Food

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Kinki Restaurant & Bar Review – Dishes to Try in This Modern Japanese Concept at Customs House

September 16, 2020 by Bino Leave a Comment

Kinki is an urban Japanese restaurant and bar located at the 2nd floor of Customs House in Singapore’s Marina Bay, just a few steps from Fullerton Bay Hotel. Just from the name alone, it is not difficult to surmise the venue’s departure from conventional Japanese cuisine. Yes, you do get your sushi rolls, tempura and unagi but it all comes with a twist. This premise seems to be a hit with the local market, as Kinki has been standing in its present location for over 11 years now, outlasting many of the other tenants at Customs House that have come and gone.

kinki rooftop bar

The restaurant’s proximity to Raffles Place and the office crowd means that aside from serving good food, a proper drinks environment is also a must and Kinki fulfills that through its 3rd floor rooftop bar with breathtaking views of Marina Bay. If you are coming to Kinki for drinks, you’ll find that the food pairs well with alcohol – fortunately doing so by providing so much more than the usual nuts, fries or chicken wings that you’d find in other bars.

Kinki has recently introduced some new items in the menu and I had the opportunity to try these for dinner alongside some of their popular evergreen dishes.

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Milksha – Get Discounts For Your Next Bubble Tea Purchase Here

September 6, 2020 by Bino Leave a Comment

With 6 branches in Singapore, Milksha is quickly becoming one of the more ubiquitous bubble tea shops in the island. As the name of the establishment suggests, Milksha specializes in milk-based drinks with an emphasis on their 100% natural fresh milk. The brand is also the local version of the Taiwanese brand called Milkshop (迷客夏).

If you find yourself visiting one of their outlets and tempted to purchase a drink right from the counter, I would suggest taking a look at these deals instead where you can purchase a voucher for any of the signature drinks listed below at a discount of up to 10%.

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Mooncakes in Singapore 2020 Almost Complete Guide – Mid-Autumn Festival’s Best Mooncake Boxes & Flavours

September 4, 2020 by Bino 3 Comments

The mid-autumn or mooncake festival in 2020 will fall on the 1st of October, a little later than usual. In the lunar calendar, the mid-autumn festival is celebrated every 15th of the eight month. Despite the “current situation”, this looks to be another year filled with interesting and even some unusual flavors. This guide will be regularly updated with 2020’s catalog of the best mooncakes and ongoing promotions. The most common types of mooncakes include:

Traditional baked mooncakes which come with lotus paste or occasionally with red bean paste. These baked mooncakes may also come with one or two salted egg yolks at the center. Sub-specialties include low-sugar baked mooncakes or those that replace the traditional lotus paste with something else, such as pandan.
Snowskin mooncakes, which need to be kept cold, usually come in fruit flavors with sub-specialties including durian mooncakes and even alcohol infused ones. Snowskin mooncakes are not baked and the crust is made with glutinous rice, giving it a texture similar to mochi. This type of mooncake is usually considered less oily than the traditional baked ones.
Teochew mooncakes are also baked but differ in the sense that the crust is made of filo pastry. Instead of lotus paste, the filling is made with green bean or red bean.

I will also aim to show what the containers look like, so that you’ll know which hotels and bakeries have the best and most beautiful mooncake boxes for 2020.

One trend I am already seeing is that price increases compared to previous years are minimal or even non-existent. Another trend is that many providers have chosen not to sell mooncakes in 2020 due to the current climate. One upside though is that mooncake promotions look more generous than usual, with one provider even giving out 1-for-1 mooncakes for early-bird orders (find out the details below!). Providers are also now more willing to do mooncake delivery – with free delivery for orders from as little as 1 box.

As most providers have ramped up their online ordering systems, the best credit cards to use for your mooncake purchase would be those that give bonus points / miles for online spend. If you are simply looking for cashback, the UOB One Card gives up to 5% cashback as long as you can spend consistently. For miles, the Citibank Rewards Card still gives you 4 miles per S$1 spend when it comes to online transactions. Citibank Citi Cashback Plus on the other hand, rewards you with 1.6% cashback with no cap on the monthly spend. There is also a promotion at the moment where you get a Apple AirPods with Charging Case for every successful new Citibank cardholder application.

Will there be any mooncake roadshows / mooncake fairs in 2020?

Given the current situation and the move to online orders and mooncake deliveries, there will not be any physical mooncake fairs or roadshows in 2020. There will only be online mooncake fairs – with this list being the most comprehensive online mooncake fair out there with 39 mooncake brands listed!

Mdm Ling Bakery

mdm ling mooncakes 2020 (source: mdm ling bakery)

Mdm Ling Bakery is the place to go if you prefer something different from the predominant traditional or snowskin mooncakes that other providers are selling. This homegrown business specializes in the Teochew Yam Mooncake and the Teochew Hae Bee Hiam White Lotus Mooncake. This particular type of mooncake has a fragrant and flaky crust, with multiple layers – not too dissimilar from a flower that has yet to bloom. Aside from Teochew mooncakes, Mdm Ling Bakery is also one of the few places in Singapore to offer Shanghai Mooncake. A new twist this year in their line-up are their cookie-inspired mooncakes including the Cookie-inspired Local Kopi Siew Dai Mooncake, Cookie-inspired Pink Himalayan Salt Chocolate Almond Mooncake, Cookie-inspired Purple Sweet Potato Mooncake with Pandan Lotus Paste and the Cookie-inspired Mung Bean with Sesame-Lotus Paste.

The box: Mdm Ling Bakery’s mooncakes this year come in a tin box with a cover featuring an interactive snakes and ladders theme.

