Spruce @ Phoenix Park

American Express Card's (Amex) 30licious promotion (#30liciousAmex) is back again from 3 November 2014 to 2 December 2014. Festive season comes early with the 30 days of delicious deals, paying only $30++ for your set meals at participating restaurants using your American Express Card (Amex). All you need to do is booked online a http://book.hungrygowhere.com/30licious and pay using your Amex card. You will be spoilt of choice with more than 30 over restaurants taking part in this promotion.

After browsing through the list of restaurant participating in the American Express Card's (Amex) 30licious from 3 November 2014 to 2 December 2014, I decided to check out Spruce at Phoenix Park which is nestled among the greenery. The #30liciousAmex dinner menu considers of a House Salad, a choice of Mains with a choice of Drink.

Homemade Lemonade 4.5/5

For the choice of Drink, one can choose to have coffee/tea, soft drink or homemade lemonade. I decided to go for the Homemade Lemonade. It was a refreshing choice of the humid Singapore weather and I like the addition of mint leaves to give in the extra refreshing boost.

House Salad 4.2/5

The House Salad consists of fresh greens, cucumbers, onions, tomato and almonds with a choice of dressing. I opted for the champagne dressing which has a nice tanginess that complemented the freshness. I applauded the used of almonds to give the salad the extra crunch.

Chicken Pullet 4/5

For the #30liciousAmex set menu, one has the choice of mains in the chicken pullet or any pasta dish on the menu. The Chicken Pullet comes with Desiree mashed potato, seasons vegetables and rosemary veloute sauce. The oven roasted chicken has a nice exterior crisp on the skin while the inside was still tender and moist. The rosemary veloute sauce is an excellent pairing for the chicken allowing the natural flavour of the chicken to shine but not over dozed it with richness.

Prawn Pasta 4.8/5

No matter how I looked at it, the green coloured pasta does not in any ways look like a Prawn Pasta dish. Do not be misleaded by the look, this is probably one of the best pasta I ever had. Buried in a delicious spinach and zucchini sauce with chopped sea prawn which explained the greenish colour. This is beautifully finished and topped with grana padano cheese enhancing the whole taste.

Squid Ink Carbonara 4.5/5

I like my pasta to be rich and creamy and the Squid Ink Carbonara definitely hits the spot. Usually squid ink pasta is quite one dimensional but the combination of using squid ink tagilatelie in carbonara sauce and bacon have given it layers after layers of slurping enjoyment.

To enjoy this great #30liciousAmex deal for $30++ set menu, book online and pay with your American Express Cards from 3 November 2014 to 2 December 2014. So do not missed it, make a reservation now at http://book.hungrygowhere.com/30licious.

Baked Ginger Date Pudding Ala Mode 4.2/5

We always say that we have an extra stomach for dessert. How true is it and with the saving from the #30liciousAmex set meal, I would gladly ordered additional desserts to wrap up the delicious dinner on a sweet note. Tried a couple of the desserts on the menu and my favourite was the Baked Ginger Date Pudding Ala Mode ($15). Warm, moist and comes with hints of ginger flavour. This is heavenly paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce.

Double Chocolate Crunch Cake 3.5/5

A delight for chocolate lover is the Double Chocolate Crunch Cake ($12). The different layers of rich goodness will bring a smile to all chocolate fans.

Creme Brulee 4/5

The crackling Creme Brulee ($15) does not have an eggy taste but instead it is infused with the lovely fragrant of pandan. A nice Asian twist to the classic dessert that will suit the local palate.

Both Spruce outlets at Phoenix Park and Bukit Timah Fire Station are taking part in the American Express Card #30liciousAmex promotions. Remember to book via http://book.hungrygowhere.com/30licious to enjoy the delicious deals.


