The annual Durian Fest at Resorts World Sentosa returns again!

This immensely popular durian buffet sees a sell-out every year, with slots taken within days of launch, and if you haven’t been, you totally should this year. With predicted low durian supplies due to the heat wave, you can be the only one out of all your friends to brag that you have had an all-you-can-eat feast of the King of Fruits. The crowd-favourite event is also a display of the world’s largest stack of durians, with premium grades and types for you to go crazy over.

Durian Fest 2016 will be held over a period of three days – 19 to 21 August 2016. It is your time to party with durians, on top of the selection of tropical fruits. It is a definite feast. Durian on free flow – does that not sound like the best summer idea already?!

Here are some highlights from our escapade at Durian Fest 2015, and why we cannot wait for Durian Fest 2016.

Only the best durians will be offered at RWS Durian Fest 2016 and you can pick from the buttery golden Mao Shan Wang, Jin Feng, Ang Heh, D13 and Zhu Jiao durians. Just go to the durian stack, take your pick, and it will be cut open fresh for you.

Thinking it might be too heaty with the durian overload? Don’t you worry about it. Coconut juice is also available on a free-flow basis, so drink up and cool yourselves down! There’s the three-leg cooling water if you’d prefer, too.

Other tropical fruits included in the buffet are rambutan and mangosteens. We remember them from last year’s Durian Fest in particular because they were plump and sweet, and we had so many of those too. Now you see why we say Durian Fest 2016 is a must-go?

For reservations or enquiries, click here or call +65 6577 9788.

Resorts World Sentosa Durian Fest 2016
Date: 19 Aug, 20 Aug, 21 Aug 2016
Time: 6pm – 7.30pm or 8pm – 9.30pm
Venue: The Coliseum™, Hard Rock Hotel® Singapore
Price: S$98 Adult, S$48 Child (Public)
S$80 Adult, S$40 Child (RWS Invites Member)
Package Deal: 2 Durian Fest Adult Tickets (worth $196) + FREE RWS Invites Silver Membership at $160

This post is brought to you by Resorts World Sentosa.

Tucked away on Singapore’s Sentosa Island, Resorts World Sentosa is a hot spot for both tourists and locals. Well known for its theme parks, aquarium and some say hotels, Resorts World Sentosa is also home to some hidden gems – a range of over 50 dining options that caters to many palates and occasions.

You can find just about anything here – from contemporary Japanese cuisine to authentic Italian fare, simple Malaysian hawker dishes to exquisite Michelin-quality French fine dining. We worked our way through this treasure trove for gourmands and bring you our 6 Incredible Dining Options in Resorts World Sentosa For Every Occasion.

Getting to the Resort. Visitors can take the RWS8 bus from outside VivoCity; stop at Waterfront Station if taking the Sentosa Express monorail; or you can simply drive in to park your vehicle at the massive underground car park at Resorts World Sentosa.

And everyone should sign up to be an RWS Invites member, because you get to enjoy up to 20% off your meals at all the F&B establishments within the resort!

Readers of ladyironchef can sign up for RWS Invites Silver Membership at a special rate of S$135 (U.P. S$150) and get S$200 Resorts World Sentosa dining vouchers by using Promotion Code “R0516LADY” from now till 05 June 2016. Sign up at https://rwsinvites.rwsentosa.com/PromoSignup.aspx.

#1 FENG SHUI INN – BEST PLACE FOR FAMILY GATHERINGS

Feng Shui Inn prides itself on its authentic fine Cantonese cuisine and you could tell from the moment you step into the restaurant on level G2 of Crockfords Tower. The restaurant’s interior is quintessentially Chinese, with a warm, intimate colour palette that sets the mood, and your appetite, for some good Cantonese chow down.

It has a mix of square tables for groups of four, huge communal tables for big groups, and a couple of private rooms for those looking for well, a quieter dining experience. Things can get pretty busy during meal hours, especially on weekends so visit at ‘non-peak’ periods if you want a more intimate experience. Lunch is served from 11am, followed by high tea, dinner and then supper; it doesn’t break or end until 1am (on weekends) so you can walk in anytime in between.

