Novotel Singapore Clarke Quay – Buffet at The SQUARE Restaurant

Buffet fans, this one’s for you. The SQUARE Restaurant at Novotel Singapore Clarke Quay has a “Flavours of the World with a Local Twist” buffet that offers a scrumptious ride across local and international delicacies.

Located on the 7th storey of the prominent business hotel, the spacious interior is modern and stylish, bedecked in comfortable cushioned seats. Tables are placed sufficiently far apart, ensuring that conversations remain private and allow ample room for walking to and from the buffet stations without bumping into anyone.

These round tables are more commonly found in Chinese restaurants, but The Square has included a couple to promote communal dining and its “East Meets West” concept.

The buffet menu is designed by F&B Director, Jean-Phillippe Couturier from France, who has a strong culinary academic background and experience, having worked as Chef de Cuisine in several prominent hotels in Paris.

Buffet
Lunch: Adult S$38++ / Child S$20++ / Senior citizen S$25nett
Dinner (Sun – Thu): Adult S$48++ / Child S$30++ / Senior citizen S$30nett
Dinner (Fri – Sat BBQ Nite, with one complimentary glass of wine or beer): Adult S$58++ / Child S$38++ / Senior citizen S$38nett

Salads

Try your hand at creating your own salad!

Salad station

Fish salad

Sausage salad

Chicken salad

Potato salad

The potato salad is soft and nicely seasoned, without any cloyingly rich dressing.

Pasta salad

The pasta salad is a touch dry and bland, but there’s a wide range of sauces, dressings and toppings where the possibilities are boundless.

At the bread station, an assortment of cheeses is available to go with the breads.

There is an array of fresh seafood where oysters steal the show; these are pristinely fresh, plump and juicy.

An international buffet will not be complete without sushi and sashimi. A small section is dedicated to Japanese cuisine, where the food is replenished very frequently.

A rack of cured ham is available, thinly sliced for your convenience.

Tempura

Bell pepper tempura is lightly battered and fried to a golden crust. The crispy exterior is a nice contrast to the soft fruit within, which is bursting with juices.

Seafood fried rice

Mee tai bak

Black pepper crabs

Beef curry

For the spice lovers, Asian favourites such as masala chicken, beef curry and sambal lady fingers are available to tickle your taste buds!

Laksa

You can even attempt to cook your very own bowl of laksa and mee rebus at the interactive cooking station! Be prudent with the amount of sambal chilli you add though; its spice level is no child’s play!

Dim sum

Dim sum is available during both lunch and dinner.

Satay and grill

The grill station is available only during dinner. The fish is grilled upon order and takes only about a minute! It is grilled to perfection, boasting a moist and tender interior.

The baked seabass in Provençal style is another option from the tea. The fish is a little overcooked. The sauce, however, is delicious and the fish is well infused with the flavours.

For carnivores, you can dig into the roasted leg of lamb and chicken with mushroom sauce.

Sautéed potatoes

These sautéed potatoes pair well with almost all meats! They are well cooked and nicely seasoned.

Mixed vegetable

The mixed vegetable is a must-have! The veggies are cooked to a soft, comforting texture, doused in a delicious tomato-based sauce.

Pasta

The pasta is also highly recommended; the penne is perfectly coated with a cream-based sauce, very well-executed and deserves raves.

Cheese risotto

The cheese risotto at the live cooking station is prepared a la minute, and served to your table. The risotto is cooked in a pan before being finished off in a parmesan cheese wheel. It is a stand-out and highly recommended! No wonder this is the restaurant’s signature dish.

Apart from the cheese risotto, you can customise your own risotto with unconventional flavours, such as laksa and pesto; these turn out surprisingly good! I really feel that the SQUARE should receive an accolade for being experts in risotto.

Desserts

Green tea cheesecake

Those who love cheesecake and matcha, you can now have your cake and eat it too, with the green tea cheesecake. The distinct flavours of green tea and cheese are neither overpowering nor clashing; the combination just works!

Mango pudding

Unlike the usual custard-soft mango pudding that is widely available at many Chinese restaurants, the mango pudding here is like a dense, springy and sticky jelly.

Jellies and mousses

For a light dessert to end a heavy meal with, assorted jellies and mousses are presented in tiny glasses. For chocolate lovers, the chocolate mousse is to-die-for! It is denser and richer than the usual chocolate mousse and is bound to satiate your chocolate cravings!

Tiramisu mousse in shooter

Orange panna cotta

Apple crumble

Kueh lapis

Durian pengat

The durian pengat is a must-try, especially for first-timers who’ve never tried durian before! It is absolutely luscious, sweet and creamy with a little bit of texture from the actual fruit.

Bread pudding

The bread pudding boasts a nice charred crust with a soft and moist interior. Dip it in a luscious cream sauce and you’re perfect to go.

Fruit cake

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