http://sparklette.net/food/xin-wang-hong-kong-cafe-fun-menu/ http://sparklette.net/food/xin-wang-hong-kong-cafe-fun-menu/#comments Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:16:27 +0000 Melissa Koh http://sparklette.net/?p=1296
Xin Wang Hong Kong Café at Marina Square

Xin Wang Hong Kong Café has introduced a new menu for a limited period. If you visit any of the Xin Wang restaurants from now until the end of March, you would notice the fun new dishes.

The eye-catching menu boasts colourful visuals and cute illustrations that will whet your appetite before you even start your meal!

All dishes have been given creative Chinese names. For example, the chicken cutlet rice is named 鸡 ‘怕’ 饭 (literally meaning the chicken is afraid of the rice), a play on the original Chinese name 鸡扒饭. These puns will amuse those who are proficient in the Mandarin language.

Beverage

Orange float
S$4.90++

To complement the fun theme, the new orange float is composed of a fizzy orange soda with a playful scattering of sweet mandarin orange slices. A scoop of vanilla ice cream provides the final touch. The fresh and juicy orange slices add a zesty punch that cuts the richness of the ice cream.

Soups

Xin Wang Hong Kong Café now offers 2 soups.

Lotus peanut soup
S$6.90++

The homely lotus peanut soup comprises sliced lotus, peanuts, chicken feet, wolfberry and tender pieces of chicken meat. It is slightly murky with a full-on flavour.

Watercress soup
S$6.90++

The watercress soup is clear yet flavourful, and similarly comes with chicken feet, wolfberry and a generous portion of chicken meat. This healthy soup is light on the palate with a distinctive homely flavour.

Mains

As for the mains, one of which that impresses is the chicken cutlet butter rice.

Chicken cutlet butter rice
S$8.90++

The butter rice is fragrant, soft and moist without being mushy. Though deep fried, the crusty chicken cutlet isn’t overly greasy. You may be surprised that it can be so tender on the inside, while remaining crispy till the very last bite. The scrumptious chicken hardly needs a condiment, but if you need one, it comes with a sweet sauce.

Another new rice dish is the fermented pork with rice (S$8.90) that is dressed with curry gravy. The curry is thick and rich without being too cloying. I even tried pairing the gravy with the chicken cutlet rice and the result is amazing!

Spicy chicken hot pot rice
S$7.90++

If you’re looking for a kick, the spicy chicken hot pot rice will stimulate your taste buds. Served in a claypot, the chicken is evenly cooked and well-coated with a deliciously piquant sauce, commingled with a host of aromatics. Tender squares of deep-fried tofu can be found amidst the chicken chunks, nestled on a bed of rice.

Spicy beef beehoon soup
S$8.90++

The spicy beef beehoon soup includes a generous portion of beef slices and a pair of handmade beef balls. The dark clear broth is robust in flavour. Kissed gently with spices, it is just enough to invigorate the palate without being nose-searing hot.

The sizeable beef balls are so tender and toothsome, I wish we could order them as a separate dish; just the two sure aren’t enough to satisfy a craving! If the dish was available with the option of noodles instead of just rice vermicelli, it would probably appeal to a wider audience.

Seafood tofu with chilli crab sauce
S$11.90++

Notable ingredients in the seafood tofu with chilli crab sauce are the fish fillet, succulent prawns, squid and crabsticks. The large pieces of tofu have a texture similar to tau pok (fried tofu) — dry and chewy, rather than a smooth, melt-in-the-mouth texture. Due to its size, it does not inherit much flavour from the delicious sauce.

The chilli crab sauce, on the other hand, will get you hooked! An egg that is added into the sauce acts as a thickener while providing a smooth, velvety texture that syncs with the luscious sauce.

Friends Platter
S$23.80++

The Friends Platter is good for 2 to 3 to share. The crispy spring rolls with prawn filling are simply mouth-watering. The lightly battered fishballs with a roe filling within is a must-try!

Other components on the platter include jellyfish, abalone slices coated with a sweet dressing and clams topped with fish roe.

Dessert

Mango sago ‘n’ pomelo cream
S$6.20++

For desserts, the mango sago ‘n’ pomelo cream is a nice alternative to the usual carbohydrate-loaded dessert. Diced fresh mango is scattered atop a scoop of vanilla ice cream, sitting on a mango purée base. This portion is good for two to share.

While digging into the dessert, you will find soft and chewy sago balls that are larger than normal, and highly addictive!

If you get a craving late at night, Xin Wang Hong Kong Café is an ideal spot as most outlets open till late. With 16 outlets island-wide, you won’t have to travel far to grab a bite. Do head down and try the fun new menu while it lasts!

Have Your Say!

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What do you think of the new fun menu at Xin Wang Hong Kong Café? Share all your thoughts via Facebook or Twitter or by leaving a comment!

Xin Wang Hong Kong Café
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- Changi Airport Terminal 3 #04-02
- Coronation Shopping Plaza #01-04
- Heartland Mall
- ION Orchard #B2-16
- Marina Square #01-04
- Northpoint Shopping Centre #01-45/46/47/48
- Plaza Singapura #06-08/09/10
- Springvale @ Siglap #01-03A
- Sun Plaza #01-01
- Tiong Bahru Plaza #01-05/06
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- West Coast Plaza #B1-04
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Website

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http://sparklette.net/food/baked-and-eaten-valentines-brownies/ http://sparklette.net/food/baked-and-eaten-valentines-brownies/#comments Sat, 04 Feb 2012 12:17:19 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=1293

I’ve long been a fan of baked.and.eaten brownies after trying them for the first time in 2010. This local bakery was set up by brownie specialist Charmaine Tan. In some ways, Charmaine and I share similar stories. We both graduated from a Singapore university, worked in the corporate world before starting our own businesses. And we both adore cats!

Anyway, I just love how chocolaty and fudgy rich her brownies are. If you aren’t a brownie fan at first (I sure wasn’t), you would be a convert after this.

For Valentine’s Day, the brownies have been lovingly added with cut-out hearts on top. The Brownies Heart are available in the usual two delicious flavours:

• Dark chocolate and cranberry
• Triple chocolate walnut

Brownies Heart
S$28 for a box of 8
Rating:

How cute are these? My favourite is still the cranberry flavour and I’m delighted to see that they have become so pretty for Valentine’s. The walnut ones are also delicious with an added crunch.

Both brownie flavours have already been reviewed previously. So if you’d like to know more and see the packaging, click over to my review of baked.and.eaten brownies.

Valentine brownie
S$16
Rating:

For even more cuteness, grab the Valentine brownie. It is sold individually in a sweet heart-shaped container surrounded with a bright red ribbon. This is actually a double-layered brownie; the main brownie at the bottom is drizzled in chocolate, and crowned with a second layer of heart-shaped brownie!

Look closely and you may even notice the shimmery glitter on the red heart. Edible, of course. It’s just lovely! So if you know someone who’s a chocolate brownie fan, you know what to get him/her for Valentine’s!

Girls and guys, what is your favourite gift on Valentine’s Day? Share all your thoughts via Facebook or Twitter or by leaving a comment!

