Hai Tien Lo: The 37th level view

June 19, 2009 | 11 Comments

We searched for the button with the 37th label on it, and pressed. Zoom, the elevator, or I preferred to call it the express lift-off, shot up into the sky. Looking downwards as everything became miniature – we were so insignificant. I was actually quite scared when I took a peep. It shouldn’t be, since I’ve been to higher ground before, but still. It always happened. Ding, we reached 37th level, welcome to Hai Tien Lo.

The Steamed shrimp dumpling ($4.80 for 3 pieces) was pretty with the chopped celery giving it a tinge of green.

It must be short-sightedness, but it often occurred with carrot cake. Somehow I always missed out the word steamed, when I ordered carrot cake. So instead of my favourite fried carrot cake, we were surprised when they served a steamed rendition; but it was good! I like how the sauce brings out the flavour of the soft and nice carrot cake. Okay, the full name, steamed carrot cake with preserved meats ($3.90 per portion).

The Steamed pork dumpling with fish roe ($4.80 for 3 pieces) was a piece of art. The curvy lines, with her yellow outfit, topped with the pretty bright orange fish roe.

This was a special, they called it the dim-sum-of-the-week. Sophisticated yeah? It was essentially a shrimp with fish roe on top of a mushroom. An innovative way to do the overdone-to-death prawn in dim sum.

Surprise number two came in the form of pan-fried rice flour roll with crispy conpoy ($3.90 per portion). Well actually it’s not much of a revelation since I asked about the fillings beforehand. Or rather, the lack of fillings. I like the slightly char pan-fried surface of the rice roll with all the crispy toppings. The rice roll on itself was rather bland, but drizzled with the gorgeous sauce; it was good, no, it was tasty!

Since my favourite char siew sou wasn’t available, I just had to make do with the Steamed barbecued pork buns ($2.80 for 2 pieces). White fluffy buns, with sweet char siew fillings, what’s there not to like? I like it sweet, extra sweet please!

Instead of the usual prawn filling, Hai Tien Lo’s rendition came across as the Deep-fried sea perch wrapped in vermicelli ($5.40 for 3 pieces).

* * *

With the to-die-for magnificent view of the marina area, dining at Hai Tien Lo was definitely something that evoked the visual senses together with the taste buds. We chatted, appreciated the skyline, nibbled at the dim sum, drank more tea, and I’m so in love with dim sum! xoxo

Hai Tien Lo
7 Raffles Boulevard
37F Pan Pacific hotel
Tel: 6826 8338

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Comments

11 Responses to “Hai Tien Lo: The 37th level view”

  1. Camemberu
    June 19th, 2009 @ 4:21 pm

    Haa…no wonder our panfried rice flour roll tasted bland…we didn’t have the sauce (or forgot it, rather). Hmmm, somehow everything looks more delicious on your post!

    Hey we need another dim sum outing!

    Camemberus last blog post..Red Mango Korean Frozen Yoghurt

  2. Sugar Bean
    June 19th, 2009 @ 7:45 pm

    Haha, you definitely love dim sum, seen so many posts about dim sum. I like them too, especially fried carrot cake, would order them all the time. And funny it turned out to be steamed, haven’t tried that version before, would do so next time.

    Nice Environment!

    Sugar Beans last blog post..Coal Grill and Bar

  3. Sherxr
    June 19th, 2009 @ 9:24 pm

    Wow.. what fond memories of this place except for the not-so-friendly staff.

    My brother held his wedding banquet there. Very beautiful dishes and creative too. Love the Foie Gras (erm.. can’t really remember) paired off with Chinese bamboo (Zhu Sheng.. forgot the name for it). Wonderful.

    The prices don’t come cheap of course but ambience was great. Overlooking Singapore Flyer! How patriotic!

    Sherxrs last blog post..Fresh Fruit Cake

  4. maureen
    June 20th, 2009 @ 12:00 am

    u scared of heights hur? haha
    the shrimp with fish roe looks yummy.

    maureens last blog post..7atenine – Day & Night

  5. Hazel
    June 20th, 2009 @ 3:21 pm

    Haha………do you know that pan pacific hotel is now belonged to Singapore firm, UOL Group Limited?? Wow…I am quite impressed many of 5 star luxury hotels in S’pore are now owned by singpaore firms, such as Ritz Carlton, the Regent, conrad hotel & etc.

  6. ladyironchef
    June 21st, 2009 @ 1:07 am

    Camemberu: hahaha yeah thats why when i first read your review you all didn’t seem to like the rice roll, but the one that we tried was not bad, i guess the sauce made a big difference!

    Sugar bean: Yep! my three love: dim sum, brunch and dessert! haha. yeah find a steamed carrot cake next time :)

    sherxr: haha seems like not a very good experience with the service eh? yeah a three hundred sixty degree nice view of Singapore. heh

    Maureen: LOL! no la, but the lift went up so fast, when i looked down a tiny bit…. haha

    hazel: haha it used to belong to who? Didn’t know that, thanks for the knowledge! :)

  7. amy
    June 21st, 2009 @ 1:39 pm

    i lovelovelove dim sum too! definitely gonna check this out:) i love your blog btw- its like totally my foodie guide:P

  8. Hazel
    June 21st, 2009 @ 8:12 pm

    Oh Pan Pacific Hotel was founded by Tokyu Corporation. It seems like Japanese investors are not quite good in operating shopping malls & hotels.

  9. ladyironchef
    June 24th, 2009 @ 6:51 pm

    amy: Hello! Glad it is, words cannot describe my love for dim sum. Corny, but yeah. lol! Wow, I’m flattered, foodie guide eh? heh : )

    Hazel: hahaha shh.. don’t let them hear you!

  10. Life for Beginners
    June 26th, 2009 @ 6:32 pm

    I have the strangest feeling that if we ever meet up in Singapore that you’d bring me to a dimsum place. Dunno why… just have a feeling, I guess… :P

  11. ladyironchef
    June 26th, 2009 @ 10:37 pm

    LFB: there’s no if we ever, we will meet bro! haha let me know when’s the next time u are coming Singapore, lets meet for dim sum :)

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