Come this November, The Ritz-Carlton is inviting guests to indulge their culinary senses at their first-ever Stellar Dining Series. A once-in-a-lifetime collaboration between six Michelin-starred chef talents, mixologists and patissiers from The Ritz-Carlton itself across four gourmet cities around the Asia Pacific region, the Stellar Dining Series will happen from 1 November to 1 December 2018. The journey will begin in Singapore, then to Osaka, Hong Kong and finally at The Ritz-Carlton, Beijing.

Driven by a desire to create memorable experiences, each destination on the four-city tour will see these Michelin-starred chefs collaborate to present their signatures as well as create spectacular new dishes, orchestrating a constellation of cosmic dining events as well as exclusive masterclasses and cocktail craftsmanship.

For those who dine as adventurously as they travel, The Ritz-Carlton invites you to set your course by the stars and experience the Stellar Dining Series hosted by one of the greatest luxury hotels around. Whether you’re seeking to impress, or to experience gastronomic excellence at its finest, we say reserve now before it’s too late.

1 – 4 NOVEMBER: THE RITZ-CARLTON, MILLENIA SINGAPORE

Happening on our very shores between 1 to 4 November 2018, guests in Singapore can expect a harmony of the best that Cantonese cuisine has to offer at both the ‘6 Hands’ lunch and dinner, proudly presented by Michelin-starred chefs Paul Lau of The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong, Gordon Guo of The Ritz-Carlton, Guangzhou and Cheung Siu Kong The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore.

Prepared in the form of a la carte dim sum alongside speciality dishes, every handcrafted dish attributes to their burning love passion for the cuisine and their respect for nature of which their ingredients are sourced.

Aching to knock back a tipple or two? Indulge in an innovative spread of hand-crafted cocktails by mixologist Oscar Mena, featuring a combination of traditional and cutting-edge ingredients at the Chihuly Lounge.

If not, in the afternoon, delight your taste buds with a celestial eight-course afternoon tea session elegantly designed by celebrated patissier, Richard Long, from The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong.

On 4 November 2018, discover the authentic flavors of Singapore at Colony’s Michelin-starred brunch where the seven conservatory kitchens will take you on a gastronomic journey. Michelin-starred chefs Paul Lau and Gordon Guo will helm a live station each, together with with Richard Long and Oscar Menu.

8 – 10 NOVEMBER: THE RITZ-CARLTON, OSAKA

From 8 to 10 November 2018, The Ritz-Carlton, Osaka will be joined by a constellation of four culinary stars, bringing into orbit Japanese-inspired French cuisine with Chef Christophe Gibert and Chef Shintaro Miyazaki. Chef Kenji Fujimoto of Tempura Mizuki at The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto along with Chef Takeshi Fukana at The Ritz-Carlton, Osaka will work together to deliver a sensational seasonal tempura using seasonal ingredients to highlight the art of the cuisine.

Chef Cheung Siu Kong of Summer Pavilion from The Ritz-Carlton, Singapore will bring to life authentic Cantonese cuisine with Chef Peter Cheung at The Ritz-Carlton, Osaka. There will also be a one-of-a-kind chocolate masterclass, chocolate-themed afternoon tea with Champagne and cocktail workshop tailored for all refined palates.

22 – 25 NOVEMBER: THE RITZ-CARLTON, HONG KONG

The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong, the highest hotel in the world, takes guests closer to the stars in every sense with Chef Paul Lau joining hands with Chef Shintaro Miyazaki of Azure 45 from The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo, to create a series of extraordinary lunches and dinners showcasing the best of Cantonese and French haute cuisine.

The Hong Kong event also includes unique chocolate themed afternoon tea by award winning Chocolatier Masatada Hosokawa from The Ritz-Carlton, Osaka and Executive Pastry Chef Richard Long.

Discover some of the season’s unique cocktail recipes with Kentaro Wada and Oscar Mena, two cocktail connoisseurs with a knack for boldness.

29 NOVEMBER – 1 DECEMBER: THE RITZ-CARLTON BEIJING

The events conclude with a supernova at The Ritz-Carlton, Beijing where Michelin-Starred Chef extraordinaire Christophe Gibert of La Baie in Osaka will collaborate with Chef Cheung Siu Kong of Summer Pavilion in Singapore to create an haute French experience and a contemporary Cantonese menu to the nation’s cultural nexus.

The three-day gastronomic line-up will feature a series of Michelin lunch and dinners, afternoon tea, as well as exclusive cocktail workshops inspired by China’s treasured teas—proudly brought to you by the acclaimed cocktail connoisseur, Oscar Mena.

You can find out more information about the Stellar Dining Series and make a reservation here. This is one exclusive and very highly-coveted Michelin experience that is worth luxuriating in!

This post is brought to you by The Ritz-Carlton.

The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore’s premium mooncakes are sure to impress your family, friends and colleagues this Mid-Autumn Festival.

Expect to choose between traditional baked mooncakes and the ever popular snowskin creations which come in intriguing flavours.

NEW FLAVOURS

For baked mooncakes this year, The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore is introducing the new White Lotus Seed Paste with Five Grains (S$72 for 4 pieces). It is a healthier and nuttier version of your classic baked mooncake with the addition of pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, walnuts, oats and sesame seeds to the white lotus seed paste.

