Le Jardin @ Fort Canning Park - French European Cuisine Amidst Lush Greenery in Heart of Fort Canning Park

Le Jardin is tucked away in a quiet corner of Fort Canning Park, surrounded by lush greenery at Level 2 of Fort Canning Arts Centre.

Diners can choose to sit al fresco on its breezy porch or step indoors into a charming Victorian-style space inspired by Monet’s garden in Giverny, Paris.

The interior is adorned with fresh-cut blooms and preserved florals, and also serves as a lovely venue for events and intimate weddings.

This French European restaurant makes for a pleasant pit stop throughout the day, with a menu spanning Breakfast Brunch, Side Dishes, Mains, House-made Desserts, and a Kids’ Menu. The beverage list is equally extensive, offering classic coffees and teas, as well as speciality drinks and alcoholic options.

Burrata 4.2/5

The Burrata ($18) was a pleasant sharing starter, featuring milky cheese paired with a base of mildly earthy pea velouté, tangy pickled cherry tomatoes and parma ham.

Crab Cake 4/5

Seafood lovers may consider the Crab Cake ($18). The pan-seared cake was generously packed with crab meat, made even more appetising by a touch of heat from the tomato and chilli coulis and the freshness of the tomato salsa.

Truffle Fries 3.8/5

The Truffle Fries ($18) were fried to a nice crunch, though we felt the cheese could have been more generous and the truffle flavour could have been more pronounced.

Spicy Pan Seared Prawn Alfredo 4.5/5

Our favourite dish was the Spicy Pan Seared Prawn Alfredo ($24), which can also be prepared non-spicy upon request. The al dente linguine was beautifully coated in the rich, house-made shrimp Alfredo sauce, with the spice helping cut through its creamy consistency. The addition of sakura ebi as a topping was a clever touch, adding a subtle briny note.

Pan Seared Salmon 4.2/5

The Pan Seared Salmon ($30) arrived with a crisped skin, accompanied by asparagus, tomatoes, buttery mashed potatoes and a creamy tobiko beurre blanc. We particularly enjoyed the tanginess of the beurre blanc, enhanced by the savoury pops of tobiko.

Burnt Basque Cheesecake 3.5/5

For dessert, we went with the Burnt Basque Cheesecake ($14). While it was sufficiently cheesy, we wished it had a much more oozy centre for better texture.

Lemon Cloud Matcha 4.2/5

The Lemon Cloud Matcha ($10.90) was a delightful surprise, made with homemade honey lemon cream, lemonade, and matcha. The matcha was mildly earthy, well-balanced in sweetness, and finished with a refreshing citrusy zing.

Violet Secret 3/5

My dining companion’s Violet Secret ($9.90) combined Kyoto grape, lime and jasmine tea. While the flavour combination was interesting, it was unfortunately a little too sweet for our liking.

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.


Le Jardin
Fort Canning Arts Centre
Level 2
5 Cox Terrace
Singapore 179620
Tel: +65 8870 9977
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Dhoby Ghaut MRT (NE, CC, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 11am - 9pm
Sat-Sun: 9am - 930pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Dhoby Ghaut MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn left and walk to Penang Road. Cross the road to UBS Singapore. Cut through UBS Singapore to Fort Canning Road. Cross the road to Fort Canning. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 10 minutes. [Map]

The Orchard Cafe @ Orchard Hotel Singapore - Get into the Festive Mood at The Orchard Café’s Feast of Prosperity Chinese New Year Buffet

Chinese New Year is a time of reunion, abundance and indulgence, and The Orchard Cafe’s Feast of Prosperity buffet captures this spirit beautifully. Inspired by auspicious flavours and celebratory traditions, the spread brings together classic festive favourites alongside refined international creations, offering diners a generous and comforting way to welcome the Lunar New Year.

