Penang Hawkers’ Fare at York Hotel Singapore

The Penang Hawkers’ Fare at York Hotel Singapore is back from 5th to 21st September 2014, ready to satisfy the deepest cravings. Occurring twice yearly, this buffet promotion has consistently been pulling off the best of Penang flavours to Singapore since 1986, and has never lost its appeal.

This September, a new stall joins in the kaleidoscope of Penang specialties, without additional cost, still affordably priced at $25.80++ (weekdays) and $28.80++ (weekends) per adult.


Nasi Lemak served with Nonya Chicken Kapitan

The new Nasi Lemak served with Nonya Chicken Kapitan wins votes with the intensely flavoured Nonya Chicken Kapitan with a spicy kick, and fragrant Nasi Lemak (coconut rice). Continue reading

An Ayurvedic Journey at St. Gregory Spa, PARKROYAL on Beach Road

Begin a healthy journey in the Ayurvedic lifestyle at the St. Gregory Spa –a brand PARKROYAL on Beach Road (together with several other PARKROYAL and Pan Pacific properties) collaborates with. Marking its first anniversary, St. Gregory Spa introduces An Ayurvedic Journey, an age-old healing art of Ayurveda. Continue reading

English Afternoon Tea at L’Espresso of Goodwood Park Hotel

Set within the premises of the iconic Goodwood Park Hotela reputable pioneer in Singapore’s tourism industry with history dating back to 1900L’Espresso has earned a reputation as being synonymous with elegant teatime pursuits.

The English Afternoon Tea buffet is a main attraction at L’Espresso. Available daily, a dazzling host of dainty sandwiches, salads, savouries, pastries, desserts, chocolate fountain and traditional English scones will fill tummies between conversations and tea (or coffee).

Nibble on dainty bites such as Slow-cooked Farm Chicken in Crepe, Roast Beef with Cornichons, Smoked Salmon with Beetroot Mousse and Caviar, Poached Prawn with Pineapple and Avocado Salsa, Brie with Grape on Maple Crostini, Nicoise Tartlet with Tuna Tataki, and Foie Gras Terrine with Coated Pistachios and Cranberry Compote (a top pick).
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Adults-only Cocktail Brunch Buffet at Manhattan of Regent Singapore


Shrimp Cocktail

Kids would need babysitting on Sundays as the sophisticated cliques put on their best and strut their way to ‘Manhattan’ at Regent Singapore for Singapore’s first adults-only cocktail brunch.

(Read my review of Manhattan Bar here: https://melicacy.com/?p=7246)

New York’s venerable tradition of weekend brunches, pervaded with unlimited craft cocktails, beers, wines, and gastronomic pleasures, travels halfway around the world, fitting effortlessly into Singaporeans’ lifestyle.

Diners can indulge from 11.30am all the way till 3.30pm in the elegant and stylish setting of Manhattan, beginning with a breakfast series served shortly after you take your seat. The crisp-edged Silver Dollar Pancakes is exquisitely paired with caramelised apples and drizzled in bourbon maple syrup.

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(Mid-Autumn Festival 2014) Yan Ting of St Regis Singapore

Mooncakes from Yan Ting of St Regis Singapore arrive in style, housed in an artful Chinoiserie-inspired box coloured in elegant shades of turquoise and gold. The packaging can be beautifully transformed into a lantern that one can proudly parade the gardens with on that special evening of Mid-Autumn Festival coupled with tasty treats and Chinese tea.

Mooncakes at Yan Ting are meticulously crafted to meet high demands and expectations of fastidious consumers. Expect premium quality from ingredients like Mao Shan Wang durian, alcohol-spiked chocolate truffle, macadamia, Yunnan ham, black sesame paste, wolfberries, red dates, and chestnut. Continue reading

Duck Specialties by Roast Master Chef Nobuyuki Sato at Shisen Hanten of Mandarin Orchard Singapore

One of the best things that’s happened to Singapore’s dining scene this year is the opening of Shisen Hanten at Mandarin Orchard Singapore. Shisen Hanten (or Akasaka Szechwan Restaurant) is an establishment of great esteem, started in 1958 by the late Chen Kenmin who is regarded as Japan’s “Father of Sichuan Cuisine”.