We highly recommend the specialty Assorted Mini Snowskin Martini mooncakes  (S$72 for 8 pieces) as well. Presented in a beautiful limited edition fuchsia lacquer box, there will be two new flavours to indulge in this year — the orangetini and mangotini.

Fans of their popular lycheetini and espressotini flavours will be pleased to know that these flavours are still available this year!

THE PACKAGING

This year, you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to the mooncake box packaging. The Mini Lava Custard with Vanilla, and Snowskin mooncakes (except for the Assorted Mini Snowskin Martini mooncakes) come in a blue lacquer box.

The traditional baked mooncake flavours such as the White Lotus Seed Paste with Double Yolk (S$78 for 4 pieces) and White Lotus Seed Paste (S$68 for 4 pieces) come in luxurious red and gold boxes.

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND

The Mini Lava Custard with Vanilla (S$78 for 8 pieces) and Mini Snowskin ‘Mao Shan Wang’ Durian mooncakes (S$78 for 8 pieces) make a comeback this year.

The former is a delectable combination of salted egg yolk and vanilla flavours while the latter boasts the bittersweet flavours of ‘Mao Shan Wang’.

A tip when eating the lava custard one – heat your mooncakes up in the microwave for about 5 seconds and when you slice it open, you’ll be greeted with flowy, hot custard lava. That’s the ultimate way to enjoy this flavour!

To sweeten the deal, The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore is offering an early bird promotion where you can get 20% off baked mooncakes from 01 Aug to 03 Sep 2017 if you make your purchases online at www.rcmooncake.com.sg.

There is also an ongoing special for all Snowskin and Mini  Lava Custard with Vanilla mooncakes where you get 15% off from now to 03 Sep 2017, when you purchase online at www.rcmooncake.com.sg.

The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore (Level 3)
7 Raffles Ave
Singapore 039799
Nearest Station: Promenade
Mooncake Retail Kiosk Opens from 4 Sep to 4 Oct 2017
Operating Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Tel: +65 6434 5190 (for bulk purchase enquiries)
Email: rc.sinrz.mooncakes@ritzcarlton.com

This post is brought to you by The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore.

Colony at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore is one of the most stunning restaurants in Singapore. And it is one destination that suits every occasion—business luncheons, anniversary dinners, birthday celebrations and family gatherings.

During our previous visit to Colony, we were blown away by the extensive buffet dinner spread which features seven ‘live’ kitchens. Fast forward a few months and we are back at this colonial-themed restaurant for “The Journey”—a five-tier tiffin afternoon tea (S$49++/pax) which is now available from Monday to Saturday, from 3.30pm to 5.30pm.

Lounge your afternoon away in this gorgeous setting and chit-chat over savoury delights served in a five-tier ceramic tiffin and unlimited servings of delectable desserts from The Patisserie, a complimentary flute of champagne and Colony’s custom tea blend.

Colony is where a wonderful afternoon tea journey happens. And for readers of Ladyironchef, enjoy a privileged 15% discount when you quote ‘Ladyironchef15′ upon reservation.

POSH COLONIAL-THEMED SETTING

While we loved the dim lighting and romantic setting during dinner, we were awed after stepping foot into the restaurant for the first time in the day—natural lighting shines through the mother-of-pearl glass roof and brightens up the  restaurant space.

The theme of the restaurant is set in the late 18th century when trade started flourishing in Singapore, paying tribute to the sea voyages and commercial travels by the British to the Far East. Adding to the colonial touches are a series of vintage portraits, maps, and photographs  displayed on the wall partitions.

Those who prefer a more private setting can opt for one of the dining booths perfect for  groups of two and four.

“THE JOURNEY” AFTERNOON TEA

Travel back in time through Singapore’s culinary heritage as you savour  Chinese, Western and locally inspired canapés presented in a ceramic five-tier  ”Tingkat”, the Malay word for tiffin. Journey through savoury highlights such as Steamed Charcoal Xiao Long Bao with Baby Abalone, Beef Parmentier, Mini Lobster Thermidor and Pumpkin Cake with Chilli Crab Meat Sauce.

Do note that the menu is subjected to change.

It is no secret that we love Xiao Long Bao, and we have seen quite a few creative variations of mini soup dumplings in recent years. And just when we thought we have seen it all, Colony comes up with their rendition of the Steamed Charcoal Xiao Long Bao with Baby Abalone.

A generous portion of pork filling and tasty broth are enwrapped in a delicate, black dumpling skin providing a burst of flavours at first bite. The Baby Abalone adds a premium touch to this exquisite dim sum dish.

Another star dish melding flavours from the East and West would be the Pumpkin Cake with Chilli Crab Meat Sauce. Here at Colony, the chefs have mastered the art of making rich and flavourful chilli crab sauce.

The wonderful combination of sweet and mildly spicy flavours definitely makes this a crowd-pleaser.

The Beef Parmentier is a winning combination of soft and tender beef chunks, complemented with creamy mashed potato.

With the Mini Lobster Thermidor, a classic French dish, you can enjoy a portion of succulent lobster meat drizzled in cream sauce, and baked with cheese to perfection.

There is also the Ibérico and Burrata Cheese Sandwich, a Western favourite. The intense flavour of the cured ham is well-balanced by the smooth, buttery texture of the burrata.

