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.

Have Your Say!

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

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

Goodwood Park Hotel

Goodwood Park Hotel
22 Scotts Road
Singapore 228221
Tel: +65 6730 1867 / +65 6730 1868 | Website

Min Jiang at One-North

Min Jiang at One-North
5 Rochester Park
Singapore 139216
Tel: +65 6774 0122

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]]> 2

Find out if you are one of the 3 lucky winners!

Winners

• Jolin Chua
• Ronald Low
• Teh Tarik Kosong

Congratulations to all winners! You will be contacted at your email.

Thanks to everyone that took part in this giveaway. And yes, for all you eagle-eyed readers that noticed. I mentioned this is only the FIRST Chinese New Year giveaway for 2012, which means there are plenty more to come! So even if you did not win this time, you can still take part in upcoming contests to win goodies for yourself!

To ensure that you never miss out on any giveaway, you are advised to subscribe to Sparklette (Email, RSS, Facebook, Twitter or iPhone).

Results of SQL query that selected the comments randomly (duplicate and late submissions have been removed):

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With Christmas just passed, Chinese New Year is just around the corner! This heralds the arrival of the yusheng (raw fish salad), a staple food I’ve come to love at Chinese New Year. In fact, I attended a dinner function on New Year’s eve, and to our pleasant surprise, yusheng was already being served then. It had raw salmon slices and gave me a sashimi craving for the whole of the weekend. If you’re interested, here’s an iPhone photo I took of the yusheng.

By now you must be thinking, let’s get on with the giveaway already! Alrightey, here goes…

We’re giving away salmon yusheng from Red House Seafood Restaurant so that you can too partake in some energetic lo hei action at home. Last year we held a similar giveaway. The response was so great that we’re doing it again! We’ve also extended the contest duration to a whole week so that those of you who are still holidaying some place exotic will have ample time to take part.

Yusheng Giveaway!

There are 3 sets of Prosperity salmon yusheng, worth S$38 each, from Red House Seafood Restaurant up for grabs. Every set comprises delicious ingredients like raw salmon, white radish, carrots, dried orange, pomelo bits, toasted sesame seeds, golden pillow crackers and more, accompanied by lime and plum sauces.

1. This contest is only open to members of the Sparklette and Red House Facebook pages. So if you haven’t, “Like” both pages now. (Bonus points if you decide to also “Like” Sparklette Studio our web design company.)

   
   

2. Leave a comment here using your Facebook name and a valid email address, along with the answer to this question:
   

   What is your favourite yusheng ingredient? Is it the raw fish, the golden pillow crackers or something else?

Giveaway Details

• This giveaway ends on January 8, 2012 (2359 hours Singapore time).
• This giveaway is open only to people who are based in Singapore.
• The winners will be randomly selected by an SQL query.
• Please leave a valid email address when filling out the comment form so that we can contact you if you’ve won.
• Please only comment once.
• Please note that all comments are moderated. Hence your comment may not show up right away.
• Please note that participants must follow the instructions on how to participate (mentioned above) to be eligible for the prize.
• The winners will be announced in a separate post and you are advised to subscribe to Sparklette (Email, RSS, Facebook, Twitter or iPhone) so that you can be quickly notified when the announcement post has been published.
• Terms and conditions apply.
  1. This giveaway is organised by Sparklette and Red House Seafood Restaurant (hereinafter known as “The Organisers”).
  2. The Organisers reserve all rights to substitute the publicised prizes with other prizes of similar commercial value at their sole discretions.
  3. The Organisers’ decision on all matters relating to this giveaway is final. No correspondence will be entertained.
  4. The Organisers reserve the right to amend the giveaway mechanics and terms and conditions without prior notification.
  5. Any incomplete, inaccurate and/or false particulars submitted will void the entry and hence be ineligible for any prizes.

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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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]]> 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!

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

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

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]]> 2 http://sparklette.net/food/friends-jelita-christmas/ http://sparklette.net/food/friends-jelita-christmas/#comments Mon, 12 Dec 2011 03:00:50 +0000 Melissa Koh http://sparklette.net/?p=1245

Beer lovers can rejoice this Christmas! Friends Restaurant & Catering is collaborating with Kronenbourg 1664 to produce an inventive menu of beer-infused festive specialities for both dining in and take-outs.