A bit of history: Born in the Sichuan province of China, Chen Kenichi perfected his craft in Taiwan, Hong Kong and China before settling in Yokohama, Japan. The legacy is passed down to his eldest son, Chen Kenichi, who is one of Japan’s most celebrated iron chefs. To date, there are a total of 14 Shisen Hanten branches in six cities across Japan. Chen Kentaro, son of Chen Kenichi, picked up the tools of the trade through observing his father in the kitchen and learning by experience. He further honed his skills by working in Sichuan restaurants around the Sichuan province in China from 2005 to 2008.

Shisen Hanten at Mandarin Orchard Singapore is its first debut outside of Japan. The extensive menu features innovative and modern Sichuan cuisine, as well as dim sum favourites, seafood and all-time favourites (such as Ma Po Dou Fu, Gong Bao Ji Ding, La Zi Ji and more).

Set lunches are priced at $42++/$50++ per person. Set diners are priced at $68++/$98++/$138++ per person.

This August, Barbecue and Roast Master Chef Nobuyuki Sato presents a special line-up of signature duck specialties, which include the Shisen Hanten Roasted Duck ($16 per portion/$32 for half/$62 for whole), Szechwan Tea-smoked Duck ($16 per portion/$32 for half/$62 for whole), Osmanthus Pipa Duck ($32 for half/$62 for whole), Whole Duck stuffed with Hokkaido Rice and Goose Liver ($78 for whole), and Duo Braised Duck, Local and Hong Kong Styles ($20 feeds 2-3 pax/$30 feeds 4-6 pax/$60 feeds 7-10 pax).

Chef Kentaro travels to Singapore frequently to oversee the restaurant to ensure that quality remains at the high standards they’ve set. So fortunate to be able to meet him in person!


Osmanthus Pi-Pa Duck ($32 for half, $62 for whole)

Shisen Hanten serves Pi-Pa duck at its best. Coated in a sweet savoury glaze, the Osmanthus Pi-Pa Duck is roasted together with osmanthus flowers with aroma that seeps into the meat during the roasting process. The result is tender succulent meat with a floral hint. The accompanying osmanthus sauce may come across as overwhelming to some with its excessive sweetness and overly generous osmanthus specks. The meat itself needs no sauce –it’s perfect on its own.


Cold sliced jellyfish with sweet & sour sauce

While you’re there for the glorious roasted duck, don’t forget to check out the rest of dishes on the menu, which are equally impressive.


Foie Gras Chawanmushi with Crab Roe Soup ($28)

The Foie Gras Chawanmushi with Crab Roe Soup is a must-try. Multiple hidden layers include foie gras at the bottom followed by smooth silky chawanmushi, topped with a thick and chunky crab roe soup. Amazing.


Stewed fish fillet in super-spicy Szechwan pepper sauce ($26/$39/$52)

The stewed fish fillet in super-spicy Szechwan pepper sauce is another dish ubiquitous on any Sichuan restaurant menu. Tender succulent and thick slices of fish are served in a broth laced with spices. Here, the spice level is slightly toned down to cater to the constant stream of Japanese clientele.

Chen’s Mapodoufu “Stir-fried tofu in hot Szechwan pepper-flavour meat sauce served in Claypot ($20/$30/$40) is expertly done. One would usually consume Ma Po Dou Fu with plain rice. Here, rice is served in a stone bowl that’s topped with some vegetables and beansprouts. Chen’s Mapodoufu “Stir-fried tofu in hot Szechwan pepper-flavour meat sauce is poured over the rice and mixed up like a “bibimbap” (Korean mixed rice).

This ingenious way of eating Ma Po Dou Fu is oddly delicious and comforting.


Chen’s original spicy dry noodle ($12)

Another staple on the menu would be Chen’s original spicy dry noodle, tossed in an assertive sauce with bits of well-marinated minced meat.

Shisen Hanten truly impresses, with Sichuan cuisine executed with the finesse of Japanese cooking. Singaporeans are in for a treat.

The Roasted Duck Specialties menu by Master Chef Nobuyuki Sato is available for a limited time only from 12 August 2014 till the end of the month. For reservations, call /6266 or email

(Mid-Autumn Festival 2014) Xin Cuisine Chinese Restaurant at Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium

This Mid-Autumn Festival, Xin Cuisine Chinese Restaurant at the Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium showcases Chef Cheung Kin Nam’s creativity and adept culinary skill. A master of dim sum and pastries, Chef Cheung displays his capabilities in a range of mooncakes. What really impresses is his signature creation Xin’s Special Mini Custard Mooncake, which has been a huge success over the past years.