The best part? You get to experience this journey through various cuisines with a flute of Moët & Chandon Brut Imperial Champagne and Colony’s custom tea blend, made from  black and white Sumatran tea leaves! You can even personalise your tea with your choice of tea syrup enhancement such as French Rose, Pandan or Lavender.

The Pandan enhancement was definitely the popular choice, as all of us had several cups of tea just to pair with the fragrant Pandan enhancement.

CREPE SUZETTE STATION

A trip to Colony is never complete until you make your way to the ‘live’ crêpe suzette station. Capture the Instagram-worthy moment as the pastry chef light the pan with a torch —a dramatic instant that makes for great photos or videos.

UNLIMITED SERVINGS OF DESSERTS AT THE PATISSERIE

Though the canapés in the five-tier tiffin are not refillable, your sweet tooth will be satiated with  unlimited servings of desserts from The Patisserie in Colony.

Look out for the lemon meringue, raspberry cheesecake and mini pandan roll. There is also an assortment of Nyonya kueh, alluding to another of Singapore’s heritage cuisines.

‘The Journey’ is one of the best afternoon teas in Singapore that we’ve had this year and we are already looking forward to more tea sessions at the gorgeous Colony!

AN EXCLUSIVE 15% OFF

For all of our beloved readers of Ladyironchef, experience ‘The Journey’ with a 15% off by simply quoting ‘Ladyironchef15′ upon making your reservation. Do note that this promotion is redeemable only with a minimum of 2 diners, and it is valid from 28 November 2016 to 17 December 2016.

“The Journey” Afternoon Tea
5-tier Tiffin Afternoon Tea with unlimited desserts
Mon to Sat: 3.30pm to 5.30pm
S$49++ per person

Colony
Level 3, The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore
7 Raffles Avenue
Singapore 039799
Reservations: +65 6434 5288 / rc.sinrz.restaurantreservations@ritzcarlton.com www.colony.com.sg
Nearest Station: Promenade

This post is brought to you by The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore.

One of our favourite places to head to for buffets in Singapore is Colony. Located on level three of The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, Colony is a well-appointed yet cosy restaurant offering the best of Singapore’s heritage cuisines. A dinner at Colony never disappoints.

We returned this week for Colony’s monthly “Farm To Fork” special, where monthly-exclusive dishes that are sustainable sourced, are brought right to your dining table. This promotion happens from now till June 2016.

In the month of March 2016, the featured sustainably farmed produce is the finest Irish beef by John Stone. This means that you can have free-flow quality beef steaks on top of the regular buffet spread. This is completely a steal!

And that’s not all. Quote “ladyironchef” when you make your reservation to receive a complimentary bottle of house wine for a minimum booking of 4 persons for the “Farm to Fork” promotion at Colony from Sundays to Thursdays between 21 March to 28 April 2016.

Colony (formerly Greenhouse) opened for business not too long ago in September 2015.The space still looks so new with a posh yet inviting interior whichexudes a charm that we cannot quite put into words.

Ample natural day light flows into the restaurant throughout the day, which lights up the entire area making Colony look absolutely stunning. When night falls, the space transforms into a romantic spot. We say date nights would be great here, as with gatherings of family and friends.

We love how the restaurant is segregated into various seating configurations – there are booth seats for more privacy, round tables for families, then there are long tables for bigger groups.

FARM TO FORK – IRISH BEEF

This March, enjoy some of the finest Irish beef by John Stone. Through sustainable farming practices, John Stone farmers use only locally-sourced and environmentally-friendly produced feed for their cattle. This means that the beef has lesser saturated fats which is linked to heart disease and is higher in Omega-3 and Omega-6 (healthier sources of protein), Vitamin E, among other health benefits .

Now we have even more reason to enjoy a good steak!

The meats by John Stone are all dry-aged for 28 days, using a traditional method that the John Stone brand has been using since 1975. Grilled to perfection with a lovely tenderness, the beef is available as part of Colony’s dinner buffet spread from Sundays to Thursdays this month.

There are three cuts available during this “Farm to Fork” promotion – sirloin, ribeye and tenderloin (fillet) – and the chefs are happy to have your preferred cut cooked to your choice of doneness. You can also choose to have carved servings from the pre-cooked meat platter, coupled with farm-fresh potatoes that make for a perfect steak dish.

The steaks are cooked on a charcoal grill for that nice outer char, and you can pile on the selection of side dishes such as baby carrots, maize, fries and mashed potato. We loved how juicy the meat is when done to a perfect medium rare, especially the ribeye cut. The fillet is much more ‘meaty’, hence less fatty and slightly less juicy, but still extremely tasty for anyone who loves a tenderloin cut.

In the following months to come, look forward to the monthly “Farm To Fork” specials that will include creamy homemade burrata and fresh tuna. We can’t wait to go back already!

A LAVISH SPREAD AT COLONY

The buffet dinner spread at Colony consists of 7 ‘live’ kitchens – The Ice Bar (Seafood), The Grill & Rotisserie (Meats), The Steam Basket (Hand-pulled noodles and dim dum), The Wok (Local dishes), The Tandoor (Indian delights), The Fruit Stall, and The Patisserie (Desserts).

