Monday, November 11, 2024

Marcy's @ Duxton Road - A Seafood-focused Restaurant with an Eclectic Fusion of Styles Combining Modern Sophistication

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Having previously enjoyed a lovely date night at Marcy's Restaurant, I was eager to return and try their refreshed menu, along with a special festive offering that they have prepared for the season. A seafood restaurant at its core, Marcy's has earned a well-deserved reputation for delectable dishes perfect for sharing. We found the portions to be quite generous too! Every dish is thoughtfully crafted with high-quality ingredients from delicate seafood bites to hearty indulgent mains.

I also absolutely love the ambience at Marcy's, an eclectic fusion of styles combining modern sophistication with the intimate charm of a speakeasy. Think dim lighting, rich textures, and unique, quirky design elements that come together to create a luxurious and stylish space.

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Pacific Amberjack Tiradito 4.2/5

The first dish we sampled was the Pacific Amberjack Tiradito ($29), showcasing thick slices of raw amberjack (yellowtail) with sundream tomatoes and Avruga caviar for a touch of luxury. The tomatoes' slight tartness perfectly complemented the fish's clean, sweet flavour. A drizzle of fish sauce added some depth of flavour for a nice balance of freshness and complexity.

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Crab Toast 4.2/5

The next dish was a special request of mine — Marcy's Crab Toast ($26) — since I have fond memories of how yummy it was the last time I had it. This dish features a good amount of tender, sweet crab meat in a rich anchovy mascarpone. The brioche toast itself is also crisped up in umami butter. It's definitely on the rich side, but since we were sharing the dish, I found it to be a delicious slice of indulgence.

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Hasselback Frites 4/5

Another dish of comfort food arrived in the form of Hasselback Frites ($18). The top half of the potatoes are thinly sliced and deep-fried, whilst the bottom is left untouched for a soft, fluffy finish. These frites were topped with a tangy Patagonian prawn cocktail and olive tartar, offering a contrast in flavour and texture. As a self-professed potato lover, whilst I didn’t notice a very large difference in texture between the crispy top and the soft bottom of the potato, I still found this to be a satisfying dish.

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Rock Lobster Wellington 4.5/5

We were treated to a beautifully crafted seasonal special for our main course: the Rock Lobster Wellington. This exquisite dish featured succulent rock lobster, tender salmon, and savoury mushroom and spinach duxelles. The sweet, delicate lobster and buttery salmon created a luxurious filling, perfectly balanced by the earthy depth of the duxelles. All of this was wrapped in a golden, flaky puff pastry, baked to perfection. The dish was finished with a light marigold hollandaise and enhanced by a special seaweed caviar (supplement required). A well-executed seafood take on the traditional Wellington.

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Pavlova 3.8/5

By this point, we were absolutely stuffed, but there was no way we could leave without trying one of Marcy’s "happy ending" desserts. We had the Pavlova which featured a light, crispy meringue on top, and a rich, creamy base layer of cheesecake. The smoothness of the cheesecake complemented the airy crunch of the meringue, and the dessert was finished with fruits, adding a burst of colour and freshness to every bite. It is however, a little on the sweet side.

You will find that Marcy's is a popular choice for both couples enjoying a romantic date night and groups of friends celebrating special occasions. From the first bite to the last, Marcy's feels special and comfortable, ensuring it's a meal to remember.

Penned by Shermine. Through her pictures and stories, she shares her journey of savouring new flavours and experiences. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Marcy's
39-40 Duxton Road
Singapore 089503
Tel: +65 9012 3747
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Nearest MRT: Maxwell (TE Line), Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Thu: 530pm - 11pm
Fri-Sat: 530pm - 12midnight
Sun: 530pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Maxwell MRT station. Take Exit 3. Cross the road to Duxton Road. Walk down Duxton Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes [Map]

2) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk straight to Tanjong Pagar Road. Cross the road and walk to Craig Road. Walk down Craig Road towards Duxton Road. Turn right onto Duxton Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

Sunday, November 10, 2024

Eclipse by BDC @ Yue Hwa Building - A Casual, Creative Twist on Fine Dining with Chef Samuel Quan’s New Menu

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Eclipse by BDC has come a long way since its 2021 debut as a fine dining destination atop the Yue Hwa Building in Chinatown, where the restaurant's unique vantage point offered stunning views of Singapore's skyline. My recent visit revealed a transformation in concept — Eclipse now provides a more casual, approachable menu crafted by Chef Samuel Quan. This new direction brings inventive twists to familiar flavours while still showcasing Chef Quan's creativity.