Spruce
Phoenix Park
320 Tanglin Road
Singapore 247980
Tel: +65 68365528
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SprucePhoenixPark
Website: http://www.spruce.com.sg/
Nearest MRT: Redhill (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 1030am - 1030pm
Sat-Sun & PH: 9am - 1030pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Red Hill MRT station. Take Exit A. Cross the road and walk to bus stop opposite Red Hill MRT station (Stop ID 10201). Take bus number 132. Alight 2 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Peony Jade @ Keppel Club

With the numerous Chinese restaurants in Singapore specializing in different types of Chinese cuisines, one such familiar name is Peony Jade who is known for its Szechuan/Cantonese cuisines. Peony Jade currently has two outlets, one at Clark Quay with the other at Keppel Club which is opened to public. At this time of the year, it is the season for the much awaited Hairy Crabs from Yang Cheng Lake in China's Jiangsu province. Peony Jade has created The Gold Rush Hairy Crab Menu available from 14 October to 30 November 2014 to celebrate the return of these delicious crustaceans.

Mister Crab 4/5

Welcoming the return of the delicacy, we started with the Mister Crab ($14.80 for 3pc). The cute crab shape crystal dumpling is filled with prawn and hairy crab meat. Packed inside the thin translucent orange dumpling skin is a delightful marriage of crunchy prawns and buttery crab roe.

Pomegranate Hairy Crab Meat topped with Creamy Golden Roe 3.8/5

Next is the Pomegranate Hairy Crab Meat topped with Creamy Golden Roe ($58). This is a hit and miss for me. In terms of the ingredients and flavours it was top notch that was very pleasing to the palate. This is like discovering a bag of gold with all the luxurious ingredients wrapped in the huge dumpling skin. Unfortunately due to its huge size, I have difficulty figuring how best to consume it. In the end, I am left with the tail end of the dumpling skin which was not very palatable.

Steamed Hairy Crab with Homemade Chinese Rice Wine 3.8/5

The Steamed Hairy Crab with Homemade Chinese Rice Wine ($48) which is cooked in a stone pot is an unique take from the tradition way of preparing the hairy crab. I applauded the idea of having both the Ying and Yang elements in a pot. Hairy crab is known for its Ying element and usually is paired with Chinese yellow wine or ginger tea to balance with the Yang element. In this dish, the Chinese rice wine which is fermented by the Chef himself for more than a month plays the role of the Yang element which is slurping good. Unless you have an iron fist, the challenge will be dissecting this little fellow cooked in a pipping pot of soup.

La Mian Soup Topped with Hairy Crab Meat Garnised with Golden Caviar 4.2/5

Like all Chinese dinner, our last course is a carb dish in the La Mian Soup Topped with Hairy Crab Meat Garnised with Golden Caviar. The full bodied soup with the buttery golden hairy crab roe was simply richness in a bowl. However the intense flavour can be too heavy for some but definitely not me.

Hot Ginger Tea with Glutinous Rice Dumplings 4/5, Mao Shan Wang Durian Mochi 4.8/5

The hairy crab feast is wrapped up on a ginger high with the Boiled Hot Ginger Tea with Glutinous Rice Dumplings ($7). The ginger was really spicy which is good for the body after consuming all the hairy crabs dishes. This ends on a perfect note with the Mao Shan Wang Durian Mochi ($12 for 3pc). I have only known of their Mao Shan Wang mooncake but the mochi with its soft chewy texture stuffed with the creamy and fragrant premium durian paste brought the house down for me.

This seasonal hairy crab promotion at Peony Jade at Keppel Club is available from 14 October to 30 November 2014. Prices start from S$12 for ala carte items, S$88 per person for set menu and S$138 per person for premium set menu.


Peony Jade
Keppel Club
Level M
10 Bukit Chermin Road
Singapore 109918
Tel: +65 62769138
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PeonyJadeRestaurant
Website: http://www.peonyjade.com/
Nearest MRT: Telok Blangah (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 11am - 230pm, 6pm - 1030pm
Sat-Sun: 1030am - 230pm, 6pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Telok Blangah MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk towards Bukit Chermin Road. Turn right into Bukit Chermin Road. Walk along Bukit Chermin Road. Turn right into destination. Journey time about 20 minutes. [Map]