Spice Brasserie at PARKROYAL On Kitchener Road celebrates the arrival of the Lunar New Year with an array of mouth-watering auspicious delights where you can expect Chinese New Year classics as well as Nyonya flavours all in one place.

Known for their crabs, Executive Chef Kelvin Chuah and his team have created an extensive line-up with a Peranakan twist that features the Lucky Fortune Set which will be served right at your table for dinner buffet on 15, 16 and 17 February 2018. This luxurious set includes Salmon Yu Sheng, Baked Sea Scallop With Mushroom Cheese, Braised Abalone with Duck Feet, Braised Sea Cucumber With Roasted Pork and Nanas Lemak Lobster as well as free flow soft drinks.

On top of the amazing spread, diners can also find Chinese New Year specials such as the Steamed Seabass Fillet with Nyonya Sauce, Stir-fried Seafood with Yam Basket, Steamed Lotus Rice with Yam and Chinese Sausages and Traditional Nian Gao with Peanut.

Simply quote ‘ladyironchef’ upon making your reservations to enjoy 20% off Spice Brasserie’s mouth-watering lunch and dinner buffets.

You will be delighted to know that while most restaurants are unavailable during the Lunar New Year, Spice Brasserie will be operating as per normal.

SALMON YU SHENG

The kaleidoscope of colours in this Salmon Yu Sheng is a visual feast for diners. This traditional platter introduced an abundant amount of julienned carrots, radish, and cucumber drizzled with a sour plum sauce for a slightly tangy flavour and topped with thick slices of fresh Salmon.

Diners can toss your way to a prosperous new year before feasting on the extravagant buffet line-up at Spice Brasserie. Every table is entitled to a serving of Salmon Yu Sheng which is tailored to your party of family and friends.

BAKED SEA SCALLOP WITH MUSHROOM CHEESE

Served in scallop shells, these Baked Sea Scallops With Mushroom Cheese is the ultimate guilty pleasure.

Each scallop shell comes with a succulent scallop sprinkled with cheese and lightly torched before baking. As if it could not get any better, underneath each scallop lies a bed of fried vermicelli and mushrooms.

BRAISED ABALONE WITH DUCK FEET

During Chinese New Year, things are not the same without abalone on the menu. The Braised Abalone With Duck Feet features chewy abalone and duck feet on top of boiled xiao bai cai and covered in a thick braised sauce.

Without a doubt, most of us would give the duck feet a miss and head straight for the abalone. Do not be deceived by the unattractive claw for this Chinese delicacy is dripping with savoury braised sauce and the skin sports a hint of chewiness that will slide right of the bones.

BRAISED SEA CUCUMBER WITH ROASTED PORK

For the uninitiated, eating sea cucumber symbolises one looking forward to a better year ahead. On the first bite, you get an explosion of flavourful braised sauce from the gooey sea cucumber and the roasted pork boasted a slightly charred flavour. From the melt-in-your-mouth sea cucumber to the thick slices of roasted pork, this dish is a must-try.

NANAS LEMAK LOBSTER

An unusual dish to your traditional line-up of CNY delights, the Nanas Lemak Lobster adds a Peranakan twist where diners can tuck into Cuba lobsters cooked in light, slightly spicy sauce filled with aromatic spices. This dish was what we needed in between all the braised dishes to strike a nice balance of flavours.

STEAMED SEABASS FILLET WITH NYONYA SAUCE

If you are a fan of spicy food, the Steamed Seabass Fillet With Nyonya Sauce is the one for you. It may look mediocre, but the taste is phenomenal.

We loved this dish for its complex flavours and how the Nyonya sauce brings everything together. From the subtle sweetness of the Seabass to the appetising tamarind-based sauce, this dish was easily our favourite from the menu.

STIR-FRIED SEAFOOD WITH YAM BASKET

The yam basket derives its name from the Buddhist alms bowl which signifies an overflowing of fortune in Cantonese. Indeed, the Stir-Fried Seafood With Yam Basket at Spice Brasserie was overflowing with goodness.

You can expect the yam basket to be fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside. The added cashews gave a great crunch to the stir-fried seafood and we recommend eating everything together instead of separately as you can taste the wok hei from the seafood, nuttiness from the cashew and sweet flavour from the yam.

STEAMED LOTUS RICE WITH YAM AND CHINESE SAUSAGE

The classic Steamed Lotus Rice With Yam And Chinese Sausage needs no further introduction. Wrapped in a giant lotus leaf, the glutinous rice is brimming with Chinese delicacies such as shiitake mushrooms, yam, and Chinese sausages. Besides the different textures and flavours from the various ingredients, the rice is infused with the aromatic flavour of lotus leaf upon steaming the dish.

TRADITIONAL NIAN GAO WITH PEANUTS

Unlike your usual nian gao that comes plain or deep-fried in batter, this version resembles muah chee. Instead of slices or chunks, the nian gao is snipped into bite-sized pieces and coated with a generous amount of peanut shavings. We have to admit that this was quite an innovative spin on nian gao.

As if this incredible spread could not get any better, simply quote “ladyironchef” upon making your reservations to enjoy these mouth-watering Chinese New Year specials for 20% off at Spice Brasserie from 15 to 22 February 2018.

For dining reservations and enquiries, please call +65 6428 3160 or email spicebrasserie.prskt@parkroyalhotels.com.

