Known for its coffee and amazing cream puffs, Baristart Coffee Singapore will be opening a new outlet in the heart of Singapore’s bustling shopping district, situated within Wisma Atria on 15 Sep 2023.

Uncover this coffee sanctuary nestled on the fourth floor within the OCBC Wisma Atria branch which is a huge lifestyle and banking branch spanning over 20,000 sq ft with various lifestyle concepts, retail spaces and even a hidden omakase restaurant.

At Baristart Coffee’s new location, customers can indulge in the well-loved classics that have garnered a strong following among their loyal supports.

These include their captivating selection of sandos, such as the Tonkatsu with tender Hokkaido pork loin, along with the much-loved flavorful Wafu Pasta.

Additionally, the menu encompasses an array of coffee and dessert choices, highlighted by the indulgent BIEI Jersey Milk sourced from Hokkaido. This features their assortment of delectable Sweet Jar Custard Cream Puddings, Cream Puffs, and the signature velvety Softcream ice creams with a milky essence.

Certainly modest in appearance yet filled with a burst of rich custard made from Hokkaido BIEI Jersey Milk, Baristart Coffee’s delightful giant cream puffs are immensely popular and they are easily the best cream puffs you can get in Singapore.

Baristart Coffee Singapore
OCBC Wisma Atria branch
435 Orchard Rd, #04-01, Singapore 238877

Missing Hong Kong? There’s a new Cha Chaan Teng in town!

You can satisfy your cravings for authentic Hong Kong-style noodles, roast meats, and cha chaan teng classics at Pi Food, a new Hong Kong-style eatery located at UBS Singapore Business Hub (formerly known as Park Mall).

The kitchen is helmed by Hong Kong Head Chef Tsang Tak Ching, who worked as a Sous Chef at Lei Garden (Hong Kong) for 7 years before heading to Singapore.

Photos credit: Pi Food

You can look forward to Pi Food’s house specialities such as Hong Kong Fresh Shrimp Wanton Noodles, Iberico Pork Char Siew, Crispy Pork Belly, Sweet and Sour Pork and Gui Fei Chicken; as well as Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng classics including Hong Kong-Style Baked Rice with Pork Chop and Hong Kong Beef Brisket in Curry Sauce.

Pi Food
9 Penang Road, #01-18
Singapore 238459

Five Guys Singapore is opening its third outlet at ION Orchard basement 3, near to H&M, Hoshino and Poulet.

Following the opening of Tenya Singapore, Sen-Ryo and Ion Orchard Hawkers’ Street, Five Guys is the newest dining concept to open at ION Orchard.

Brought in by Zouk Group, this American cult favourite is a fast-casual burger joint which is known for its highly customisable menu. You can build your favourite burger or sandwich by exploring different combinations and taste profiles based on your preferences.

Five Guys offers 15 free toppings including an in-house mayo recipe created exclusively for Five Guys by Heinz. As such, there are approximately 250,000 combinations one can choose from.

The burgers are made-to-order, allowing the patty to retain its moisture.

Five Guys Singapore currently has two other outlets at Plaza Singapura and nex.

Five Guys Singpapore
Ion Orchard
2 Orchard Turn, Singapore 238801

Tempura Tendon Tenya Singapore is opening its second outlet at ION Orchard.

The largest tempura restaurant chain in Japan, Tempura Tendon Tenya first opened in Singapore at Orchard Central in Oct 2020. The new outlet will be at ION Orchard food hall, at Basement 4 next to Toss & Turn.

The popular tendon chain is known for its affordable tempura bowls and prices range from S$7.90 to S$12.90.

We were in disbelief when we first had the Tenya Tendon in Japan many years ago. It might not be the best tempura, but it was very decent, and surely a steal for the price.

First-timers have to try their signature Tenya Tendon which is priced at only S$8.50 for a hearty bowl of tempura tiger prawn, red fish, squid, pumpkin, and French beans.

With the opening of Tempura Tendon Tenya, shoppers at ION Orchard will now have another option for cheap and good tendon.

Tempura Tendon Tenya Singapore
ION Orchard basement 4

I Want My Noodle is a hidden eatery in Shaw Centre that specialises in noodles. Known for their egg noodles that are handmade every morning, they contain no preservatives and colouring, and there is this amazing springiness in every strand that we love.

