Showing posts with label Fine Dining. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fine Dining. Show all posts

Friday, August 10, 2012

Fullerton Cafe Boutique

Happened to be at Fullerton hotel few days ago. Enjoy the ambience and lavish interior of this 6 stars hotel. There was also live music at the lobby where the musicians played violin and flute at the 2nd storey.

Will definitely find an opportunity to enjoy hi-tea in this relax lavish settings one of these days. For that day, we will just settle for a takeaway.
Fullerton Hotel


The Fullerton Cafe Boutique staff approached us and recommend us to their signature pastries, highlighting that there is 50% discount for their pastries and sliced cakes after 7pm for takeaways.



Sweet Indulgence in our home sweet home.


Fullerton Cheesecake @$9. Creamy rich cheese cake not too sweet. The refreshing strawberry, blueberry and raspberry entice your palate to have more of the rich cheesecake without getting to jelat. Yummy!


Manjari Chocolate Mousse @$9.  Bright orange cake with a thick layer of chocolate mousse on top. Manjari chocolate refers to chocolate made with beans from Madagascar which is slightly bitter with hints of soft fruit. Nice :)


Fullerton Hotel 
1 Fullerton Square
Singapore 049178
Tel: 67338388

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Chinese Cuisine Fine Dining @TungLok Signatures

Fine dining can be for Chinese Cuisine as well, TungLok Signatures delivers that.  Dishes in Chinese cuisine are to be shared and thus usually comes in bigger portion. To cater for smaller dining group, TungLok offered cuisine by per piece or per portion such that you can still enjoy variety of dishes.

We bought from Groupon $25 worth of TungLok Group dining vouchers at $12.50. Each visit can utilise up to 2 groupons.

Pan-fried French Foie Gras 
Pan-fried French Foie Gras and Beancurd Skin served with Pancake 香煎法国鹅肝素方薄饼 ($14.80 per piece).  The foie gras and beancurd skin are to be wrapped in the pancake, similar to how we eat  peking duck. The foie gras was rich and flavourful.  The slightly charred outside and soft fatty fat within were perfectly complimented with a slice of fresh juicy cucumber and a piece of beancurd skin which give the wrap an extra crisp.  Simply yummy!

Pan-fried Foie Gras
Rating: 4.5/5
Kurobuta Pork
Pan-fried Japanese Kurobuta Pork 香煎鹿儿岛和豚 ($14.80 per piece) 
Although it was a small thin slice of pork, but it was enough to give you the oomphs.  Pan-fried bring out the fat from the marbled fat pork to give it a nice slight burnt taste. The tender kurobuta tasted much richer than normal pork and goes really well with rice. 
Kurobuta Pork
Rating: 4.5/5
Poach Cabbage
Poached Cabbage with Ham 云肘翠玉 ($6 per portion)
Poached cabbage artistically arranged and served with a piece of Chinese ham (金華火腿).  It came with a nice broth as well.

Poach Cabbage
Rating: 3.75/5
Rack of Lamb  
Pan-Fried Rack of Lamb with Special Homemade Sauce  香煎澳洲乳羊 ($10 per portion)
We had very high expectation of the lamb as it looked really good from the picture.  We were kind of disappointed, its not really tender for a sucking lamb mutton and not as flavourful as the thin slice of Kurobuta pork. Neither the homemade sauce nor the fried ring was a saving grace.
Rack of Lamb
Rating: 3.75/5
The total bill was around S$60.  With the 2 groupons, practically we paid S$35 for the meal. Quite a good deal!


TungLok Signatures
VivoCity #01-571 HarbourFront Walk
Singapore 098585
Tel : +65 6376 9555
Opening Hours :
Lunch : 11.30AM – 3.00PM (Mon to Sat)
             11.00AM – 3.30PM (Sun & PHs)
Dinner : 6.00PM – 10.30PM (Daily)

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Romantic Dinner - The Cliff @ The Sentosa

Away from the bustle and hustle of the city, the Cliff restaurant is at a quiet corner of Beaufort Hotel at Sentosa.
Beaufort Hotel

The alfresco dining area is at a balcony platform which overlooks South China Sea, supposed to boast a nice sunset view in the evening while romantic illuminations from the ships during the night. It was cloudy that evening and we only managed to catch a glimpse of sunset skies.  As the dining area is besides a lush forest with tall trees, a large portion of the sea view was kind of being blocked.

Scenery from Restaurant
Nonetheless, still liked the casual yet comfortable settings - long wooden tables and benches with back and comfortable cushions, modern rustic settings with ceiling fans ventilating the area. The relaxing settings at the balcony is very different from the formal impression from the posh impressive passage over water at the entrance.

Dining Area
Table Setting

Contemporary European cuisine is served here. Before the meal start, there were some small sized offerings being served. Understand that these are known as amuse-bouche, French term which literally means "mouth amuser". These are complimentary greetings from good restaurant, aimed at exciting dinners' palette and also to showcase chief's creativity. There were some kind of thick creamy soup in the small cups, small toast with paste-like chopped tuna decorated with some rosemary and a jelly.
Amuse-Bouche

Bread is being served as usual. Had always loved bread from western restaurants and always need to constraint myself not to eat too much. There are a variety of bread offered here, however couldn't really appreciate the few we had selected nor the curry powder that is supposed to go with the bread.


