HazelDiary

Hidden within the lush greenery of Labrador Nature Reserve, Asu is a newly opened restaurant offering what they call Progressive Asian Cuisine, helmed by the talented Chef Ace Tan. Situated in the former location of Tamarind Hill Singapore, Asu shares its space with a bar concept and Shan, a modern Chinese restaurant. Read More

Nestled within a charming conservation shophouse along Mohamed Sultan Road, Esora is a one-Michelin-star Japanese kappo restaurant where culinary artistry meets the changing seasons. Led by Chef Takeshi Araki, Esora’s autumn menus are a tribute to seasonal ingredients at their peak, offering a deeply immersive dining experience that honors the Japanese philosophy of kisetsukan—the emotional connection to nature’s transitions. Diners can indulge in a thoughtfully curated 7- or 10-course dinner, priced at S$238++ and S$368++ respectively, or explore the newly introduced 7-course lunch menu at S$178++, available from Thursday to Sunday.

Read more: [SG EATS] A Taste of Autumn at One-Michelin-Star Esora- A Kappo Dining Experience

For a more elevated experience, Esora offers a range of expertly curated beverage pairings. Wine and sake pairings are available for S$78++, while a tea pairing is offered at S$48++. Esora’s General Manager, Shotaro, meticulously sources seasonal beverages from top producers in Japan and around the world, ensuring each drink complements the meal beautifully.

We had the 7-course lunch menu, which began with a complimentary glass of Champagne Les Massales or sparkling tea (depends on your choice).

We started with Esora’s signature foie gras monaka paired with kosui pear from Yamanashi and candied green lemon from Hiroshima. A delightful balance of flavors and textures. The citrus from the green lemon perfectly enhances the richness of foie gras.

A standout dish is the deboned chicken wing stuffed with an array of autumn mushrooms, including maitake, shiitake, kakinokitake, shimeji, and tamogitake. Its crispy golden exterior and succulent filling had us wishing for seconds.

Esora’s Hassun platter, inspired by Japan’s tradition of momijigari (autumn leaf hunting), offers a trio of delicacies: smoked bonito with sesame-topped negi oil, clam with daikon and konowata, and persimmon with white sesame paste and sudachi lime. These small bites perfectly encapsulate the essence of autumn.

The journey continues with cold somen served in a delicate hamaguri consommé, elegantly topped with caviar and lily bulb. The dish is beautifully presented, showcasing a refined and delicate flavor profile.

Next is the chargrilled kinmedai (golden eye snapper), with its skin crisped by rice puffs, evoking the texture of pork crackling. A well-executed dish, it was clean, precise, and delicious.

The highlight of the meal is the Wagyu Donabe. This traditional dish is cooked in a clay pot, featuring slow-braised wagyu with gobo (burdock) in a rich sweet soy sauce, accompanied by young ginger and mibuna. The marinated egg yolk and wasabi-nori add a creamy yet piquant touch, leaving you craving Every grain of rice is perfectly infused with the flavors, making it irresistibly satisfying. Absolutely loving it.

The meal concludes with a light and refreshing dessert of yogurt ice cream served with fresh pear, perfectly balanced and complemented by a soothing cup of tea.

The experience at Esora is a symphony of flavors that not only delights the palate but also fosters a deep connection to nature’s seasonal transitions. Dining here goes beyond just enjoying a meal—it’s a fully immersive journey that transports you into the heart of nature. From the meticulous artistry in each dish to the tranquil atmosphere, Esora offers an unforgettable escape that captures the essence of autumn.

Adding to the experience, diners are gifted the chopsticks used during their meal, a thoughtful, personalized keepsake. The service is warm and heartfelt, making the entire visit truly memorable.