The highlights include their Bak Chor Mee, Asian Duck Confit, Roast Meat Noodle, and Lor Bak Noodle. Most of the dishes are affordably priced under S$10, making it a great spot for a casual meal the next time you are in town.

What you must try at I Want My Noodle is the signature Bak Chor Mee. Quite unlike your usual minced pork noodles, their version is spicy and generously tossed in black vinegar.

The handmade noodles are shaped to be slightly curly, and this allows the noodles to be more evenly coated with the seasoning. Every mouthful is hence robust in flavour with a nice, spicy aftertaste.

We also enjoyed the Asian Duck Confit. Seasoned with herbs, it reminds us of the Balinese-style dirty duck—crispy skin, tender meat.

The owner of I Want My Noodle, Derrick Kuah, has an Indonesian mother-in-law, and many of their recipes come from her. It is safe to say this is a place for some simple and comforting Indonesian food.

I Want My Noodle is also offering islandwide delivery (free delivery for orders S$80 and above and you can order it through their website.

I Want My Noodle
1 Scotts Road
Shaw Centre
#03-14/15
Singapore 228208

Popular sushi chain Sen-Ryo has opened its first outlet in Singapore at Ion Orchard.

Originating from the Tochigi prefecture in Japan, Sen-Ryo has 13 outlets in Hong Kong and it is brought in by Maxim’s Caterers, the Hong Kong-based F&B group that also runs the Genki Sushi chain in Singapore.

Unlike the original Sen-Ryo in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Japan, Sen-Ryo Singapore will not be offering sushi on a conveyor belt. Instead, it will be offering full table service with dishes prepared a la minute.

The Japanese restaurant prides itself on serving “shokunin” (Japanese for artisanal) Edomae-style sushi.

On the menu, you can find a selection of Sashimi Platter, Sushi Platter, Kushiyaki, Tempura, and Donburi.

To celebrate its opening in Singapore, it is offering 5% off total net spend from now until 30 April 2021.

Sen-ryo Singapore
#03-14 Ion Orchard
2 Orchard Turn, Singapore 238801
Tel: +65 6974 6782

Matsukiya at Paragon is a Japanese charcoal grill concept by Sushi Tei which offers traditional Kushiyaki that is grilled over binchotan. Other than Kushiyaki, the slightly upmarket Japanese restaurant also has Donburi and set lunches that start from S$25++.

The highlight of our meal was, however, not the Kushiyaki. While Matsukiya’s grilled skewers were decent, the Miyazaki A4 Ribeye Wagyu Donburi completely stole the show.

There is a selection of seafood and meat that are grilled over binchotan:

• Ise Prawn (market price)
• Gindara (S$26)
• Kagoshima Pork (S$22)
• Miyazaki A4 Wagyu (S$45)

Some of the dishes that you can Matsukiya’s Kushiyaki menu include:

• Thigh (S$4)
• Miyazaki A4 Wagyu (S$12)
• Bacon Enoki Mushroom (S$7)
• Chicken Ball (S$5)
• Pork Belly (S$5)

If you are there during lunch, there are three set lunch options that are available daily from 11.30am to 2pm and they start from S$25++.

The Wagyu Donburi set lunch (S$65++) features Miyazaki A4 Ribeye, onsen egg, foie gras and a generous serving of Ikura on the side. The set also includes an appetiser, salmon tataki, a prawn soup with a charcoal-grilled prawn and mushrooms, as well as a scoop of ice cream.

It is by far one of the most value-for-money Wagyu Donburi you can get in Singapore.

Charcoal-grilled Unagi set lunch (S$30++)

We wouldn’t go all the way to Matsukiya for the Kushiyaki but we definitely wouldn’t mind dropping by for the Miyazaki A4 Wagyu Donburi again.

Matsukiya
290 Orchard Rd, #05-04 Paragon, Singapore 238859
Tel: +65 6219 1771

A clever play on the word ‘chateaubriand’—which is a prime tender cut of wagyu—Shatoburian is the most talked-about Japanese yakiniku restaurant in town now. Famed for their extensive menu of prized Hida wagyu cuts, this contemporary Japanese BBQ restaurant is a heaven for wagyu aficionados.