Saw lots of fresh oysters in their glass kitchen when we pass by the entrance.  Decided to get their Tasting of Oyster with 5 different preparations.

  • Umami - dashi pearl, oba granite and seaweed
  • Sour - lapsang souchong vinaigrette and citrus fruits
  • Bitter - Sorrel juice and salted sago
  • Salt - smoked ham and shrimp floss
  • Sweet - Strawberry espuma, coriander and balsamic jelly

Oysters
Rating: 4/5
Each of them was unique in taste.  The bitter and sour preparation were quite nice. Have a bit of reservation for the sweet taste initially, but the strawberry foam combined with coriander actually goes well with the oyster. Had high expectation for the salty preparation but it was quite disappointing as the shrimp floss just seems weird with the oyster.

Main course is Tajima Wagyu Beef @$125. Tajima are black cattle originating from the Hyogo prefecture and was described as one of the highest quality beef in the world.  The chef recommend medium rare for the steak, slightly charred on the outside and very tender and juicy inside. Usually when beef is a bit rare, it can also get slightly chewy. But this medium rare wagyu beef was very moist and tender. For the first time, I enjoyed the fresh meaty taste of the inner beef  more than the strong seared charred taste on the outside.

There were few small pieces of foie gras, soft, creamy texture with rich flavour. But its soft and too small in size that the first few slices just slipped down my throat before I can savour it. The sides were good too, crispy-fired fragrant truffled potato, asparagus, zucchini and carrot.
Tajima Wagyu Beef
Rating: 4.5 / 5
My dining partner ordered a Ibérico Pork @ $62, strip loin, rib roll, apple-sauerkraut purée, potato dumpling and cabbage roll. Black Ibérico pig origin from Iberian Peninsula (Portugal and Spain), usually known as Spanish pig, supposed to be special for its marbled fat like Kobe beef. It wasn't really that amazing but we do like the rib roll. The apple-sauerkraut purée was quite special too. Sauerkraut is pickling process similar to how kimchi are made, the puree is quite refreshing with a tinge of sourness.
Ibérico Pork
Rating: 3.75 / 5

The Cliff Lemon Tart @$20 - textures of lemon, gin and tonic jelly, tonka bean ice cream and yuzu sorbet. The ice cream and yuzu sorbet was nice.  The others was quite new to us - meringue, small tiny gin and tonic jelly with gold pieces - interesting but couldn't really appreciate them especially at such a price.
The Cliff Lemon Tart
Rating: 3.5 / 5

It was very kind of them to offer a complimentary cake for our birthday celebration. We wouldn't have ordered the lemon tart if we had know of the complimentary cake earlier.


There is also complimentary shuttle service from the hotel to HabourFront/Vivo, you can just check the timing at the concierge.

The Cliff at The Sentosa,
A Beaufort Hotel
2 Bukit Manis, Sentosa,
Singapore 099891
Tel: (65) 6371 1425
Opening Hours: 6.30pm – 12.00am (last orders at 10pm)
Reservation Recommended: Yes
Dress Code: Smart Casual

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Sol Tasca @ Fullerton RiverBoat

Bought Sol Tasca's festive set lunch deal from BigDeal at $19+ for our gals' gathering.

Getting to the restaurant at Fullerton Waterboat House was difficult, especially under a hot sun.
It's not at the Fullerton Waterboat house main building, but you need to walk down a flight of stairs hidden by the bushes. Took me some time before I managed to find the way to the restaurant at the Esplanade Bridge that link one Fullerton to raffles place.
Sol Tasca @ Esplanade Bridge

Took a while to cool down on the high seat chair with a glass of ice water and slight river breeze. Believe it will be a much cooling and nicer setting especially with the bridge lights and cooler breeze in the evening or night.
Dining Area
SOL Tasca's festive 4 course set lunch

Cream of Wild Mushroom
The soup was ok, it was a bit salty and the scent of truffle oil was a bit overpowering for me. Could have been better if there are less salt and truffle oil.
Cream of Mushroom
Rating: 3.5/5

Rocket Salad with Smoked Duck Breast, Cherries and Hazelnuts Oil Dressing
Quite nice especially for those who loved the rocket salad.  The duck breast was not dry, quite succulent with the smoked fragrance.
Smoked Duck Breast Rocket Salad
Rating: 3.75/5

Pan-Seared Turkey Breast with Chestnut Stuffing, accompanied with Roasted Garlic Whipped Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables And Cranberry Sauce.
Meat being too dry is always my worry for Turkey, but it turned out to be quite juicy and tender. The cranberry sauce also enhanced the flavor of the turkey. As for chestnut stuffing, the portion is quite small that I can't really recall much about it.
Pan-Seared Turkey Breast with Chestnut Stuffing
Rating: 4/5
Almond Crusted Salmon Supreme
My friend ordered their salmon, which is served with crushed potatoes, vegetables and saffron cream sauce. The salmon is very tender and very fresh and nicely crisped on the outside. The almond and cream sauce was good too.