Now to the food. For those who grew up on Cantonese cuisine, this restaurant is perfect for birthday celebrations. Whether it’s for your old folks or even yourself, the menu has a selection of favourite dim sums and classic stir-fried dishes that is sure to get quite the reception from gourmands. They specialise in the Canadian Geo-Duck Clams Two Ways (S$268++) – Sashimi and Stir-Fry.

The Double-Boiled Chicken Soup with Cordyceps and Fish Maw (S$38++) is a comforting broth with very huge fish maw pieces.

8 Sentosa Gateway
Singapore 098269
Tel: +65 6577 6688
Mon to Thu, Sun: 11am – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 1am
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

#2 FRATELLI PIZZERIA – CASUAL HANG-OUT WITH YOUR BUDDIES

As one half of the newest addition to the dining options here, Fratelli Pizzeria is the more casual and communal side of the entire establishment, offering sharing plates and a huge range of authentic Italian pizzas. Fratelli Pizzeria has an amazing ambience for get-togethers with friends.

We were oddly drawn to the Baccala Pizza (S$36++), a pizza topped with cod fish and potato mousse. The combination of tangy tomato base and light airy mousse was such a wonderful one. We loved the Mare Pizza (S$68++) too, which is a classic seafood pizza. If you prefer pasta, the Gnochetti Di Patate Alla Piemontese (S$30) is a lighter gnocchi option.

8 Sentosa Gateway
Singapore 098269
Tel: +65 6577 6688
Breakfast: 7.30am – 10.30am
Lunch: 12pm – 2.30pm
Snack-Pizza only: 2.30pm – 6pm (Sat, Sun & PH)
Dinner: 6pm – 10.30pm
Closed: Tue (Except Public Holidays)
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

#3 FRATELLI TRATTORIA – IMPRESS YOUR DATE WITH A ROMANTIC MEAL

Fratelli Trattoria is the other half, and it is a fancier one with an interior that is set to impress. Thankfully, the food lived up to our expectations and they completed the whole authentic experience for us.

The Paccheri Alla Vittorio (S$32++, Vegetarian option) is the definition of a simple, fuss-free and delicious pasta. The Paccheri pasta is tossed with tomato sauce, fresh basil and parmigiano reggiano cheese – balanced flawlessly. They have a ton of different meats and pasta options for you to pick from. Treat you and your partner out to a romantic date and we can assure you that they will be satisfied.

8 Sentosa Gateway
Singapore 098269
Tel: +65 6577 6688
Daily: 6pm – 10.30pm
Closed: Tue (Except Public Holidays)
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

#4 OCEAN RESTAURANT – BEST PLACE FOR PROPOSAL

Ocean Restaurant is helmed by the great IronChef Cat Cora. It is one of the most stunning places to dine at in Singapore and a great spot for a special occasion such as proposing to your partner.

With a wide and unblocked view of the aquarium, featuring a huge number of underwater creatures, the restaurant specialises in sustainable seafood dishes.

Start off with Oysters on Ice (S$29++) – done three ways with three different toppings. Then, move on to a starter of romantic Sous Vide Salmon (S$28++), before finishing off with a Pan Seared Glacier 51 Toothfish (S$68). The Toothfish was cooked extremely well and had a texture akin to cod fish – smooth and creamy. Aren’t you also surprised that prices are reasonable for the quality and ambience?

8 Sentosa Gateway
Singapore 098269
Tel: +65 6577 8899
Daily: 11.30am – 3.30pm, 5.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

#5 OSIA STEAK AND SEAFOOD GRILL – BEST PLACE FOR BUSINESS LUNCHEON

Osia Steak and Seafood Grill is an Australian-style restaurant, focusing mainly on meats and grilled items. Great precision is taken to ensure that every dish put on your plate is done to perfection. Bring your friends or business partners down for a nice meal here and start off with the Hot Seafood Plate (S$128++), consisting of grilled octopus, king prawns, white wine clams and more.