Dates: Now until 31st October 2020

Prices: From S$21 (2pcs)

Order here (still available post mid-autumn season)

Gin Thye

gin thye mooncake 2020 (source: gin thye)

Gin Thye is one of Singapore’s best known brands for traditional pastries, specializing in wife’s biscuits and other Chinese snacks. For mid-autumn 2020, Gin Thye has a couple of noteworthy flavors that will suit the more daring mooncake connoisseurs as well as those seeking more of the usual. If you are feeling adventurous, check out their Snowskin Premium Bamboo Charcoal Red Prawn mooncake. This particular flavor has 100% red prawn paste as its filling so you’re quite sure it will be a conversation point should you gift this mooncake to your loved ones and friends. For the more health conscious folks, Gin Thye also has an Acai Berry Snowskin mooncake. They use acai from Brazil, with the filling wrapped in purple snowskin made from acai powder. Acai berry-flavored mooncakes were quite common in past years but for 2020, Gin Thye is the only provider I have seen doing it. Other best sellers from Gin Thye include the Teochew Flaky Yam mooncake – they are one of the most popular brands in Singapore when it comes to yam mooncakes – and Premium Durian Snowskin.

The box: Gin Thye’s mooncakes are presented in a beige square box.

Dates: Now until 1st October 2020

Prices: From S$18 (a pair of mooncakes without the box)

Order here (still available beyond mid-autumn season, free delivery on orders above S$40)

InterContinental Singapore

intercontinental singapore mooncakes 2020 (source: the hotel)

Man Fu Yuan at InterContinental Singapore stays true to its mooncake design – taking the shape of a flower as with previous years. While the appearance may be the same, the flavors have taken a different turn. This year’s mooncake theme of InterContinental Singapore is that of Peranakan desserts. Folks can look forward to the likes of Chendol, comprising Gula Melaka with Red Bean, Coconut, and Pandan Jelly; Pulot Hitam, made of Dark Glutinous Rice with Candied Longan, and Coconut; Durian Pengat filled with Durian Cream, Gula Melaka, and Butterfly-pea; and Pandan and Coconut Kaya, featuring fragrant Pandan Kaya Jam, with a Coconut Kaya Jam centre.

Among baked mooncakes, InterContinental Singapore offers both White Lotus Paste and Red Lotus Paste and even a Low-Sugar White Lotus Paste option.

The box: Man Fu Yuan’s mooncakes are presented in elegant tingkat carriers – traditional tiered lunch boxes – which unveil a mooncake as each layer is revealed. The tingkat carriers are given a modern update with striking blush and turquoise hues, and feature subtle Peranakan design motifs drawn from architectural elements of InterContinental Singapore’s facade. The box is also quite useful given the current situation and can be used to store dishes whenever you are out to buy some takeaways.

Prices: S$84 (4 pcs snowskin) / From S$66 (4 pcs baked) – Up to 25% discount for online orders

Dates: Now til 1st October 2020

Order here

Kele

kele snowskin mooncakes 2020 (source: kele)

Popular bakery Kele is again making available its signature snowskin mooncakes for mid-autumn festival in 2020. One can expect a number of flavors that very few (if any) other providers are offering including a most luscious Avocado Macadamia snowskin. The filling is made up of mashed avocadoes – a high concentration of the coveted fruit as I have personally tried – plus a good measure of macadamia nuts for that added crunch. Alongside this, Kele also has a couple of cream cheese snowskin flavors that go well with tropical fruits such as the Mango Cream Cheese and Mulberry Cream Cheese snowskin mooncakes. For those who fancy a tinge of alcohol in their mid-autumn treat, the Rum and Raisin snowskin and the Lychee Martini are a must-try. The latter differs from other providers’ lychee snowskin variations in the sense that Kele’s variation includes actual lychee bits. Kele’s mooncakes rank among the best snowskin mooncakes I’ve tried in 2020 – and this is among over 30+ brands I have personally tried.

For durian lovers, Kele has two versions of durian mooncakes – a Mao Shan Wang snowskin and D24 snowskin.

The box: Kele’s mooncake box is inspired by Japanese design. Featuring an abundance of shapes, their packaging is vibrant and bright. If you were purely going by the aesthetic, I would have to say that theirs is the most millennial-targeted mooncake box I have seen this season.

Prices: From S$68 (box of 4pcs)

Dates: Now until 1st October 2020

Order here (use my exclusive Kele promo code: KELEXIWANDERED5 for an additional 5% discount on top of existing 25% early bird discount)

Shangri-la Singapore

shangri-la singapore mooncakes 2020 (source: the hotel)

One of the most premium mooncake flavors each season is Shangri-la Singapore’s Signature Mini Baked Custard with Bird’s Nest. Filled with rich and creamy custard on the outside and generous bird’s nest at the center, this is one decadent treat! Shangri-la Singapore is also one of the few providers to offer a vegan mooncake. While it can be argued that those plain lotus paste mooncakes are also vegan, their Limited Edition Mini Vegan mooncake even thoughtfully replaces the usual egg yolk with a sphere made of sweetened pumpkin. Among traditional mooncakes, the good news is that all of Shangri-la Singapore’s lotus seed paste baked mooncakes are made with reduced sugar so you can indulge in this festive treat this year with slightly less guilt.

For an alcoholic treat, check out the Hennessy XO Chocolate Mini snowskin. This is a unique combination of chocolate, which has its dark cocoa notes amplified due to the liqueur. Another alcohol-infused mooncake is the Yuzu Sake Mini snowskin. These pastries aim to refresh the palate with their citrusy notes coupled by the sweetness of sake.

The box: The limited edition Peranakan-inspired gift box set by Benny Ong has an exterior printed with blue and white motif that’s emblematic of the Nyonya culture. Inside, there are three drawers where you can store jewelry. Each box has a unique serial number from 001 to 999. This box comes with orders for Shangri-la Singapore’s baked mooncakes filled with bak kwa, pork floss and nuts. The Mini Baked Custard with Bird’s Nest mooncakes come in a dainty metal box of crimson with a sweet blossom pattern. The vegan mooncakes, on the other hand, come in a special dark green box depicting mid-autumn night.