At Friends@Jelita, the roomy interior makes it an ideal venue for parties, celebrations or a simple gathering with friends and family. Illuminated by orange lighting that creates a cosy and inviting ambience, the décor is kept simple and uncluttered without having to be pretentiously ornate.

Kronenbourg 1664 is a modern brand with a rich heritage originating from France; it has been the best-selling beer in France for years. Only the purest waters from the Vosges Mountains are used to brew Kronenbourg 1664 and Blanc 1664, thus giving a clean, smooth taste. This can be the beer of choice for sophisticated urbanites who enjoy the civilised pleasure of a premium beer.

The Kronenbourg 1664 is a smooth, slightly bitter lager with a dense, creamy froth and fine small bubbles with touches of yeast.

Personally, I prefer the Blanc 1664 that is lighter and less bitter with a refreshing taste; it is a specialty white beer with light malty aroma and citrus notes. Crisply carbonated and easy to drink, this beer will be popular amongst the ladies.

If you feel weird about having beer in your food, rest assured that the premium French beer has tenderising qualities and a sophisticated taste that help enhances without overpowering the natural flavours of meats.

Warm Kronenbourg 1664 foccacia bread

To pull off good bread that will tempt even the staunchest carbo-avoiding health junkie isn’t an easy feat, but the warm foccacia bread infused with Kronenbourg 1664 will win many hearts. Possessing a crisp crumbly texture without being dry, this bread is so delicious that many diners were seen asking for seconds! The fine pairing of balsamic vinaigrette makes a perfect dip.

Chilled angel hair pasta & Kronenbourg Blanc 1664 fish roe
S$13.90++

An award-winning dish, the chilled angel hair pasta is perfectly seasoned, tossed with konbu, chives and topped with luxurious fish roe. The distinctive white truffle essence is what makes the dish so memorable, with slight nuances of Blanc.

As an appetiser, the portion is a good size; it isn’t heavy and makes a good precedence to the main course.

Turducken with Kronenbourg 1664
S$49 for 1kg
S$23.90++ for dine-in

The turducken with Kronenbourg 1664 is an obvious crowd favourite; you will hear raves across the table, with carnivores especially thrilled. This festive must-have comprises layers of pork sausage, chicken leg, smoked duck breast and turkey breast, all of which have been lined with sautéed onions, garlic and mixed herbs in Kronenbourg 1664 lager, and finally rolled in a bacon-wrap. The beer keeps the meats succulent and flavourful, while the blend of textures of the various meats makes an extremely satisfying carnivorous feast.

Ultra slow-cooked pork collar with Kronenbourg 1664
S$$29++ per kg

The lager-infused pork collar is tender and moist with a pleasant firm bite, a testament to Chef Thomas’ ingenuity in marrying the tenderising characteristics of Kronenbourg 1664 with patient slow-cooking process. The pork is neither fatty nor tough, and pairs perfectly with a special sauce.

For takeaway, reheating is as simple as immersing the vacuum-sealed packs in hot water or popping them into the oven for ten minutes at 180-200 degrees Celsius.

Ultra slow-roast beef ribeye roast in fresh herb rub with Kronenbourg 1664
S$49 for 1kg

The premium ribeye cut is rubbed thoroughly with a secret blend of fresh herbs and marinated with Kronenbourg 1664. If you’re thinking of hosting a party of red meat aficionados, this slow-cooked roast will impress your guests. Briefly pan-sear or grill this takeaway item to desired doneness and it is ready to be served.

Kronenbourg Blanc 1664 chilled poached pear
S$8.90++

As for dessert, the chef has created chilled poached pear with the infusion of beer to match the theme. The fruits’ natural sweetness is enhanced by light syrup mixed with Kronenbourg Blanc 1664, with the hints of beer giving a pleasant after-taste. It is overall a light dessert, although I would have preferred something more ample, such as a beer-infused cake pudding.

These unique offerings are available from now till 31 December 2011 at:
- Friends Restaurant & Catering for takeaway, catering and dine-in
- FairPrice Finest @ Scotts for takeaway and catering only

All takeaway dishes are pre-cooked and can be kept for a week in the chiller or up to 6 months in the freezer.