We always go weak at the seafood spread where you can expect a multitude of fresh seafood including a selection of different oysters – from plump Irish oysters to the leaner Canadian oysters.

Yabbies, king crab legs, half shell scallops, black mussels and poached ‘live’ prawns are some of the other seafood that you can help yourself to at The Ice Bar.

We are usually unimpressed with the salad bars at hotel buffets, but the one at Colony is by far the best. The range of fresh greens aside, they offer delicious toppings that include avocado, beetroot, tuna, smoked duck, fresh prawn salad and feta cheese – on top of a whole range of dressings.

We don’t remember the last time we bothered with salads at a buffet dinner, so Colony, you win. We love your DIY salad bar so much!

LOCAL & ASIAN FLAVOURS

What too impressed us were some underdogs in the buffet spread. At The Ice Bar, you can enjoy local bites such as Kueh Pie Ti and Popiah.

Located at The Wok, the Singapore Chilli Crab is tasty with just the right amount of spice and flavour. The crabs were also plump and meaty.

Another must-try here is the Seafood Fried Rice with XO sauce.

The authentic Indian delights available at The Tandoor kitchen were so aromatic that we were drawn to it by the wonderful smell of spices. Our personal favourite was the rich Butter Chicken and the Tandoori Lobsters. The former was creamy and buttery, yet spicy – just the way we like our butter chicken curries to be. We would definitely recommend that you enjoy this dish with some naan.

While you may think that lobsters are usually grilled in Western cuisine, the brilliant chefs gave these crustaceans a delightful Indian twist with very flavourful seasoning. Voila! Tandoori Lobsters – the first we’ve tried, and nothing short of impressive!

The Steam Basket showcases the best of Singaporean and Asian delights including Colony’s signature Laksa with Homemade Lobster Ball, to Xiao Long Bao which is available at the dim sum bar.

The Lobster laksa is a classic and something that we’re sure many of you will return to Colony for With its spicy broth that has a rich coconut fragrance, complemented with huge lobster balls and cockles, this is a must-try when you dine at Colony.

You might think we are crazy for having roast meats and chicken rice at a grand buffet like this but once you have had a taste of the tender meats and fragrant rice, you will fully understand why.

The rice exudes an aroma unlike any other. Every grain is plump and coated with the fragrant essence of chicken oil. The chilli is one of the best we’ve had, and you bet the meats are well-roasted and flavourful too.

Honestly? This beats so many roast meat stalls in Singapore!

Colony is everything we want in a buffet and more – the selection is abundant and the quality of the food is top notch. It is one of those places that we will choose to return to if we don’t want uncertainty or a disappointing meal. It is also the perfect venue to bring your overseas guests to enjoy a meal, where they can enjoy a variety of local Singaporean favourites in a comfortable and sophisticated environment!

Remember to quote “ladyironchef” when you make your dinner reservations to receive a complimentary bottle of house wine for a minimum booking of 4 persons during the “Farm to Fork” promotion from Sundays to Thursdays at Colony between 21 March to 28 April 2016.

Prices:
- Breakfast
Monday to Sunday, 6.30am to 10.30am (last order at 10.15am)
Unlimited servings at seven conservatory kitchens
S$45 per adult, S$22.50 per adult (6 to 12 years of age)

- Lunch
Monday to Saturday, 12pm to 2.30pm (last order at 2.15pm)
Unlimited servings at seven conservatory kitchens
S$58 per adult, S$29 per child (6 to 12 years of age)

- Dinner
Monday to Sunday, 6.30pm to 10.30pm (last order at 10.15pm)
Unlimited servings at seven conservatory kitchens
Sunday to Thursday: S$78 per adult, S$39 per child (6 to 12 years of age)
Friday and Saturday: S$88 per adult, S$44 per child (6 to 12 years of age)

Tel: +65 6434 5288
Email: rc.sinrz.restaurantreservations@ritzcarlton.com
Website: www.colony.com.sg

Colony
The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore
7 Raffles Avenue
Singapore 039799
Daily: 6.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Promenade

This post was brought to you by The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore.

If you’ve not booked your seats for SuperBrunch at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore this Sunday, do take action fast!

The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore is synonymous with the best buffets in Singapore. and twice a year, the hotel organises an extravagant SuperBrunch that foodies look forward to.

Three Cheers for The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore’s SuperBrunch – The Brunch Buffet of The Year Is Back!

In this highly-anticipated 14th edition of SuperBrunch that takes place this Sunday – which is the most spectacular buffet of the year, Executive Chef Massimo Pasquarelli and his culinary team are ready to blow you away with an indulgent buffet spread set against a masquerade carnival theme.

The hotel lobby, Colony and Chihuly Lounge will be transformed into a massive masquerade carnival, bringing to life the mystique of a masquerade ball amidst the convivial atmosphere of a carnival.

At this Sunday’s SuperBrunch, you can expect a seven metre-long seafood bar, a specialty oyster bar with 15 different types of oysters, a giant seafood paella, caviar, 15 kilograms of foie gras, 40 kilograms of wagyu beef leg,130 types of international cheeses, and 500 bottles of Champagne.

Asian indulgences include traditional Peking Duck, and a noodle bar with Boston Lobster laksa. The meats you can look forward to include a carving station with roasted rib-eye tomahawk, Iberico char siew and suckling spring lamb. There will be a crab station with Cognac flambé crabAlaskan crabs.