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]]> 2 http://sparklette.net/food/viva-japan-cafe/ http://sparklette.net/food/viva-japan-cafe/#comments Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:45:31 +0000 Melissa Koh http://sparklette.net/?p=1292

Japanese food lovers will rejoice with the launch of Viva Japan Café in Singapore. An initiative to promote Japanese culture and products to the global public brings the 50-seater temporary café to ION Sky, situated on the 56th floor of ION Orchard.

As the café will only be open until the end of March 2012, this is a good opportunity to explore Japanese culture and indulge in delicious Japanese cuisine in an elegant atmosphere while you take in the breathtaking view.

At the launch, Chef Yasuji Morizumi, a world-renowned ramen chef and owner of Michelin-starred restaurant MINT, demonstrated a ramen dish of bamboo charcoal ramen with roast pork that is absolutely divine.

It is a pity that this ramen dish will not be available on the menu, although the available offerings should please refined palates.

Modern Japanese cuisine from the Hor D’oeuvres set costs S$27.50. Options include:

• Pan seared salmon with herb crust
• Rib-eye Angus with compressed watermelon infused with basil
• Crab croquettes with saffron purée and pork scratching with apple purée sauce

You can also graze on bar food such as:

• White bait with garlic mayonnaise (S$6.50)
• Baby potato skin with crème fraiche, ikura & dill (S$9)
• Prawn & scallop mushroom balls (S$12)
• Pop rocks baby potato & lotus chips (S$8)

For desserts, choux puff with green tea mousse & red bean, pumpkin pie with vanilla & pistachio, blueberry pie and strawberry yuzu tart are available at S$18.90 each.

Check out the online store where Japanese goods will be shipped directly from Japan upon purchase.

Have you been to ION Sky? Will you pay the entry fee to dine at the restaurants there? Share all your thoughts via Facebook or Twitter or by leaving a comment!

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]]> 1 http://sparklette.net/food/jo-takes-the-cake/ http://sparklette.net/food/jo-takes-the-cake/#comments Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:46:20 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=1291 As Valentine’s Day approaches, we’ll be sharing more food reviews related to the special day.

Whether or not you’re romantically inclined, you will want a piece of these sweet cupcakes by home baker Jo Takes the Cake.

Valentine’s Day vanilla cupcakes
S$30 for a box of 9

Just looking at Jo’s cupcakes alone is such a joy. After all, the first bite is taken with the eye right? And they are available at a great price too.

The set of 9 vanilla cupcakes share a common red and white colour scheme, each decorated with a unique Valentine’s Day icon. They’re so pretty I can stare at them all day! Which is your favourite?

I love the attention to detail too. For instance, even the sugar sprinkles are dyed red for Valentine’s Day! Make no mistake: These cupcakes are baked to impress. If you are racking your brains on what to give that someone special this Valentine’s, these cupcakes will definitely make her day.

Valentine’s Day chocolate cupcakes
S$20 for a box of 6

Since guys are less likely to appreciate the girlish hearts and flowers cupcakes, the set of 6 chocolate cupcakes can make a great gift for him. I personally find that this chocolate collection is quite pretty too. Each one is embellished with a red rose, and sprinkled with red sugar.

As a chocolate fan, I simply adore these. The top layer is a very thick coat of sinful rich chocolate. After that first bite, all doctor’s advice is thrown to the wind. Drink loads of water after this okay?

The packaging kind of hides the actual size of the cupcakes, which are in fact quite tall. I can’t say this enough, but the prices of these Valentine’s Day cupcakes are really reasonable. Even if you aren’t buying these for someone, there’s no reason not to get them for yourself. We all deserve a treat every once in a while.

Plus, they come with sweet red polka-dotted ribbons. Love it!

A week’s advance order is required. Self-collection at the Clementi area. To order, send a Facebook message to Jo Takes the Cake.

What’s a great foodie gift for Valentine’s Day? Share all your thoughts via Facebook or Twitter or by leaving a comment!

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]]> 2 http://sparklette.net/food/zaffron-kitchen/ http://sparklette.net/food/zaffron-kitchen/#comments Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:40:37 +0000 Jasper Aston Lim http://sparklette.net/?p=1290

Located in the heart of East Coast Road, the eye-catching Zaffron Kitchen is the latest concept from the group behind Prata Wala and Ottoman Kebah & Grill. Just diagonally across from the 112 Katong mall, finding parking space is a straightforward affair.

It’s easy to be hypnotised by the many happenings as the North Indian head chef and his team cook up a storm in the theatre kitchen setup by the entrance. Just looking at all the food through the glass makes me hungry!

Decked out in a myriad of vibrant colours, the 96-seater restaurant with a semi-alfresco area houses an eclectic mix of furniture — there’s even a London-imported wooden kids’ cottage at the play area — showcasing a cosmopolitan and modern ambiance.

Starters

Papadum (plain or black pepper)
S$4++

The cracker-like papadum is a gratifying and crunchy way to start off the meal. I fancy the black pepper version, which has a slight smoky and spiciness to it. Pairing it with the sweet mango chutney dip really piques your appetite!

Papdi chaat
S$6++

The papdi chaat is a popular street food commonly found in North India. This small fried dough wafer treat — topped with potatoes, sev (vermicelli-like crisps), sweet yoghurt, mint and tamarind sauce — is a mix of sweet and tangy. With the cool yoghurt to blend the flavours together, this appetising dish is another great starter.

Garlic naan
S$3.50++

Prepared a la minute, the naans come out hot and smelling oh-so good! The garlic naan is fragrant and not too oily. You may encounter bits of garlic, but the savoury naan will make the garlic breath worthwhile.

Kashmiri naan
S$6.50++

If you prefer something sweeter, go for the kashmiri naan. With a variety of dates, raisins, green apples and cashew nuts baked into this Indian bread, it can almost pass off as a dessert!

Strawberry lassi
S$5++

The house-made strawberry lassi reminds me of a well-blended, thick strawberry yoghurt drink. Without being overly sweet, this creamy drink is much needed to quell some of the Indian spiciness.

Mains

Dum chicken briyani
S$10++

The South Indian dish of dum chicken briyani is definitely not to be missed. The basmati rice — flavoured with a whole range of spices — is cooked separately from the flavourful chicken thigh and hard-boiled egg, before baked with a thin, crusty dough layer that seals in the flavours.

Just look at the steaming hot, fragrant rice under the brown crust! With such a generous serving of rice, this dish is definitely value for money.

Throw on a little yoghurt and curry, plus the succulent chicken, the different dimensions of flavours will sure get your taste buds dancing.

Tandoori platter (mutton kebab, Murg Pudina, fish tikka, malai tikka and chicken tikka)
S$38++

For those who want to sample a little of everything, the Zaffron tandoori platter is perfect for trying out the different meats and for sharing too!

While the fish tikka does not appeal much to me out of the lot, the malai tikka — chicken cubes marinated with cottage cheese, coriander and yoghurt — immediately leaves me wanting more. It possesses a lighter taste as compared to the other meats and a slightly creamy centre, probably due to the cottage cheese.

Kadhai jhinga
S$14++

The kadhai jhinga, a deeply flavoured dish of sautéed fresh shrimps in an onion tomato masala, reminds me of a chunky sweet curry. Goes extremely well with basmati rice.