Have Your Say!

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Beer in your food — yay or nay? Tell us in the comments!

Friends Restaurant

FairPrice Finest @ Scotts

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Customisation is the key to the brand’s success. You can order personalised cakes ranging from huge 2.5kg ice cream cakes for birthdays, to novelty mix-and-match flavours for bigger events. Online orders and catering requests are available from the website.

Munchy Moo has tweaked and fine-tuned the current eight cake flavours countless times after hearing feedback from friends and customers, resulting in some best-selling flagship creations.

Each flavour is available in three sizes: a square slice — good for individual enjoyment or sharing with a friend, a small cake — good to feed 4 to 5 persons, and a large cake — shareable among 6 to 7 people.

That Famous Candy Bar
S$4.50 (slice), S$25.90 (S), S$49.90 (L)

If you love the Snickers candy bars, you’ll definitely want to order That Famous Candy Bar, a layered creation of sticky-sweet peanut butter and caramel. It is almost like eating an ice-cold version of the candy, minus the overwhelming sweetness.

Luscious Chocolate
S$4.30 (slice), S$24.90 (S), S$47.90 (L)

Featuring layers of cookies and cream and chocolate ice cream that sandwich a thin layer of rich dark chocolate, and finally topped with a generous dash of crumbled cookies, Luscious Chocolate is a must-try for chocolate lovers.

Matcha Madness
S$3.80 (slice), S$22.90 (S), S$43.50 (L)

Authentically topped with a tiny scoop of red bean topping, Matcha Madness is refreshingly light and leaves no artificially sweet after-taste.

Rum float
S$3.20

Also refreshing is the rum float, which has a sinful scoop of alcoholic rum ice cream, with raisins added for texture.

Head down to Munchy Moo for your fill of unique multi-flavoured ice cream cake creations. If you wish to buy these icy treats home, the special take-home packs can keep your purchase frozen for about half an hour.

Where can you get the best ice cream cakes in Singapore? Share with us in the comments!

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]]> 0 http://sparklette.net/food/sour-sally/ http://sparklette.net/food/sour-sally/#comments Mon, 11 Jul 2011 03:00:41 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=1187

For the health-conscious dessert lovers that are seeking a delicious, heart-healthy snack, this one’s for you.

Sour Sally, the Indonesian brand of frozen yoghurt, has opened its first international outlet in Singapore at Wisma Atria. The soft-serve frozen yoghurt served here is extremely healthful and boasts a fat-free content.

Step into the froyo outlet and you would be greeted by images of the bubbly and fun-loving Sour Sally character, which basically sums up the atmosphere here. Decorated in candy shades of pink and lime green, the sweet and cheery interior would put you in a good mood to enjoy your frozen yoghurt or smoothie.

Sour Sally frozen yoghurt
S$3.50 – 9.80

For your yoghurt flavour, you can go back to basics with the original, or try the “Pinklicious” strawberry, green tea, nutty chocolate or melon mint.

Apart from the healthfulness of the dessert, you would be impressed with the variety and quality of toppings available — a whopping 24 to choose from! Crown your yoghurt with yummy treats like mochi mix, mini meringues, crunchy chocolate pearls and cookie crisps, or actual fruits like strawberry, kiwi, mango, lychee and even mandarin orange.

Click to enlarge menu

If you prefer to quench your thirst with a fruity smoothie, I would highly recommend the thick and naturally sweet longan blend that includes a pair of whole longan fruits.

Have fun concocting your favourite desserts at Sour Sally!

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

Sour Sally Wisma Atria

Sour Sally Jurong Point

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Using only specially-imported Ecuadorian Arriba beans (USDA certified organic and fair trade product) and Whey Low (all-natural patented sweetener with 75 percent lower glycemic index, carbohydrates and calories than sugar), Cacao7 succeeds in creating delicious chocolaty treats with reduced calorie counts and are friendly for dieters and diabetics.

Iced-box brownie
S$3 each

The organic Iced-box brownie is served straight from the freezer — a refreshing change from the usual warm brownie with ice cream. I like that it has a nice chewy texture without being too dry or crumbly.