Then, you can move on to your mains. Two particularly popular choices are Byron Bay Berkshire Pork Rack (S$56) and Mayura Station Signature Full Blood Wagyu Beef Ribeye (S$180++). The pork had just the right amount of fat to lean meat ratio and the Wagyu is basically melt-in-your-mouth – especially if you order it medium-rare.

8 Sentosa Gateway
Singapore 098269
Thu to Tue: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Closed: Wed
Tel: +65 6577 6688
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

#6 TANGERINE – BEST PLACE FOR HEALTHY DINING 

Located inside ESPA, Tangerine is a quaint and serene cafe that serves healthy food that actually tastes out of the world. Food here are low in calories and naturally healthier for your body. Each dish is plated so beautifully, and they deserve a spot on your Instagram feed.

Healthy food is often associated with bland and unappetising dishes, but at Tangerine, the dishes are an explosion of flavours – especially the Scottish Salmon Fillet (S$32++). The salmon was done so well, we polished the plate clean. We suggest finishing the meal off with the Compressed Tropical Fruit (S$16), a light and decadent end to your meal that is simple but refreshing.

8 Sentosa Gateway
Singapore 098269
Tel: +65 6577 6336
Tue to Sun: 11.30am – 10pm
Mon: Closed
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

Go to https://rwsinvites.rwsentosa.com/PromoSignup.aspx and sign up for RWS Invites Silver Membership at a special rate of S$135 (U.P. S$150) when you use Promotion Code “R0516LADY“. The promotion ends on 05 June 2016.

Additionally, you can get S$200 dining vouchers to dine at any of these star and celebrity chef restaurants – Feng Shui Inn, Forest, Joël Robuchon Restaurant, L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, Ocean Restaurant by Cat Cora, Osia Steak and Seafood Grill, Starz Restaurant, Syun and Tangerine.

RWS Invites members get special dining privileges and up to 20% off dining at Resorts World Sentosa. That’s not all. The other benefits include complimentary parking, priority bookings, member previews and more. To find out about the special perks of being an RWS Invites member and to find out how to sign up, head on down here.

This post was brought to you by RWS Invites.

Every year, Resorts World Sentosa celebrates the love for durians with an annual Durian Fest, showcasing only the best durians available on the market. This year’s event, held on 10 & 11 July 2015, was a resounding success with tickets selling out quicker than you could spell ‘durian’. Pleasing hundreds of people all over Singapore, the main draw of this yearly affair is that premium durians are served and prepared for you free-flow so you can literally have as many as you desire!

Alongside the massive stack of durians available over the two days were seasonal fruits such as longkong, jackfruit, mangosteens and rambutans. To wash down the richness of the durians, bottles of cooling water and fresh coconuts were also made conveniently available. 

The annual Durian Fest at Resorts World Sentosa is truly an unforgettably spectacular event, and here are some highlights to share. You know you have to be at the next one in 2016.

The event was held at The Coliseum at Hard Rock Hotel Singapore, because every year, there is a large number of people to cater to. It is like a gathering for all the durian fans in Singapore! Napkins and gloves are provided for, together with a mini basket for you to dump all your shells and seed at.

The stage at The Coliseum was where all the prized gems were. As the World’s Largest Stack of Durians, expect only the best of the best durians – all ready for you to feast on. You can find the highly raved about ‘butter durian’ – Mao Shan Wang, the classic local favourite – D24, and other delicious option such as the sweet Qing Zhu (or ‘Green Bamboo’).

You can join the crowd at the front of the stage to choose your favourite kinds and to pick your pieces, and there will be someone to cut and prepare the durians for you to consume. Free flow of durians might seem like a dream to many, and the good news is that those dreams can become a reality every year at Resorts World Sentosa for the annual Durian Fest.

If having a lot of your favourite durians might be ‘heaty‘ for you, wash it down with a refreshing coconut that is served to you chilled. Nothing feels quite as rejuvenating as washing down the durian with some sweet coconut water.

Well, once again, you do not have to do the “dirty job”. Just place your order for the coconuts, the server will chop it for you, and you can sit back and enjoy the royally pleasing treat. Best way to combat the summer heat too!