Prices: From S$76 per box (4pcs baked) / S$88 per box (4pcs snowskin) / Mini Baked Custard with Bird’s Nest goes for S$120 for 8pcs

Dates: From now until 1st October 2020

Order here

Season Bakery

season mooncakes 2020 (source: season bakery)

Famous Johor-based bakery – Season, is making available its mooncakes in Singapore despite the current travel ban. Those who used to make that short trip to Johor Bahru to grab a few boxes for mid-autumn festival can now look forward to having their white lotus paste and red lotus paste baked mooncakes delivered to their doors here in Singapore.

The box: Season mooncakes will come in a tin box featuring a lotus motif.

Prices: From S$23.80 per box

Dates: Now until 1st October 2020

Order here (one of the few remaining brands with stock available)

Golden Moments

golden moments durian mooncake 2020 (source: golden moments)

Satiate your durian mooncake cravings with Golden Moments, a provider that specializes in different variations of this seasonal pastry featuring the king of fruits. Their Signature Mao Shan Wang snowskin mooncake is among their most popular flavors. This particular snowskin mooncake comes sprinkled with edible gold dust on the charcoal crust and has the purest Mao Shan Wang durian pulp inside. This year, they are also offering a variation of this Mao Shan Wang snowskin mooncake with a layer of Docello hazelnut chocolate in the middle. For a different variety of durian, Golden Moments also has the Premium D24 snowskin featuring the conventional mochi-like snowskin crust.

The box: Golden Moments’ mooncake boxes follow the actual color scheme of their mooncakes. For instance, their Signature Mao Shan Wang snowskin come in a dark box with a gold lining, matching the charcoal crust of the mooncakes. The Premium D24 snowskin, on the other hand, come in a white box with gold lining to match the white mochi-like crust of this flavor.

Prices: S$66.60 (box of 4pcs Premium D24 snowskin) / S$108 (box of 4pcs Signature Mao Shan Wang snowski)

Dates: Now until 1st October 2020

Order here
Alternatively, Four Seasons Durian is having a promotion with their full-sized Mao Shan Wang snowskin mooncakes with 10% discount for a box of 4pcs. You can check out the deal here

Zhen Wei

zhen wei mooncake 2020 (source: zhen wei)

Zhen Wei was notable for its flaky Teochew Yam mooncakes which were baked on the spot and served hot at the Takashimaya mooncake fair in previous years. While there won’t be any physical mooncake fair this year, those who have been yearning for this addictive treat can still order their mooncakes online. Teochew mooncake lovers can still have a semblance of the “hot from the oven” feel by reheating these baked goods, which come in flavors such as Yam, Pumpkin, Sesame and Single/Double Yolk. Apart from this, Zhen Wei also offers classic baked mooncakes – White Lotus Paste with No/Single/Double Yolk.

The box: Zhen Wei has 4 different types of boxes depending on the number of mooncakes purchased. For the 4pc set, they have either the lavender floral tin box design or midnight blue pavilion cardboard box.

Prices: From S$13.50 per piece / from S$49 for box of 4pcs

Dates: Now until 1st October 2020

Order here (free delivery on orders above S$50)

Swensen’s

swensen’s mochi snowskin ice cream mooncake 2020 (source: swensen’s)

For mid-autumn festival 2020, Swensen’s is again presenting its signature mochi snowskin ice cream mooncakes with new and popular flavors of its well-loved ice cream encased in a delicate mochi-snowskin. There are four new flavors this year – the locally inspired Salted Gula Melaka and Kueh Salat; a refreshing Grapefruit; and the quintessential Lotus Paste mooncake filling in ice cream form; as well as returning hot sellers such as the famed Sticky Chewy Chocolate; kid’s favorite Cookies ‘N’ Cream; Durian King; as well as traditional and hearty Yam that is sure to please the adults and seniors.

The box: Swensen’s exclusive mooncake box for 2020 takes the form of a practical red carton takeaway box.

Dates: Now until 1st October 2020

Prices: S$39.80 (box of 4pcs)

Order here (7% off – cheaper than buying direct)

Bread Garden

bread garden mooncakes 2020 (source: bread garden)

A reasonably-priced brand from where you can get your mooncakes for mid-autumn festival 2020 is Bread Garden, a popular and highly-reviewed bakery that doles out yummy festive treats (think: Christmas, Lunar New Year, etc). Bread Garden has been delighting fans and customers over the years with their signature MSW (Mao Shang Wang) Durian mooncakes and traditional baked mooncakes. This year, they have new exquisite snow skin mooncakes like Yuzu Mango, Lychee Roselia and Coco Lava which as the name suggests, has a lava core filled with hazelnut coco bits.

Bread Garden’s mooncakes are good for halal consumption as Bread Garden is a halal bakery.

The box: Mooncakes from Bread Garden come in a gorgeous gold metal box. There are two versions – single-tier or double-tier with LED lights. It’s not only presentable but also reusable for storage.

Prices: From $9.50 per piece; box set from $64 per box/set. 15% off all mooncakes (when you buy $80 and above) from now till 25th August 2020.

Dates: Now until 1st October 2020

Order here

Raffles Hotel Singapore

raffles singapore mooncakes 2020 (source: the hotel)

Their mooncakes need no introduction. The mooncakes by Raffles Hotel Singapore are among some of the most highly sought after each mid-autumn festival. This is despite them retaining the same and rather plain type of tin box each year. Their evergreen Champagne Truffle Snow-Skin will be available this season as well as new flavors like Yuzu and Osmanthus Truffle Snow-skin & the Apricot and Sourplum Snow-skin. The latter was inspired by the Plum-picked Tomatoes with Crunchy Turnip & Sweet Vinegar at yi by Jereme Leung.

The box: This year, Raffles Hotel Singapore is changing its box. Mooncakes are now presented in a creamy ivory box designed with gold lotus flowers and palm leaves.