Organic French truffles
S$3 for 2 pieces

These organic French truffles may be little, they still pack a punch with the rich chocolaty flavour. There is a slight bitterness from the generous coating of pure cacao.

Potent lava scoop cake
S$7 / 5.80 for take-out

The Potent lava scoop cake, served with a dollop of whipped cream, is amazingly smooth and rich. The full roundedness of chocolate comes through, along with hints of nuts. If you are in a hurry, this cake is also available for take-out.

Iced chocolate
S$7

The chilled counterpart of hot chocolate, the iced chocolate is surprisingly light. Enjoy the full flavour of the molten chocolate without the after-taste of artificial sweeteners. A delightful treat for a hot day.

Dino Pals
S$2.50 for a pack

There are small packs of freshly made chocolates on sale daily, suitable as healthful yet indulgent gifts for loved ones or even for yourself. Apart from these cute Dino Pals, look out for the irresistibly adorable Mood Buddies.

Besides showcasing the signature items, the menu also educates customers on the benefits of cacao, including a calorie and carbohydrate count for each dessert — just the thing for the health-conscious.

Forget about artificially-flavoured and overly sweet confections that don’t quite taste like the real thing. Cacao7 presents all-natural, organic chocolates and desserts that are so good, you would not believe that they are low carb!

Where can you get healthy desserts in Singapore? Share with us in the comments!

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]]> 0 http://sparklette.net/food/old-chang-kee-curry-puffs/ http://sparklette.net/food/old-chang-kee-curry-puffs/#comments Sun, 15 May 2011 03:00:55 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=1140 Old Chang Kee is probably most famous for their curry puffs. With a food kiosk at every other shopping mall, you can say that their curry snacks have dominated the local food scene. Do you think Old Chang Kee sells the best curry puffs in Singapore?

Apart from their famous curry puff, Old Chang Kee also has a wide range of finger foods such as spring rolls, breaded prawns, chicken wings and crab nuggets. I am quite a fan of the nuggets. In my teenage days, I used to buy these after school to snack on. They come in skewers, and you can help yourself to the sambal chilli which is so savoury as a dip.

The history of Old Chang Kee began with the humble curry puff in 1956. That makes the company older than Singapore herself! It started from a small stall at a coffee shop outside the former Rex cinema along McKenzie Road. People loved the puffs, and the rest is history.

Old Chang Kee curry puffs
S$1.30

Every curry puff is a pouch stuffed full with curry potatoes, chicken chunks, a slice of egg, and fried with several herbs and spices. With that very first bite, the curry aroma comes wafting out. Other than that, the curry flavour does somewhat lack punch, although it still makes a satisfying snack due to the ample filling. A couple of these pastries can be a meal by itself.

Apart from the Old Chang Kee curry puff, there is another curry puff that has stood the test of time. This one is my personal pick for the best curry puff in Singapore. The Tong Heng curry puff has a unique shape and flavour. It is a totally different rendition from your typical curry puff — much sweeter on the palate — and tastes so, so good. You’ve got to try it, too!

Are Old Chang Kee curry puffs the best curry puffs in Singapore? If not, where can you find the best curry puffs in Singapore? Share with us in the comments!

Old Chang Kee ( Halal certified)
Website

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© 2011 Sparklette.net

Winners

• Tracy Oon
• Chin Oi Lin
• Jasper Aston Lim
• Wendy
• Soh Hong Wei

Congratulations to all 5 winners! You have been contacted at your email with instructions on how you can collect your prize.

Results of SQL query that selected the comments randomly (duplicate and late submissions have been removed):

About Oriole

Oriole Cafe & Bar has a flagship store at Pan Pacific Serviced Suites next to 313@Somerset. It recently opened a second outlet, Oriole Espresso & Brew Bar at Republic Plaza, serving espresso-based and single cup filtered or brewed coffee alongside sandwiches, salads and freshly baked items.

• Read the review of Oriole Cafe & Bar at Somerset.
• Read the review of Oriole Espresso & Brew Bar at Republic Plaza.