One of the most anticipated stations at any hotel buffet is undoubtedly the Seafood on Ice, and The Orchard Cafe delivers generously. The selection includes Red Prawns, Half-Shell Scallops, Clams, Sea Whelk and Mussels, with Snow Crab available during dinner, and Boston Lobsters served on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. While fresh oysters were not listed on the menu, steamed oysters topped with mentaiko sauce were available during our visit.

The Cold Appetisers section offers a decent variety, with several standouts worth highlighting. The Poached Red Prawn with Mango, Pomelo and Namjin Sauce is refreshing and well-balanced, while the Sichuan Chilled Chicken delivers a satisfying kick. Another favourite is the Marinated Jellyfish Salad with Liangfen, coated in a gently numbing sauce that adds depth without overwhelming the palate.

We were craving something warm to begin the meal, and while we expected a Chinese-style soup, the Crab Pumpkin Soup caught us completely off guard in the best way possible. Lightly sweet, creamy and generously studded with crab meat, it was so comforting that we went back for more than one serving.

Abalone Glutinous Rice 4.8/5

Dumplings in Sour Hot Sauce 4/5

Among the Oriental selections, these two dishes stood out the most. The Abalone Glutinous Rice comes in a modest portion but is packed with flavour, making it dangerously addictive, so I only wished I had more stomach space for a second helping. The Dumplings in Sour Hot Sauce strike a good balance between tangy and spicy, though I would have preferred a stronger heat to prevent the dumpling skin from firming up as it cooled.

Crispy Duck in Lotus Leaf 4/5

Baked Salmon

Slow Roasted Australia Grain-Fed Black Angus Striploin

Pasta on Parmesan Wheel

Under the Festive Carvings section, the Crispy Duck in Lotus Leaf was my top pick. It is a clever and creative take, reminiscent of duck confit done tempura-style, with crisp skin and tender meat. The Whole Baked Salmon was equally impressive, both visually and in flavour, served with dill cream and tomato salsa before quickly disappearing from the buffet line. Meat lovers will appreciate the Slow-Roasted Australian Grain-Fed Black Angus Striploin, which pairs exceptionally well with the Pasta on Parmesan Wheel - a combination I highly recommend.

Jujube Coconut Cheese Cake

Mandarin Orange Cheese Mousse Cake

Osmanthus Fish Jelly

Creamy Pineapple Tart

Hashima Wintermelon Jelly

Mochi Yam Roll

Desserts were where my excitement truly peaked. For once at a buffet, I was already eyeing the sweets before even starting my meal. Highlights include the Mandarin Orange Cheese Mousse Cake, which is light and citrusy, the elegant Osmanthus Fish Jelly, and the delightful Mochi Yam Roll, which balances texture and flavour beautifully.

Deep Fried Nian Gao

Cranberry Brioche Bread Pudding

Sesame Chocolate Pudding

When it comes to hot desserts, be sure to reserve some stomach space. The Deep-Fried Nian Gao is a must-try, along with the crowd-favourite Deep-Fried Red Bean Pancake. We also sampled the Hot Orh Nee with Ginkgo Nut and Pulut Hitam during our visit. Both were pleasantly low in sweetness, though they lacked a little depth compared to the other desserts. Still, the dessert section overall is not to be missed.

The Orchard Cafe’s Feast of Prosperity Chinese New Year Buffet is a satisfying and well-rounded celebration of festive dining, offering something for everyone from indulgent seafood and comforting Oriental classics to an impressive dessert lineup. Available now until 3 March, for both lunch and dinner, prices start from $98++ per person, making it a worthy option for family gatherings, festive catch-ups or a leisurely celebratory meal.

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


The Orchard Cafe
Lobby
442 Orchard Road
Singapore 238879
Tel: +65 67396565
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard MRT (NS, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 2.30pm, 6pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk to Wheelock Place. Walk to the traffic junction of Orchard Road and Angullia Park. Cross the road to the Royal Thai Embassy. Turn left and continue down Orchard Road. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 10 minutes. [Map]