Chinese New Year Buffet Lunch
18 to 22 February 2018
Adult S$58++, Child S$29++
16 and 17 February 2018
Adult S$68++, Child S$34++

Chinese New Year Buffet Dinner
18 to 22 February 2018
Adult S$68++, Child S$34++
16 and 17 February 2018
Adult S$88++, Child S$44++

Spice Brasserie
PARKROYAL on Kitchener Road
181 Kitchener Road
Singapore 208533
Tel: +65 6428 3160
Daily: 6am – 10.30am, 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Farrer Park

This post is brought to you by PARKROYAL on Kitchener Road.

From a Lunar New Year high tea for a prosperous kick-start to the year, to the most luxurious reunion dinner with the best Chinese delicacies, as well as recommendations on yushengs that are worth looking out for this year, our guide to Chinese New Dinner 2014 has it all covered. We have included a list of restaurants that are perfect for your festive celebrations and indulgences with family and loved ones. There is no better way than to usher in the new year of the Horse with a pampering feast.

Man Fu Yuan

Man Fu Yuan at InterContinental Singapore is our to-go place when we need to host clients for a formal luncheon, or when we want to celebrate a happy occasion with our family. The emphasis at Man Fu Yuan has always been on classic and refined Cantonese cooking, and impeccable service that makes dining there such a pleasure.

This year, the Prosperous Yusheng (shown in the first picture) is arranged in the shape of a horse. This is one stunning yusheng that you will not want to miss for Lo Hei this Chinese New Year. And for the premium menus, you can enjoy your yusheng with a touch of resplendence in the form of rose-shaped sashimi slices.

The chefs have prepared an array of set menus that will please every palate. Anticipate tantalising dishes such as Stir-fried Lobster & Crab Roe, Double-boiled Superior Bird’s Nest, but the star of the menu this year is definitely the Double-boiled ‘Fu Zhou’ Buddha Jump Over The Wall. With delicacies like whole Mexican abalone, sea cucumber, fish maw, dried scallops and deer tendon, all cooked over a strict control of high and low heat for 3 days, what is left is the essence of the very best, and this is the ultimate indulgence. Quite simply, we call this the best way to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

One thing that is also worth mentioning is that Man Fu Yuan has only one seating for Lunar New Year’s Eve. If you want to enjoy the reunion dinner without being rushed to finish your food, and don’t mind paying a slight premium, book a table here.

Photo credit: Intercontinental Singapore

Man Fu Yuan’s wide range of festive dishes from the take-home set menus is perfect for those who are having your reunion dinner at home. Besides the aforementioned Double-boiled Fu Zhou Buddha Jump Over the Wall (S$688+), Man Fu Yuan’s signature Deluxe Treasure Pot (S$398+/5pax) comes with 25 premium ingredients, and while you can find the standard items abalone, sea cucumber, fish maw and goose web, the star ingredient is Boston lobster.

The Chinese New Year promotion is available from 17 Jan to 14 Feb 2014.

Man Fu Yuan
80 Middle Road
2F Intercontinental Hotel
Tel: +65 6825 1062
Nearest Station: Bugis
To purchase online – www.facebook.com/ICSingapore

Photo credit: Resorts World Sentosa

Feng Shui Inn

It is the combination of exquisite and authentic fine Cantonese cuisine and an elegant and luxurious ambience that contribute to the overall dining experience at Feng Shui Inn, at Resorts World Sentosa.

Meticulously plated to form the shape of a horse, Feng Shui Inn’s Salmon & Mackeral Lo Hei served with Italy Balsamic Vinegar is a masterpiece, and a feast for the senses. It combines flavours and textures by mixing salmon cubes, crispy-skinned mackerel and silver fish, and the bonus addition that completes the brilliant masterpiece is the sweet strips of bak gwa!

Other noteworthy dishes are the Sauteed Grouper Fillet with fish roe and asparagus shoots that combines the freshness with a natural hint of sweetness from the fish, and the Braised Oyster with Conpoy that is served with braised bai ling mushrooms – just like how the Chinese love it. They are available as ala carte dishes, as well as part of a lavish 8-course menu (S$1,118++/6pax, S$1688++/10pax).

The Chinese New Year promotion is available from 20 Jan to 14 Feb 2014.

Feng Shui Inn
8 Sentosa Gateway
Crockfords Tower Level G2
Resorts World Sentosa
Tel: +65 6577 6688
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

Forest

Over at Forest, look out for the Salmon Fruity Vegetable Yusheng (S$78++ for 2 to 4 pax) – filled with a variation of fruits like melon, pomelo chunks, strips of apple, seaweed, and carrot sticks, this dish is rich in colours and textures. Crispy silverfish, thinly sliced salmon, and a homemade yuzu honey lime dressing are added to jazz up the dish.

Forest has several set menus available for this Lunar New Year, starting from S$68++/pax for a 5-course lunch and S$178++/pax for a 6-course dinner. Dishes worth mentioning are the appetising and refreshing Vietnamese Roll with Lobster in X.O. Chili Sauce and topped with homemade sesame dressing, the rich and tender Stewed Pork Belly with Dried Scallop and Hairy melon, and the Japanese Fragrant Rice with XO sausage and pan-seared foie gras presented in steamed yellow pumpkin. As always, Forest promises an exhilarating palate experience.