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Launched on March 1, it is almost impossible to miss the massive marketing campaign that runs with the line “Make it Better, Make it Chicken McGrill” on TV, newspapers, and the internet. The fast food giant has even introduced an enticing limited period 1 for 1 offer that has spread virally on Twitter and Facebook.

TV Commercial

The new Chicken McGrill boasts a bakery-style sourdough bun and whole chicken thigh meat. Like many eager Singaporeans that bought so many of these burgers that they sold out on day one, I can’t help but get curious about this new menu offering. Is it as good as all the hype is making it out to be?

Unboxing the Chicken McGrill

The burger comes in a yellow and white box, printed with vivid details that really makes one salivate!

As advertised, the Teppanyaki Chicken McGrill contains a large cutlet of grilled chicken thigh meat, whole-leaf lettuce and a pair of succulent tomato slices sandwiched between sourdough bun. Sourdough is specially chosen for this burger apparently because the mouth-feel complements the grilled chicken.

Teppanyaki Chicken McGrill
S$5 – 5.50 depending on outlet / S$5.55 for McDelivery
Rating:

Seasoned in teppanyaki marinade and slathered in chargrill sauce, the meat is tender and thoroughly flavoured throughout. Yes, skin is included too. The lettuce and tomatoes are certainly fresh. My only gripe is that the large amount of sour cream does somewhat overwhelm the savoury flavours of the chicken.

Overall, this is a much-welcome new item on the menu, and I am looking forward to the rest of the Chicken McGrill series. Without the 1 for 1 coupon though, paying $5.50 for a burger ($8 for the meal) may be hard to swallow. Here’s hoping that McDonald’s would reduce the price of the burger eventually.

Honey Chipotle Shaker Fries

Honey Chipotle Shaker Fries
S$2.55
Rating:

A McDonald’s fast food meal would not be complete without french fries. So, we go for a portion of the crowd-pleaser Honey Chipotle Shaker Fries.

The orange-coloured seasoning salt comes in a separate sachet, along with a brown paper bag for you to shake the fries. Shake it up baby!

With the light dusting of the zippy spicy and sweet honey chipotle flavouring, these french fries have been transformed into a flavour bonanza! They taste absolutely delightful, miles ahead of regular fries. And let’s face it, they sure are fun to eat.

Have you tasted the new McDonald’s Chicken McGrill? Share with us in the comments!

McDonald’s ( Halal certified)
Website

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From March 1 to July 17, 2011, you can enjoy a smorgasbord of durian creations at the hotel that recently celebrated its 110th anniversary. We’re talkin’ puffs and crepes and strudels and cakes.

Making its début this year is the durian cappuccino cake, comprising three layers of cappuccino mousse, D24 durian pulp and chocolate sponge coated by yellow vanilla sponge crumbs.

Durian cappuccino cake
S$9 per piece
S$52 for whole cake
Rating:

With both the durian and coffee flavours vying for your attention at the same time, enjoy this cake for the sake of having something rather unusual. Personally, I prefer sinking my teeth into coffee cake or durian cake individually, rather than having two very strong flavours in one bite.

Durian mousse cake
S$9 per slice
S$55 per 1.3kg cake
S$102 per 2.5kg cake
S$135 per 3.5kg cake

For that reason the classic durian mousse cake is still my choice. This long-standing crowd pleaser kicked off the Goodwood Park Durian Fiesta in 1983. Crowned with cubes of sponge cake, every bite of the rich durian mousse tastes as good as the actual fruit and certainly satiates any big durian craving!

Mini durian ice cream cake
S$12.80 per piece
S$22 for 2
Rating:

Another new addition is the mini durian ice cream cake. Each dome-shaped cake is made of luscious durian ice cream, finished with a coating of white chocolate and a ring of crushed almonds at its base. The ice cream is also separately available by the scoop (S$6.50) or tub (S$16.80 for 16oz).

Durian puff
S$5.20 for 2
S$14.80 for 6
S$42.80 for 20
Rating:

The dainty durian puff really hits the spot. Tucked within the fluffy sugar-dusted choux pastry case is creamy durian filling, which boasts an even thicker and richer consistency than the mousse cake.