The star of the show may be the durians, but the jackfruit served were so sweet and juicy that we were surprised we could stay away from binge-eating the delicious durians for a moment.

Longkongs (or sometimes referred to as Langsat) contains a translucent juicy center that bursts with sweetness as you bite into it. The Longkong is a splendid combination of sour and sweet, providing a nice tartness and tanginess.

The rambutan flesh tasted almost like the longkongs – sweet and sour all at a time. We loved the crunch of the fruit too!

The mangosteen is a beautiful seasonal fruit and was also available as part of the buffet line-up. This fruit is relatively expensive, but here at the buffet, you can eat your fill and eat all you want! All of the seasonal fruits are best eaten after a round of durians, to cleanse and prepare your palates for perhaps, even more durians!

D24 has long be thought to be one of the best durians and is also a favourite among Singaporeans and durian connoisseurs. Some like their durians nice and bitter, some like it just a little sweeter. Bitter durians might be an acquired taste to some, but for many at the buffet, it was a hit! D24 is known to be a creamy and bitter variety of durian, and is highly favoured for its premium taste as such.

‘Mao Shan Wang’ literally translates to ‘Cat Mountain King’, and it spots a very distinct bright yellow colour. This fleshy gem is referred to as ‘butter durian’ as it is extremely creamy, possibly the creamiest durian in the market.

It has the perfect balance of bitter and sweet and the richness of the durian flesh is to die for. The buttery smooth taste of the ‘Mao Shan Wang’ brands itself as the ‘King of Durians’ and we are not complaining.

The ‘Qing Zhu’ (Green Bamboo) is the sweetest of the lot and popular amongst those who dislike bitterness in their durians. Even though this range is not as creamy and fleshy as compared to the other two, the nice sweet taste of the flesh is one to remember. And we actually enjoyed this range the most!

Every year during durian season, you might find yourself chalking up bills of a few hundred dollars just from buying a few of these premium durians. The annual Durian Fest is the perfect opportunity to binge as much durians as you want without victimising your bank account.

For just S$98nett (adult, non-member), it is a completely fantastic deal. However, if you sign up for a RWS Invites membership, together with the purchase of 2 adult passes, you only pay S$75 per person. This is just one of the many countless benefits of being an RWS Invites member, together with other dining benefits and discounts. To find out more on how you can become an RWS Invites member, head on to www.rwsinvites.rwsentosa.com.

Are you ready for RWS Durian Fest 2016?

This post is brought to you by Resorts World Sentosa.

We all know premium durians can be pricey and at times, hard to acquire. Thankfully for you, Resorts World Sentosa will be bringing back their wildly popular Premium Durian Fest Buffet (on 10 and 11 July 2015) where you can indulge in as much durians as you want, together with a range of fresh seasonal fruits.

Dive into a delectable spread that includes the delicious Mao Shan Wang and the ever-popular D24, known for their creamy and appetising flesh. Other fresh seasonal fruits that will be available in the spread include mangosteens, jackfruits and duku langsats.

The best part about RWS Durian Fest is there is no cap on how many durians – and that includes Mao Shan Wang and D24 – you can eat! Make your reservations at rwsentosa.com/durianfest.

After a satisfying all-you-can eat round at the buffet spread, wash it all down with fresh coconut juice that is also included in the buffet. Get your tummies ready for a night you will never forget.

There is also a durian mascot going around to keep the little ones entertained!

As mentioned, this event will take place from 10 to 11 July 2015 only, so make your reservations early at rwsentosa.com/durianfest or call 6577 9788 to secure your spot. Two timings will be available for you to choose from, 6pm to 730pm or 8pm to 930pm.

The large-scale Durian Fest Buffet will take place at The Coliseum™ at Hard Rock Hotel® Singapore. RWS Invites members can enjoy this buffet at a discounted rate of $75 for adults and $35 for children. Non-members can still make their reservations at $98 for adults and $48 for children.

For a limited time only, non-members can purchase two adult tickets for a discounted price of $150 with a free RWS Invites membership. Go to rwsentosa.com/durianfest to make your reservation!

This post is brought to you by Resorts World Sentosa.