That’s a lot of premium food for Sunday brunch. If people suffer from ‘wanderlust’, we say we suffer from #SuperBrunchLust.

A deejay will spin ‘live’ beats, samba dancers will show off their moves, drummers will drum up the atmosphere, and a roving magician will intrigue you with his tricks.

Seats are selling out fast so book now by calling +65 6434-5288 or emailing rc.sinrz.restaurantreservations@ritzcarlton.com. This is one SuperBrunch you do not want to miss!

THE RITZ-CARLTON, MILLENIA SINGAPORE’S SUPERBRUNCH

SGD 468 per adult (inclusive of unlimited pours of Dom Pérignon Vintage 2006, house pour red/white wines, soft drinks and fruit flavoured sparkling mineral water).

SGD 288 per adult (inclusive of unlimited pours of Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage Blanc 2003 Magnums, Grand Vintage Rosé 2002 Magnums, house pour red/white wines, soft drinks and fruit flavoured sparkling mineral water)

SGD 144 per child (six to 12 years of age)*

SGD 72 per child (three to five years of age)*

*Inclusive of unlimited soft drinks and fruit flavoured sparkling mineral water

The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore
7 Raffles Avenue
Singapore 039799
Reservations: +65 6434-5288 / rc.sinrz.restaurantreservations@ritzcarlton.com
Website: www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/singapore/offers/super-brunch-package
Nearest Station: Promenade

This post is brought to you by The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore.

The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore has unveiled an exciting new dining concept – Colony – that will excite all epicurean foodies alike. Introducing Colony with a gourmet buffet that is set to impress even the most discerning taste buds with its mouthwatering spread of Chinese, Indonesian, Indian, Malaysian, Western and local dishes. .

Now, just when you think Colony is “just another buffet line-up in Singapore”, read on and you will realize that it is like no other. Set to transport you back in time to when Singapore was founded, the culinary journey at Colony will remind you of our heritage

The eight different conservatory kitchens take centre stage at the buffet, giving it a very theatrical effect; diners can watch their food being prepared freshly in front of them and each ‘live’ station showcases one of the many different ethnic cuisines that has shaped Singapore over the past decades.

The laksa with homemade lobster balls are to die for, and we had endless helpings of the crepe suzettes. Behold, the 10 highlights of our experience at Colony.

Alluding to the voyage the British took to travel to the East Indies for trade and commerce in the eighteenth century, Colony is a culinary journey through Singapore’s heritage cuisines.

#1 THE ICE BAR

Start your meal at The Ice Bar which features a wide variety of International cheeses, nourishing salads, premium crustaceans and superior cold cuts. We were blown away by the impeccably fresh salmon sashimi and excellent foie gras terrine. You bet we had multiple servings!

From king crabs, poached ‘live’ prawns to seasonal oysters, the items at The Ice Bar are rotational but freshness and quality are top notch. And honestly, are we the only ones who couldn’t stop taking photos of the immaculate set-up and splendour of the seafood display?

#2 THE GRILL & ROTISSERIE

The Grill & Rotisserie, live kitchen showcases a delectable selection of Asian and Western meats grilled to perfection! We were drooling at the sight of the roast pork belly and our all-time favourite Hainanese chicken rice.

We were initially apprehensive and thought about giving the chicken rice a miss because we didn’t want to “waste tummy space” for something we can get easily at hawker centre. We are but human to think this way, right? BUT WE WERE WRONG. THE HAINANESE CHICKEN RICE WAS EASILY THE BEST WE HAD.

Compared to those “branded chicken rice” restaurants in Singapore; Colony’s version wins them hands down! The grains of rice – so plump and full, soaked with the essence of the chicken and perfumed with the fragrance of pandan leaves. The chilli was on point too. Best chicken rice. Period.

#3 THE STEAM BASKET

The Steam Basket comprises Asian noodles and dainty dim sums. But if you only have the stomach capacity for one dish, we suggest you dive straight for their laksa. The laksa had the entire table raving about it all night as we were impressed by its brilliant execution.

While Colony’s laksa has retained most of the traits of a traditional laksa recipe , the culinary team has cleverly used handmade lobster balls instead of the classic fish balls, for the added X-factor. By the way, if you are the kind who would pay extra at the hawker centre for more cockles, you know what? Colony uses very fresh and huge cockles for their laksa, and you are more than welcome to ask for more!

Most buffet items are on a rotational basis but Colony’s laksa is available daily as one of their signature dishes.

#4 THE WOK

Fast forward to modern Singapore and diners can enjoy local dishes such as the famous Singapore Chilli Crab, Chinese-style Braised Pork, Black Pepper Crayfish and Seafood Fried Rice with XO Sauce over at The Wok.

The extensive selection grants you the opportunity to sample a vast variety of local delights in bite-sized portions. Should you have any friends visiting Singapore for a holiday, we recommend you bring them to Colony for an ultimate feast; it is definitely a fantastic representation of Singapore as the ultimate food paradise..

#5 THE TANDOOR

Singaporean cuisine is not complete without Indian Tandoori-style dishes, and the traditional Roti Prata. Crispy on the outside and delightfully fluffy on the inside, we dare say it is one of the best we have had in a long while.