The restaurant sits within Palais Renaissance and is already a regular hangout spot among celebrities, socialites, wagyu connoisseurs and pretty much anyone who wants a good yakiniku meal.

Shatoburian sits on the second level of Palais Renaissance. The elusive restaurant is decked in a predominantly-dark interior with wooden partitions, and it is a cosy, intimate space for any special occasion. You may choose to enjoy your meal at the counter or sit at the tables for your own privacy.

It is wonderful to know that Shatoburian is all about sustainability. Their cattle hail from the Gifu prefecture and the restaurant adopts the nose-to-tail method of importing, hence offering all types of cuts of wagyu on its menu. The culinary team are so confident in their meat quality and flavours that they go easy on the seasoning and artificial flavourings.

You may not know where to start, and we will tell you go to for the Signature Yakiniku Don which comes in three variations—Kurobuta Pork (S$85), Japanese Wagyu Beef (S$118) and Chef’s premium selection of Japanese wagyu beef (S$188).

The Japanese Wagyu Beef Yakiniku Donburi is presented with foie gras, uni, caviar, onsen egg and topped with shaved truffles. Luxurious and indulgent, this heavenly bowl of treasures will make your day, regardless of which variation you go for. This is, hands down, one of the best wagyu donburi in Singapore.

There is this claypot rice dish that is good for sharing, and it is the Truffle Mushroom Gohan (S$98). A mix of French and Japanese mushrooms are cooked to order and topped with shaved truffles—simple but very earthy flavours with a splendid aftertaste of the fragrant truffle.

On the yakiniku menu, you can choose from thin-slice, normal-slice as well as steak cuts.

Our ultimate favourite is definitely the Shato-suki (S$80)!

100g of Sirloin is BBQ-ed over big flames only until medium-rare, leaving the slices of heaven still soft and tender, before it is served in a Japanese raw egg.

Other cuts to love are the Misuji (Oyster blade, S$52), Rib Shin (S$70) and Pork Jowl (S$28), as well as Chateaubriand (S$150)—Shatoburian’s prized cut—which is 120g of the most tender and best cut of the tenderloin.

Most of the meats are available in Shio or Tare (Barbeque sauce) and the steaks are served with Himalayan salt and condiments.

It goes without saying that a meal at Shatoburian doesn’t come cheap. But is it worth splurging on? Definitely! This is the place to head to if you are willing to pay a premium for quality wagyu yakiniku.

Shatoburian
390 Orchard Rd, #02 – 08, Singapore 238871
Tel: +65 6904 3308

The famous fire ramen from Kyoto, Menbaka Fire Ramen is opening its first-ever overseas outlet outside of Kyoto at Cineleisure Orchard, Singapore on 24 November 2020.

You’ve probably seen footage of Menbaka’s legendary fire ramen all over the internet. And now, you will get the chance to savour the fire ramen in Singapore without having to fly to Kyoto.

Menbaka Fire Ramen soon became a hotspot for Japanese diners and tourists from around the world. Menbaka’s fire ramen is the first in the world to pour flaming negi oil on top of its green onion broth to create towering flames and an exquisitely smokey broth.

Photos credit: Menbaka Fire Ramen

Other than Menbaka’s signature Shoyu Fire Ramen, which consists of chicken, mackerel, seaweed and bonito brewed for over five hours to achieve a complex and flavourful aroma; you can also look forward to the Vegetarian Fire Ramen as well as the Singapore-exclusive Tonkotsu Fire Ramen.

Menbaka Fire Ramen Singapore
8 Grange Road
Cineleisure Orchard #05-03
Singapore 239695

Established in 2008, Bedrock Bar & Grill—one of the best steak restaurants in Singapore—is a modern steakhouse by The Refinery Concepts which exudes a rustic, almost roughed up, vibe with its many granite and wooden elements.

The homegrown steakhouse has been recently awarded ‘Best Steakhouse in Asia’ by Haute Grandeur Global Restaurants Award 2020, including ‘Best Grill in Asia’, ‘Best Wine Selection in Singapore’ and ‘Best Restaurant Manager on a Global Level’. Look forward to high-quality steaks specially sourced from the farms in the USA and Australia by Executive Chef Isaac Tan and his team.