The Chinese New Year promotion is available from 18 Jan to 14 Feb 2014.

Forest
8 Sentosa Gateway
Level 1 Equarius Hotel
Resorts World Sentosa
Tel: +65 6577 6688
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

Jade Restaurant

From the luxurious Braised Bird Nest’s with crab meat and roe in superior broth, to Sautéed Boston Lobster with a crazily addictive spicy cheese sauce, to the must-have Prosperity Seafood in Claypot – a pot of wonder filled with premium ingredients like abalone, fish maw, sea cucumber, and dried oysters – Chinese New Year dinner at The Fullerton Hotel’s Jade Restaurant is a feast fit for the royalty, and a splendid way to welcome the new year.

Another highlight is the Eight Happiness Gold Rush Salmon Yusheng (S$78/6pax, S$118 for 8/pax). What makes Jade’s Yusheng stand out is the choice of the healthier olive oil, a delightful and refreshing apple plum dressing, and chunks of luxurious champagne jelly with edible gold leaves. Toss to a great year with the yusheng which features Chef Leong’s beautiful calligraphic drawing of a horse.

To end your meal on a sweet note, indulge in their creative dessert options which includes nian gao tartlets, and rose-flavoured water chestnut cake.

The Chinese New Year promotion is available from 20 Jan to 14 Feb 2014.

Jade Restaurant
Ground Floor, Fullerton Hotel
1 Fullerton Square
Tel: +65 6877 8188
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

mezza9

mezza9 at Grand Hyatt Singapore is a chic concept restaurant which offers nine different dining experiences in one space.

mezza9′s Chinese New Year menu features several mouth-watering dishes. We love the Braised Spare Rib (S$48) that are so rich in flavour and accompanied with steamed buns so that we can savour every bit of the sauce. The Crispy Duck (S$38 for half, S$72 for whole) with yellow turmeric sauce is like a Chinese rendition of a duck confit, and equally satisfying.

For sharing, we recommend the Steamed New Zealand Snapper (S$88) that will complete your reunion dinner. And if you have a big family, go for the 6-course set dinner (S$118/pax, min of 6 pax), or the 8-course set dinner (S$168/pax, min of 8 pax).

In line with mezza9′s approach in providing sustainable seafood from independent eco labels, the restaurant presents its Double Happiness & Good Luck Yusheng with sustainable South Australian yellowtail kingfish and Irish organic atlantic salmon (S$48 for 2 pax, S$98 for 6 pax). No compromise on the tastes, and if any, the freshness had us longing for more.

The Chinese New Year promotion is available from 15 Jan to 14 Feb 2014.

Grand Hyatt Singapore
10 Scotts Road
Mezzanine Level
Tel: +65 6730 7188
Nearest Station: Orchard

Tian Fu Tea Room by Si Chuan Dou Hua

Tea lovers will love Tian Fu Tea Room by Si Chuan Dou Hua restaurant – a Chinese tea room concept that promotes the art of tea appreciation, and a sanctuary for all to indulge in the beautiful world of teas. This festive season, Tian Fu Tea Room presents the Reunion Imperial High Tea, a high tea to be enjoyed with your loved ones and business associates.

At S$32/pax, the high tea comes with a Prosperity Salmon Yusheng (customised accordingly to group size), two premium Chinese teas, eight dim sum and snacks – including Double-boiled Seafood Dumpling in Superior Soup, Camphor Tea Smoked Chicken, Steamed Abalone Dumpling with Wasabi Sauce, Steamed Fish Ball with Black Moss, Deep-fried Radish Puff, Fried Rice wrapped in Lotus Leaf, Glutinous Rice Balls in Chinese Rice Wine, and Pan-fried New Year Cake with Glutinous Pearls.

It is such a stunning display of the best of Chinese goodies to say the least, and with this value-for-money tea set, spend a leisure afternoon at this elegant Chinese tea room over Lo-Hei this Chinese New Year.

The Chinese New Year Promotion is available from 30 Jan to 14 Feb 2014.

Tian Fu Tea Room
80 Raffles Place
#60-01 UOB Plaza 1
Tel: +65 6535 6006
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

PARKROYAL ON Beach Road
7500 Beach Road
Tel: +65 6505 5724
Nearest Station: Bugis

PARKROYAL on Kitchener Road
181 Kitchener Road
Tel: +65 6428 3170
Nearest Station: Farrer Park

Whether you are looking for a restaurant to have reunion dinner with your family, or lo-hei with your friends and colleagues, here are some suggestions for Chinese New Year Dinner 2013.

Wishing everyone a happy Chinese New Year with your family and loved ones.

Canton Paradise

If the crowds at meal times are anything to go by, Canton Paradise is already very popular. It is not surprising, given that the restaurant chain focuses on the mass-market by offering decent Chinese food at affordable prices. The Lunar New Year menu here starts from $168 for a family of four, while you can also get their fortune pot (pen cai) for $198.

1 Vista Exchange Green
#B1-45/46 The Star Vista
Tel: +65 6694 2915
Mon to Fri: 11am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10.30am – 10pm

Checkers Brasserie

Have your reunion dinner at Checkers Brasserie on Chinese New Year’s Eve and begin the feast with the Prosperity Yu Sheng, before having a serving of Mini Buddha jump over the wall. That is not all. The spread also includes Peking duck, roast pork, Japanese sashimi and sushi. The Chinese New Year Reunion Dinner Buffet is available on 9 February 2013, at $88++/pax.