Diners can choose their Roti Prata with or without egg and the chef will whip up a piping hot serving in no time. Besides the attention-grabbing Roti Prata, diners will also be spoilt for choice – help yourselves to the assorted naans, lasooni lamb steak and prawn kali mirchi, cooked in the tandoori oven.

#6 THE FRUIT STALL

Health junkies, listen up! The Fruit Stall at the Colony offers an assortment of whole fruits and freshly pressed juices that will have you salivating in glee. Grab a refreshing “Juice of the Day” or customize your own concoction. Herein lies the fun – all you have to do is to simply pick your favourite fruits from the bar and have the server cold-press them for you in their superior Korean juicer.

We were beyond thankful for this wholesome quick fix, and the best part? Free flow.

#7 THE PATISSERIE

We know you might be stuffed by the time you are nearly done with all the mains, but as the saying goes – there is always room for dessert! With a seemingly infinite number of decadent desserts sitting prettily on the shelves, The Patisserie is truly a dessert paradise; we are pretty sure that even supermodel Adriana Lima would cave in and have the chocolate cake. We kid you not; chocolate cake is her weakness!

Apart from the chocolate cake, you should try the Strawberry Shortcake and Nonya Kueh Talam. These are available on a rotational basis though, but if you’re lucky, you know what to do.

#8 ‘LIVE DESSERT STATION’ PREPARING CREPE SUZETTE

When at Colony, you cannot miss out on the heavenly crepe suzettes! Watch the pastry chef in action as she prepares the crepes fresh upon receiving your order.

You can choose to enhance your crepes with condiments, sauces and/or ice-cream. We urge you to complement it with a scoop of Chendol and/or Gula Meleka ice-cream – these sinful treats are well worth the calories!

#9 HANDCRAFTED SPECIALTY COCKTAILS

Pamper yourselves with Colony’s handcrafted cocktails (S$22++ each) where you get to experience their resident mixologist prepare a lovely concoction right next to your table. All the cocktails in the collection, such as the Long Journey and Bengal Brew, have been designed to mirror the passage from Britain to Singapore.

The former is an adaptation of the traditional whiskey sour, where Great King Street whiskey is shaken with Irish Stout; while the latter is Earl Grey Tea and Rum mixed and pulled a la Teh Tarik-style.

#10 ELEGANT AMBIENCE

But of course, we are completely in awe of the décor and ambience of Colony and would return in a heartbeat for a stellar meal. The gorgeous contemporary East meets West interiors have been designed by award-winning designer Tony Chi and we love how the vintage maps, photographs and postcards adorn the walls and partitions. The option of booth seats also affords a greater level of privacy.

Looking for somewhere to dine for a business luncheon, romantic date or family gathering? The all-new, stunningly beautiful Colony should be next on your list.

Colony
Level 3, The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore
7 Raffles Avenue
Singapore 039799
Reservations: +65 6434 5288 / rc.sinrz.restaurantreservations@ritzcarlton.com
Nearest Station: Promenade

Breakfast Buffet
Mon to Sun: 6.30am – 10.30am (last order at 10.15am)
Price: S$45++ per adult, S$22.50++ per child (6 to 12 years old)

Lunch Buffet
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 2.30pm (last order at 2.15pm)
Price: S$58++ per adult, S$29++ per child (6 to 12 years old)

Dinner Buffet
Daily: 6.30pm to 10.30pm
Prices for Sun to Thu: S$78++ per adult, S$39++ per child (6 to 12 years old)
Prices for Fri and Sat: S$88++ per adult, S$44++ per child (6 to 12 years old)

Vintage Champagne Brunch
Sun: 12 pm to 3.30 pm (last order at 3.15 pm)
Prices: S$ 188 per adult*, S$ 94 per child^ (6 to 12 years of age), S$47 per child^ (3 to 5 years of age)
*Inclusive of unlimited Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage Blanc 2006 and Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage Rosé 2004, selected cocktails/mocktails, house pour red/white wines, draft beer and soft drinks.

^Inclusive of unlimited soft drinks and fruit flavoured sparkling mineral water.

This post is brought to you by The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore.

The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong is a favourite among businessmen who have meetings at the International Commerce Centre, and young couples who enjoy the finest things in life.

The modern and classy interior design makes the hotel an absolute gem in the skyscraper-dominated city. It is not difficult to see why the Ritz-Carlton is one of the top hotels in the world. The service? Perfection. The staff know each guest by their first name, and they are always polite and courteous, and it feels like they are genuinely happy to see you at the hotel.

The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong has several excellent dining options which will ensure that you will never be hungry throughout the stay.

The Lounge is one of the most popular spots in Hong Kong where guests and locals go for afternoon tea (reservations are required way in advance).

Tin Lung Heen, the 2 Michelin star restaurant, delivers a modern interpretation of Cantonese food, and the Char-grilled Barbecued Iberian Pork is to-die-for. Prices are steep, but it is a restaurant with a terrific view and exceptional service. If you are celebrating a special occasion, I canot think of a better place than Tin Lung Heen at The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong.

Tosca offers Southern Italian cuisine in a stunning restaurant. The food is well-executed and I love that the chefs take pride in the food presentation to provide a terrific dining experience.