Dining at Bedrock Bar & Grill is always a memorable experience with perfectly cooked steaks paired with the globes’ finest whiskies.

Enjoy 15% off à la carte Lunch Menu when you pay with your Mastercard® at Bedrock Bar & Grill.

TOMAHAWK STEAK

Probably the first restaurant in Singapore to introduce the Tomahawk steak in 2009, Bedrock Bar & Grill’s Tomahawk Steak (subject to market price) is best for sharing amongst a big group.

Savour the flavours of a tender grain-fed wagyu long bone-in ribeye, imparted with the smoky, charred flavours and subtle sweetness from an applewood-fire grill. Not all steaks are created equal, Bedrock Bar & Grill’s Tomahawk Steak is definitely in a league of its own.

The giant Tomahawk Steak is paired perfectly with four homemade sauces — Bedrock chilli oil, wholegrain whisky mustard, red wine sauce, and classic béarnaise. In our opinion, though, you don’t really need any sauces when the steak is that good.

DOUBLE CUT DRY AGED PORTERHOUSE

Other than the Tomahawk, Bedrock is also known for its Double Cut Dry Aged Porterhouse (S$180++), with two beloved steaks on bone – tenderloin and striploin.

Each porterhouse is specially prepared through the dry aging process in Bedrock’s in-house customised dry aging fridge, which enhances the unique beef flavour and tenderness.

BEDROCK MAC N’ CHEESE

Served as an accompaniment to their mains, Bedrock Mac N’ Cheese (S$22++) is a scrumptious dish that is extremely rich and cheesy. Topped with a crispy melted cheese crust, the macaroni is slathered in four different cheeses and drizzled with a copious amount of truffle oil.

We will go out on a limb to say that this is one of the best, if not the best, Mac & Cheese in Singapore.

Photo credit: Bedrock Bar & Grill

SIGNATURE BLACK PEPPER STEAK RICE BOWL

The newest addition to Bedrock Bar & Grill’s menu, the Signature Black Pepper Steak Rice Bowl (from S$58++) features Wagyu petit fillet, a portion of rich and buttery foie gras, topped on a bed of fragrant beef drippings garlic rice, with grilled onion, pickled pumpkin, soft boiled egg, and Bedrock black pepper sauce.

This is available as part of the 3-course Executive Set Lunch Menu (daily from 12pm to 3pm), as well as island-wide delivery.

BOMBE ALASKA

End off your meal with the Bombe Alaska (S$22++) which comes with layers of raspberry white chocolate ice cream and butter cookies, enrobed in meringue, and flambéed with rum. Get your phones and cameras ready as the service staff torch the dessert in flame. Blink and you’ll miss it.

A SELECTION OF SINGLE MALT WHISKIES, AND WHISKY TRAILS

Bedrock Bar & Grill also offers an extensive collection of over 70 rare & old whiskies from Scottish isles and rural Japan. You can sip on their classic concoctions such as the Bedrock Whisky Sour (S$18++) – a Redbreast 12-year-old Irish whisky concocted with refreshing lemon juice and simple syrup.

If you are a whisky lover, you can also sample some of the best picks with their specially curated Whisky Trails such as the Taste of Scotland (S$38++), each offering the distinctive taste of whiskies from different regions.

Other than the fantastic steaks, the restaurant also has other options including Barramundi (S$42++), Brick Pressed Chicken (S$38++), Lobster Béarnaise Burger (S$68++), and Spicy Lobster Linguine (S$48++).

Don’t forget to pay with your Mastercard® at Bedrock Bar & Grill to enjoy 15% off à la carte Lunch Menu.

Bedrock Bar & Grill
96, #01-05 Somerset Rd
Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Orchard
Singapore 238163
Website: https://www.bedrock.com.sg
Delivery website:http://delivery.bedrock.com.sg
Facebook: @BedrockBarandgrill
Instagram: Bedrocksg
Nearest Station: Somerset

This post was brought to you by Bedrock Bar & Grill.

Located at Mandarin Orchard Singapore, Chatterbox is perhaps one of the most famous—and expensive—chicken rice restaurants in Singapore.