Khatti meethi gobi
S$7.50++

To ensure crunch in every bite, the khatti meethi gobi is deep-fried before being stir-fried with other sauces. This light dish of cauliflower, cooked with garam masala, paprika and fenugreek leaves, is good on its own or paired with a naan. I like it best when paired with the sweet kashmiri naan.

Desserts

Moong dal halwa
S$9++

As with the décor of the restaurant, the moong dal halwa is a mix of modern and tradition. The scoop of Ben & Jerry’s vanilla ice cream highlights the subtle bitter-sweet lentils.

Nicely roasted, the soft, buttery lentils — stirred continuously for two to three hours to prevent burning — is rich and has a fine texture. The sprinkles of roasted pistachio also serve to play up the textures.

Besides a selection of lassi, Zaffron Kitchen also offers beers, wines, champagnes, local must-haves such as teh tarik or kopi-o, and even Graffeo gourmet coffee.

Zaffron Kitchen is a cosmopolitan style restaurant featuring a varied mix of North, South and local Indian favourites. With affordable prices and well-executed dishes, it’s no wonder the restaurant is always filled with both locals and expatriates out for a good meal. I will definitely be back for more!

What is your idea of a great Indian meal? Share all your thoughts via Facebook or Twitter or by leaving a comment!

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Prices are moderate, and there is also a nice drinks list to kick the evening up a notch.

The menu rounds up all the usual suspects — pastas, pizzas, steaks and burgers — of a western establishment. Hungry and feeling like pasta, that’s exactly what we go for.

Penne pasta with soft shell crab
S$18.90++

When it comes to pastas, if you’re a soft shell crab fan, this is definitely the place to indulge. The crispy crustacean is served whole with penne pasta and dressed in a zesty tomato sauce.

The crab is ample-sized and large enough to satiate any craving. But remember the Law of Diminishing Returns. The more you eat, the more it seems ordinary. By the last mouthfuls, my taste buds have become a little tired of the sauce.

Seafood spaghetti in tomato sauce
S$19.50++

Continuing in the seafood vein, since we’re dining by the sea, or pool, whatever, the seafood spaghetti in tomato sauce is a good choice. It is crowned with a pair of mussels, tucked with a few calamari rings and a prawn, and finished with a tangy tomato sauce. For the price, you will be expecting more ingredients. This we find somewhat lacking, though I do dig the pasta.

As part of the American Express SELECTS programme, cardholders get a 10% discount on the food bill. If you are dining here before 29 January 2012, you can make payment with your American Express card and have a chance of entering the weekly Volkswagen car giveaway! Just remember to remind the staff about your card privileges. I forgot about the 10% discount, and so did they.

Overall, I’m a big fan of the poolside ambience at Tinge of Blue and love the fact that it is tucked away from the city. Service is as relaxed as the ambience, professional but personable. The next time I’ll be back for the drinks!

Are there any hidden find in Singapore that you would like to share? Share all your thoughts via Facebook or Twitter or by leaving a comment!

Tinge of Blue
SAFRA Mount Faber
2 Telok Blangah Way #01-04
Singapore 098803
Tel: +65 6337 2088 | Website
Service:

Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday: 11am – 10pm
Sunday: 9am – 9pm
Saturday & Sunday brunch till 3pm

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The daily ala carte dinner buffet at Tung Lok Seafood restaurant offers 40 dishes available for repeat orders, including seafood, meats, Japanese cold cuts and sashimi, rice and noodles, and desserts. Each diner also gets a serving of chilli crab and shark’s fin soup.

The price is pretty decent for the quality of the food served and the unlimited orders allowed. As with most Chinese and seafood restaurants, you are charged for the Chinese tea and pickles. If you make payment with your AmEx card before 29 January 2012, there is the extra perk of entering the weekly Volkswagen car giveaway!

Here, I will highlight my personal picks. The drunken prawns is definitely one of the best dishes of the night. The prawns are large and juicy, but the real star of the show is the herbal soup, which is perfectly clear and light in colour but intensely tasty. You would want a repeat order of this.

Also worth a mention is the crispy fish skin with salted egg yolk. It may sound icky, but it makes a delightful snack — like chips!

Smoked duck breast

For appetisers, the smoked duck breast receives votes of approval from my whole family. Served sans embellishments, the sensuously thin slices of duck are flavourful and make an exceedingly satisfying prelude to the meal. They disappear from the plate within minutes!

Salmon sashimi

The availability of a Japanese selection of salmon, sushi, octopus and baked scallops is surprising but much welcomed. The salmon sashimi is fresh and served in generous ample slices.

Crispy prawns with butter and cereal

Amongst the seafood, apart from the aforementioned drunken prawns, you also can’t go wrong with the cereal prawns, covered in a heap of crispy fragrant cereal.

Chilli crab

The chilli crab seen here is the serving for five. Whilst usually sweet and savoury, the sauce in this case is marred by a rather strange tasting sourness. If you’re wondering why, here’s the official reply from Tung Lok:

Our Chilli Crab contains a unique blend of Orange Juice and Tomato sauce!

How interesting! A side of fried buns — one of the 40 buffet items — proves to be the perfect complement.

Sautéed sliced venison with black pepper sauce

My most favourite item from the Tung Lok Seafood ala carte buffet is the sautéed sliced venison, a superlative effort by the chef. Meat lovers just can’t miss this. The dish features tender chunks of venison. Colourful vegetables and a lovely black pepper sauce complete the delicious scenario.

For dessert, you may partake of five choices:

• Herbal jelly served with honey
• Chilled almond beancurd with longan
• Sweetened sesame cream
• Sesame pancake with lotus seed filling
• Ice cream puff

They live up to expectations too!

Even at a very busy evening, the staff are quick to tend to our orders and serve us with a smile. At the Tung Lok Seafood buffet, you expect to eat to your heart’s content… and you will not be disappointed. If you decide to head down, reservations are a must!

Where can we enjoy a decent ala carte buffet in Singapore? Share all your thoughts via Facebook or Twitter or by leaving a comment!

Tung Lok Seafood
Orchard Central
181 Orchard Road #11-05
Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 6834 4888 | Website
Service:

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While I have never actually found a liking for pineapple tarts, my mum is a huge fan. And so, we would have little bottles of it from various sources, usually lovingly made by friends and relatives. According to my mum’s standards, the store-bought ones tend to be not up to par, be it due to the lack of pineapple jam or an overly thick cookie crust.

This Chinese New Year, PrimaDéli Singapore has three types of pineapple tarts available, of which we have tried two. And my mum approves! That is why you’re reading about it here.

Divine pineapple tarts
S$14.80 for a tin (16 pieces)

The Divine pineapple tarts are bite-sized tarts that come in a tin of 16. The pastry skin is thin with a wonderful buttery flavour, encasing an ample amount of moist pineapple pulp. It does taste pretty good even to a non-pineapple fan like me.

Fortune pineapple tarts
S$1.60 each

For an extra cute factor, the Fortune pineapple tarts are made in the shape of pineapples, packed in red drawstring organza bags. Even though these taste pretty much the same as the Divine tarts, I find myself enjoying them more because they look so good. Why, haven’t you heard? The first bite is taken with the eye! These pineapple-shaped tarts are obviously dressed to impress, and will make good gifts.

What are your must-have Chinese New Year goodies? Share with us in the comments!

