooms are the perfect pairing for the succulent tiger prawns, resulting in a beautifully balanced dish. The freshness of the prawns and the umami depth of the morels showcase the chef’s expertise in ingredient pairing and technique.

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Crystal Jade Golden Palace - Teochew Seafood Crispy Noodle 4.2/5

We also sampled the Teochew Seafood Crispy Noodle served with Black Vinegar & Sugar ($38), a traditional Teochew specialty from Crystal Jade Golden Palace. The noodles are deep-fried, poached in a flavourful broth, then pan-fried to achieve a crispy golden exterior. The dish is served with black vinegar and sugar on the side, providing an intriguing balance of acidity and sweetness. The black vinegar, in particular, enhances the dish, making it a must-try for noodle lovers.

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Crystal Jade Golden Palace - Shunde Style Chen's Village Flat Rice Roll 4.8/5

A taste of Foshan, Guangzhou, comes to Crystal Jade Golden Palace with the Shunde Style Chen’s Village Flat Rice Roll with Minced Pork & Sole Fish topped with Crispy Pork Lardon ($28). The thin, silky rice rolls are steamed and imbued with a smoky “wok hei” aroma. Topped with minced pork, spring onions, and crispy pork lardons, this dish is a satisfying blend of textures and flavours, showcasing the culinary heritage of Shunde cuisine.

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Crystal Jade Pavilion - Sugarcane Jelly with Peach Sorbet 4.8/5

To finish, we enjoyed the Sugarcane Jelly with Peach Sorbet ($9.80 per pax) from Crystal Jade Pavilion. The sugarcane jelly, mildly sweet and refreshing, pairs beautifully with the fruity, tart notes of the peach sorbet. This light dessert provides a perfect palate cleanser, bringing the meal to a refreshing close.

Crystal Jade’s refreshed menus across its fine dining establishments skillfully balance tradition with modern flair. Each restaurant brings its own personality and unique interpretation of heritage Chinese cuisine, creating an experience that is both nostalgic and exciting. Whether you're a fan of classic Chinese flavours or looking for something with a contemporary twist, these new dishes at Crystal Jade Palace, Crystal Jade Golden Palace, and Crystal Jade Pavilion offer something to delight every palate.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


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Crystal Jade Palace
Takashimaya Shopping Centre
391 Orchard Road
#04-19
Singapore 238872

Crystal Jade Golden Palace
The Paragon
290 Orchard Road
#05-22
Singapore 238859

Crystal Jade Pavilion
VivoCity
1 Harbourfront Walk
#01-112
Singapore 098585

Thursday, November 7, 2024

Sláinte @ Paragon Shopping Centre - Café By Day, Whiskey Bar By Night

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Located in Paragon Shopping Centre, Sláinte offers a distinctive experience that seamlessly transitions from a cosy café by day to an elegant whiskey bar by night. The menu presents brunch favourites in the morning and charcoal-grilled specialities by evening, with an impressive selection of auction-sourced whiskies that elevate the night experience.

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Boxty 3.5/5

One unique dish from the breakfast menu was the Boxty ($19.90) — an Irish potato pancake paired with crispy bacon, scrambled eggs, and crème fraîche. The chunky bacon was savoury, smoky, and nicely charred, complementing the buttery richness of the potato pancake and the eggs. While deliciously buttery, the pancake could benefit from a crispier exterior, as some portions felt a bit soggy. The crème fraîche was more of a sweetened yoghurt, which didn't quite complement the dish as a crème fraîche should.

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Ayam Bakar 4.5/5

Sláinte's main courses are charbroiled over applewood, imparting a distinct smokiness. The Ayam Bakar ($24.80) is a must-try — spatchcock chicken marinated overnight. The chicken was juicy and tender throughout, with even the breast meat retaining succulence. Served with a brown sauce and house-made chilli, the dish was flavourful enough to enjoy on its own.

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Pulpo a la Plancha 3/5

Another grilled speciality we tried was the Pulpo a la Plancha ($34.80) — a slow-charcoal-grilled octopus leg accompanied by fried onions, mashed potatoes, and grilled vegetables. While the dish was enjoyable overall, some parts of the octopus were slightly off in texture, leaving room for improvement.

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Wood Fired Marshmallow 4/5

For dessert, the Wood Fired Marshmallow ($19.80) offered a hands-on treat. After roasting the marshmallow over the fire, we dipped it into salted chocolate ganache and then into crushed pistachios, a fun and satisfying end to the meal. The extensive drinks menu showcases rare auction-sourced whiskies alongside a broad wine selection.

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Avery Shake

For non-alcoholic options, the milkshakes are a must-try; the Avery Shake was particularly rich, featuring avocado, berries, and milk. Their coffees, brewed from Allpress Espresso beans, are equally noteworthy.

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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.


Sláinte
Paragon Shopping Centre
290 Orchard Road
#04-09
Singapore 238859
Tel: +65 87594368
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Nearest MRT: Somerset (NS Line), Orchard (NS, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 9am - 10pm
Sat-Sun: 11am - 10pm

Direction: 1. Alight at Somerset MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to ground level. Turn left onto Orchard Road. Walk down Orchard Road. At the traffic junction of Orchard Road and Orchard Link, cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 2 or 3. Proceed to the road level. Walk down Orchard Road until the junction of Orchard Road and Orchard Link. Cross the road and walk to Paragon. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]