Address: Restaurant Esora
15 Mohamed Sultan Road
Singapore 238964
Opening Hours: Thursday to Saturday 12:00PM to 3:30PM | Wednesday to Sunday 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM (Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
Website: restaurant-esora.com

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Elevate your weekend brunch experience with the Akira Back Brunch Club, a newly introduced social affair that’s redefining the brunch scene in Singapore. Nestled within the luxurious JW Marriott Singapore South Beach, Akira Back invites you to indulge in a curated menu that showcases the best of Japanese and Korean-inspired cuisine. Starting from 13 July, this exclusive brunch is available every Saturday from 12:00 PM

Read more: [SG EATS] Akira Back Brunch Club: A Saturday Affair of Culinary Delights at JW Marriott Singapore South Beach

This Saturday-only affair invites you to indulge the finest ingredients, ensuring a burst of flavor with every bite. The brunch menu also features classic Akira Back favorites, a myriad of hot mains, and delectable desserts. Whether you’re a regular or a first-time visitor, dishes like the signature Tuna Pizza or AB Tacos are sure to leave a lasting impression. The hot mains section offers a myriad of options, each dish carefully prepared to highlight bold flavors and innovative techniques.

The Menu

Sashimi, Nigiri, and Maki Rolls: Start your brunch with an assortment of fresh sashimi, including salmon, sea bream, akami, and Spanish mackerel, alongside nigiri and maki rolls. Miso soup is served as well. Diners can also enjoy the free-flow offerings with optional add-ons of uni and caviar for an extra touch of luxury.

Korean Heritage : Delight in traditional Korean flavors with dishes like mung bean pancake and the refreshing AB kimchi salad.

Hot Mains: The hot mains selection features a variety of dishes to cater to different palates. Indulge in free-flow kanpachi kama, rock shrimp tempura, beef toban, grilled baby chicken, and crispy yangnyum tofu.

Desserts: End your brunch on a sweet note with desserts such as AB Cigar, Apple-y, and Hojicha ice cream. These treats are designed to complement the savory dishes, providing a balanced and satisfying conclusion to your meal.

Be part of this new social affair and elevate your weekend with the Akira Back Brunch Club. Enhance your experience with free-flow wines, sake, beer, mocktails, and champagne available for a top-up fee. Whether you’re a brunch aficionado or looking for a unique dining experience, the Akira Back Brunch Club might just become your go-to Saturday destination.

To explore the full menu and make a reservation, visit Akira Back Brunch Club Menu Details.

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From 15 August to 15 September 2024, Xin Cuisine Chinese Restaurant invites you to embark on an extraordinary culinary journey with its unique Crocodile Gastronomy menu. Under the expert guidance of Chinese Executive Chef Kwan Yiu Kan, this exclusive menu features a range of exquisitely curated crocodile dishes that promise a wholesome and unforgettable dining experience.

Chef Kwan, a fervent advocate of healthy eating, recognized the nutritional benefits of crocodile meat and its rarity in Singapore’s culinary scene. His inspiration has led to the creation of a diverse array of dishes, each incorporating different parts of the crocodile to showcase its versatility and rich flavors.

Read more: [SG EATS] An Extraordinary Feast of Crocodile Gastronomy at Xin Cuisine Chinese Restaurant

The Menu Highlights

Double-boiled Crocodile with Loquat Soup 药膳川贝鳄鱼骨汤 -S$38 per person
Start your meal with the rich and aromatic Double-boiled Crocodile with Loquat Soup. This hearty dish features crocodile meat double-boiled to perfection and infused with loquat soup, known for its lung-nourishing and cough-alleviating properties. The result is a deeply umami taste that delights the senses.

Steamed Crocodile Paw with Sliced Mushroom and Chinese Preserved Ham 金华麒麟鳄鱼掌 – S$88 per portion
Next, experience the nuanced flavors of the Steamed Crocodile Paw with Sliced Mushroom and Chinese Preserved Ham. This dish features perfectly steamed crocodile paw atop sliced mushrooms and Chinese preserved ham, creating a silky and rich aftertaste that excites the palate.

Braised Crocodile Skin in Chef’s Spicy Sauce 川辣鳄鱼皮 -S$38 per portion
For spice lovers, the Braised Crocodile Skin in Chef’s Spicy Sauce is a must-try. Tender crocodile skin is skillfully braised for two hours to achieve a delicate texture that complements the bold and aromatic spicy mala sauce, providing an adventurous kick to your meal.