581 Orchard Road
Hilton Hotel Singapore
Tel: +65 6730 3390

Forest Restaurant

With a tropical rain forest inspired interior, Chef Sam Leong’s Forest Restaurant at Resorts World Sentosa is one of the most stunning Chinese restaurants in Singapore.

Forest is introducing two reunion set dinners starting from $168++/pax and a 7 course Reunion Deluxe Tasting Menu at $888++/pax which comprises mains like Braised Bird Nest with crab meat and roe, and Braised 10 Head Dry Abalone with sautéed vegetable and truffle oil.

8 Sentosa Gateway
Level 1 Equarius Hotel
Resorts World Sentosa
Tel: +65 6577 7788
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm

Imperial Treasure Fine Chinese Cuisine

The Imperial Treasure name is synonymous with good quality and consistently good Chinese food. The prices may be steep, but the high standard food, the friendly service make a meal at Imperial Treasure’s flagship outlet in Marina Bay Sands so reasonable.

The restaurant has prepared 9 different Lunar New Year set menus, and they are priced at $668++ for four, to $1288++ for ten.

10 Bayfront Avenue
#L2-04 Marina Bay Sands
Tel: +65 6681 6680
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Sun: 11am – 11.30pm

Majestic Bay Seafood Restaurant

Located by the waterfront at Gardens by the Bay, Majestic Bay Seafood Restaurant has one of the best spots in town. The new seafood restaurant by Chef Yong Bing Ngen showcases popular Singaporean classic dishes such as the chilli crab, black pepper crab and peking duck, but what you must not miss is the signature ‘kopi’ crab which is prepared with a special sauce made from a blend of 3 different coffee beans.

Besides having seven different Chinese New Year set menus (from $388++ for four), Majestic Bay Seafood Restaurant also has an eight course vegetarian set menu ($60++/pax) for this special occasion.

18 Marina Gardens Drive
#01-10 Flower Dome, Gardens by the Bay
Tel: +65 6604 6604
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 5.45pm – 10pm

Peach Garden

The splendid view from level 33 makes Peach Garden at OCBC Centre an excellent option should you choose to dine out for reunion dinner. The basic Lunar New Year menu – which includes salmon yusheng, shark’s fin with crab meat, deep-fried sea perch, braised dried oyster – is available at $88++/pax (minimum two diners).

65 Chulia Street
#33-01 OCBC Centre, Singapore
Tel: +65 6535 7833
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sun & PH: 10.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm

Summer Pavilion

This Chinese restaurant at Ritz-Carlton Singapore seems to have the right formula – refined Cantonese cuisine served in a classy interior. Summer Pavilion has a platinum 7 course menu ($2288 for eight pax), and it is also offering the traditional pen cai at $360 (for four pax).

7 Raffles Avenue
Ritz-Carlton Singapore
Tel: +65 6337 8888
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm

Shin Yeh

Shin Yeh, the famous restaurant from Taiwan, is another place that you can consider for your Chinese New Year reunion dinner. The 8 course set menu starts from $148++ for four guests and goes up to $498++ for a table of ten

177 River Valley Road
#02-19 Liang Court
Tel: +65 6338 7337
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm

Szechuan Court

Over at Szechuan Court. the chef has specially created a collection of Chinese New Year signatures and seven set menus. The Gong Xi Fa Cai set ($288++) – a 8 course menu featuring Salmon Yusheng and Crispy Canadian Scallop – is good for a family of four. For a big group, the Fortune Set ($888++) is a massive 10 course menu that can feed a table of ten and some of the highlights are Crispy Tiger Prawn, Steamed Turbot Fish, and Traditional Roast Duck.

80 Bras Basah Road
Level 2 Fairmont Singapore
Tel: +65 6431 6156
Weekday: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Weekend: 12pm – 3pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm

Yu Cuisine

Regulars to Marina Bay Sands will definitely notice Yu Cuisine, a modern Chinese seafood restaurant and champagne bar which has an outstanding blue and silver decor. If you are planning to splurge on the Chinese New Year reunion dinner, this is the place in town to do it.

For Chinese New Year 2013, Yu Cuisine has a 6 course menu ($468++ for four pax) featuring Yu Sheng, shark’s fin, abalone with sea cucumber and tiger king prawn.

10 Bayfront Avenue
#B1-07/08/09 & #L1-82 Marina Bay Sands
Tel: +65 6871 4135
Sun to Thu: 11am – 11pm
Fri & Sun: 11am – 12midnight

For more recommendations, read my guide to Singapore’s Top 10 Seafood Restaurants.

I’m really excited that Chinese New Year is just less than two weeks away. It is the time where we get to catch up with our relatives and friends. And of course, the part that I’m looking forward to is eating lots of yummy food.

In recent years, more and more families are choosing to eat out because of convenience and ambience. There are also some that order Chinese New Year Takeaways from restaurants and hotels, to eat at the comfort of their homes. No matter where you are having your reunion dinner, I hope you will have a good time with your loved ones!

If you are still looking for a restaurant to celebrate the occasion, let me help you with some suggestions for Chinese New Year Dinner 2012.