Durian eclair
S$6 each
S$42.80 for 8
Rating:

And the durian eclair is no slouch either. This has a generous amount of durian pulp sandwiched between choux pastry and drizzled with either chocolate or fondant (sugar icing).

During the Durian Fiesta, these baked goodies are available for take-out at the Deli. Alternatively, you can dine in at L’Espresso, the spacious café located at the hotel lobby that has an alfresco poolside dining area.

What are your favourite durian pastries and desserts? Where else can you get a good durian fix? Tell us in the comments!

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Oriole Cafe & Bar has opened a second outlet at Republic Plaza. The new Oriole Espresso & Brew Bar offers espresso-based and single cup filtered or brewed coffee alongside sandwiches, salads and freshly baked items.

• Read the review of the new Oriole Espresso & Brew Bar.

Sandwich Giveaway!

This week, we’re giving away 5 sets of roast beef sandwich and daily brew from Oriole. Here’s how you can get your hands on one of these delicious sandwiches and coffee.

1. This contest is only open to members of the Sparklette and Oriole Facebook pages. So if you haven’t, “Like” both pages now. (Yes, just click the Like button!)

   
   

2. Leave a comment here using your Facebook name and a valid email address, along with the answer to this question:
   • Where is the second outlet of Oriole located?

Giveaway Details

• This giveaway ends on March 4, 2011 (2359 hours Singapore time).
• The 5 winners will be randomly selected by an SQL query.
• The winners will self-collect the sandwich and drink (either dine-in or take-out) at Oriole Espresso & Brew Bar, Republic Plaza.
• Please leave a valid email address when filling out the comment form so that we can contact you if you’ve won.
• Please only comment once.
• Please note that all comments are moderated. Hence your comment may not show up right away.
• Please also note that comments that do not follow the instructions on how to participate (mentioned above) may not be published, or may be removed later on.
• The winners will be announced in a separate post and you are advised to subscribe to Sparklette (Email, RSS, Facebook, Twitter or iPhone) so that you can be quickly notified when the announcement post has been published.

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When things get so busy, you may wish to order take-outs at lunch. I like that I can simply grab a sandwich and coffee from Oriole Espresso & Brew Bar at the towering Republic Plaza. Located smack in the middle of the central business district, this is the second Oriole outlet after Oriole Cafe & Bar at Somerset.

Oriole at Republic Plaza offers espresso-based and single cup filtered or brewed coffee alongside sandwiches, salads and baked items. You can dine in at the cosy joint with some seats and high tables, accented by wood furnishings, or order your food to go.

In a way it does remind me of Pret a Manger, the British sandwich chain that enjoyed a short-lived existence before closing shop in Singapore.

Roast beef sandwich with Portobello mushrooms
S$14.9++
Rating:

10 different selections of roast beef sandwiches are available, served with freshly-carved meat and a variety of fillings. There’s something to be said for the simplicity of a sandwich one can throw together in five minutes. But let that not restrict the idea of what a sandwich is. The Roast beef sandwich with Portobello mushrooms is as satisfying as a wholesome meal, because essentially, it is one.

Sliced thinly, the roast beef is really tender, and the mushrooms slices and greens make a perfect accompaniment.

Café latte
S$5.3++
Rating:

A trip to Oriole would not be complete without their signature gourmet coffee, served with a dash of art. Even for take-outs, the baristas spare no effort in making sure the coffee looks pretty in the paper cup.

Sparklette Giveaway

Join my contest giveaway to win one of these wholesome sandwiches and coffee from Oriole!

What do you think of the new Oriole at Republic Plaza? Share with us in the comments!

Oriole Espresso & Brew Bar at Republic Plaza

Oriole Cafe & Bar at Pan Pacific Suites

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]]> 2 http://sparklette.net/food/kim-hwa-guan-bak-kwa/ http://sparklette.net/food/kim-hwa-guan-bak-kwa/#comments Wed, 26 Jan 2011 03:00:19 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=1071 …not Lim Chee Guan, Bee Cheng Hiang, Fragrance or even Kim Hock Guan. Year after year, only one bak kwa (pork jerky) maker gets business from my family — Kim Hwa Guan (金华源). We swear by the Kim Hwa Guan bak kwa and find theirs to be the tastiest in town! Do you agree?