Braised Crocodile with Roast Pork and Beancurd 火腩豆腐焖鳄鱼肉 -S$42 per portion
Elevate your gastronomic journey with the Braised Crocodile with Roast Pork and Beancurd. This fusion dish features tender crocodile tail meat paired with marinated roast pork and fried beancurd. Enjoy the perfect blend of flavors and textures, best savored when served sizzling hot.

Crocodile meat is not for everyone; its unique slimy and jelly-like texture can be polarizing. However, when expertly combined with marinated roast pork and fried beancurd, it transforms into a delicious and savory dish. Beyond its distinctive taste, crocodile meat is low in fat, rich in collagen, and offers numerous health benefits. It is known to soothe asthma, dissolve phlegm, alleviate coughing, and moisturize the lungs. Additionally, it nourishes the skin, enhances complexion, replenishes vital energy and blood, boosts physical strength, and dispels harmful moisture. Regular consumption of crocodile meat can be a valuable addition to a health-conscious diet.

IHG One Rewards Dining Privileges

IHG One Rewards members dining at Xin Cuisine Chinese Restaurant will enjoy 20% off a la carte orders and earn IHG One Rewards points. This offer is applicable for reservations made through email, phone, or the restaurant’s website only and cannot be combined with other promotions or offers.

For reservations and enquiries:

• WhatsApp: +65 9114 0258
• Phone: +65 3138 2530
• Email: atriumrestaurant.sinhi@ihg.com

Address: Xin Cuisine Restaurant
Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium
Level 4, 317 Outram Road
Singapore 169075
Website: https://singaporeatrium.holidayinn.com/xincuisine-hotel-chinese-restaurant

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Beok.sg is the latest addition to Singapore’s private dining scene, debuting in May with an 8-course culinary journey of home-cooked Korean food. Diners can enjoy live BBQ featuring Duroc pork and Tajima beef grilled over binchotan, an array of pickled vegetables, cold buckwheat noodles hand-pulled in Korea, and much more.

Read more: [SG Food] Beok – Korean Private Home Dining Experience

Beok’s menu is a masterful blend of traditional Korean flavors and modern culinary techniques, thanks to the talented Chef Lisea Aesil. With a background working at some of the celebrity restaurants at Marina Bay Sands for the past six years, Chef Aesil brings her passion and expertise to every dish she creates. The service provided by Jackson Jongkyu Seo and Hoo Tun Kun is marked by warm smiles and generous hospitality.

Our recent dinner showcased their summer menu, featuring a selection of seasonal ingredients and sauces sourced directly from Korea, ensuring an authentic and delightful dining experience. Here is what we had:

가지부각 Eggplant Rice Chip with Perilla Hummus

A delightful starter to kick start the dinner. Crispy rice chips are paired with a smooth and flavorful perilla hummus. perfectly balances texture and flavor.

舍哔 Makgeolli Bread with Burnt Corn Butter

A unique and delicious twist on traditional bread, served in a cute mini size bite. The Makgeolli bread, accompanied by burnt corn butter, was so good that we wished for more.

매실토마토 Macsil Tomato with Jeju Tangerine Ricotta

This dish combines the sweetness of Jeju tangerine with the creamy richness of ricotta.

관자냉채 Scallop Naengchae

Torched Japanese scallop served with Cham-oe and garlic scape, offering a refreshing and tangy flavor.

생선찜 Fish Jjim

Beautifully plated steamed cabbage-wrapped summer fish with bean sprout and sunchoke chips. The sweet and spicy sauce was amazing and made a great combo

동치미냉면 Dongchimi Naengmyeon

A refreshing bowl of hand-pulled buckwheat noodles served with yuja mustard, mulberry leaf tea, and mushrooms. Some might find the noodles’ texture a bit soft to their liking.

숯불 너비아니 Sutbul Neobiani

Hand-chopped Duroc pork served with dried radish and taro stem. The marination was perfectly done, making it incredibly delicious.

숯불 안창살 Sutbul Anchang

MB 7/8 Tajima Wagyu outside skirt with summer vegetables.