Chin Huat Live Seafood

For a scrumptious seafood feast, go to Chin Huat at Sunset Way for their Chinese New Year Promotion. At $398++ for 10 persons, the set menu comes with Salmon Yu Sheng, Braised Shark’s Fin, Deep-fried Goby, Poached Live Prawns and Steamed Chicken.

105 Clementi Street 12
#01-30 Sunset Way Singapore
Tel: +65 6775 7348

Mandarin Court Chinese Restaurant

This Lunar New Year, Executive Chinese Chef Sunny Kong of Mandarin Court Chinese Restaurant has put together 10 different signature menus ranging from the $98++ per person menu (minimum 2 persons) – which features Salmon Yusheng, Braised Shark’s Fin, Steamed Sea Perch, and Braised Baby Abalone; to an extravagant $1,888++ meal for 10 persons, from 13 January to 6 February 2012.

From their Chinese New Year Takeaway menu, the prosperity Salmon Yusheng for 8-10 persons is available for $108, while the Pen Cai for 5-8 persons is $368.

333 Orchard Road Level 35
Orchard Wing Mandarin Orchard Singapore
Tel: +65 6831 6262

Man Fu Yuan

Over at Man Fu Yuan Intercontinental Hotel, there are 12 different options to cater to everyone’s tastes. The 6 course menu ($108++/pax) – with Yu Sheng, Shark’s Fin, Baby Abalone, Deep-Fried Sea Perch – is ideal for a family of 4.

Should you choose to celebrate your Chinese New Year Dinner Party at home, Man Fu Yuan also presents an attractive takeaway package which includes Pen Cai and Yu Sheng at $358 (DBS Credit Card promotion at $320).

80 Middle Road
2F Intercontinental Hotel
Tel: +65 6825 1062

Chinese New Year Eve, also known as Chu Xi: the day where families gather for reunion dinner.

Imperial treasure steamboat

What’s Chinese New Year’s Eve without steamboat?

On 22th Jan 2012, Imperial Treasure Steamboat at TripleOne Somerset has created special Chinese New Year set menus. For a family of 4, you can have the $328++ menu which comes with Lo Hei, Seafood, Prawns, Abalones, Scallops, Clams, and Desserts.

For those of you who are having an early reunion dinner celebration, the normal set menu for 4 persons is $168++.

111 Somerset Road, #02-21 TripleOne Somerset
Tel: +65 6732 8231

Keng Eng Kee Seafood

For a simple reunion dinner, head over to Keng Eng Kee Seafood Restaurant. There are two Chinese New Year Set Menus at $399 and $499 (for 10 pax). For smaller families, you can order from their Cze Char ala carte menu.

The last I checked, they are fully booked during Chinese New Year’s Eve.

Blk 124 Bukit Merah Lane 1
#01-136 Alexandra Village Singapore
Tel: +65 6272 1038

Paradise Inn

With 11 branches in Singapore, Paradise Inn is the ideal choice for your family reunion dinner. The casual dining restaurant serves good Chinese food at affordable prices.

23 Serangoon Central
#03-15 NEX Mall
Tel: +65 6634 4228

What’s there not to like about Chinese New Year when you get to eat traditional goodies like kueh bangkit, loveletters, pinapple tarts, peanut cookies, and bak kwa?

Yan Ting

One of my favourite Chinese restaurants in Singapore, Yan Ting at the St Regis is the place to go if money is no object.

Yan Ting presents several sumptuous set menus for Chinese New Year 2012. You can choose from the 8 course ($1088++/10pax) which has Salmon Yusheng, Braised Shark’s Fin Soup, Steamed Soon Hock, and Crispy Roasted Chicken; and the 9 course which has Double-boiled Shark’s Fin Soup, Pan-roasted Rack of Lamb, Crispy Peking Duck as the highlights.

There’s also the 6 course set menu at $98++/pax (min 2 persons) for smaller families. The Lunar New Year Dinner menus are available from 12th January to 6th February 2012.

29 Tanglin Road
The St Regis Singapore
Tel: +65 6506 6888

Ming Kee Live Seafood is tucked among a busy row of restaurants and eateries on Macpherson Road, and they are known for serving good and fresh seafood at affordable prices. Singapore is famous for our Chilli crabs and most people usually bring their overseas friends to popular places like No SignBoard, Palm Beach, Red House or Jumbo Seafood restaurant.

I have been putting off my visit to Ming Kee Seafood Restaurant as it is not very accessible. But my excuse came when my friends from New York were in town, and thankfully the food did not disappoint.

Many Singapore Food Blogs had written on Ming Kee Live Seafood and the Guinness Pork Ribs was highly recommended. Even though I have never had anything similar before, I must say Ming Kee’s interpretation of the Guinness Pork Ribs was excellent. It had a good proportion of fats to lean meat, and every bite was so good.

Almost every table at Ming Kee Restaurant that night went for the signature Triple Cooked Bee Hoon Crab, but we wanted to show the famous Singapore Chilli Crabs to our New York friends, so we gave that a miss.

Like always, deep fried man tou and chilli gravy are the best couple together. All my friends thought that the Chilli crabs ($58.5, 1kg/$45) were exceptionally good, but I felt otherwise, they were good but not great.

Some of the items that we had at Ming Kee were the Stir-fried bean-sprout ($8) with salted fish, and Sambal kangkong ($8). The vegetables were very well-done, and we particularly enjoyed the bean-sprout.