PrimaDéli ( Halal certified)
Tel: +65 6276 3333 | Website

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]]> 0 http://sparklette.net/food/goodwood-park-chinese-new-year/ http://sparklette.net/food/goodwood-park-chinese-new-year/#comments Mon, 16 Jan 2012 03:00:27 +0000 Melissa Koh http://sparklette.net/?p=1279

This Chinese New Year, the culinary team at Goodwood Park Hotel has put together a whole range of festive delights. For reunion meals, dine-in ala carte and set menus are available at the two Min Jiang restaurants located at the hotel and Rochester Park.

Meticulously crafted cakes and goodies are available at the Deli. If you are looking for a western experience, the festive afternoon tea at L’Espresso is one buffet you must not miss.

Min Jiang

Hamachi yusheng (available for dine-in only)
S$118++ (large)

The signature hamachi (yellowtail) yusheng (raw fish salad) possesses traditional flavours with a touch of unconventional ingredients. To name some, they include flying fish roe, wasabi ebiko (prawn roe), seaweed and French chives, amidst mesclun greens, shredded red and white carrots, Buddha’s hand citron, jellyfish, onions and pomelo.

The pine nuts and sesame seeds provide delightful coarse textures while the house-made taro and sweet potato crisps add an enjoyable crunch.

For additional flavour, drizzle on the chef’s secret sweet sauce with a squeeze of lime. Now you’re all set to toss to a prosperous new year!

Golden Fortune chicken (available for dine-in and takeaway)
S$198 for 6 persons

The visually appealing Golden Fortune chicken makes a memorable show-stopper of a dish. It symbolises an abundance of wealth, and is accompanied by 8 gold-wrapped hard-boiled eggs. Get into some hammering action and watch the chicken-shaped salt crust slowly crack to reveal the lotus leaves-wrapped filling.

The delectable ingredients include chicken, whole Australian abalone, dried scallops, black moss, flower mushrooms and dang gui. These are oven-baked for 4 hours, sealing in the rich flavours. The result is chicken meat that is flavoursome and moist throughout; even the leanest parts are melt-in-your-mouth tender!

Stewed pork belly roll with Sichuan pickle sauce (available for dine-in and takeaway)
S$218 for 6 persons

With a minimum of 6 hours’ cooking required, the stewed pork belly roll is clearly a labour of love. An ample slice of pork belly is hand-rolled and braised with garlic and chilli for 5 hours. The ensuing rich stock and pork belly roll are then removed and stewed with Sichuan pickled vegetables and chillies for an additional hour, forming a remarkably robust and intensely flavourful pickle sauce base.

Notable co-stars in this pot of deliciousness are premium Australian abalones, dried oysters, black moss and Tientsin cabbage.

If you prefer to dine in the comfort of your own home, a 6-course Festive Treasures takeaway set menu that includes ikan parang yusheng, Prosperity Sea Treasures in Wooden Pot (poon choy) and dessert is available for take-out at both Min Jiang restaurants. (S$468 for 6 persons)

English Afternoon Tea Buffet

For rebels seeking an alternative to the traditional Chinese fares, try the English afternoon tea buffet at L’Espresso.

English afternoon tea buffet
S$58++ per adult / S$29++ per child

Available from 21-24 January 2012
12noon – 2:30pm, 3pm – 5:30pm

The usual Chinese New Year treats are done up with surprising western twists. We’re talking yusheng with smoked salmon, quail eggs coated with pork floss, nian gao beignet and bak kwa finger sandwiches.

Nian gao beignet
S$8.90++

The nian gao beignet in particular will leave you wanting more; these bite-sized pieces of the sticky cake are wrapped in savoury crispy spring roll skin and deep fried whilst maintaining a soft, sweet interior.

Chinese New Year Goodies at The Deli

Traditional New Year cookies and chips are available at The Deli, with all-time favourite snacks such as cashew nut cookies, almond cookies, chiku chips and yam chips. (S$18.80 to S$20.80 for a jar)

A Chinese New Year must-have, bak kwa is sold in small neat slices. (S$48 for 600g, S$72 for 1kg)

Macadamia and kumquat tart (available for takeaway at the Deli)
S$$48 for 1kg

The macadamia and kumquat tart is one unique creation you will remember. It is filled with crunchy nuts and refreshing kumquat, and adorned with almond flakes, whole macadamia nuts and marzipan firecrackers. The centrepiece is the auspicious Chinese character for prosperity that will add much colour to your festive celebration.

Fortune mandarin orange pound cake
S$72 for 1kg

Just as eye-catching is the Fortune mandarin orange pound cake, shaped like a giant mahjong tile with the Chinese word for fortune. Lightly perfumed with citrus scents and encased in icing that isn’t cloyingly sweet, this eye-catching dessert will make a perfect gift for mahjong players!

Duo of Prosperity Fish (available for takeaway at the Deli)
S$98 for 10 persons

Another highlight would be the Duo of Prosperity Fish, consisting of a mango with pomelo and sago pudding and durian pudding. Durian fans can opt for both fish-shaped puddings to be of durian flavour for the price of S$108.

Available from 9 January to 6 February 2012. All takeaway items require an advance order of one working day.

Where would you be dining this festive season? Share with us in the comments!

Goodwood Park Hotel

Min Jiang at One-North

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]]> 2 http://sparklette.net/food/ya-kun-kaya-cookies/ http://sparklette.net/food/ya-kun-kaya-cookies/#comments Thu, 12 Jan 2012 07:29:54 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=1276 Singapore coffee chain Ya Kun has a long history — since 1944 — of serving up delicious kaya toast. But did you know they also sell cookies made with their famed coconut jam?

The cookies are available all year round. And just for Chinese New Year, they have been specially packaged in tins. So if you know anyone who’s a big fan of the Ya Kun kaya, these kaya cookies would make great gifts.

Kaya cookies
S$16.80 for a tin / S$30.20 for 2

The kaya cookies are available in two flavours:

• Kaya butter
• Kaya pistachio

Personally I prefer the butter cookies to the pistachio version, as the butter cookies are lighter and crumble easily in the mouth while the pistachio cookies are quite hard to bite on. Just don’t expect a full-on kaya flavour, as I find the taste of kaya rather subtle.

Butter cookies this good will disappear quickly! Be sure to get a tin for yourself before they fly off the shelves completely.

With a minimum S$8 purchase in a single receipt, you would receive a set of Ya Kun edition red packets. Great for red packet collectors!

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]]> 2 http://sparklette.net/food/hilton-chinese-new-year/ http://sparklette.net/food/hilton-chinese-new-year/#comments Wed, 11 Jan 2012 03:00:24 +0000 Melissa Koh http://sparklette.net/?p=1274 Feeling prosperous? Today, we will show you the priciest yusheng we have found in Singapore this Chinese New Year, as well as check out the luxurious multi-course reunion menus at Hilton Singapore.

Yusheng

To celebrate the start of a lunar new year and the Year of the Dragon, Chinese families get together and feast. Many restaurants have pulled out all the stops to lure diners with attractive festive menus. Just for yusheng (raw fish salad) alone, the list of ingredients has grown longer and the prices have gone higher.