Prices: From S$76 (8 pieces for snow-skin; 4 pieces for classic baked)

Dates: From 10 August to 1 October 2020

Order here (12% off + free delivery for orders above S$50)

Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza

singapore marriott tang plaza mooncakes (source: the hotel)

The mooncakes from Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza continue to be one of the most premium mid-autumn bakes in the country. This year, their Gold-dusted Black Truffle with Bayonne Ham makes another appearance. One can have it as a normal box of 4 or in a more premium box with a bottle of Laurent Perrier champagne included. I have tried variations of their gold-dusted mooncakes with ham in previous years and I must say that this is a flavor to try if you like to check out something that’s really savory. The medley of black truffle, ham and salted egg yolk encapsulate the earthiness of this mooncake flavor.

Among snowskin variations, highlights this year from Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza include the Rose Tea Snowskin with Champagne Truffle, Almond Custard Snowskin with Osmanthus Truffle and Mandarin Orange Snowskin with Caramel Sea Salt Truffle. This being said, their bestseller among their snowskin varieties would have to be their creamy Pure Mao Shan Wang Premium Grade Durian Snowskin which as the name suggests, is made up of only the finest quality of durian. The hotel also offers islandwide mooncake delivery service.

The box: If you choose the premium set, the box comes in 4 compartments and can easily be configured as a jewelry box especially since it also comes with a mirror!

Prices: From S$72 per box (baked) / S$72 per box (snowskin)

Dates: Now until 1st October 2020 (collection starts from 27th August)

Order here

Fairmont Singapore

fairmont singapore mooncake (source: the hotel)

Fairmont Singapore returns in mid-autumn festival 2020 with a noteworthy collection of mooncake flavors. New varieties this year include Caramel Sea Salt snowskin, with a mix of savory and sweet, as well as Pu Er with Chia Seed which has the distinct fragrance of the tea embedded in the lotus paste. Among baked traditional mooncakes, Fairmont Singapore has the new Traditional Mixed Nuts which has the nutty flavors of almonds, walnuts, white sesame, sunflower seeds, melon seeds and pine nuts in the pastry. Those looking for some of the hotel’s most popular flavors from previous years will not be disappointed. The Mini Snowskin Champagne Truffle with Chocolate Ganache will once again make an appearance, as will the Mini Snowskin Rum & Raisin Chocolate Truffle.

The box: Fairmont Singapore’s mooncakes will come encased in three kinds of boxes. The standard box is presented in an elegant pastel blue box adorned with flowers and bird motifs, accentuated by luxe rose gold stamping. The premium box is similar to the standard box but comes with an added tea set. There is also a 2-piece box which is available for certain flavors.

Prices: From S$72 (8pcs snowskin per box) / S$72 (4pcs traditional mooncakes per box)

Dates: Now until 1st October 2020

Order here

Hong Kong Meixin (Maxim’s)

hk meixin mooncakes (source: hk meixin)

I will start by saying that Hong Kong Meixin manufactures my favorite baked mooncake each year. They go a step further from the norm by adding twists to the usual custard mooncake. This year, they are offering four varieties of lava custard mooncakes – complete with some seriously addictive liquid oozing out from the center of the mooncake. The four types of lava custard mooncakes available for mid-autumn festival 2020 are Lava Custard mooncake, Lava Cheese mooncake, Lava Chocolate mooncake and the Lava Caramel Macchiato mooncake. The unique aspect about Hong Kong MeiXin’s lava mooncakes is that you can still get that molten effect even without heating. This is possible due to the double baking technique that the mooncakes go through.

The box: This year, you can also order a special Marvel version of the lava custard mooncakes that come with Marvel Avengers / Ironman tin box. You can also opt to have your mooncakes encased in a regular box.

Prices: From S$63.80 (box of 8pcs of lava custard mooncakes)

Dates: Now until 1st October 2020

Order here

The Fullerton Hotel Singapore / The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore

fullerton hotel singapore mooncakes 2020 (source: the hotel)

Fullerton Hotel Singapore continues its tradition of putting a local spin in its mooncake flavors, with what is probably the most creatively-concocted mooncake ensemble this year. You can expect the likes of Baked Mooncake with Assam Lotus and Mango – with the sourness of the tamarind giving it a bit of a tangy flavor or for something more savory, the adventurous ones can also try the Baked Mooncake with Mixed Nuts laced with Satay Sauce or the Baked Mooncake with Salted Lotus and Hae Bee Hiam. Those who prefer something more traditional can check out their Low Sugar Lotus Seed Paste Baked Mooncake with single or double yolk.

Their snow skin collection is just as interesting. Flavors such as the Yuan Yang snowskin and Passionfruit with Chin Chow snowskin evoke the kind of ingredients one would expect from a local hawker.

Fullerton Hotel’s baked and snowskin mooncakes are halal-certified.

The box: Fullerton Hotel Singapore’s mooncakes this year are housed in a striking tingkat with four containers and is inspired by Singapore’s vibrant hawker scene.

Prices: From S$70 per box of 4pcs (baked/snowskin)

Dates: 18 August to 1st October 2020 (pre-order available from now)

Order here

Mandarin Oriental Singapore

mandarin oriental singapore 2020 mooncakes (source: the hotel)

Celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival with Cherry Garden’s collection of exquisitely crafted traditional baked favourites and snow skin mooncakes. Perennial favourites include the Low Sugar Silver Lotus Paste with Double or Single Yolk, a perfect choice for a healthier indulgence, or its most coveted snow skin flavour, the Lychee Martini and Chocolate Truffle mooncake. Taking centre stage in this year’s debut range will be the Oolong tea-inspired creations namely the traditional baked Lugu Oolong Tea with Melon Seeds and the snow skin Oolong Tea Infusion with Dried Apricot and Pumpkin Seeds.