We were quite full by the time the Sea Grouper came ($114, 100g/$6) came to our table.

Steamed Hong Kong-Style, the whopping 1.9kg grouper was amazingly fresh, and meaty. I do feel that it is a little pricey to pay over a hundred bucks for a fish. After-all, you can get more crab and prawns for the same amount of money. However, if you are a big fan of fish, it is worthwhile to order it from Ming Kee Live Seafood.

Ming Kee Live Seafood is an excellent place for fresh seafood, and the prices are pretty reasonable. I will definitely bring my family back to try their other dishes.

Speaking of which, I need some recommendations for good Zi Char restaurants in Singapore, please leave a comment and share with us.

Singapore Food Restaurant Review
Ming kee Live Seafood
556 Macpherson Road Singapore
Tel: +65 6747 4075
// Closed during Chinese New Year from 3rd – 8th Feb 2011

Chinese New Year is one of my favourite holidays. It is the time to eat bak kwa, pineapple tarts, abalone and all the Chinese Delicacies. Although we are about more than 2 weeks away from Chinese New Year, many of the Chinese restaurants in Singapore are already fully booked for Chinese New Year’s Eve Reunion Dinner. For those of you guys who are currently planning for the CNY Dinner, please make your reservations as soon as possible.

Here’s a list of Chinese New Year Dinner Restaurants for 2011

Feng Shui Inn

The Reunion Dinner during Chinese New Year’s Eve is one of the most important meals for the Chinese. This is a time where everyone gets together for a meal to renew and affirm family ties. If money is not an issue, and you want only the best for your Chinese New Year Reunion Dinner — Feng Shui Inn at Resorts World Sentosa may just be the ideal Chinese New Year Dinner Restaurant.

For $1888++ for 10 pax, indulge in the seven-course Chinese New Year Dinner Menu which includes: Lobster Yu Sheng, Bird’s Nest, and the Braised whole Australia Abalone with sea cucumber. The other CNY menu at Feng Shui Inn is $2888++ for a table of 10.

Availability for Feng Shui Inn Resorts World Sentosa

Chinese New Year Eve Dinner (2nd Feb 2011): Fully Booked.
Chinese New Year Dinner (3rd Feb 11): 5.30pm – 7.30pm (Available), 8pm – 10pm (Available)

8 Sentosa Gateway Basement
1-M Crockfords Tower,
Resorts World Sentosa Singapore
Tel: +65 6577 8899

Jia Wei Chinese Restaurant

At Grand Mercure Hotel, Jia Wei Chinese Restaurant has 7 different Chinese New Year Reunion Dinner set menu to cater for every family. The Chinese New Year Reunion Dinner Set menu starts from 14th Jan to 2nd Feb 2011, while the Lunar New Year Dinner promotion is available from 3rd to 17th Feb 2011.

For a family of 4, they have the Harmony 7 course menu at $308++ which includes Yusheng, shark’s fin, sea cucumber, sea perch, and scallops. For a table of 10, there’s the Bountiful Harvest 9 course menu at $698++ and it has the following: Yusheng, shark’s fin, abalone, garoupa, scallops, crispy chicken and prawns.

The Pen Cai [$308 (M), and $538 (L)] is a must-order. It has all the Chinese Delicay within a pot: abalone, scallop, fish maw, goose web, shark’s fin, prawn and Chinese sausage. Forget about the rest, just go for Jia Wei’s Poon Choi and the Prosperity Yusheng ($60++).

If you are staying in the East and still looking for a Chinese New Year Dinner Restaurant, Jia Wei at Grand Mercure Hotel is definitely a good choice. They also have a Chinese New Year Takeaway menu which has nian gao, yu sheng, pen cai and Buddha Jump over the wall.

Availability for Jia Wei Restaurant at Grand Mercure Hotel

Chinese New Year Eve Dinner (2nd Feb 11): 5pm – 7.30pm (Limited), 8pm – 11pm (Limited). Chinese New Year Dinner (3rd Feb 2011): Available

50 East Coast Road 2F
Grand Mercure Roxy Hotel Singapore
Tel: +65 6340 5678

Moi Lum Chinese Restaurant

Moi Lum Chinese Restaurant has two different Chinese New Year Dinner Promotion: the CNY Set menu starts from 22th – 28th Jan, and continues from the 3rd all the way till 20th Feb. They operate throughout the Lunar Chinese New Year, and the cheapest Chinese New Year Dinner Set Menu is $308 for a table of 10 pax, and $518 (10 pax) for the CNY Reunion Dinner. All their set menu include their signature dish: the excellent Majestic Roast Chicken.

Besides the dine-in option, Moi Lum has a very attractive Chinese New Year Takeaway Menu. The Poon Choi is $188 for 6 person, or $288 for 10 person, and the Prosperity Raw Fish Platter for lou hei is available at $48.

Availability for Moi Lum Restaurant

Chinese New Year Eve Dinner (2nd Feb 2011): Fully Booked.
Chinese New Year Dinner (3rd Feb 2011): Available.

38 Maxwell Road #01-01/02 Airview Building Singapore
Tel: +65 6226 2283

Ming Kee Live Seafood

The Chinese New Year Dinner set menu from Ming Kee Live Seafood will be available from the 10th Jan onwards. They have three different Chinese New Year Menus available (for a table of 8-10), with the cheapest being $398, and the other two are priced at $798 and $1398.