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Crab Laksa Croquette 3.8/5

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Smoked Eel Pumpkin Beignet 3.8/5

We began with two delightful snacks: Crab Laksa Croquette ($16 for 3pc) and Smoked Eel Pumpkin Beignet ($16 for 3pc). The Crab Laksa Croquette was a crispy parcel packed with Singapore's iconic laksa essence, accompanied by a curry aioli and laksa leaf that amplified its flavours. The Smoked Eel Pumpkin Beignet was a surprising take on the traditional custard lava bun, featuring molten Comté cheese nestled within a golden pumpkin beignet. The beignet was topped with crispy 'You Mai Chye' floss and complemented by a roasted onion jam. This bite combined sweet, smoky, and savoury notes in an unexpectedly harmonious way.

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Pan Seared Scallop 4/5

The Pan Seared Scallop ($24) was plump, juicy, and beautifully paired with a sage butter emulsion and furikake seaweed for umami depth. Topped with ikura and pickled ginger flower, the dish had a refreshing acidity that elevated the flavours, making it a well-balanced and thoughtfully composed appetiser.

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Jurong Farm XL Frog Leg 3.8/5

One of the more unique items on the menu was the Jurong Farm XL Frog Leg ($20), deep-fried to perfection with a crispy Japanese puffed rice coating that provided a delightful textural contrast to the tender frog leg meat. Paired with a Szechuan hibiscus jus, the dish offered an interesting twist, though the jus fell slightly short of delivering the expected punchy, piquant finish.

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12 Days Dry Aged Half Duck 4/5

The star of the evening was the 12 Days Dry Aged Half Duck ($68 whole). The duck was accompanied by egg crepes, leeks, pickled cucumber, pickled chilli, and a hibiscus glaze, echoing the classic flavours of Peking duck with a unique twist. Diners can wrap the tender duck meat with the egg crepe and condiments or enjoy it on its own to fully appreciate the expertly dry-aged, succulent flavours of the duck.

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Refreshing Eton Mess 3.5/5

For dessert, we had the Refreshing Eton Mess ($18), a tropical reimagining of the British classic. Tonka bean meringue, Meyer lemon gel, Dole pineapple, and yuzu sorbet brought together layers of sweetness and tartness, offering the meal a light and refreshing finale.

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Smoked Hay Tiramisu 3.8/5

Our final dessert, the Smoked Hay Tiramisu ($22), was a daring take on the beloved Italian dessert. The smoky hay notes infused the layers of mascarpone and cream cheese with a distinct depth, while the addition of Kahlua espuma added an aromatic complexity. However, the real surprise was the inclusion of ikura, which introduced a briny element that added a bit of intrigue, much like the contrast of salt in dark chocolate.

Eclipse by BDC has successfully transitioned from fine dining to a more casual yet adventurous menu that's brimming with inventive flavour combinations and textural surprises. Chef Samuel Quan's bold, reimagined dishes offer diners a fresh perspective on familiar ingredients while maintaining an approachable charm. The setting, coupled with the thoughtful, contemporary dishes, makes Eclipse an excellent choice for those seeking an elevated dining experience with a creative, casual twist.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Eclipse by BDC
Yue Hwa Building
70 Eu Tong Sen Street
#06-01
Singapore 059805
Tel: +65 6908 0880
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Nearest MRT: Chinatown (DT, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Thu: 12pm -3pm, 6pm - 1030pm
Fri-Sat: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm
Sun: 12pm -3pm, 6pm - 1030pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Chinatown MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to Eu Tong Street. Turn left and walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]