누룽지 전복 삼계죽 Jeonbok & Dak Scorched Rice Porridge

A comforting porridge with shredded organic chicken, abalone, Korean glutinous rice, and barley.

오미자 파나코타 Omija Panna Cotta

A refreshing dessert of panna cotta with white peach Gwahaju compote, basil cream, and tuile.

Reservation Details

Beok.sg operates on a pre-booking basis via direct message or WhatsApp. The price for this one-of-a-kind summer experience is S$105 nett per pax for groups of 6-10, or S$115 nett per pax for groups of 4-5. Reservations can be made from Monday to Sunday.

Dining at Beok is more than just enjoying great food; it’s about the entire experience. The intimate setting, meticulous presentation, and heartfelt service all contribute to making it a memorable event. The overall dining experience was exceptional, with Jackson and the team providing warm and attentive service, ensuring every guest felt welcomed and cared for. We’ve already scheduled a return visit to explore the next menu. The pricing is quite reasonable, especially considering the current rate for private dining typically starts at S$150 per person.

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Dining at an award-winning fine dining restaurant is always a treat, especially at a restaurant as renowned as Gunther’s. Since its establishment in 2007, Gunther’s has become synonymous with modern French fine dining, earning numerous accolades and widespread recognition over the years. At the helm is Chef Gunther Hubrechsen, the original creator of iconic dishes such as the Cold Angel Hair Pasta with Oscietra Caviar ©2005, Fine Apple Tart “aux Dragées”, Havana Rum Raisin Ice-Cream, and more. His impressive resume includes working as Sous Chef at the 3 Michelin Star L’Arpège and serving as Head Chef at Les Amis before opening his own establishment.

Read more: SG Food: Gunther’s Incredible Gourmet Set Lunch Starting from S$58++

Dining at high-end restaurants is often associated with a hefty price tag and reserved for special occasions and celebrations. However, Gunther’s is changing the game by offering a luxurious lunch experience at fantastic prices. With their 3-course and 4-course menus starting from just S$58.00++ per person, Gunther’s provides exceptional value for a premium dining experience. Located on Purvis Street, Gunther’s offers the best value-for-money luxury lunch in the Bugis/City Hall area through their Express Lunch and Chef’s Seasonal Lunch Menu.

We opted for the Chef’s Seasonal 3-Course Lunch Menu, which includes 1 starter of your choice, 1 main of your choice, 1 dessert, and petit fours.

Complimentary bread is served before our meal begins.

For appetizer, I had the signature Cold Angel Hair Pasta with Truffle and Caviar, while my friend selected the Gratinated Onion dish. The Cold Angel Hair Pasta with Truffle and Caviar is a light and refreshing dish, featuring delicately thin pasta infused with the rich aroma of truffle oil. The caviar adds a luxurious touch, providing a perfect balance of flavors.

While the Gratinated Onion dish is a savory delight. The dish features tender onions baked to perfection with a rich, golden crust. The dish combines the sweetness of the onions with a creamy, flavorful gratin, resulting in a comforting and indulgent appetizer.

For the main course, I chose the Grilled Half Maine Lobster served with Béarnaise sauce and pomme allumette. The lobster was incredibly fresh, with firm, sweet meat complemented by the rich, tangy sauce.

My friend opted for the tender Roasted Iberico Pork Jowl at Gunther’s. The dish is delicately prepared with a blend of herbs and served with a flavorful raspberry and hibiscus sauce, offering a unique combination of savory and sweet notes. The pork jowl itself is cooked to perfection, tender and juicy, complemented by the vibrant flavors of the sauce.

The Fine Apple Tart “aux Dragées” is a beautifully crafted dessert featuring a delicate, buttery tart filled with sweet, spiced apple compote and topped with crisp, caramelized sugar. It is paired with Havana Rum Raisin Ice-Cream, which adds a rich, creamy, and slightly boozy touch to the dish. The combination of textures and flavors offers a luxurious and satisfying end to your meal.

Lastly, we enjoyed our choice of tea with the Petit Fours, though coffee is also available. Overall, Gunther’s offers a lunch experience that is truly worth the price. It’s an excellent choice for those seeking a top-notch dining experience without breaking the bank. Having been here twice, I can attest that both the food and service continue to be as impressive as I remembered.