Almond Crusted Salmon Supreme
Rating: 4/5


Warm Chocolate Almond Pudding with Triple Chocolate Ice Cream
The warm chocolate pudding was topped with some crushed almond and it was like a lava cake with soft, gooey semi-liquid chocolate at the center. The ice cream was quite delightful too, wondering if its movenpick ice cream since they have an ice cream freezer selling movenpick ice cream right outside their restaurant.
Dessert
Rating: 4/5

Quite a kind gesture for them to call in the morning to inform us that the salmon was not available that day as their salmon supply is not delivered in time.  But its quite disappointing that they are not prepared  to provide alternatives to the salmon, especially when the deal menu only have 2 options - turkey or salmon. Luckily their salmon finally managed to arrive in time for our lunch.

Understand that there will be live band performances Wed - Sat, starting from 8pm.  Lighting under the bridge, live Spanish  music and occasional breeze, think it can be quite an alfresco dining experience at night.

More Deal Reviews at http://monsoondeal.blogspot.com/

3 Fullerton Road,
#01-04 The Fullerton Waterboat House
Opening Hours:
Sunday – Thursday: 10.30am – 11pm
Friday – Saturday: 10.30am – 12am (last order at 11.30pm)
http://sol-group.com.sg/soltasca/

Friday, January 27, 2012

3 course Fine Dining @ Parsley & Thyme

Another food deal try-out session, this time it is at a newly opened restaurant Parsley & Thyme, in a shophouse along Kampong Bahru Road.
Cozy modern setting, everything is slick and looks brand new.  The background jazz music and the tealight create a rest & relax ambiance.
Parsley and Thyme
They serve European and Mediterranean-inspired dishes.  Our 3-course set meal @$25 nett include the following

Appetizer - Tartare of Norwegian Salmon on a Salad with Beetroot and Raspberry Dressing
Like the chopped fresh raw salmon with chopped onions tartare topped with nicely roasted tomato. Not the usual combination for salad, it came with pumpkin seeds and beetroot.  Taste quite nice, but it gets a bit too complicated if you combine everything in a mouthful.

Salmon Tartare
Rating: 3.75/5
Main Course - Char-Grilled Hereford Sirloin Steak with Seasonal Vegetables, Potato Gratin and Semi-Dried Tomato/Garlic Butter
It was a very generous portion of beef, much much bigger size then the usual steak offered elsewhere. Really appreciate it especially when this meal is on special discount where other merchants will usually tried to reduce the meal portion to reduce cost.

Like the charred flavour of the outer layer and the pinky, tender and juicy beef within. Its definitely different from those dry chunk of beef served in those budget cafe.


The semi dried tomato and garlic butter really adds the "oomph" to the dish - flavorful garlic butter with a tinge of sourness to balance the oily butter. It came as a beautiful paste-like on top of the beef. But once it start melting and turn to liquid oil, it gets kind of overwhelming and the sense of guilt sink in. A bit "jelat" when I am almost full. Would have ordered a cup of tea to ease the greasiness if I had known early that the Highlanders cafe few shops away was already closed.


Roast potatoes instead of potato Gratin was served.  The potatoes go well with the butter - combination of Carbohydrates and fats is always so yummy. Loved the vegetables that is served with the beef, its flavorfully sauteed/grilled, but a bit oily.
Char-Grilled Hereford Sirloin Steak
Rating: 4/5 


Dessert - Chocolate Fudge Petite Four with Chocolate Mousse and Sour Cherry Coulis
To end the meal with such sweet and heavy dessert is a bit overwhelming for me. Would be able to better appreciate the rich chocolatey Petite and coffee mousse with a cup of tea without sugar. The Sour Cherry Coulis was quite unique, sweet with liquor fragrance on first bites and trace of sourness as you chew further.

Dessert
Rating: 3.5/5

The service was relatively good and prompt given that there is only 3 staffs (1 chef-cum-boss Dennis, 1 sous-chef-cum-waitress and 1 waitress) to serve 12 guests that night.  Our glasses were refilled frequently and the waitress also make the effort to see the guest out after the meal.

For review on deal, refer http://monsoondeal.blogspot.com/2012/01/3-course-fine-dining-menu-at-parsley.html
SAVOUR HAPPINESS! Enjoy 50% off 3-Course Fine Dining Menu at Parsley & Thyme! ONLY $25 nett for Salmon Tartare + Char-grilled Sirloin Steak + Dark Chocolate Fudge Cake with White Chocolate Mousse!


61 Kampong Bahru Road
#01-01 Outram MRT Station
Singapore 169368
Tel : 6226 2801

Opening hours
Monday - Sunday :
12pm to 3pm
6pm to 9.45pm (Last order)
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