Element @ Amara Hotel - Blue Tuna Night

When buffets may at times seem unexciting after a while, Element at Amara Singapore set to ignite that anticipation with occasional one-day specials. For regulars who follow closely on Element's news and promotion, they were in for a treat on 20 April 2018 evening, when the Bluefin Tuna Night took place. Diners got to witness the live carving of a 56kg bluefin tuna imported from Okinawa, and enjoy unlimited portions throughout the evening.

For those who prefer to savour this delicacy with sake and taste the beauty of the various parts of the pirzed fish, Bluefin Tuna Kaiseki Set was available with a choice of a glass of sake, beer or wine at SGD68++ per set. The set started off with Mosaic of Freshly Smoked Bluefin Tuna with Caviar. The blanket of smokiness that wraps around the meat adds a very intriguing dimension to the taste and the umami packed caviar gives a balance to the fatty nature of the meat.

The Bluefin Tuna Carpaccio that followed was again tender and delicate, with Japanese Shoyu dressing giving an edge to the flavour as it melts in my mouth.

How the tuna is being presented in various forms amazes me. As the nature of the meat is pretty rich, I appreciate how the chef used the different dressing and sauces to balance and complement it. In the case of Bluefin Tuna with 63 Degrees Poached Egg, given all that creamy and yolky goodness, it could have been rather overwhelming if not for the spicy Jon Jing Zhang Sauce marinating the tuna.

And of course, Bluefin Tuna Sashimi and Sushi will be the simplest yet essential way to appreciate a good piece of fish. The fish was so fresh, even the sweetness of the sushi rice exuded out in every bite.

Rounding up the Kaiseki meal is a soul comforting Bluefin Tuna Belly Soup with Leek and Tofu. The soup was extremely light yet flavourful and the humble looking tuna belly cubes are nothing less satisfying than a beautifully marbled meat that melts readily in your mouth.

For those who had opt for the buffet, besides the endless servings of the exquisite meat, the selection of spread includes cold seafood such as Boston Lobster, Alaskan King Crab Legs, Sashimi & sushi, Hot dishes etc. One of my favourites was the live ramen station!

I heard something is coming up to celebrate Mother's Day hence do keep a lookout for it. International Buffet Dinner with Free-flow Bluefin Tuna Sushi and Sashimi $98++ per adult and $36++ per child (6 – 12 years old).

Photograph and written by Si An. A girl who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food.

Element
Amara Hotel
165 Tanjong Pagar Road
Singapore 088539
Tel: +65 68792555, +65 68792607
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Website
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Breakfast (Daily): 6am - 1030am
Lunch (Mon-Fri, except PH): 12pm - 230pm
Brunch (Sat-Sun, PH): 1130am - 330pm
Dinner (Daily): 630pm - 10pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk towards Gopeng Street and turn into Tras Street. Walk to Amara Hotel. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Kabe no Ana and Men-ichi Ramen @ Jurong Point Shopping Centre - Mentaiko Madness

RE&S, the team who bring you your popular Japanese cuisine concepts such as Ichiban Boshi, Kuisin Bo, Kuriya, celebrates their 30th anniversary with Mentaiko Madness! Men-ichi Japanese Ramen and Kabe No Ana are the two out of its four restaurants concepts that will be running this special promotion.

Hakata Mentaiko Tonkotsu Ramen 3.8/5

From now till 4 June at Men-ichi Japanese Ramen, enjoy a bowl of collagen rich tonkotsu soup with mentaiko served as a whole. The commonly known versions of menatiko dishes often present mentaiko in the form of cream sauce, mayo drizzle etc, it is really the traditional way of serving it that allows one to appreciate the deep umami taste of mentaiko which I have learnt during my trip to Fukuoka. At only $14.90, I thought this Hakata Mentaiko Tonkotsu Ramen is quite decently priced, considering the rest of the regular dishes are priced within the same range.

Mentai Mayo Gyoza 3.8/5

Don't miss out the Mentai Mayo Gyoza ($6.90) - chicken gyoza drizzled with mentai mayo. Though it is back to a mayo form, that deep umami flavour of mentaiko is still quite pronounced.

Mochi Mentaiko Pizza 3/5

Do you know that Kabe no Ana is the creator behind the origina mentaiko spaghetti? And for this occasion, out came another four new mentaiko creations, of which are Mochi Mentaiko Pizza ($16.90) and Mentaiko Gnocchi set ($22.90). What I like about the pizza is the use of toppings that really get your jaw going - Chewy Japanese mochi, squid and succulent prawns.

Mentaiko Gnocchi 3.8/5

The Gnocchi dish really surprises me, given the fact that it is not a true blue Italian place. The pillows of gnocchi are light and fluffy, with a very slight stretchy texture. The mentaiko spinach cream sauce isn't too creamy and the perilla leaves brightens up the dish and gives its flavour a lift with its sharp, minty nuances. A truly enjoyable dish as you get a bit of everything in one spoonful - the pillowy gnocchi coated with mentaiko sauce, the succulent salmon cubes, ikura.

Each set comes with 2 appetisers, Iberico Pork with Tomato Salsa & Rocket Arugla, and Smoked Duck & Grapefruit Salad, as well as a Ume Spakrling Soda, available from now till 2 July. As some of you may find the mentaiko in its original state an acquired taste, these Japanese-Italian creations will be suitable to have with friends and loved ones.

If you are a mentaiko fans, do check out Tokyo Eater Pop-Up Store at Nex or Ichiban Sushi for more Mentaiko Madness. My preference still goes to the ramen as it allows me to savour the entire hunk of mentaiko as such dishes ain't readily available elsewhere.

Photograph and words by Si An. A girl who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food.


Kabe no Ana and Men-ichi Ramen
Jurong Point Shopping Centre
1 Jurong West Central 2
#B1-55
Singapore 648886
Tel: +65 63970435
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Boon Lay (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Boon Lay MRT station. Take Exit C, D, E. Walk to the new wing of the shopping centre. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]