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Sri Lanka’s celebrated Ministry of Crab helmed by the renowned Chef Dharshan Munidasa is set to open its doors in Singapore on 3 July 2024 at Dempsey. As the only crab restaurant from Asia to make it into Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, this marks the brand’s sixth international outpost following successful ventures in Bangkok, Shanghai, Chengdu, Maldives, and Mumbai.

Read more: [SG Food] Ministry of Crab Plates Up the Best Sri Lankan Crustaceans at Dempsey Singapore

Ministry of Crab is committed to delivering the freshest Sri Lankan crabs, air-flown live thrice weekly. The restaurant’s ethos, encapsulated in its “Crab Constitution,” promises diners only the freshest wild-caught crabs, never farmed or frozen. The crabs range from the modest 500g ½ Kilo Crab to the impressive Crabzilla, weighing over 2kg.

The menu is a testament to the restaurant’s dedication to quality and flavor. The Signature Garlic Chili Crab, a fusion of Italian olive oil, Japanese soy sauce, and Sri Lankan crabs, promises an explosion of flavor. For those seeking a spicier kick, the MOC Original Recipe Spicy Crab is a must-try, featuring fiery red chilies from Sri Lanka. Other notable dishes include the Black Pepper Dashi Crab and Sri Lankan Curry Crab, each offering unique flavor profiles.

For prawn enthusiasts, the Prawn Chili Prawn is a standout, with other intriguing options like Butter Soy Prawns, Pepper Prawn, and Olive Oil & Soy Prawn. Fans of the famed Crabzilla and Prawnzilla should keep an eye on the restaurant’s social media channels for availability updates.

We had the pleasure of sampling some of Ministry of Crab’s highlighted dishes, each one showcasing the restaurant’s commitment to quality and flavor. We started with the Crab Liver Pâté ( not captured in photo), a luxurious starter likened to caviar. This dish is made from the liver of the crab, and it was incredibly smooth and flavorful.

Next, we had Pure Crab, a dish that truly allows the natural sweetness of the crab to shine. The crab is steamed and then chilled to enhance its flavors, served with sides of warm butter, calamansi ponzu, and chili vinegar for dipping. It’s a must-try for any crab aficionado.

The Garlic Chilli Prawn was a delightful surprise with the fragrance of garlic and the heat of chili bringing out the sweetness of the prawns. Accompanied by the chargrilled Garlic Bread, which was glazed in a moreish garlic butter. The bread was incredibly addictive, especially when dipped in the savory gravy—I couldn’t get enough.

The star of the show was undoubtedly the Signature Garlic Chilli Crab. This dish marries Italian olive oil, Japanese soy sauce, and Sri Lankan crabs, resulting in an explosion of flavor that left us wanting more. To accompany it, we were served Kade Bread, perfect for mopping up the crab gravy, or chargrilled Garlic Bread.

For those who prefer a more traditional preparation, the Crab Chawanmushi provided a delicate and silky steamed egg custard topped with hand-picked crab meat and a drizzle of garlic chili oil glaze. One of our tablemates humorously remarked that the presentation reminded them of chwee kueh.

For dessert, we indulged in the Coconut Crème Brûlée offering a tropical twist on the classic French dessert.

Beyond crabs, the menu includes a variety of seafood dishes like freshwater prawns, clams, oysters, and fish, alongside non-seafood options such as chicken. A perfect starter is the Crab Liver Pâté, akin to caviar, served with Melba toast and a touch of kithul treacle for a sweet and smoky finish.

To complement the exquisite crustacean dishes, Ministry of Crab offers “Fifty Shades of Rosé,” a curated list of 50 rosé wines from France, Italy, Australia, and Spain. Non-drinkers can enjoy non-alcoholic sparkling iced teas like the Copenhagen Sparkling Tea in various organic flavors.

Address: Ministry of Crab

6 Dempsey Road

Singapore 249683

Opening Hours: 6:00PM-11:00PM

(Closed on Tuesdays)

Website: https://www.ministryofcrab.com/

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