Hilton Fortune Treasure Yusheng
S$688++

Usher in the return of spring with the auspicious Hilton Fortune Treasure Yusheng. At the centrepiece is the eye-catching Chinese character for “win” (赢), created with a colourful arrangement of shredded cucumber, radish and carrot.

Crunchy golden pillow crackers frame the border, followed by a lavish spread of ingredients.

The premium ingredients include top-grade bird’s nest, ocean scallops, abalone, fresh lobster, tuna and salmon topped with luxurious gold leaves, black truffle and the highest grade of Korean ginseng.

However unconventional it is, the novel incorporation of black truffle deserves thumbs up, while the addition of bird’s nest will get the ladies digging for treasure after the lo hei.

Tender pieces of scallops and fresh lobster will be very much sought after too amongst the yummy mess.

What an incredible way to toss to a prosperous new year! And with a price tag of S$688, you would want to toss this yusheng carefully.

Reunion lunch and dinner

Reunion menus are available from 16 January to 6 February 2012, with two lunch and two dinner menus ranging from $498++ to $818++ for a table of 10 persons. These 7 to 8-course menus — Fortune Lunch, Prosperity Lunch, Auspicious Dinner and Harmony Dinner — will typically consist of:

• Yusheng
• Shark’s fin soup
• Prawns or lobster
• Fish
• Chicken (for the 8-course meal)
• Braising stew
• Fried rice or noodles
• Dessert

Braised shark’s fin soup with scallop, crab meat and bamboo pith

Each bowl of braised shark’s fin soup is generously piled with eminent pieces of shark’s fin, scallop, crab meat and bamboo pith.

Fried prawns coated with creamy sweet corn

The large fried prawns are presented with their shells still intact, coated with a creamy sweet corn sauce.

Although the flesh does not fall off the shell easily, the shells are fried to a nice consumable crisp that you cannot resist gnawing on.

This dish is available on the 8-course Auspicious Dinner Menu (S$688++ for a table of 10).

Oven baked halibut in honey barbecue sauce

The oven baked halibut in honey barbecue sauce is available on the Fortune Lunch Menu and Harmony Dinner Menu. Despite being slightly charred and tough on the outside, it is more than meets the eye.

Doused in a delicious sauce, the fish is skilfully cooked to a crisp exterior while retaining its inner moisture and tenderness.

Braised sliced abalone with dried oyster, black moss and garden greens

With sliced abalone swimming in a flavoursome broth, complete with dried oyster, black moss and garden greens, you have no reason not to go for seconds. The sizeable plump oysters are simmered to a perfect tender texture.

Fried rice with Chinese sausage, fish roe and diced mushrooms in lotus leaf

Nestled in a lotus leaf, the fragrant fried rice is well infused with a gamut of flavours, with Chinese sausage, diced mushroom and fish roe interspersed throughout the rice.

This dish is available in both lunch menus.

Golden pumpkin mousse cake
S$88 for 1kg

Shaped like the fruit itself, the innovative golden pumpkin mousse cake will be the talk of any gathering with its captivating design. Hidden within the dessert are layers of raspberry jelly and healthy pumpkin mousse sitting on a brownie base. You will find crunchy bits of praline in each mouthful of fragrant pumpkin mousse.

Prosperity pineapple tart
S$58 for 1kg

The Prosperity pineapple tart from Checkers Deli is a modern twist of the conventional Chinese New Year treat. It comes in a form of a traditional tart base filled with generous spread of house-made pineapple filling and lime jelly, topped with crisply baked meringue. It is finally capped with a disc of white chocolate that is shaped to resemble a gold coin, adorned with a white chocolate fortune carp and sugary mandarin oranges.

This sweet and sour combination will make a great gift to spread the fortune. A mini version is available as well. Just adorable!

Available from 9 January to 6 February at the Checkers Deli, lobby level of the Hilton Singapore.

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]]> 5 http://sparklette.net/food/metrocakes-chinese-new-year-cupcakes/ http://sparklette.net/food/metrocakes-chinese-new-year-cupcakes/#comments Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:30:35 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=1275 I have a confession to make: I’m addicted to MetroCakes cupcakes. Each time the bakery launches a new festive collection, I will be bouncing in my seat with excitement as I eagerly click over to their website. Just check out what they have done this Chinese New Year. Can you resist such cuteness?

Spring Blossoms
S$49.90 for 9 / S$68.90 for 16
Rating:

This being the Year of the Dragon, the centrepiece of these beautiful cupcakes is a red fiery dragon.

Red the Dragon comes complete with black beady eyes and fearsome white scales down his back. Doesn’t he look like he’s filled with awesomeness? Well, just wait ’til he meets… The Cat!

Not so tough now, are we? Snowy the Cat eyes Red the Dragon suspiciously. ‘Sup?

Last Lunar New Year, MetroCakes had cupcakes with mandarin oranges, fire crackers, red packets, gold coins and rabbits. I’m thrilled that the mini mandarin oranges have made a return. They’re adorable and such a staple at this time of the year.

Because these cute decorations look too good to eat, I painted clear nail varnish over the oranges and placed them on my car dashboard for the whole of last Chinese New Year. This time round, I am planning to do the same with Red the Dragon.

The cupcakes featuring pink spring blossoms are linked together at the branches, which I find an interesting touch.

Apart from looking lovely, the cupcakes taste delicious too. They are in green tea flavour. Upon opening the cake box, the sweetest scent wafts into your nose. The fondant layer in such 3D cakes tends to be very sweet, but in this case, the green tea cake actually tastes divine with the fondant.

If you like, you can try pairing the cupcakes with scented tea. Allerines Tea would be just perfect for a quaint afternoon tea and cupcake session. The good news is that MetroCakes has a number of Allerines teas available as add-ons. That means that you can place your order online, and have all the cupcakes and tea delivered right to your doorstep conveniently.

Enjoy!

What are the most amazing cakes you have ever eaten? Share with us in the comments!

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]]> 6 http://sparklette.net/food/peach-blossoms-restaurant-marina-mandarin/ http://sparklette.net/food/peach-blossoms-restaurant-marina-mandarin/#comments Thu, 05 Jan 2012 03:00:47 +0000 Jasper Aston Lim http://sparklette.net/?p=1270 To usher in the Year of the Dragon in 2012, Peach Blossoms restaurant at Marina Mandarin Singapore has reopened its doors after a S$1 million makeover. With a new chef at helm and a brand new menu, the restaurant is all set to win over fans with its signature Cantonese cuisine featuring modern twists.

Chinese New Year menu

Besides a specially created Chinese New Year menu to welcome the start of a brand new lunar year, the newly renovated Peach Blossoms also boasts an expanded seating capacity and major facelifts for both private and main dining rooms.

Char-grilled Wagyu beef yusheng
S$68++ for 4-6 persons / S$118++ for 10 persons

It’s a chancy move to do without the usual sweet and sour flavours of fresh salmon slices and plum sauce, but Peach Blossoms’ bold combination of charcoal-grilled beef slices with Hong Kong-style sesame dressing in the Wagyu beef yusheng creation fares well.

The Hong Kong-style sesame dressing enhances the dish without being over powering. Its creamy texture blends well with the crunchy refreshing mix of select greens and succulent beef slices, making this an appetising yusheng dish. For diners who do not take beef, you can certainly opt for the standard salmon option, as well as vegetarian or fruity alternatives.