But if you prefer to order ala carte, go after the 9th Feb to try their famous Crab Bee Hoon ($45/kg), as well as the Guinness pork ribs ($12 for small). Ming Kee serves excellent seafood at reasonable prices — definitely worth a try!

Availability for Ming Kee Live Seafood

Chinese New Year Eve Dinner (2nd Feb 2011): 5pm – 7pm (Filling fast), and 8pm onwards (Available). They only serve the three special CNY Menu for Chinese New Year Eve Dinner

Chinese New Year Dinner (3rd- 8th Feb 2011): Closed.

556 Macpherson Road Singapore
Tel: +65 6747 4075

Seafood Paradise Restaurant

At $368++ for a table of 10 person, the Chinese New Year Dinner Menu from Seafood Paradise is pretty value since it includes Tuna Yusheng, Shark’s Fin broth, seabass, prawns, chicken, vegetables, and ribs. Do note that Seafood Paradise has different Chinese New Year Dinner promotion menu for their Defu Lane and Singapore Flyer branches.

Availability for Seafood Paradise Singapore Flyer
Chinese New Year Eve Dinner (2nd Feb 2011):
Three Seating: 5pm – 6.30pm (Full), 7pm – 8.45pm (Full), 9pm onwards (Available)

Chinese New Year Dinner (3rd Feb 2011):
6pm – 7.45pm (Available), and 8pm onwards (Available)

Availability for Seafood Paradise Defu Lane

Chinese New Year Eve Dinner (2nd Feb 2011): Fully Booked
Chinese New Year Dinner (3rd Feb 2011): 6pm – 8pm (Available), 8.15pm onwards (Available)

30 Raffles Avenue #01-01
Singapore Flyer Singapore
Tel: +65 6336 5101

91 Defu Lane 10
Swee Hin Building Singapore
Tel: +65 6487 2429

Xin Cuisine Chinese Restaurant

For a family of four, I’d recommend Xin Cuisine Chinese Restaurant at Holiday Inn Atrium. The Joyful Treasures set is $368 for 4 person which includes Pen Cai (or Poon Choi) with the following ingredients: Lobster, Abalone, Shark’s Fin, Dried Scallop, Fresh Scallop, Sea Whelk, Dried Oyster, Fish Maw, Sea Cucumber, Jelly Fish, Black Mushroom, Sea Moss, Bamboo Pith in a pot.

The Yusheng at Xin Cuisine is topped with edible gold leaf flakes, and the Chinese Restaurant is also well known for their Roasted Suckling Pigs – be sure to try them if you are there for Chinese New Year Reunion Dinner.

Xin Cuisine also has a Chinese New Year Takeaway menu: they have a prosperity family bundle of pen cai, yusheng, suckling pig and nian gao for $800.

Availability for Xin Cuisine Restaurant

Chinese New Year Eve Dinner (2nd Feb 2011): 5.30pm – 8pm (Available), 8.30pm onwards (Available). Chinese New Year Dinner (3rd Feb 2011): Available

317 Outram Road 4F
Holiday Inn Atrium Singapore
Tel: +65 6731 7173

Please call the restaurants to check the availability and make your reservations for the Chinese New Year Dinner asap!

If you are planning for your company’s Chinese New Year Dinner celebration, or friends gathering for Lou hei, most of the restaurants (with the exception of Ming Kee) that I’ve mentioned will be operating throughout the Chinese New Year period (3th to 17th Feb).

For those of you who are already planning for Valentine’s Day Dinner, I will recommend some romantic restaurants in Singapore in my Valentine’s Day Feature which will be out next week.

An oasis of blue, with a glimpse of gold. Royal China. There are places which you will proudly recommend to your friends when they want suggestions for food, and I raved about the best dim sum before. Indeed, my fond memories of the exquisite Chinese-tapas still lingers in my heart. My perennial return was long overdue.

But perhaps it was my mistake not to check with the restaurant before going, that I didn’t realise they had a special dim sum menu for the Chinese New Year period. With just a selection of 12 different dim sum, all priced at $6.80++ instead of the normal price, I did feel being rip-off, but that’s Chinese New Year for you, and it was my fault for not checking beforehand.

In place of the usual red roe on top of the steamed minced pork dumpling with abalone ($6.80++, usual price $4.80), we had tiny abalones instead. Right, the siew mai was up to standard, but I’ll not say the same having pay two dollars extra for the tiny abalone on top.

From the outside, the steamed prawn dumplings with black moss ($6.80++, usual price $4.80) looked the same. The exotic ingredients kicked in with the addition of black moss (fa-cai), an ingredient that is never missing from Chinese New Year menu. I certainly understood the significant of the auspicious ingredient, but I must admit that there wasn’t any enhance in the flavour of the har gau.

The Crispy prawn rolls with sesame ($6.80++) was one of the item which I did not try before, and I was pleasantly surprised by it. Fundamentally prawn roll with mango, fried crispy with the sesame stuck on top. A dip into the mayo dressing completed the whole taste.

My love, the Baked barbecued pork puff ($6.80++, usual price $4). Royal China’s rendition was very good, with golden butter flaky skin and juicy red char siew. The only problem, this was exactly the same without any addition of “exotic ingredients” and I had to pay almost three bucks more for it.

