Madame Fan @ The NCO Club - Launches Its Inaugural Lunar New Year Menu

Step into Madame Fan at The NCO Club this Lunar New Year - be invited to an ambiance that will set your celebration apart from the rest. Instead of singing to the oh-so-common, catchy tunes of CNY songs while tucking into your feast, how about a DJ in the house? Conceptualised by acclaimed restaurateur Alan Yau, Madame Fan launches its inaugural Lunar New Year menus this year to celebrate the festive season with you. Designed by Chef Mike Tan, the LNY Set Lunch and Set Dinner menus will be available from 16 January to 19 February 2019.

Prosperity Yu Sheng

Starting off the meal was a healthier version of Prosperity Yu Sheng. By that I meant less of the sugary and vinegary condiments messing with the greens. Chef Mike plays with the colors of different ingredients to attain that desired vibrancy, such as purple cabbage, tomatoes, mandarin orange, green mango, pomelo etc. A special yuzu sauce is concocted as well, which is a lot less sweet, and what I really like is that it doesn't stick and coat the crunchy greens like what a regular plum sauce will do. Other than golden pillows, we also had crispy silver fish and fried fish skin showering our Yu Sheng. It tasted really fresh on our palate, and the plate left our table well polished.

Bird's nest, Crabmeat and Crab Roe with Supreme Stock

The second course is really a dish that pampers your soul - Bird's nest, Crabmeat and Crab Roe with Supreme Stock. The Bird's nest is more for the texture and the nutrition if you believe in it, otherwise, it tastes similar to a shark fin soup. The beansprouts added to the crunch but some of mine were slightly raw.

South Africa Abalone and Tofu

Next up was South Africa Abalone and Tofu with seasonal vegetables. Nothing to fault about the abalone but the humble tofu managed to steal the limelight with its silky texture.

Steamed Red Spot Garoupa

Presented in a traditional flavour is the Steamed Red Spot Garoupa with Hong Kong Pat Chun Premium Soy, ginger and spring onion. The meat was firm under the collagen-rich skin, and I bet many would eye for its head.

Charcoal Grilled Wagyu with Foie Gras

No Pen Cai but what's even better is this Charcoal Grilled Wagyu with Foie Gras. From Kagoshima, the meat was well flavoured with fats, and it was so tender that we needed no knife to portion it. I appreciate that the foie gras was sliced and seared well at all edges for that extra texture and flavour.

Braised King Prawn, Ginger and Spring Onion with Ee Fu Noodle

Capping the feast was Braised King Prawn, Ginger and Spring Onion with Ee Fu Noodle. You may notice that the noodle is actually secondary. The prawn was fresh, evident from the ease of removing the meat from the shell. I would prefer the noodles to be drier though.

Chocolate Cremeux with Mandarin Orange

But what makes this meal memorable is the dessert - Chocolate Cremeux with Mandarin Orange. The 'orange' is made with white chocolate, cream and cheese, embedding a orange sorbet core. Knowing that it was a white chocolate dessert made me skeptical about it at first, as I am really concern about its sweetness, but it proves to be one of the finer artisan desserts I had. The white chocolate cream melted in my mouth effortlessly, leaving a hint of vanilla at times. The orange sorbet and the base syrup imparted most of the sweetness to the dessert, along with a tartness that brought the flavours to a balance. As I savoured deeper into the centre, my tastebuds were surprised by a sweet and airy almond souffle. It wasn't a dedicated dessert chef who crafted this by the way. Yes, we asked.

Festive set lunch menus are priced from $78++ per person for a minimum of two persons. The Set Menu which I had is priced at $238 for parties of 4 and more.

Words and photos 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.


Madame Fan
The NCO Club
32 Beach Road
Singapore 189764
Tel: +65 68181921
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening hours:
Daily: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm

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

Jumbo Seafood @ Ion Orchard - Newest And First Outlet At Singapore's Premium Shopping Belt

Mentioned Jumbo Seafood and one will associates the restaurant with its signature Chilli Crab. The local brand has recently opened its newest and first outlet along Orchard Road at Ion Orchard. The restaurant offers new and exclusive dim sum and live seafood signatures with a panoramic view of the city.

Prosperity Salmon Yu Sheng 

In conjunction with the Lunar New Year, one can order the Prosperity Salmon Yu Sheng ($58/$88) to toss to a year of prosperity and abundance. Guest can also choose to add on sliced abalone for an additional $48. The yu sheng is available from 21 Jan to 19 Feb 2019.