To prevent our hands from getting caught in the mess during the tossing of yusheng, a pair of extra-long chopsticks is provided. I like that everyone also gets an additional pair of serving chopsticks to get food from the dishes. A very thoughtful gesture in terms of Chinese dining etiquette.

Double-boiled chicken broth with gingko nuts and cordycep flower
S$35++

While I enjoy the double-boiled chicken broth, which is light and not overly rich with herbs, the chicken turns out to be a tad tough for my liking. Still, it serves as a nice soup to cleanse your palate and warm your stomach for more festive feasting.

Baked lobster with sliced garlic and white truffle oil
Available in the S$1,488++ Harmonious set menu for 10 persons

In this Year of the Dragon, lobster — a clever play on its Chinese name (‘long’) using homophonic puns — has also been incorporated into the various festive set menu. The baked lobster is both juicy and lavish. Its firm, sweet meat is easily removable from the half-shell for enjoyment. I personally fancy the modern touch of fragrant white truffle oil, which enhances the freshness of the lobster.

Abalone Treasures Pot
S$248++ for 4-6 persons / S$398++ for 10 persons

Originating from Hong Kong, the Abalone Treasures Pot is a treasure trove of ingredients! A symbol of family reunion and auspiciousness, the dish includes 10-head quality whole abalones, fish maw, quails, sea cucumber, dried scallops, marinated soya chicken, roast duck, roast pork, deep-fried live prawns, flower mushrooms, black moss, abalone mushrooms, radish, lotus root, baby corns, pig’s tongue and fried bean curd skin.

Of all the ingredients, I especially enjoy the crunchy crisp skin — not an easy feat considering the amount of gravy — of the roast pork. The pig’s tongue proves interesting and has a surprisingly delightful texture. Each ingredient retrains its own distinctive flavour while covered in gravy.

Steamed marble goby with fragrant and raw minced garlic
Available both a la carte and in set menus (from S$388++ for 4 persons)

The marble goby flesh is sweet and extremely fresh. While there may have been too much garlic for my liking, a bit of the raw garlic helps to cleanse the palate, in preparation for desserts.

Desserts

Water chestnut cake with osmanthus

Red date cake with coconut milk

S$28.80++ for a whole cake

With a cool, floral taste, the water chestnut cake with osmanthus makes a light dessert with an interesting texture, with juicy bits of water chestnuts. The chewy red date cake with coconut milk has a richer flavour, in comparison, with a hint of coconut milk aroma.

Made in whole round cakes, the nian gao are designed to resemble Chinese auspicious coins, making suitable gifts during for house visiting.

Chilled purée of mango, sago and pomelo with lime sorbet
S$14++

The mango purée dessert is presented beautifully with artfully placed leaves and dry ice beneath, creating a special smoky effect. The dessert itself though, while executed well, does not stand out from the usual mango sago desserts available in other Chinese restaurants.

Chilled purée of avocado with chocolate ice cream
S$14++

Presented in the same manner, the avocado purée dessert is a pretty sight. Topped with a sinful scoop of chocolate ice cream, it teams well with a rich, creamy avocado purée, ending the meal on a great note.

The Peach Blossoms Chinese New Year menu, including orders for takeaway, is available from 16 January to 6 February 2012.

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What is your favourite tea flavour? Share with us in the comments!

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With most dishes priced above S$30, budget at least S$40-50 a person. And if you pick any of the shark’s fin or abalone dishes, be prepared to reach deeper into your pocket. As part of the American Express SELECTS programme, cardholders get a 10% discount with the minimum spending of S$200. On top of that, if you make payment with your AmEx card before 29 January 2012, you may also qualify for the weekly Volkswagen car giveaway.

And so, on to the food…

Rice

As with all Chinese meals, rice is a staple.

Baked fried rice with seafood served on lotus leaf
S$22++

If you have to pick just one rice dish from the menu, definitely go for the baked fried rice with seafood. Presented on lotus leaf, the rice is chock-full of delicious ingredients like prawns, egg and other assorted seafood. Even when eaten by itself, the rice is robust with flavour and very satisfying.

Poached crispy rice with fresh crab meat in superior broth
S$32++

The poached crispy rice is one that looks really tantalising on paper. In fact, you would find two types of rice in it — crispy rice and regular white rice — soaked in a claypot of broth with crab meat. You get to see the waitress pour the crispy rice into the broth before serving it in individual bowls.

As it turns out, the dish is disappointingly dull and nondescript in comparison to its counterpart.

Seafood

Deep-fried cod fillet coated with salted egg yolk served with organic vegetables
S$32++

From the fish section, the deep-fried cod fillet is a safe bet. The cod is of good quality — tender white flesh sequestered beneath the perfectly browned and crispy salted egg yolk coating. Paired with organic vegetables and tangy fruit cubes, this dish is a delight to savour without the need for any additional dip or sauce.

Sautéed scallops topped with crab meat and roe
S$44++

The sautéed scallops don’t fare as well. Topped with crab meat and roe, the dish is lacklustre and eminently forgettable.

Poultry

Beijing-style crispy duck
S$32++

The Beijing-style crispy duck initially stumps us by arriving in pulled shreds rather than the usual slices with roasted skin a la Peking duck. All is well though, as it is undoubtedly the best dish of the night.

Eating this can be a rather fun activity in its own right. There’s just… something about eating with your fingers that makes the food that much more enjoyable. You wrap in a wafer thin pancake the duck meat, shreds of scallion and cucumber sticks. Don’t forget the superb sweet bean paste — oh I can’t get enough of that; it’s the catalyst that propels this dish out of the realm of the ordinary.

Despite offering the “best of” items from various restaurants, I do notice that some popular items, such as the intriguing coffee pork ribs from Zhou’s Kitchen aren’t on the menu here.

Desserts

The desserts section offers some wondrous possibilities at very reasonable prices. Here are some of our picks.

Chilled durian purée with purple rice purée served with ice cream in young coconut
S$10++

Durian lovers would have the easy choice of the chilled durian purée, paired with purple rice purée and ice cream in a young coconut. You get a sizable amount of durian in this that should be enough to temper any craving.

Chilled mango cream with pomelo, diced mango and sago served with ice cream in young coconut
S$8++

Another dessert that is equally up to the mark is the chilled mango cream with pomelo, diced mango and sago which is similarly served with ice cream in a small coconut.

Chilled taro pumpkin (off the menu)
S$6++

From off the menu, the excellent chilled taro pumpkin is the chef’s special for the day. With ice cream, pumpkin mousse and yam paste in a gorgeous shade, this is one triple-layered treat for both the eye and the palate. The pumpkin mousse in particular beguiles the taste buds with its feathery richness.

Service can be a bit on the tentative side, especially the waitresses who seem particularly befuddled with the available credit card privileges. There are some hits and misses with the meal, but for the most part, the kitchen hits the ground running.

What is your favourite restaurant under the Tung Lok Group? Share with us in the comments!

Tung Lok Signatures VivoCity

VivoCity
1 HarbourFront Walk #01-57
Singapore 098585
Tel: +65 6376 9555
Service:

Tung Lok Signatures The Central (Clarke Quay)

Tung Lok Signatures Changi

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Right after the trend of bubble tea, milkshakes are looking to be the next beverage craze to sweep the nation. I have always had a thing for milkshakes, but choices are but a handful, and flavours often common. That is, until MakeShake‘s arrival.