Worth trying are the fruit-incorporated snowskin mooncakes, such as the Soursop and Chocolate Crunch Snowskin Mooncake and the tangy Passionfruit Paste Snowskin Mooncake. Continue reading

(Mid-Autumn Festival 2014) Jade Restaurant at The Fullerton Hotel Singapore

Lunar New Year is not the only occasion for family reunions. The Fullerton Hotel Singapore has specially designed a 6-course Mid-Autumn Dinner Feast ($88 per person) that encompasses thoughtful elements inspired by Chinese folklores and traditions. (Let’s talk about mooncakes later…)


Shredded Chicken with Preserved Fruit in Honey Mustard Dressing

Kicking off the meal is the appetising starter – the Trio of Mid-Autumn Combination – that includes petite portions of Steamed Sea Prawn Roll with Capsicum and Mushroom, Shredded Chicken with Preserved Fruit in Honey Mustard Dressing, and Tea-smoked Bean Curd Carrot Roll. Continue reading

(Mid-Autumn Festival 2014) Sheraton Towers Singapore’s Li Bai Cantonese Restaurant

Traditionalists are bound to give the mooncakes at Sheraton Towers Singapore their stamps of approval. Bending conventional rules this year, Chef Chung Yiu Ming and his culinary team from Li Bai Cantonese Restaurant have subtly incorporated modern touches to the mooncakes without having lost the traditional appeal. Continue reading

(Mid-Autumn 2014) Man Fu Yuan of InterContinental Singapore

The art of baking mooncakes –each hotel has its own specialty and strong suit that sets it apart from the rest. For Man Fu Yuan of InterContinental Singapore, the baked Shanghai Mooncake is what they excel in.


Shanghai Mooncake with Single Yolk ($57+ for 4 pcs, $31+ for 2 pcs)

Making an impactful debut, the Shanghai Mooncake with Single Yolk wins hearts with its buttery crust that’s notably fragrant and crumbly to the right extend. Because of its size, the perfect ratio of salted egg yolk to lotus seed paste to crust is achieved. This creation by Man Fu Yuan’s acclaimed Dim Sum Chef Simon Poon is a must-try this year. Continue reading

(Mid-Autumn Festival 2014) Mandarin Orchard Singapore

Mandarin Orchard Singapore introduces new exotic flavours this year, such as the Sichuan-inspired Baked Mooncake with 8-Treasure Mala and Jamon Iberico that imparts a balanced sweet, savoury and spicy kick. Also making big debut is the Baked Mooncake with Azuki Red Bean Paste and Pine Nuts.


Baked Mooncake with 8-Treasure Mala Szechuan spice and Jamon Iberico ($65 for 4 pieces)

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National Day Buffet at STREET 50 Restaurant & Bar

With National Day looming around the corner, restaurants and dining outlets geared up to celebrate this nation wide phenomenon. STREET 50 Restaurant & Bar makes no exception to indulge families for a National Day Buffet Promotion. Dining reservations may prove hectic and problematic especially on a public holiday, however patrons can dependably expect a good meal and relax in this decent soft lighted dining atmosphere. Chef Ricky, classically trained in French cuisine and his highly proficient culinary team meticulously prepares the buffet line with flavors from traditional local dishes.

Their signature drink, Ais Serai, is a homemade lemon grass concnction that’s sparkling and refreshing for a humid day on this tropical island.

Tiger Prawns with Warm Ginger Sauce whets the appetites for seafood lovers. Expect to come back for seconds and even thirds of this dish.

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Weekend Stay and Seafood Buffet at Harbour Café of Traders Hotel, Puteri Harbour, Johor, Malaysia

Singapore is just a causeway apart from Malaysia, which explains high figures of Singaporeans travelling into Malaysia –some just for makan (eating) or a day of shopping in Johor Bahru. I myself travel to Johor Bahru frequently, mostly for the enticing food.

In desperate need of a holiday, away from home without having to board a plane, Malaysia makes an ideal destination. Puteri Harbour is a destination in itself. Spend a weekend at this peaceful and tranquil locale booming with restaurants, retail outlets and popular attraction Sanrio Hello Kitty Town (its first outside Japan).

Easily accessible from Singapore’s Tuas and Woodlands checkpoints and only 20 minutes from Senai International Airport, Traders Hotel at Puteri Harbour offers comfort with 283 rooms in total. Continue reading