Total bill was $43. 90 for 4 dim sum, 1 appetiser, and of course the other charges. Was I disappointed by the second visit? Certainly, counting by per piece, it’s close to $2.60 each, even more expensive than Yan Ting. But you can’t fault them for the quality in dim sum, it’s just that I’m sore over paying more than usual for my char siew sou. Will I go back again? Certainly, I still have good impression of them even though this was a bad experience.

And one more thing which I was not pleased about. For those of you who had been there, you’ll know that in their middle seating area, it used to be square tables with the nice white chairs. But they had removed them, and placed round tables with ugly brown chairs instead. I presumed this was done to increase the seating capacity,  but the different furnitures was certainly not pleasing to the eyes, and the seating arrangements were not comfortable at all. After checking with a friend who went after the cny period, it seems everything is back to normal.

One thing’s a definite. We will find out the next time I revisit the place.

Royal China
1 Beach Road
#03-09 Raffles Hotel
Tel: 6338 3363

There are a few things in life which you can never forget. Your first love, the first time flying on a plane, the wonderful taste of food, and of course, my first visit to the prestigious 6 Star St Regis Hotel, and not to mention, the most expensive and excellent dim sum that I’ve there.

I can never forget the taste of Peking duck after trying it for the first time a couple of years back. The perfectly crispy skin with a thin layer of fats beneath. Yan Ting’s Crispy Peking duck ($60 whole duck) served with traditional condiments arrived within minutes after making our order. Instead of wrapping in the typical pancake, the chef decided to use flour skin instead.

Like the usual practice for Peking duck, the remainder of the meat was done in other methods. The one that we had was diced duck meat, which came across as salty. It would be a great compliment with a bowl of white rice, but other than that, there wasn’t much hint of the duck meat. I wondered where the rest of the duck meat actually went. And the second serving ($27) came at a cost of 3 bucks per head.

While I didn’t try any “San Bei Ji”, or claypot chicken with basil & golden garlic ($20 for medium serves 4) before, the rendition here was satisfying. The fragrance of the meat announced the arrival of the dish, the chicken was tender, with some fatty meat and the tasty sauce was the icing on the cake, or rather chicken.

The question mark on my face was evident when I couldn’t figure out what the vegetable on the table was. I was told, the Dou Bei ($26 for medium serves 4) was the superior cousin of the more common Dou Miao. An expensive plate of greens this was, for the seemingly average taste of the vegetables.

We also tried the Crispy garlic pork ($28 for medium serves 4). The pork ribs were crispy, and had a strong garlic taste. The dish also came across as a tad salty. Nonetheless, we dutifully whipped clear the plate of the ribs.

I can never forget my penchant for cod fish. Taking a bite of the Deep Fried Cod Fillet coated with Crispy Cereal ($28), the fish immediately melt-in-the-mouth, with the cereal giving an added crunch. There’s barely enough for all of us a piece each.

I ain’t a big fan of scallop, so this line could be pretty bias. The Pan Seared Scallop filled with Shrimp Mousse ($32 for medium serves 4) was big in size indeed. However, the scallop was overwhelmed by the strong shrimp mousse taste.

I can never forget my mother’s rendition of French bean. I’m of the belief that simplicity is beauty. Using garlic to stir fried the vegetables can always bring out the fragrance of the garlic without covering the freshness of the greens. So I was rather sceptical initially when i saw the Wok Fried French Bean with Minced Pork and Chilli ($20 for medium serves 4). But it did proved me wrong with the wok hei of the beans. And the minced pork didn’t complicate the taste.

Instead of the typical deep fried prawn with mango, the Deep Fried Prawn filled with Fresh Mango ($36 for medium serves 4) came with a twist. Prawns and mangos were wrapped in beancurd skin, and deep fried. To be frank, I dislike beancurd skins, especially those served during dim sum. But this one was decent, the mango could be sweeter though.

With the name Chef Chan Signature Baked Spring Onion Chicken ($28 for medium serves 4), the dish certainly was bundled with expectations. You can’t go wrong ordering the signature dishes, or so it seems. The chicken was plain ordinary, and definitely didn’t warrent the hefty price tag.

I can never forget the best char siew sou ($1.8 per piece) I had before, from Yan Ting of course. Dim sum is not served during dinner, but we made a request to the manager, who to our delight, agreed to ask the chef to make it for us specially. Maybe we were saddled by the huge expectation that we had, but we are guessing it’s most probably because of the shorter baking time, that the char siew sou didn’t turn out to be as good as before. Nonetheless, it was good of the restaurant to do it specially for us, and I’ll be back again for it.

Total bill was $362.85 for 9 person, after a 25% discount using the Astor card. This came up to about $40 per person, which was totally cheaper than what we expected. And if we didn’t drink tea ($40), and no desserts ($48), the add up will probably be around $283 or $30 per head. With the ambience of the place, the prestige of the restaurant, and the decent quality of the food, the price was definitely reasonable. I’ll definitely be coming back for their dim sum, Yan Ting IV. There are a few things in life, which you can never forget after all.

Read about my dim sum visit to Yan Ting here
& Yan Ting snowskin mooncake here

Yan Ting
29 Tanglin Road
The St Regis
Tel: 6506 6888

Yan Ting is listed as one of ladyironchef’s favorite restaurants in Singapore