Diners can look forward to new dim sum and high tea delights at the Ion Orchard outlet. It is available from 1130am to 330pm on weekdays, as well as weekends and public holidays from 230pm to 530pm.

Pan Fried Jumbo Chilli Crab Buns 3/5

Baked Jumbo Chilli Crab Puffs 4/5

Another first for Jumbo Seafood is incorporating their signature chilli crab into the dim sum menu, offering bite size portions. The soft and fluffy Pan Fried Jumbo Chilli Crab Buns ($8.80) is stuffed with delicate crab meat in a sweet and spicy chilli crab gravy. The Baked Jumbo Chilli Crab Puffs ($8.80) on the other hand features a flaky and buttery puff pastry.

Chilli Crab Meat Sauce with Sliced Fried Mantou 4/5

For those that does not plan to order the whole chilli crab and yet still want to savour the dish, guest can consider the Chilli Crab Meat Sauce with Sliced Fried Mantou ($16.80). The great thing is it comes with de-shelled crab meat in the sweet and spicy chilli crab gravy. It even comes with fried mantou to fully enjoy the chilli crab gravy.

Geoduck Clam Blanched with Superior Stock 4.5/5

From the dim sum menu, we moved on to the seafood section. We have the Geoduck Clam ($18.80 per 100g). The superior stock is brought to a boil before the sliced geoduck glam is blanched in it. Besides appreciating the sweet and crunchy texture of the geoduck clam, one gets to drink a comforting and flavourful bowl of superior soup.

Crispy Fried Cod Fish with Nonya Sauce 4/5

An exclusive dish at Ion Orchard outlet is the Crispy Fried Cod Fish with Nonya Sauce ($22). The highlight is the nonya sauce that has a tantalising tang which goes very well with the crispy fried cod fish.

Cod Fish Otah in Coconut 4/5

Another cod fish item on the menu is the Cod Fish Otah in Coconut ($16.80). This is the premium version of the local otah using the cod fish. The steaming of the otah in the coconut husk, gives it a hint of fruity flavour on top of the rempah and lemongrass aroma.

Cheese Baked Mentaiko King Prawn 3.5/5

I always feel that progression is always needed in F&B to keep up with the change in palate. The Cheese Baked Mentaiko King Prawn ($16) incorporates both Western and Japanese influences into the traditional seafood offering at Chinese restaurants. While the flavour may come across a bit too rich and intense for me to appreciate the main ingredient, I can understand this may be well received by the younger generations which have a liking for stronger flavours.

Chinese Chives Stir Fried with Minced Garlic 3.5/5

Homemade Beancurd and Mixed Seafood Braised with Abalone Sauce 4.5/5

Besides dim sum and live seafood dishes, Jumbo Seafood also offers homely dishes such as the Chinese Chives Stir Fried with Minced Garlic ($11/$14/$21/$28) and Homemade Beancurd and Mixed Seafood Braised with Abalone Sauce ($14/$18/$27/$36). Chinese chives have been a common greens served in Chinese restaurant in recent times, and it is well received for its clean taste and crunchy texture. As for the homemade beancurd, it is not those silky type but layers of beancurd skins. What I love is the delicious abalone sauce with fermented soy beans that elevated the whole enjoyment.

King Prawns and Fragrant Rice in Rice Seafood Broth 4.5/5

Not to be missed at Jumbo Seafood is their Pao Fan - King Prawns and Fragrant Rice in Rich Seafood Broth ($38). The crispy rice grains is added into the piping hot prawn broth rendered by simmering prawn shells for several hours. Comes with fresh huge king prawns, this is an umami-rich gastronomic treat. The price is also very reasonable. There is even a more lavish version in the Live Boston Lobster and Fragrant Rice in Rich Seafood ($78).

The 160-seater space at Jumbo Seafood Ion Orchard caters to gatherings of small, intimate scales, as well as larger groups and get-togethers. Private dining rooms, with the option of adjoining ones for bigger events, celebrations, and corporate functions, are also available with prior reservation. Probably the first in Singapore, I also noticed the new range of sizing portions for its dishes. It now has extra small portion, a new additional to the usual small, medium and large portion for dishes.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Jumbo Seafood
Ion Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
#04-09/10
Singapore
Tel: +65 67373435
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 330pm, 6pm - 103pm
High Tea (weekend, PH): 230pm - 530pm

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