Hot on the heels of other designer sweet treats, the vivid and colourful MakeShake is a Singapore start-up that draws customers with fully customisable milkshakes.

House-created reduced-sugar vanilla ice cream is used, so you can be sure that the resulting milkshake is thick, yet will not drown out the flavours of your selected ingredients.

With the smorgasbord of ingredients — affectionately termed as “shake-ins” — ranging from lychees to gummy bears and Hello Panda biscuits, the possibilities are almost intimidating!

The MakeShake milkshakes are available in two sizes:

• Small (S$3.70), includes 1 shake-in. Option for an additional shake-in (S$0.70)
• Large (S$5.20), includes 2 shake-ins. Option to add up to 4 shake-ins

There’s definitely something for everyone, including the most hardcore sweet tooths or those looking for a light fruity option. The friendly staff are quick to offer suggestions if you find it difficult to make a choice. Alternatively, you can pick from the best-selling combinations (S$3.90/small and S$5.40/large) or the “Flavour of the Moment”.

Peanut butter + Famous Amos cookies
S$4.40

Peanut butter sandwich
S$3.90

If you like your milkshakes thick, go for choices like peanut butter or Nutella. Peanut butter naturally thickens up a milkshake, explains co-founder Daphne Ng. Mixing it with Famous Amos cookies automatically gives it a fragrant touch, similar to that of freshly baked cookies from the oven.

Consisting of peanut butter, banana and dark chocolate fudge, the delicious peanut butter sandwich reminds me of home-made peanut butter and banana sandwiches. While the dark chocolate fudge adds a slight tinge of flavour, it does not really enhance the flavour by much.

Earl Grey tea + Werther’s Original butterscotch milkshake
S$4.40

With the distinctive flavour and aroma of Earl Grey tea, the milkshake transforms into a more sinful version of a tea-based ice-blended beverage. If you like something lighter, choose tea as one of your shake-ins.

The Werther’s Original candy, true to the sweet itself, lends a sweet caramel taste. Definitely something I look forward to trying again.

With a cheeky slogans, cute graphics and a wide variety of ingredients to play around with, MakeShake sures makes milkshakes fun and individual. It’s no wonder many go back to create new concoctions.

Where can you enjoy the best milkshakes in Singapore? Share with us in the comments!

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Frosty the Snowman cake with Snowy the Ragdoll cat

Frosty is presented on a bed of white frosting sprinkled with colourful stars. He is so undeniably cute, it took us a long time before we finally mustered the will to sink a knife in him (I know!).

Frosty Snowman (1kg)
S$50

Underneath the fluffy white icing, Frosty is a blackforest cake at heart. He is filled with sweet dark cherries, and layers of airy chocolate sponge and chocolate cream. Overall, the cake is delicious, neither too sweet nor heavy on the palate. A real treat for the family at Christmas!

Last day of order is December 21, 2011.

Where would you be dining this festive season? Share with us in the comments!

PrimaDéli ( Halal certified)
Tel: +65 6276 3333 | Website

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]]> 4 http://sparklette.net/food/jia-wei-chinese-restaurant-christmas/ http://sparklette.net/food/jia-wei-chinese-restaurant-christmas/#comments Wed, 21 Dec 2011 03:00:39 +0000 Melissa Koh http://sparklette.net/?p=1255

For Christmas 2011, you can enjoy an oriental Christmas feast at Jia Wei Chinese Restaurant. This hidden gem of a place is located at Grand Mercure Roxy Hotel.

Indulge in The Grace of Christmas Menu, a luxurious 6-course meal replete with turkey, shark’s fin, prawn, fish, crab and scallop. (S$98++ per person, minimum 2 to order)

Beancurd with French beans

Tasty snacks such as beancurd with French beans or walnuts with honey are served once you are seated. The tasty beancurd with French beans will remind you of home, in consonant with the restaurant name “Jia Wei”, which means “taste of home” in mandarin.

Sliced turkey salad with vegetable

The quintessential turkey cannot be missed during Christmas. The Christmas menu begins with the appetising sliced turkey salad with vegetable, comprising lean slices of turkey glistening with cherry sauce. The slightly sweet and tangy cherry sauce exudes sesame oil fragrance, with a slight hint of spice from chilli oil — a noteworthy outcome of East meets West. This Chinese rendition of a turkey dish is inspired by the conventional pairing of cranberry sauce with turkey.

Braised shark’s fin with deep fried dumpling

The majestically presented braised shark’s fin with deep fried dumpling is the headlining dish of the day. The ample pieces of shark’s fin interspersed in flavourful chicken stock broth will elicit much oohs and aahs. This dish is appealing both visually and in taste. For those without a liking for shark’s fin, the alternative choice of fish maw soup is available.

If you’re wondering about the deep-fried dumpling with plump prawns encased within sitting in the middle of the shark’s fin soup, the creative chef explains that the crispy crunch of the dumpling skin symbolises the joyful sounds of Christmas bells. Now, who would have thought of that?

Baked sea perch with caviar

Baked to a crisp exterior with tender flesh within, the baked sea perch with caviar is another beautifully executed dish, the sweet-savoury sauce complementing the light smoky notes of the fish.

Deep fried prawn with salted egg yolk and creamy lemon sauce

The deep fried prawn is coated with a delicious layer of salted egg yolk and creamy lemon sauce. With the shell still intact, it’s a pity that the prawn flesh doesn’t inherit all the delicious flavours from the sauce. The prawn is also slightly overdone, so much so that tugging the flesh off the shell becomes a chore.

La mian with crab claw and fresh scallop

The la mian with crab claw and fresh scallop encompasses springy strands of handmade noodles, encircled by an enlivening tasty broth made of fresh pumpkin and chicken stock. The tender scallop with a charred crisp exterior is a delight to savour.

Steamed whole coconut with egg white and hashima

End your meal with the nutritious dessert of steamed whole coconut with egg white and hashima. Hashima provides health benefits such as improving immunity and enhancing memory.

The gelatinous consistency pairs nicely with the smooth beancurd-like base, a combination of cream and egg white. It is contained in a fresh coconut that is specially imported from Thailand for its petite size and sweet flesh.

With its inventive festive dishes, Jia Wei Chinese Restaurant is a place you would want to consider dining at this Christmas season.

The Jia Wei Chinese Restaurant Christmas menu is available until December 31, 2011.

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]]> 2 http://sparklette.net/food/goodwood-park-christmas-2011/ http://sparklette.net/food/goodwood-park-christmas-2011/#comments Mon, 19 Dec 2011 03:00:23 +0000 Melissa Koh http://sparklette.net/?p=1253

This Christmas 2011, Goodwood Park Hotel presents a selection of new sweet and savoury dishes with an oriental touch. If you are planning a Christmas feast at home, these takeaway delights will bring much convenience.

For an Asian-style Christmas, try the home-style turkey creation, inspired by the Cantonese braised soy sauce chicken.