Helmed by executive sous chef Liew Tian Heong, Chatterbox’s Hainanese Chicken Rice is its most popular dish and propelled the restaurant to fame. People from all over the world flock to the restaurant for a taste of this signature dish.

Is Chatterbox’s Hainanese Chicken Rice really that good? Is it worth paying S$27++ for a plate of chicken rice?

Chatterbox has quite a variety of local snacks on its menu. From the Rojak (S$17), to Satay (S$18 for 6 sticks), and Ngoh Hiang (S$18), you can find all the popular local snacks here.

And don’t miss out on the Salted Egg Chicken Wings (S$20 for 8 pieces)—it is certainly the best appetizer on the menu, and the best way to start your meal!

Nobody comes to Chatterbox without ordering the legendary Mandarin Chicken Rice (S$27++).

It comes with tender-boiled free-range chicken that is so juicy and succulent. Paired with fragrant rice—every grain is evenly coated with chicken oil and perfumed with pandan leaves. The homemade chilli sauce is really good and kickass.

Other than the Mandarin Chicken Rice, we also love Chatterbox’s Lobster Laksa (S$38).

There’s simply no turning back once you’ve tasted their Lobster Laksa—a wondrous bowl of goodness that looks and tastes amazing. A whole fresh lobster is used in every bowl. The soup is thick with the layered taste of quality coconut milk and fresh lobster. It is as luxurious as laksa can get.

This is probably one of the most, if not the most expensive, chicken rice in Singapore. And let’s be frank, not everyone will want to pay so much for a plate of chicken rice, especially when you can get really good chicken rice at S$3-5 from the other famous chicken rice stalls in Singapore.

If you are willing to pay S$27 for pasta or risotto from an Italian restaurant, why not the same amount for a plate of chicken rice?

Chatterbox is where you can get a taste of Singapore’s local food, elevated with premium ingredients and precise cooking techniques. It’s certainly the ideal place to bring your overseas friends to have a taste of the most popular Singaporean local food in a comfortable setting.

Chatterbox
333 Orchard Road
Level 5, Mandarin Orchard
Singapore 238867

The foodie community wept when The Marmalade Pantry announced back in mid-2018 that it was closing it’s outlet at ION Orchard. A beloved high-tea spot in the heart of town, we fell in love with everything there from their charming ambience, innovative brunch dishes and a wide selection of artisanal teas and cakes.

Well, surprise, surprise, the home-grown bistro is set to return to its former premise on the 4th level of ION Orchard once again. This time, armed with a tasty arsenal of new dishes in addition to signature favourites such as their Spicy Crabmeat pasta and Sticky Date & Toffee Pudding. Looking forward to other new and exclusive to this outlet dishes like the stellar high-tea set and a trio of decadent desserts specially crafted by Masterchef Singapore’s runner-up, Chef Genevieve Lee as part of a collaboration that pays humble tribute local dishes and in support of local talent.

With a whopping total of more than 10 new and exclusive menu items and more, be wowed by the likes of their new Asian section, featuring the Kimchi Fried Rice, served with a gorgeously pink medium-rare strip loin and the Singapore Laksa, a homage to our beloved local dish but with the addition of slipper lobster. Looking to pamper yourself as you catch up with friends? Their Decadent Afternoon Tea Set comes with a variety of sweet and savoury confectionery delights and freshly brewed pots of tea by Monogram.

MARYLAND CRAB CAKES

The key to any good crab cake is using fresh lump crabmeat, leaving them slightly chunky and not overly shredded and to go light on the filler. Safe to say, the folks here nailed it perfectly. Their Maryland Crab Cakes (S$26++) focuses squarely on the crab, allowing each bite to be crispy and packed full of sweetness and natural flavours of crab.

The homemade tartar sauce served on the side was also spot on, not overly rich with a good amount of diced gherkins added to give the sauce a sufficient citrus kick to complement the crab cakes.

SPICY SRIRACHA CHICKEN BURGER

Delightful in both its flavour and texture, the Spicy Sriracha Chicken Burger (S$24++) assaults the several fronts. First, you get the crunch from the perfectly deep-fried spiced chicken patty before succulent juices come oozing out, followed by the tangy kick from the Sriracha mayo which nicely complements the rich notes of the blue cheese.