I stayed at the club level, so I had access to the Club Lounge’s facilities. It includes a buffet area, a lounge section and a meeting room. I spent quite a bit of time there reading a book, while indulging in snacks.

If you go, you must have a drink at Ozone, one of the highest bars in the world. Even if you are not staying at the hotel, you should also drop by for drinks with your friends.

What I love about The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, other than the wonderful service and luxurious experience, is that it has a fantastic view of the entire city. I was thinking to myself that there is no need to make a trip to The Peak as the hotel has an even better view.

The room was posh and very cosy. It was well-equipped, and the attention to detail demonstrated the hotel’s goal to make sure that every guest has a memorable time. As I was about to check out from the hotel, I felt a tinge of sadness as my stay had been nothing short of amazing and I did not want to leave. The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong is, without a doubt, one of the best hotels in the world. I will definitely be back soon.

The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong
1 Austin Rd W, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2263 2263
Note: This was an invited media stay.

Even though I have been to Ritz-Carlton Singapore many times, for some reason, I never had the chance to eat at Summer Pavilion, the luxe hotel’s Chinese restaurant. So, when I was there for a staycation recently, I made a reservation to drop by for lunch to sample some of their signature Cantonese dishes.

There are quite a few choices on its dim sum menu. You can find the usual Steamed Prawn Dumpling ($5.20 for 4), Steamed Pork Dumpling ($5.20 for 4), but there are also exquisite options such as a Dumpling with abalone ($15.80/pax), and Deep-fried Seafood Roll ($2.20/piece) with scallop, prawn and coral clam. Beyond the dim sum menu is a comprehensive list of chef’s specialities on the ala carte menu, with many dishes listed under each category.

We started off with the Barbecued Combination Platter ($30 for small). While the chicken and duck were good, the clear favourite for us was the delicious and juicy char siew.

The Baked Egg Tarts ($4.20 for 3) while decent, were not worth the calories. The Deep-fried Lobster Puff ($2.50) was also unremarkable.

Here, the classic Barbecued Pork Bun was given a twist with the addition of chunks of preserved vegetable. The taste was subtle, but it added a different dimension to the otherwise ordinary bun. If you like preserved vegetable, you must try Summer Pavilion’s Steamed BBQ Pork Bun ($4.50 for 3) because it is not everyday that we find renditions with preserved vegetable and onion. Unique for sure, and worth ordering.

The Doubled-boiled Clear Lobster Soup ($16/pax) with vermicelli and pine mushroom was a winner. another that won our hearts was the Baked Marinated Silver Cod fish ($20/pax), which came complete with a lovely champagne sauce.

We were greeted by a sizzling claypot as the staff brought the Braised Sea Perch and Egg Plant with Sze Chuan sauce ($8) to our table. This was followed by the beautiful Steamed Zucchini Flower ($13) stuffed with prawn, chicken and mushroom.

For the Steamed Bamboo Clams with golden mushroom, we were served two renditions – one with black bean sauce, and the other cooked with minced garlic. We thought that the black bean sauce was too overwhelming and it covered the taste of the clams. We preferred the minced garlic version, which brought out the freshness of the clams. It was fresh, succulent and bursting with flavours.

There were also some misses, such as the dry and flavourless Wok-fried Fillet of Beef; and the Poached Fish Noodle Soup with Lobster ($12/pax) which did not hit the spot.

All in all, it was a delightful meal, and if you are thinking of where to go for Chinese New Year Dinner, Summer Pavilion at Ritz-Carlton Singapore should be at the top of your list.

Auspicious lunch and dinner set menus will be available for Chinese New Year. If money is no object, go for the Platinum seven-course menu ($2288 for eight guests). The restaurant will also be serving traditional pen cai (available from $360 for four).

Summer Pavilion
7 Raffles Avenue
Ritz-Carlton Singapore
Tel: +65 6337 8888
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Note: This was an invited media tasting.

The Ritz-Calrton brand is synonyms with luxury and life’s supreme indulgences, and at Greenhouse Restaurant, you get no less than that. The restaurant has always been renown for its buffet spread, and despite this household fact, a recent trip to its Sunday Champagne Brunch still left me in awe with its splendour.

Right smacked in the middle of the restaurant, you have the carving station serving rack of lamb, roasted potatoes, roasted pork, roasted duck, roasted char siew, beef; and an ala min pasta station where you can customise your perfect pasta.

Make a beeline for the seafood section. There, you can find the freshest creatures from the ocean: sashimi, mussels, prawns, clams, crabs and a variety of oysters – fine de claire, tsaraskaya, St Michel, Canadian oyster, prat-ar-coum, belon, and Pacific oyster.

Foie gras lovers will be delighted that they also do pan-seared foie gras. My partner and I love foie gras, and we had so many portions of it.

For those who love Chinese food, there are items like braised pork shoulder, wok-fried king prawn, deep fried garoupa with spicy lime mango sauce, and yang chow fried rice. Good, but not impressive enough for me to waste my stomach space.

Just beside the bread table, you can get yourself a bowl of the hearty lobster bisque, or the crab meat soup.

Also not to be missed is the Japanese station for its soba noodles, miso soup, sushi handrolls, chawanmushi, and an assortment of sushi.