Poached soy sauce turkey with tau kwa and fragrant rice
S$168 for 8-12 persons

Boasting tender turkey meat and enchanting flavours of soy sauce, cinnamon, star anise and cloves, accompanied by squares of Teochew-style braised beancurd, this homely dish will warm your hearts. The fragrant rice is neither oily nor dry, available with dark soy sauce and chilli dips on the side.

Slow roasted rack of pork with potato gratin and apple sauce
S$288 for 8-10 persons

For those yearning for a traditional European-style celebration, the slow roasted rack of pork may just hit the spot.

The 3kg of Yorkshire pork is marinated with Dijon mustard, rosemary and garlic, then cooked for 3 hours to achieve a moist and tender texture. Drizzled with a complementary apple sauce and paired with delicious potato gratin, this flavoursome dish makes a hearty treat.

Araguani dark chocolate log cake with mango, passionfruit and chocolate Breton sable
S$62 for a 1kg

The chocolate log cake is made with premium 72% cocoa chocolate, lending an intense chocolatey flavour that is further accentuated by dark chocolate mousse.

The passionfruit crème and mango cubes in the inner core provide a tangy twist, while the house-made chocolate sable breton gives an addictive crunch.

Decorate your own gingerbread Christmas bell
S$32 for a kit

For the younger ones (and the young at heart), the popular decorate your own gingerbread Christmas bell kit is sold as a DIY decorative set containing four gingerbread bells, gummy bears, candied chocolate and mini piping bags of snow icing.

The entire family can enjoy this activity together. It sure adds a touch of fun to any celebration!

Warm dark cherry and walnut crumble with vanilla sauce
S$48 for 4-6 persons

Amongst the takeaway items, a personal favourite has to be the warm dark cherry and walnut crumble with vanilla sauce, a comforting dessert reminiscent of a traditional western-style Christmas celebration. This creation of black cherries, fragrant nuts and buttery crumble is the ultimate comfort food that will set Christmas bells ringing.

The takeaway gourmet treats are available at the Deli until 26 December 2011. Last order date is 21 December 2011, 12pm.

Have Your Say!

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]]> 2 http://sparklette.net/food/heng-heng-curry-cafe/ http://sparklette.net/food/heng-heng-curry-cafe/#comments Wed, 14 Dec 2011 03:00:47 +0000 Melissa Koh http://sparklette.net/?p=1247 Heng Heng Curry Café is a multi-cultural concept café serving popular dishes from Chinese dialect groups. You can savour Hokkien, Cantonese and Teochew cooking methods all under one roof.

The entrance resembles a fast food counter, but the quality of the meticulously prepared homely food speaks a different tone altogether.

The interior exudes a casual vibe; it is a comforting dining venue where families and friends can gather for a sumptuous meal.

Beverages

Fresh lime juice
S$3.80++

Refresh your palate with fresh lime juice, served in a ceramic cup that scores nostalgia points. On a negative note, there is too much ice added to the drink; it probably consists of 50% ice and 50% juice, forming a diluted beverage.

Starters

Fried crispy pumpkin
S3.90++

For starters, a personal favourite would be the crispy pumpkin. Fried to a golden brown exterior, the soft filling is sweet and savoury — a delicious alternative to French fries! Although it may be a little greasy, it sure is irresistible.

Mixed fruits rojak
S$5.90++

For a healthier appetiser, the mixed fruits rojak is refreshing; it includes juicy pineapples and crunchy apples, to name a couple of the ingredients based on what I can recognise underneath the yummy dressing.

Ngoh hiang (five-spice meat roll)
S$9.90++

A Hokkien favourite, the ngoh hiang meat roll is highly recommended. It houses a moist, juicy and tender interior within a thin crispy skin. The perfectly seasoned meat is neither made from paste nor starch; it consists largely of actual meat — absolutely toothsome!

Deep-fried soft soya beancurd
S$6.90++

Another personal favourite would be the deep-fried soft soya beancurd that boasts a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Though a little bland on its own, when dipped into the accompanying sweet chilli sauce, you will find yourselves jostling for the last piece.

Stir-fried steamed carrot cake
S$5.90++

The reasonably priced stir-fried steamed carrot cake is flavourful, tasty and well-seasoned. The carrot cake is denser than your typical rendition, charred beautifully with a lightly crisp exterior. The crunchy bean sprouts counterbalance the density of the dish.

This carrot cake has also been given a unique twist by being topped with pork floss, adding more punch to the already flavourful dish.

Mains

Fragrant pumpkin rice with Nonya prawns
S$14.90++

Another signature dish is the fragrant pumpkin rice with Nonya prawns. Each grain of rice is well-infused with flavour, fully absorbing the essence of the medley of ingredients — peas, dried shrimp and mushrooms to name a few. The resultant rice is moist and fragrant.

If a single portion of the pumpkin rice isn’t enough to satisfy, it can be ordered separately at S$3.

The crunchy Nonya prawns are slightly sweet and spicy, with mango cubes adding more sweetness. Apart from the prawns, you may choose from three other sides to accompany the fragrant rice: pan-fried marinated chicken thigh (S$10.90), braised pork with preserved vegetables (S$10.90) and fried pork ribs (S$12.90).

Heng Heng signature curry fish head (serves 2-3)
S$28.90++

A trip to Heng Heng Curry Café would not be complete without tasting the curry, obviously. The Teochew inspired curry fish head is a crowd pleaser, brimming with ingredients like ladyfingers, tomatoes, pineapple and apple chunks, with a substantial red snapper fish head as the centrepiece.

The curry is aromatic with a tangy fruity taste. It is not too thick and the spice level will be well accepted by the majority. Personally I can’t stop drinking it like soup! The fish is meaty and sufficiently tender, with few bones that can be picked out easily.

Soak up the delicious curry with steamed/fried buns (2 pieces for S$1) or pair it with steamed rice (S$1).

Curry kong bah (pork belly)
S$9.90++

The curry kong bah boasts tender pork belly and flavourful gravy, swimming with potato, eggplant and pineapple. The curry is slightly thicker and heavier than that in the curry fish head, with aromatic flavours from dried shrimp. The infusion of fruits in the curry such as pineapple helps to cut the richness of the coconut milk. This dish is worth a try! If pork in curry seems a bizarre combination, after a few mouthfuls, you will find yourself wanting more.

Desserts

Ice kacang
S$4.80++

End the meal on a sweet note with a cold treat. The desserts here are decent, albeit limited. To offset the spices, try the ice kacang.

Chendol
S$4.80++

Conveniently served in a tall glass, the chendol certainly looks tempting. The coconut milk and gula melaka (palm sugar) are blended harmoniously with the ice, resulting in a consistent flavour throughout the creamy mixture. The coconut richness and the distinctive sweetness from the gula melaka are lacking though. Upon our feedback, an extra dose of gula melaka is added.

Heng Heng Curry Café is still fairly new but the food impresses. Each dish preserves the individual tradition of various dialect groups by reflecting the taste from the olden days. You are bound to reminisce the good old kampong days here.

While the service can be improved upon and plates can be cleared more quickly, it is pleasant to see the welcoming and friendly attitude displayed by the waitstaff. This is one place you will definitely return for the homely and delicious food.

Where can you enjoy the best curry in Singapore? Share with us in the comments!

Heng Heng Curry Café Marina Square

Heng Heng Curry Café Causeway Point

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