SINGAPORE LAKSA

Unlike many restaurants out there that try to tweak and reinvent local dishes to the point that it’s unrecognisable, the good folks here do well to retain the essence of what they aim to recreate. The broth of their Singapore Laksa (S$32++) is rich, spicy and exudes a bold seafood aroma and also features the likes of slipper lobster, quail eggs, tiger prawns for that luxe appeal.

KIMCHI FRIED RICE

A homage to the classic after-tipple comfort food, we were most thrilled to tuck into their new Kimchi Fried Rice (S$26++). On a bed of fried rice cooked with fresh kimchi, sits a nicely seared striploin steak, perfectly pink in the middle and golden brown from edge to edge. For umami, nori is garnished over the top and sous vide egg, served on the side for added richness.

Served flat on a griddle pan—similar to how a Spanish paella would be served—the bottom layer of the rice achieves an even crust, giving the dish a toasted flavour and a crunch as well.

SPICY CRABMEAT PASTA

Perhaps one of the best pasta dishes we’ve tried here to date, the Spicy Crabmeat Pasta (S$26++) impresses with its generosity with good quality crabmeat, perfectly cooked pasta and a flavourful, umami-dense sauce that binds everything together nicely.

The addition of pine nuts into the mix gives the dish a nutty, somewhat buttery flavour which does well to complement the sharp taste of the spicy tomato sauce.

BRICK-PRESSED CHICKEN

The method of cooking a chicken, skin-side down with a weighted object (in this case a brick) pressed down on it allows the skin to crisp up evenly. It also forces the meat to remain flat, ensuring that every morsel of meat cooks at the same pace.

We were beyond sold the moment we tasted their Brick Pressed Chicken (S$30++). Well-seasoned and crispy with a buttery herb flavour to underscore it, every bite was a joy. The dish comes served with roasted celeriac, potatoes and topped with truffle herb butter.

CURRY BARRAMUNDI

Beautifully robust with a heady aroma of warm spices which seemed to lean toward a tangier note—much like the classic South Indian fish head curry—, we couldn’t keep our forks to ourselves when it came down to their Curry Barramundi (S$28++).

Nestled atop a bed of Japanese rice and vegetables is a perfectly cooked barramundi fillet and served alongside the dish is the aromatic curry. An interesting choice of rice given that the dish is essentially Indian, the starchier Japanese short grain rice did well to hold on to the fish curry, providing an interesting texture along with a flavourful bite.

STICKY DATE & TOFFEE PUDDING

Whether you’re a sucker for sweets or not, one does not simply leave The Marmalade Pantry without ordering up their Sticky Date & Toffee Pudding (S$14++). The epitome of luxury, this dessert for champions features a steamed pudding studded with ripe dates and is surrounded by a generous pour of toffee sauce and a large scoop of Cold Stone Creamery’s vanilla ice cream.

Sweet, sticky and indulgent from start to finish, this is one dessert that begs to be enjoyed after your meal regardless of how stuffed you are.

A SPECIAL COLLABORATION WITH MASTERCHEF SINGAPORE’S RUNNER-UP GENEVIEVE LEE

Exclusive to The Marmalade Pantry’s flagship at ION Orchard, be treated to a trio of decadence prepared by none other than Masterchef Singapore’s runner-up, Genevieve (Gen) Lee. Trained in culinary arts, the edge that Gen has is in her expansive knowledge of ingredients such as herbs and spices, of which she uses in her various cakes and desserts.

“Herbs are rarely used in desserts which is a shame because there is so much untapped potential there. I used thyme in my cake because it lends freshness to further lift the dessert.”, she explains.

A taste of home, her Reimagined Kaya Toast Dessert is a deconstructed kaya toast with varying elements such as a meringue that comprises toast from Ya Kun Kaya Toast, a custardy, slightly salty coconut sauce to resemble the butter element and a pistachio sponge that accurately replicates the toasted, nutty flavours of charred toast.