For desserts, I think the pictures say it all. There are many yummy choices, but what you must try is the freshly baked soufflés. They are so good – probably one of the best that I’ve had before.

While prices ($168++/pax) are steep, Greenhouse at Ritz-Carlton, to me, has one of the best buffets in Singapore. My only gripe is that they removed its tiered pricing, so now, you pay the same price whether you have the free-flow of champagne or not. It does not make sense for non-drinkers, and it deters people in this group to go for the buffet.

That aside, if you love champagne, and if you want to indulge in a good Sunday brunch buffet, Greenhouse Restaurant is definitely the place to go.

Sunday is perfect when you have an unlimited flow of Moët & Chandon, wines and selected cocktails accompanied by freshly shucked oysters, seafood, roasts, French farmhouse cheeses and freshly baked soufflés.

Greenhouse Restaurant
7 Raffles Avenue
3/F Ritz-Carlton Millenia
Tel: +65 6434 5288
Sunday vintage champagne brunch: 12pm – 3pm
Note: This was an invited media tasting

For more recommendations, please read my list of Best Buffets in Singapore

I love afternoon tea. It combines three of my favourite things – yummy desserts, a nice pot of tea, and catching up with good friends.

I’ve always heard about the afternoon tea at Chihuly Lounge, Ritz-Carlton Millenia, but for some reason, I never had the chance to try it. When I finally went there recently for an afternoon indulgence, I must say that they did not disappoint – if anything, exceeded expectations.

I really like Chihuly Lounge. I like that the place has a high ceiling – allowing light to flood the lounge – and it feels spacious and comfortable. I like that the lounge has good chill-out music, it is a lovely place to sit and watch the world go by. I like that the staff are attentive, knowledgeable and friendly. And of course, I love the cakes, pastries, and sandwiches, that are oh-so-delicious.

Unlike the usual hotel afternoon tea, Chihuly Lounge offers a decadent eight-course afternoon tea set menu ($39++/pax, from 2.30pm to 5pm). After you have settled down, the staff will bring out a pretty tea mocktail, which is served with a selection of crackers with XO chilli sambal. Then, you will proceed to choose a pot of tea — from a wide selection on the menu — or freshly-brewed coffee. Before the main event, you get to enjoy the carving station trolley which gives you the choice of beef wellington or salmon coulibiac (note: this changes on a weekly basis).

And finally, the tea set stand consists of smoked chicken and chestnut salad in laugen roll; avocado and cream cheese in whole meal finger and cucumber; parma ham on olive baguette; Scottish smoked salmon in almond buns; plain and raisin scones; pistachio macarons; lemon cheese cake with meringue; chocolate praline tarts; and strawberry puffs.

If you still have room, you must try the raspberry sorbet which comes in a very pretty ice cream cone.

Last, but not least, there is the dessert trolley with tea cakes, cookies, kueh lapis, and pralines.

You get to enjoy the whole experience for just $39++/person. For a five-star afternoon tea, I would definitely recommend Chihuly Lounge at Ritz-Carlton Millenia.

Chihuly Lounge
7 Raffles Avenue
Lobby Ritz-Carlton Millenia
Tel: +65 6434 5283
Weekday afternoon tea: 2.30pm – 5pm
Note: This was an invited media tasting.

“I think I am in love,” I told my dining companion when I saw the amazing éclairs from Chihuly Lounge at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore.

Chihuly Lounge is currently having a Summer Weekend Afternoon Tea (2 June to 26 August 2012), and in addition to the assortment of canapes, finger sandwiches, and scones; executive pastry chef Terence Pang has specially created 12 different éclairs for this occasion.

From the popular chocolate éclair, to the cute gummy bear éclair, to the irresistible passion fruit & mango éclair – I love them all!

Starting clockwise from 12 o’clock: caramel éclair, chocolate éclair, vanilla éclair, cookies & cream éclair, cassis violet éclair, black sesame éclair, passion fruit & mango éclair, café éclair, gula melaka éclair, mac-lair (macadamia & chocolate), yam éclair, and cotton candy éclair.

Here’s a quick sum-up of the wonderful creations. Out of the twelve éclairs, my favourites were the passion fruit & mango, and chocolate éclair.

The passion fruit & mango éclair was like a burst of summer; I loved how the two flavours mingled in the mouth. The chocolate éclair also won our hearts. It had the right intensity, and was easily one of the best éclairs that I’ve had.

The vanilla éclair (pictured above), on the other hand, was a let-down. With the shiny gold leave surface, it was one of the prettiest éclairs, but we felt that the vanilla cream was a little over-burned.

For someone who is not a fan of yam, I thought that Chihuly Lounge’s rendition is pretty decent. But my dining companion felt that the use of yam in an éclair was rather weird. We also enjoyed the caramel, cookies & cream, cassis violet eclairs. The only ones that we didn’t really fancy were black sesame (the coating was too sweet), and café éclair (which had a rather weak coffee flavour).

Available from 2:30 to 5 p.m., Chihuly Lounge’s Summer Weekend Afternoon Tea is priced at $48 per adult (inclusive of freshly brewed and decaffeinated coffee and a selection of teas).

Chihuly Lounge
7 Raffles Avenue
Lobby Ritz-Carlton Millenia
Tel: +65 6434 5283
Daily: 8am – 1am

Note: This was an invited media tasting.