The box: Mandarin Oriental Singapore’s mooncakes are housed in an elegant box adorned with oriental floral motifs

Prices: S$78 (4 pcs snow skin) / from S$78 (4 pcs baked)

Dates: 24th August to 1st October 2020

Order here

Peach Garden

peach garden mooncake 2020 (source: peach garden)

Peach Garden is ushering in mid-autumn festival 2020 with a collection of 9 baked mooncake flavors and 4 snowskin mooncake flavors. Among their baked mooncakes this year are some interesting varieties such as the Refreshing Pomelo Cheese Paste with Orange Peel and Jackfruit Paste with Melon Seeds. If you are looking for something more traditional, you will not go wrong with the Golden Pandan Paste with One Yolk which has a charcoal crust topped with gold dust and also comes with reduced sugar. Among their snowskin varieties, new flavors this year include the Jackfruit Paste with Champagne Truffle and Milk Tea Paste with Chocolate “Pearls” which has a mild milk tea essence with a light aromatic after taste and comes embedded with crunchy chocolate rice krispies – great for bubble tea lovers. Alternatively, you can also buy all these flavors as a set of 2 pieces each, for a total of 8pcs under the Snowskin Mooncake Deluxe Combination.

The box: Mooncake lovers can choose from a number of boxes including their limited edition gift box which comes with LED lights, lantern gift box or tin boxes with Peach Garden Tote Bag.

Dates: Now until 1st October 2020

Prices: From S$67.41 nett (box of 4pcs baked) / S$66.34 nett (box of 8pcs snowskin)

Order here (20% discount; free delivery on orders above S$50)

Orchard Hotel Singapore

orchard hotel hua ting mooncake 2020 (source: the hotel)

Hua Ting at Orchard Hotel Singapore unveils its widely anticipated collection of mooncakes for mid-autumn festival 2020 with some truly unique flavors. Top in that list is the Sour Plum with Roasted Organic Hazelnut snowskin mooncake. The sour plums used here are specially imported from Hong Kong and are steamed and grounded for hours to smoothen the filling. Organic Turkish hazelnuts are then baked till fragrant and mixed with the smooth filling. For those who like the alcoholic type of mooncake, check out the White Lotus Paste with Champagne Ganache, a pink-colored snowskin with a champagne-filled white chocolate ganache center and white lotus paste as filling. In my view a more unique “alcoholic mooncake” is the Blueberry with Vintage Hua Diao Wine which carries the delicate balance between the sweetness and tartness of blueberries and vintage rice wine “Chen Nian Hua Diao”.

If you are simply looking for one of their bestsellers without concerning much on uniqueness, check out their Salted Egg Yolk Custard snowskin which features a velvety custard paste and savory egg yolk at the core.

The box: Hua Ting’s mooncakes are encased in a tin box with chinoiserie motifs.

Dates: Now until 1st October 2020

Prices: From S$70 (per box of 4pcs baked / 8pcs snowskin)

Order here (free delivery on orders above S$50)

Chng Kae

chng kae durian mooncake 2020 (source: chng kae)

Chng Kae is Hokkien for “banker” and while this unusually-named durian mooncake brand may be new into the scene, its management is anything but. Chng Kae is the new venture of the founder of the now-popular Golden Moments brand which is also listed in this article. The story goes that he sold off Golden Moments but his family background in the durian business meant that the calling was always there. Thus, Chng Kae makes its debut this year with its 100% Pure Mao Shan Wang Durian Snowskin mooncake. Biting into one of these feels like eating a real durian fruit! What’s even better is that the snowskin exterior is very smooth and dissipates easily as you chew, as I personally dislike the thick snowskin types. This one is just nice.

The box: Chng Kae’s mooncakes come in a purple tin box.

Prices: S$98 (box of 4pcs)

Dates: Now until 1st October 2020

Order here (free delivery for minimum order of 1 box)

Emicakes

emicakes mooncake 2020 (source: emicakes)

Emicakes is another dependable brand when it comes to durian snowskin mooncakes and their price point is usually slightly cheaper than competing brands. For 2020, durian lovers can once again savor their D24 Durian Mooncake. Emicakes uses smooth wagashi snowskin for the exterior, with aromatic D24 durian flesh within. For a higher grade of durian, Emicakes also has the Mao Shan Wang Mooncake filled with the creamy goodness of the king of fruits. Customers can choose to purchase boxes of either kind and also have the option to have half D24 / half Mao Shan Wang mooncakes.

The box: Emicakes’ mooncakes are presented in a light-colored rectangular tin box.

Prices: From S$27.90 (box of 2pcs)

Dates: Now until 1st October 2020

Order here

Sheraton Towers Singapore

sheraton towers singapore mooncake 2020 (source: the hotel)

Sheraton Towers Singapore marks mid-autumn festival 2020 with a well-curated selection of traditional baked and contemporary snow skin mooncakes formulated by the culinary team of Li Bai Cantonese Restaurant. There are two new flavors in their line-up this year, the new Mini Snow Skin Green Tea is their own rendition of the classic featuring a fragrant green tea truffle that is swathed in creamy white lotus seed paste, while the new Mini Snow Skin Yuan Yang is inspired by the local coffee and tea drinking culture. These new flavors are available in addition to the all-time favourite snow skin mooncakes – Mini Snow Skin Champagne and Mini Snow Skin Lychee Martini.

In terms of traditional mooncakes, Sheraton Towers Singapore is again offering their popular bakes. The Green Tea and Black Sesame mooncake has a rich nutty aroma and is filled with melon seeds for that added crunch. Other must-try mooncakes in the baked series include the White Lotus Seed Paste with Double Egg Yolk, White Lotus Seed Paste with Single Egg Yolk as well as White Lotus Seed Paste with Macadamia Nut.

The box: Li Bai’s traditional baked mooncakes are presented in a three-tier drawer box while the snow skin mooncakes are encased within an elegant tin box. Both packaging can be repurposed for storage.