If you’re a sucker for anything containing blueberries, her The Blue Rhapsody Cake will surely impress. Infused with lemon and thyme, the cake takes on an aromatic and bright-tasting appeal, which is further elevated with a layer of blueberries followed by a lovely hazelnut crumble on top. Wrapped around the cake is a layer of cream cheese that she sweetens using honey instead of sugar.

A specialty and one that warrants a try if you’re a fan of the iconic Thai pushcart dessert is her Mango Sticky Rice named Sunset in a glass. Intricately prepared, the dessert features components such as a sorbet made using Thai mangoes, an assortment of crushed toasted nuts, a toasted meringue, sticky rice infused with coconut and diced cubes of super ripe Thai mangoes.

AFTERNOON TEA SET

Since the day it opened its doors, The Marmalade Pantry has impressed many with its stellar array of afternoon tea delights. Luxurious in both its food and tea offerings as well as its luxe interior, stopping by for high tea between 3pm to 6pm daily is highly recommended.

Treat yourselves to their High Tea Set (S$60++) that comfortably serves two. What you get is a double-tiered platter comprising a variety of sweet and savouries followed by 2 pots of freshly brewed tea by Mongram Tea (Available from 4 March 2019 onwards).

Enjoy these new creations at the flagship outlet and enjoy 15% off when you pay with Mastercard!

The Marmalade Pantry
#04-11a, ION Orchard,
2 Orchard Turn,
Singapore 238801
Nearest Station: Orchard

This post was brought to you by The Marmalade Pantry.

Famed for its contemporary approaches to traditional Chinese food along with its unyielding commitment to theatrics and witty presentation, Lokkee, part of the TungLok Group, is one Chinese restaurant that impresses time and time again.

The restaurant reinterprets and elevates the traditional Chinese recipes with a dash of Western influence, celebrating the unique style of cuisine that is commonly found in Chinatowns dotted across major, non-Chinese cities around the world such as New York, London and Sydney.

Through marrying culinary prowess along with fresh, top quality ingredients, the chefs here continue to push boundaries to what many of us know and understand about Chinese cooking, creating a whole new genre of Chinese cuisine altogether. Our favourites include their Firecracker Chicken Nest that draws its inspiration from Sichuan’s cuisine as well as their ‘Bakkwa’ Bacon Salad—a starter that marries both the East and West perfectly.

‘BAKKWA’ BACON SALAD

A meaty snack that has risen in popularity over the years is bakkwa. Salty, sweet, smoky and everything one could ever want to munch on when feeling peckish, this barbecued beauty—similar to jerky—has won the hearts of many and even of those who live abroad.

Featuring bakkwa in one of its top-selling salad dishes, the ‘Bakkwa’ Bacon Salad (S$32++) arrives at the table surrounded by a moat of dry ice that aims to mystify the dish and excite the senses. In this dish, bacon strips are grilled bakkwa-style and coated with toasted sesame and hung over a bed of oriental greens and lotus root croutons. Hung immediately after the bacon strips are cooked, the fat is allowed to drip down onto the salad, giving the salad a buttery sheen and smoky flavour.

The bacon ‘bakkwa’ is on a whole different level in terms of taste and texture. Coated in a sweet glaze and a substantial amount of luscious liquid fat to tie it all off, every bite comes with the promise of sensorial pleasure.

FIRECRACKER CHICKEN NEST

A crowd-favourite and one that took us by surprise was the Firecracker Chicken Nest (S$28++).

Reinterpreting the iconic Chinese takeout dish, kung pao chicken, what you get is a vibrant mess of dried chilli, Sichuan peppercorns, chicken bits that have been coated in five-spice powder and deep-fried. Contrary to the heaping mound of dried chilli, the heat is actually pretty manageable and the chicken, extremely tasty.

But should you feel a need to cool off your palate, the mango purée—the bright-yellow blob cleverly designed to look like an egg yolk—instantly cools the tongue and delivers a sweet, fruity explosion.

AWESOME FLAMING PINEAPPLE BEEF

From appearance, right down to its gentle marriage of flavours, the Awesome Flaming Pineapple Beef (S$34++) dish truly epitomises the cuisine associated with fortune cookies and Chinese takeout boxes commonly seen in Hollywood movies.

