Hanare Japanese Cafe @ Tanjong Pagar Road

It is about time Teppei opens another restaurant with its popularity. If you still have not heard about Teppei you can read about my visit here. Known for its affordable Omakase, the reservation list can be up to a good 4 months or more. The new restaurant is called Hanare Japanese Cafe located just around the corner of Teppei along Tanjong Pagar Road offering Japanese buffet concept.

Basically Hanara offers 2 selections. The Bara Set ($17.60) which comes with Bara Chirashi, free flow miso soup and 4 side dishes. The Hanare Buffet ($19.90) comes with more than 20 kinds of free flow side dishes (pickles, chicken cutlet, curry rice, mapo tofu etc) and a daily special. To be frank the buffet spread does not look very appetising so I went for the Bara Set instead.

As mentioned earlier, the Bara Set comes with 4 free flow side dishes. They were very simple sides dishes such as preserved vegetables, stewed vegetables and salad. I am not too sure but this should be change regularly. Actually if I am not wrong the concept at Hanare is a cost saving strategy to reduce wastage. Not wrong as long as the food turns out tasty. In the end it is a win-win for both the restaurant and customers.

Bara Chirashi 4.8/5

The highlight will be this delicious bowl of Bara Chirashi brimming with sashimi. The fragrant and seasoned sushi rice was already so good on its own. I remembered finishing my rice and I am still left with quite a few pieces of the thick cut sashimi. The sashimi was lightly seasoned which went very well with the rice. I personally think it is pretty value for money. I would definitely return again to eat this.

Unless Hanare improves in its buffet offering and presentation, I would still go for the Bara Set instead of the Hanare Buffet. I am already content with the bowl of bara chirashi. In fact if possible I can also do away with the side dishes at a lower price.


Hanare Japanese Cafe
99B Tanjong Pagar Road
Singapore 088520
Tel: +65 62221976
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hanaresingapore
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 12pm - 230pm, 630pm - 10pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk towards Orchid Hotel. Turn right at Tanjong Pagar Road. Walk down Tanjong Pagar Road towards the row of shop houses. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

The Knolls @ Capella Hotel Singapore

Featuring some of the finest Mediterranean delicacies, Sunday brunch buffet at The Knolls is filled with a bustling vibe in the air. In felt as if I have stepped into a secret garden in Sentosa and chanced upon a garden party. In conjunction with the upcoming Mothers' Day, The Knolls will be transforming the restaurant into a garden of flowers for the Mother's Day Brunch on 11 May 2014, where guests can design and create their own floral bouquets for their mothers.

Executive Chef David Senia will also be introducing some seasonal highlights for the Mother's Day Sunday Brunch such as the Fresh White Asparagus with Caviar, Spring Vegetable Tarte Potagere, Slow Roast Dutch Milk-fed Veal Chop and even the delectable dessert spread will include an assortment of floral themed desserts.

Fresh White Asparagus with Caviar 4.2/5

The Fresh White Asparagus paired with poached egg and caviar was excellent. It thought it was quite an interesting combination but not overpowering, allowing the natural sweetness of the white asparagus to shine on its own.

Spring Vegetable Tarte Potagere 4/5

The Spring Vegetable Tarte Potagere is like a beautiful floating garden on a tart. It was so pretty that I hesitated in eating it. The vegetables had a nice crunchy bite. Drizzled a bit of the tomato sauce to give it a more tangy flavour.

Slow Roast Dutch Milk-fed Veal Chop 4.2/5

The Slow Roast Dutch Milk-fed Veal Chop is a good change from the usual roasted beef. The pale pinkish meat was extremely tender and succulent.

Oysters 4.8/5

Foie Gras Lollipop 4.2/5

Upon enteringThe Knolls, I could not help noticing the fresh Oysters and Foie Gras Lollipop among the eclectic buffet spread. The Oysters were from the Belon River in  France, a five generations oysters company, Les Huitres Cadoret. There were also free flow foie gras that was popping good, I simply couldn't hold back popping it into my mouth while making my way back to my table.

Dessert 4.5/5

Dessert 4.5/5

Many will know that I am not a big fan for desserts. Surprisingly I had more than I usually eat at The Knolls. The desserts were not only pretty in presentation but they were not overly sweet. I disliked desserts that are too sweet. In short, the dessert creations at The Knolls infused with different floral elements are well balanced, distinctive and most important delicious.

Besides the free flow food, drinks and wine. There will also be musicians going around the restaurant belting out beautiful musics. It was such a relax and happy atmosphere that we even have customers dancing to the rhythm. Sunday can't be any better with great food, drink and music.

Mother's Day Sunday Brunch
Date: 11 May 2014
Price:
$228++ Adult (inclusive of free flow wines and champagne)
$188++ Adult (inclusive of free flow soft beverages and fresh juices)
$118 ++ Children aged 7 to 12 years old
$78++ Children aged 4 to 6 years old


The Knolls
Capella Hotel Singapore
Sentosa Island
1 The Knolls
Singapore 098287
Tel: +65 65915046
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/capellasingapore.sentosa
Website: http://www.capellahotels.com/singapore/default-en.html
Nearest MRT: Harbour Front (CC Line, NE Line)

Direction:
1) Alight at Harbour Front MRT station. Take Exit C or E. Walk to pick up point at exit of Lobby F in Vivocity (near JPot and Nyonya & Baba Restaurants). Wait for the complimentary shuttle bus service. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Harbour Front MRT station. Take Exit C or E. Walk to Vivocity Shopping Mall. Go to Sentosa Express Station at Level 3 of Vivocity. Take Sentosa Express Train to Imbiah station. Alight at Imbiah station. Proceed to Artillery Ave. Walk along Artillery Ave until you came to a road (slope) to Capella Hotel. Turn right onto the road and walk up the slope to destination. Journey time about 25 mins. [Map]