Dates: Now until 1st October 2020

Prices: From S$70 (4pcs baked) /S$70 (8pcs snowskin)

Order here

Yan

yan mooncake 2020 (source: yan)

One mooncake flavor which is unique to Yan is the Thousand Layer Yam mooncake. Crisp, golden swirls of pastry surround a filling made up of sweet yam paste and this is available plain or with single yolk. Orders of the Thousand Layer Yam mooncake need to be placed at least one day before. Another popular flavor offered by Yan is the Mao Shan Wang Durian snowskin. Each piece promises to be creamy and bittersweet with Mao Shan Wang durian pulp found within.

Islandwide mooncake delivery is available with no minimum order, at a standard price of S$14 per order. Free islandwide delivery applies for a minimum order of 50 pieces and above.

The box: Sets of four mooncakes come in two-tiered midnight blue boxes while boxes of two mooncakes come in vibrant orange parcels

Prices: From S$64 per box (4pcs) – early bird discount of 20% to 25%

Dates: 23rd July to 1st October 2020

Order here

Crowne Plaza Changi Airport

crowne plaza changi airport mooncakes 2020 (source: the hotel)

Crowne Plaza Changi Airport takes on a more local flare this year with new flavors such as Nyonya Mixed Nuts (almonds, white sesame seeds, macadamia nuts, walnuts and Buah Keluak) and snow skin varieties inspired by local desserts. Think luscious Mango Pomelo (one of the very few providers this year to offer such a flavor), Orh Nee (Yam Paste with Gingko Nuts), Kueh Salat and Pandan Kaya,

The box: This year, the mooncakes from Crowne Plaza Changi Airport are presented in a gift box made from recycled material with floral motifs in a vibrant shade of plum.

Prices: S$74 (4 pcs snow skin) / from S$70 (4 pcs baked)

Dates: Now until 1st October 2020 (collection starts 1 August 2020)

Order here (update: sold out)

Ritz Carlton Millenia Singapore

ritz carlton millenia singapore mooncakes 2020 (source: the hotel)

The mooncake selection by the Ritz Carlton Millenia Singapore sees a return to old favorites such as the Mini Snowskin Lycheetini mooncakes has real lychee bits! Also now available in four regular sized pieces, is their ‘Mao Shan Wang’ Durian snowskin mooncakes. Those who prefer something more traditional can check out their assorted baked mooncakes which include the White Lotus Seed Paste with Double Yolk and the White Lotus Seed Paste.

The box: Baked mooncakes come in a luxe red box, while snowskin mooncakes come in a chic gold box. The magnetic top and front flaps on both boxes open up to reveal a magnetic desk calendar, a miniature photo frame, and a three-slot pen holder while the top box and four side drawers double as storage compartments for stationery needs

Prices: From S$74 per box (4pcs baked) / S$72 per box (8pcs snowskin)

Dates: Now until 1st October 2020

Order here

St. Regis Singapore

st. regis singapore mooncakes 2020 (source: the hotel)

This year’s mooncake collection by St. Regis Singapore was formulated by their inhouse pastry chef, Vanness Chai. Their flavors are a mix of the traditional as well as the inventive, without going too far out as what other providers have done. New mooncake flavors in 2020 include the Royal Milk Tea with Honey Osmanthus Truffle, the Green Tea Paste with Oolong Tea Truffle and the Honey Purple Sweet Potato Paste with Orange Yuzu Truffle. Within their selection of baked mooncakes, the White Lotus Paste with Assorted Nuts and Yunnan Ham will appeal to those looking for something more savory while those looking for guilt-free options can opt for the Reduced Sugar White Lotus Paste with Macadamia Nuts.

St. Regis Singapore provides islandwide delivery of their mooncakes at a flat rate of S$15 per location, between 10AM to 6PM daily.

The box: St. Regis Singapore is housing their mooncakes in the same box as last year due to popular demand. The box is custom-designed, made of glass and can double as a jewelry box.

Prices: From S$74 per box (4pcs baked) / from S$76 per box (8pcs snowskin)

Dates: 6th August to 1st October 2020

Order here (update: sold out; discount of 15% to 20% for Citibank or UOB cards – apply thru the respective links to get a cash reward or Apple AirPods)

Conrad Centennial Singapore

conrad centennial singapore mooncakes 2020 (source: the hotel)

Golden Peony at Conrad Centennial Singapore presents a nicely balanced collection of mooncakes this year. There is enough for those who seek traditional flavors but there is also something for those more adventurous to try. Aside from the all-time favorites such as the Green Tea snowskin and Royal Hazelnut Crunch snowskin, mooncake connoisseurs will have a tough time saying no to the new Sea Salt Gula Melaka and Purple Sweet Potato with Pumpkin snowskin. Conrad Centennial Singapore is also one of the few outlets in Singapore to offer the traditional Filo pastry style mooncake with their Sweet Potato in Crispy Filo Pastry.

The box: Conrad Centennial Singapore’s mooncake box comes in a deep crimson red with several auspicious influences including dancing phoenixes and butterflies set amongst a floral Chinoiserie pattern. The boxes are interlocked with a golden floral motif latch.

Prices: From S$82 per box (4pcs baked) / From S$86 per box (8pcs snowskin)

Dates: Now until 1st October 2020 (collection starts 28th August)

Order here (discount of 30% to 35% for Citibank or UOB cards – apply thru the respective links to get a cash reward or Apple AirPods)

Pan Pacific Singapore

hai tien lo pan pacific singapore mooncakes 2020 (source: the hotel)

For the 2020 mid-autumn season, Pan Pacific Singapore has no less than 11 flavors of mooncakes available. There will be three new snowskin flavors – Raspberry Chocolate, Matcha Black Sesame and Soursop Lychee. Popular flavors from previous seasons will also be available such as Hazelnut Yuzu and Mao Shan Wang Durian Snowskin as well as the baked Signature White Lotus Paste with both double and single yolk. For a more guilt-free alternative, check out the low-sugar flavours of Jade Paste with Melon Seeds and White Lotus Paste with Macadamia Nuts. Halal-certified mooncakes of the same flavors are also available, upon request.