Each year, around this time, a phenomenon would occur in Singapore. Long queues would form at various bak kwa stalls in the Chinatown district. Never mind the swelteringly hot and wet weather or the fact that dried barbecued pork is available all year round. At Chinese New Year when this popular delicacy is at its priciest and demand is at its peak, people can queue for hours just to get a packet of bak kwa.

Bak Kwa (pork jerky)
Seasonal pricing
Rating:

When it comes to good bak kwa, here’s my list of demands:

Must be tender, man! Bak kwa in Singapore comes in two main forms — minced and sliced. The latter is prepared by slicing off solid blocks of meat and tends to be leaner and tougher. To devour it you really need to work those jaw muscles. I personally prefer the minced version which is distinctly more tender and easy on the mouth.

Slice it thinly, dude! One quality about Kim Hwa Guan bak kwa that I love is how thinly each square sheet is sliced, which contributes to the overall tenderness.

Must taste good, uncle! Every piece of the bak kwa here is well-marinated with succulent sweetness, juicy and perfectly grilled. It has all the makings of great-tasting bak kwa. Having tried all the aforementioned brands, Kim Hwa Guan has what I consider to be the best bak kwa in Singapore.

The plastic packaging has been improved over the years. After opening each packet of bak kwa, you can reseal it using the zipper/slider, ensuring maximum freshness to last you through the festivities.

Have Your Say!

In your opinion, where can you get the best bak kwa in Singapore? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!

Chinatown outlet

Toa Payoh outlet

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Are you looking to start your Chinese New Year reunion dinner this year with a round of yusheng (raw fish salad)? In this giveaway, three lucky Sparklette readers will each get a set of the sumptuous Prosperity salmon yusheng, worth S$38, from Red House Seafood Restaurant. Every set comprises of raw salmon, white radish, carrots, dried orange, pomelo bits, toasted sesame seeds, golden pillow crackers and more, accompanied by lime and plum sauces.

Find out more about the yusheng and other Lunar New Year goodies offered by Red House Seafood Restaurant.

And now, you can win the Red House yusheng for some exciting lou hei action with your family!

Yusheng Giveaway!

1. This contest is only open to members of the Sparklette and Red House Facebook pages. So if you haven’t, “Like” both pages now. (Yes, just click the Like button!)

   
   

2. Leave a comment here using your Facebook name and a valid email address, along with a Chinese New Year greeting. Here are some examples:
   • 恭喜发财
   • 岁岁平安
   • 万事如意
   • Gong Xi Fa Cai / Happy New Year (for the non-Chinese speaking)

Please note: Multiple comments made by the same person would be disqualified.

As Chinese New Year is just around the corner, this giveaway would be a quick one. Here’s the timeline for the contest:

• Now to 4pm, January 28: Contest is open.
• Evening, January 28: 3 winners would be drawn randomly. Their names would be announced here and they would be contacted via email.
• January 29 to February 2: The winners can collect the yusheng from the Red House restaurant at The Quayside, 60 Robertson Quay #01-13/14 in time for Chinese New Year. So please take part in the contest only if you are available to collect the prize on those dates.

Good luck!

This giveaway ends on January 28, 2011 (1600 hours Singapore time).

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Mandarin orange! Now that’s an odd pairing. Gimmick or not, I know I have to try it. It’s not everyday you get to taste Mandarin orange egg tarts.

With a quiet determination, I scamper off to the nearest KFC outlet that I can find selling the newly fruity egg tarts. A box of half a dozen is yours at 8 bucks, slightly pricier than their regular egg tarts which cost S$7.50 for the same quantity. One box to go, please.

Mandarin orange egg tarts
S$2.80 for a box of 2 / S$8 for a box of 6
Rating:

The pastries look almost exactly like Portuguese egg tarts but with less burnt spots, and with morsels of tangerine added. Happily, these sweet treats retain the same delightfully crisp fluffy crust and creamy custardy goodness as the usual KFC egg tarts.

The addition of tangerine brings a tinge of tartness to the mix, which I reckon is about 30% tangerine, 70% egg custard. It’s a bold play with flavours that actually works. I like it. Amazingly, the sliced pieces of fruit are as soft as the custard, so the texture is consistently smooth throughout.