Fruity and tangy rather than savoury and robust, the braised chunks of beef borrows flavour from its host, resulting in a lovely flavour that marries the best of both ingredients wonderfully. For theatrical purposes, the pineapple is set aflame upon serving so be sure to have your cameras at the ready.

DRAGON PHOENIX POT

A new addition to Lokkee’s menu is the Dragon Phoenix Pot (S$30++), a one-pot-wonder that seems strangely familiar to the classic drunken prawn dish. Neatly arranged at the base of the pot is chicken wings, prawns, wolfberries and enokitake mushrooms. However, the fun only begins the second an entire bottle of Gosnells London Mead is emptied into the pot.

Mead, an alcoholic beverage that’s made by fermenting honey and water, gives the dish a sweet, honey flavour and helps to bring out the sweetness of the other ingredients as well. As it reduces down, the flavour of the soup develops and becomes enriched with all its various components, giving you a concentrated soup with depth.

THE MERMAID WITH FRESH FISH MAW

A juggernaut of a dish and one that demands to be shared between more than two people at least, THE MERMAID with fresh fish maw (S$128++)—inspired by the recently-popular grilled fish from Sichuan—sees a massive fillet of grilled barramundi, topped with fish maw and accompanied by squares of tofu. The dish first arrives in dry form before the servers eventually spoon over two large blobs of collagen and a concentrated broth.

Healthy, fragrant and apparently great for your complexion as well, the broth is made simply using fish bones and fish skin. The result? A full-bodied broth that brims with clean, comforting flavours and some serious umami. The fish itself is grilled beautifully, boasting flaky, delicate flesh that pairs exceptionally well with the flavourful broth.

PUMPKIN BUTTER CREAM SHRIMP

Smelling, looking and tasting like salted egg yolk but devoid of it, the all-new Pumpkin Butter Cream Shrimp (S$26++) is truly a stunner. Served on skewers, it makes for easier consumption and also looks appealing when plated.

Savoury, buttery and adorned with a velvety sheen, the shrimps possessed a tender and succulent texture that made gobbling the entire dish up an easy a task.

WAGYU TRUFFLE ‘HOR FUN’

One of our ultimate favourites at Lokkee would have to be their Wagyu Truffle Hor Fun (S$60++). Served in a gigantic bowl, a serving of tender hor fun is topped with crispy shards of fried dough and topped neatly with thick slices of medium-rare Wagyu beef.

As if the bowl filled with top-quality beef wasn’t enough, a viscous truffle-infused sauce is drizzled over top, completing the dish and giving it a heightened richness. Delicious and decadent, this dish has stolen the hearts of many and continues to wow diners new and old.

KING PRAWN ‘CHAO TA’ NOODLES

Yet another new addition to the restaurant’s menu is the King Prawn ‘Chao Ta’ Noodles (S$38++).

Sitting on a bed of crispy fried egg noodles is a heaping mound of king prawns coated in a luscious tomato-based sauce. The prawns are soft and tender and came out of their shells with ease. The sauce is tangy, spicy and sweet, much like our iconic chilli crab but with a flavour that’s considerably more held-back.

Complementing the prawns beautifully, the ‘chao ta’ noodles—fried till its base achieves a blackened char—provided a smoky backbone and an enticing crispy texture that made the dish more addictive.

FRIED DURIAN

There’s an undeniable finesse and a great deal of skill and knowledge of gastronomy that guides each dish from the kitchen to table, and the chefs here really pull all the stops to make dining here an unforgettable experience for all.

A dish, or rather dessert, that best exemplifies this quality is their Fried Durian (S$16++), a sweet treat that introduces a symphony of sensations on the tongue. Scattered around the perfectly deep-fried durian fritters is a carefully organised mess comprising strawberry caviar, popping candy, flecks of flower petals and coconut flakes that do well to beautify as well as to tease.

Fried till perfectly golden, the initial crunchy bite reveals a molten durian centre that is both sweet, velvety and warm like a custard and while the pop rocks and sago do not contribute much to the overall taste of the dessert, it does provide interesting textures.

Lokkee Plaza Singapura, #03-01 68 Orchard Road Singapore 238839 Tel: +65 6884 4566 Daily: 11am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

This post was brought to you by Lokkee.