The box: All Pan Pacific Singapore mooncakes are presented in a majestic satin-covered crimson box adorned with intricate florals and a wooden lattice centrepiece.

Prices: From S$68.80 (4 pcs snowskin) / S$69.80 (4 pcs baked)

Dates: Now until 1st October 2020

Order here (update: sold out; discount of 25% for Citibank cards with promo code CITIMA25 – apply here to get a pair of Apple AirPods)

JW Marriott Singapore South Beach

jw marriott singapore mooncakes (source: the hotel)

While unique mooncake flavors are usually found among snow skin variants, JW Marriott Singapore’s collection this year also has a couple of noteworthy baked mooncakes including Baked Single Yolk Lychee Lotus Paste with its distinct floral tinge and Baked Pu Er with Chia Seeds with its perk-me-up tea flavor. Among snow skin flavors, the Bird’s Nest with Japanese Sweet Potato snowskin stands out while durian lovers will be pleased to see a return of their best-selling Mao Shan Wang Durian snowskin. For this year, JW Marriott Singapore South Beach is delivering its mooncakes for free islandwide for a minimum of S$80 purchase or roughly the price of a box.

The box: Classic allure red box that can be made to stand on its own, suitable also as a display case.

Prices: From S$76 (4 pcs baked) / from S$82 (8 pcs snowskin) – 25% off for Marriott Bonvoy members and select cardholders – apply for a Citibank card here and get a pair of Apple AirPods)

Dates: 3rd August to 1st October 2020

Order here (update: sold out)

Regent Singapore

regent singapore mooncakes 2020 with box (source: the hotel)

With the numerous distinctive dining options at Regent Singapore, this year sees dining outlets such as Summer Palace, Manhattan, Basilico and Tea Lounge collaborating to introduce some pretty offbeat flavors. From Basilico comes the Pistachio, Fig and Amarena Cherry snowskin – using prized Amarena cherries from Bologna paired with Sicilian pistachios and the honeyed sweetness of dried figs. From Basilico, the Double Espresso and Almond Marzipan snowskin is one of the few coffee-infused mooncake flavors to be made available in Singapore this year while Tea Lounge’s contribution is the Green Tea with Melon Seeds snowskin. If you are looking for alcohol-infused mooncakes, look no further than Manhattan’s Plantation Rum, Spiced Coconut and Yuzu mooncake. Regent Singapore is also making available a Durian snowskin mooncake flavor this year.

The box: An elegant red & yellow box with floral motif that can transform into a lantern

Prices: From S$78 (4 pcs baked) / from S$80 (8 pcs snowskin) – 15% discount for UOB cards

Dates: Now until 1st October 2020

Order here

Four Seasons Singapore

four seasons singapore mooncakes 2020 (source: the hotel)

It would not be Jiang Nan Chun without its iconic Smoked Duck with Assorted Nuts and Lime – a most savory type of baked mooncake that is even prepared over a wood-fire oven. Apart from this, you will also find on the menu the usual flavors such as Silver Lotus Paste with Melon Seed and Silver Lotus Paste with Single/Double Yolk. Within Four Seasons Singapore’ snowskin mooncake collection, there are a couple of new flavors such as Litchi with Raspberry and Rose. Enveloped in a soft, rose-infused snowskin, a raspberry-rose gelée gem is shrouded in a vanilla-litchi pastry cream. Another exciting flavor to watch out for this season is the exquisite Bird’s Nest with Custard mooncake where a velvety custard surrounds a core made up of bird’s nest.

The box: Four Seasons Singapore’s mooncake box this year is a powder-blue embroidered jewelry box with four drawers and a floral motif

Prices: From S$78 per box (baked) / S$80 per box (snowskin)

Dates: 1st September to 1st October 2020 (orders available from now with 20% off til 6th September / 15% off afterwards)

Order here (update: their mooncakes are already sold out)

Goodwood Park Hotel

goodwood park hotel mooncakes 2020 (source: the hotel)

This year, In honour of its 120th anniversary, Goodwood Park Hotel unveils a grand 120th Anniversary Mooncake (limited pieces available) with 12 sumptuous salted egg yolks in a lavish white lotus seed paste baked mooncake spanning 16.5cm wide. Alongside this impressive commemorative mooncake, Goodwood Park Hotel welcomes the festival with its collection of new bakes and popular flavors. This year sees the introduction of two types of new snowskin mooncakes – Orange with Grape and Japanese Sweet Potato with Pumpkin- Coconut Centre. The latter is inspired by the Japanese sweet potato autumn harvest called satsumaimo. This mooncake variation strikes a balance between the creamy blend of luscious Japanese sweet potato flesh and a silky core of pumpkin purée with desiccated coconut.

Prices: From S$62per box (4pcs baked) / S$58 per box (8pcs snowskin) / S$108 per piece for the 120th anniversary mooncake

Dates: 25th August until 1st October 2020

Order here (update: sold out; discount of 15% to 20% for Citibank or UOB cards – apply thru the respective links to get a cash reward or Apple AirPods)

Carlton Hotel Singapore

carlton hotel singapore mooncakes 2020 (source: the hotel)

Wah Lok at Carlton Hotel Singapore is offering a few new mooncake flavors this year. The Mini Baked Custard mooncake is a reinterpretation of Wah Lok’s popular custard bun. This pastry is baked to a golden hue, with the flavor of salted egg yolk complementing the sweet custard. This mooncake is best eaten slightly heated over a microwave for that “molten lava” effect. Another interesting flavor to come from Carlton Hotel Singapore this year is the Mini Black Forest snowskin mooncake which has a base made of Valrhona chocolate. Within the filling you can also make out real cherry pieces and cherry ganache to complete that black forest effect. If you are a fan of their signature creations, the likes of their Mini Walnut Moontarts with Egg Yolk and Mini Mao Shan Wang Durian snowskin will likewise be made available.

The box: Carlton Hotel Singapore’s mooncake box this year comes in the shape of a tingkat (tiffin box) with a design showing the full moon against a sea of clouds.