It may read like an odd pairing on paper, but once again, KFC has exceeded expectations with these Mandarin orange egg tarts. As Chinese New Year goodies, they sure make interesting snacks if you are having guests over at your house.

Update: Sparklette reader Avriila shares that she would really love to see egg tarts filled with nian gao (a Chinese New Year cake made with glutinous rice), describing the ones she had in Taiwan as “heavenly”. What would you like to see in your egg tarts? (Shameless plug: Don’t forget to ‘Like’ Sparklette on Facebook and join in the conversations there!)

What do you think of the KFC Mandarin orange egg tarts? Would you eat them or are they too weird? Have you had any unusual Chinese New Year food this festive season? Let us know in the comments!

KFC ( Halal certified)
Available at selected outlets
Website

Available until February 17, 2011 or while stocks last.

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© 2011 Sparklette.net

Source

I discovered the Beard Papa’s chocolate fondant some years back, marking my foray into the delicious world of chocolate lava cakes. Yes, it has a molten chocolate centre. Don’t you just love the sensation of warm chocolate filling your mouth? Ever since that first taste years ago, the lava cake has remained my most favourite dessert in the world. I’m not even sure why Beard Papa’s fondant has never been featured here before; somehow this fell through the cracks.

Fondant au Chocolat
S$2.80 for 1, S$5.20 for 2
Rating:

On the outside the fondant is moist and soft, dusted with sugar. The centre oozes out that luxurious gooey chocolate. Rather than being overtly sweet, this is pure intense, dark chocolaty goodness all around. Read about how Beard Papa’s make their Fondant au Chocolat. It is truly a labour of love!

You get it at a real bargain, too. Last I checked they were selling it at S$2.80 for one and S$5.20 for two.

Here’s a tip: Buy this home and pop it in the microwave briefly before serving. Have it a la mode with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a glass of raspberry wine. You’re welcome.

What pastries do you normally buy at Beard Papa’s? Are there other places where we can enjoy chocolate lava cakes at a bargain price? The comments form is below. You know what to do!

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]]> 4 http://sparklette.net/food/kfc-egg-tarts/ http://sparklette.net/food/kfc-egg-tarts/#comments Sat, 11 Sep 2010 08:05:28 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=1006 When I first heard about the KFC Portuguese egg tarts, I was quite skeptical. Skeptical, but curious enough to buy a half dozen of these to try out. Surprisingly, the tarts turn out much better than expected!

These creamy egg tart pastries are not to be confused with the traditional egg tarts which have a crumbly crust and an even yellow custard top. For Portuguese egg tarts, brown burn spots crater the caramelised surface (like crème brûlée). They first came about in Lisbon, Portugal, and are known there as pastéis de nata.

Portuguese egg tarts
S$1.30 each / S$7.50 for a box of 6
Rating:

The KFC egg tarts have a puffy pastry casing that is thick, but delightfully light and fluffy. Even hours later (I did have 6 of these to finish), the crust remains flakey and crispy.

While the custard is not as soft as Madeleine’s egg tarts, it is still beautifully smooth. The egg flavour is quite apparent, tinged with the more subtle sweet taste of caramel.

I heard that these egg tarts are available in three flavours in KFC Taiwan. Can anyone confirm this?

While you can purchase the egg tarts individually, a half dozen of this costs slightly less, and are packaged in a nice carrier box with a handle on top. From the Chinese characters on the box, it seems that these egg tarts are a Mid-Autumn Festival promotion. You can also have them home-delivered in boxes of 2.

I have never been a fan of KFC’s fried chicken, preferring the likes of Arnold’s and Popeyes. But their Portuguese egg tarts have certainly exceeded expectations!

The KFC egg tarts are available only at selected outlets. So before you go running off to the nearest outlet, do check to make sure that the tarts are sold there.

Update: Also check out my review of the KFC Mandarin orange egg tarts, available during Chinese New Year.

Which type of egg tart — Portuguese or the traditional — do you prefer? What is your favourite drink to go along with these tarts? Share with us in the comments!

KFC ( Halal certified)
Available at selected outlets
Website

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