Akira Back @ JW Marriott Singapore South Beach - Brown Rice Chirashi Don and Vegetarian Sushi Platter

Celebrate Chinese New Year with a different at Akira Back at JW Marriott Singapore South Beach. For this Chinese New Year, Akira Back has taken a modern approach on the Yu Sheng with a Japanese-Korean touch.

AB Yu Sheng 4.5/5

The AB Yu Sheng at Akira Back turned out to be my favourite yu sheng for the year. The AB Yu Sheng comprises of many Japanese ingredients such as seaweed, yellow picked daikon, shredded fennel and yam. The different textural enjoyment is liven up by the ume plum dressing.

Tuna and Mushroom Pizza 4/5

The Tuna and Mushroom Pizza is probably the thinnest pizza I have eaten. Forming the base is actually a tortilla instead of flatbread. Hence you get a thin and crispiness pizza topped with tuna and mushroom. with umami aioli, micro shiso and truffle oil.

AB Wagyu Tacos 4.2/5

A delightful light bite is the AB Wagyu Tacos with spicy tomato. Interestingly, the usual tortilla shell of a taco is replaced with yam shell. It is like having cracker filled with wagyu stuffing.

Hokkaido Scallop 4.5/5

Love how the chef elevates the appreciation of the sweet Hokkaido Scallop by pairing it with kiwi and truffle yuzu. The combination not only pep up the sweetness of the scallop but the whole dimension of the dish.

White Fish Carpaccio 4.5/5

The White Fish Carpaccio swimming in a shallow pool of Nanbazu sauce and topped with jalapeno demonstrates the culinary influences of Chef Akira. The tangy Japanese vinegar provides the zest while the jalapeno gives it a little heat and crunch. A clean and refreshing dish.

Hamachi Kama 4/5

The Hamachi Kama is baked to a golden brown colour, giving it a nice crispiness on the exterior while the interior remains succulent. It is accompanied with mesclun mix dressing in a ginger balsamic sauce.

Barley Risotto 4.5/5

Interesting there are more requests for vegetarian dishes. With that demand, Akira Back has introduced a few new vegetarian dishes on the menu. One of them is the Barley Risotto. It comes with al dente barley covered in a pool of edamame pea foam, paired with eringi scallop. The barley gives the dish a health and enjoyable textural bite. Even the scallop made from eringi mushroom tasted almost like the real thing.

Sushi & Maki Platter 4.2/5

I needed a second look before noticing that the Sushi & Maki Platter is actually made from a variety of vegetable such as eggplant, cucumber, capsicum, mushroom, avocado, zucchini and brussel sprouts, using Hokkaido Nanatsuboshi rice. Who say vegetarian cannot enjoy Japanese cuisine now?

Chirashi Donburi 4.5/5

Most Chirashi Donburi uses with white Japanese rice but for a healthier option, furikake brown rice is used here. Topped with an assortment of fish, this is a pretty and healthy rice bowl.

AB Egg 4.5/5

Moving to the dessert, we tried the AB Egg which comes in a bird nest. The egg is actually edible and it comprises of vanilla foam, mango passion sphere and jujube ice cream. Break the egg and have a bit of everything together for a harmony of flavours and textures.

Mandarin 4.2/5

In conjunction with the Chinese New Year, Akira Back has introduced some traditional Chinese New Year snack with a modern take such as the pineapple tart and egg roll. The star is the Mandarin, a orange sphere which is made of pineapple compote, caramel sponge and tropical cream. A very tropical and festive dessert indeed.

This is my first time visiting Akira Back and I am really impressed with the modern take of Japanese cuisine. The idea of having vegetarian items on the menu is definitely commendable.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Akira Back
JW Marriott Singapore South Beach
30 Beach Road
Level B1M
Singapore 189763
Tel: +65 68181914
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 1030pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit F. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Exquisite 2018 Lunar New Year Celebrations At The St. Regis Singapore

With less than a week to Chinese New Year, many restaurants have already rolled out their Chinese New Year menus for families and business associates. Same goes to Yan Ting at The St. Regis Singapore which has specially crafted eight decadent dine-in set menus, as well as exclusive a la carte menu of time-honoured classics.

Prosperity Yu Sheng with Norwegian Salmon 4.2/5

In all Chinese New Year celebration, one can't do away with the Lo Hei. Diners can have the Prosperity Yu Sheng with Norwegian Salmon ($78/$118), tossing to a year of prosperity and abundance. Besides the salmon, there are jellyfish, marinated papaya, pomelo, honeydew, snow pear, fried egg noodles and crispy salmon skin. I applauded the addition of fried egg noodles for that extra textures.

Double-boiled Bamboo Fungus Consomme with Cabbage and Mushroom 4/5

A clear and comforting bowl of soup is the Double-boiled Bamboo Fungus Consomme with Cabbage and Mushroom. With all the rich flavoured dishes on the Chinese New Year menu, the soup is perfect in washing down on these richness.

Signature Yan Ting Pun Choy 4.5/5

A luxurious feast on the Chinese New Year is the Signature Yan Ting Pun Choy. The Pun Choy ($488) is good for 6 pax and it is available for takeaway. The Pun Choy takeaway includes a medium Prosperity Yu Sheng with Norwegian Salmon, Fried Glutinous Rice with Preserved Meat and Osmanthus Water Chestnut Cake. In the treasure pot, one can find delicacies such as abalone, sea cucumber, oyster, roasted duck, fish maw, mushroom and more.

Steamed Tiger Grouper with Chinese Olive 4.5/5

Perfectly cooked is the Steamed Tiger Grouper with Chinese Olive. I have tried steamed fish with black garlic but I find the pairing with Chinese olive is a better choice. The tartness of the Chinese olive with a slightly sweet after punch complement the freshness of the grouper excellently.

Flat Egg Noodles with Prawns in XO Sauce 4.5/5

I heard someone at my table commented that the Flat Egg Noodles with Prawns in XO Sauce is the best mee pok noodle he ever had. I could not agree more. The springy texture of the flat egg noodles, coated in the XO sauce with a hint of spiciness, simply brings the hold dish together.

Yam Puree and Crispy Glutinous Rice Cake 4/5

Wrapping up the dinner, we have the Yam Puree with Gingko Nut served in pumpkin. The pumpkin itself is actually baked together with yam puee, so you can actually scrape the flesh off the pumpkin and have it together with the yam puree. The other dessert on the plate is the Crispy Glutinous Rice Cake with Purple Sweet Potato. The chewiness of the rice cake coupled with the sweetness of the purple sweet potato and crispiness of the thin batter for a multi-sensational enjoyment.

Diners can look forward to a luxurious reunion dining experience at Yan Ting from its gourmet set menus from 1 February 2018 to 2 March 2018. For more intimate gatherings, diners can select from four 6-course set menus priced from $128++ per person. Groups of ten guests and above may select from a choice of set menus beginning at $1288++ per table.

Noted: This is an invited tasting.


Yan Ting
St Regis Singapore Hotel
Level 1U
29 Tanglin Road
Singapore 247911
Tel: +65 65066887
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 3pm, 630pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit E. Walk towards Wheelock Place via ION. Exit Wheelock Place and turn left towards Liat Tower. Continue onwards to Forum Shopping Mall. Walk further down to Orchard Parade Hotel. Turn left onto Tanglin Road. St Regis is just beside Tanglin Shopping Centre. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]