Prices: From S$69.30 per box (8pcs for mini mooncakes / 4pcs for standard size mooncakes) / from S$72.75 per box (8pcs snowskin)

Dates: Now until 1st October 2020 (up to 30% discount for orders until 17th August for select cardholders)

Order here (discount of 25% for Citibank or UOB cards – apply thru the respective links to get a cash reward or Apple AirPods)

Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium

xin cuisine mooncakes 2020 (source: the hotel)

Xin Cuisine at Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium has two new snowskin mooncake flavors this year – the White Lotus Seed Paste with Grand Marnier Praline and Green Tea Paste with Jackfruit Praline. Along with this, some of the bestsellers from past years will also be made available this year like the Low Sugar White Lotus Paste with Double Yolk and the Peranakan Durian. All of Xin Cuisine’s mooncakes are baked inhouse so you are assured that this year’s flavors were also formulated with the care and thought of an inhouse team rather than through a mass producer.

The box: Xin Cuisine’s mooncakes come in their trademark red box that can be opened like a drawer.

Prices: From S$66 (4 pcs baked or 6 pcs snowskin)

Dates: Now til 1st October 2020 (delivery starts 1st September 2020)

Order here (update: sold out)

Mandarin Orchard Singapore

mandarin orchard mooncakes 2020 (source: the hotel)

For those who prefer traditional baked mooncakes, Mandarin Orchard Singapore offers a wide range this year with the likes of the signature Mixed Nuts and Jamón Ibérico mooncake. It is one of their more popular flavors due to its distinctive savory notes. Those looking for a guilt-free option will find the Macadamia Nut and Low Sugar Paste baked mooncake a worthwhile alternative. Adding a sweeter option to the lineup is the Japanese-inspired Azuki Red Bean Paste and Pine Nuts baked mooncake—sweet azuki red bean paste and crunchy pine nuts encased in delicate pastry.

The box: Each set of two or four pieces is presented in a blue gift box embellished with a lattice-patterned crest and a customizable leather patch in rose gold.

Prices: From S$43 (per box of 2pcs baked) / from S$70 (per box of 8pcs snowskin)

Dates: 25 August to 1st October 2020 (pre-orders from 1st August)

Order here (update: sold out)

Capitol Kempinski Hotel

capitol kempinski mooncakes 2020 (source: the hotel)

The Capitol Kempinski Hotel ushers its second mid-autumn season with a more comprehensive mooncake selection featuring both baked and snowskin mooncakes. As with previous year, all their mooncakes come in mini versions. There are a couple of unusual flavors worth noting. The Mini Baked Pandan Paste with Melon Seeds uses real pandan with the flavor intensified in fragrance with nutty melon seeds. Another unusual baked mooncake flavor to try is the Mini Baked Red Bean Paste with Orange Peel. This is probably the first time I have encountered a bake mooncake with a citrus-y touch. Capitol Kempinski’s snowskin varieties are no less interesting. The Mini Snowskin Valrhona 70% suits chocolate lovers with its rich layers of 70% chocolate, making for a truly decadent treat. The Mini Snowskin Salted Caramel is another flavor to try for the rich salty-sweet combination.

The box: This year’s mooncakes from Capitol Kempinski Hotel are presented in a specially designed and multi-functional crimson red wooden jewellery box. The design draws its main inspiration from two key landmarks of Singapore’s Civic District – Capitol Singapore and CHIJMES.

Prices: From S$70 (8pcs/box of baked mooncakes) / S$74 (8pcs/box of snowskin mooncakes)

Dates: Now until 1st October 2020

Order here

Si Chuan Dou Hua

si chuan dou hua mooncake 2020 (source: si chuan dou hua)

All of Si Chuan Dou Hua’s mooncakes in 2020 are low-sugar versions and there will be three types – White Lotus Seed Paste with Single Yolk, White Lotus Seed Paste with Double Yolk as well as the Charcoal White Lotus Paste Mooncake with Macadamia Nuts and Gold Dust. A special promotion this year by Si Chuan Dou Hua is that for every box of 4 pieces of mooncakes purchased, customers will get to have a pouch filled with 8 pieces of fortune cookies. These fortune cookies have messages inside that may reveal a prize, the most attractive ones including a complimentary Peking Duck or bottle of wine at Si Chuan Dou Hua. Other prizes include massage treatments from St. Gregory Spa.

The box: Si Chuan Dou Hua’s mooncake box for 2020 features some detailed embroidery work and is definitely one for keeps.

Prices: From S$68 (4pcs/box)

Dates: Now until 1st October 2020

Order here

Song Garden (Mercure Singapore Bugis)

song garden tea-infused snowskin mooncake (source: song garden)

Song Garden at Mercure Singapore Bugis is ushering the mid-autumn festival 2020 with flavors that appeal to a wider spectrum of consumers. If you fancy snowskin mooncakes with fruit, you can check out their Tea-rrific snowskin assortment which offers a delightful blend between tea and fruity flavors. Each box includes 2 pieces each of these snowskin flavors: Green Apple with Osmanthus-Honey Tea, Lychee with Green Tea, Pu’er Tea with Orange-Yuzu and Osmanthus-Oolong Tea with Pink Grapefruit & Apricot. I have personally tried these and found the snowskin flavors to be on the mild side and not to sweet. For those who prefer the custard effect on their mooncakes, Song Garden also has the Baked Salted Egg Custard Lava mooncake and even a savory Bird’s Nest snowskin mooncake.

The box: The highlight of Song Garden’s mooncake box in 2020 is a magnet made in the shape of the moon. Use it later on as a fridge magnet or simply leave it on the box which is reusable to store your valuables.

Prices: From S$63.80 (box of 4pcs baked mooncakes) / from S$69.80 (box of 8pcs snowskin mooncakes)

Dates: Now until 1st October 2020

Order here (20% off for DBS/POSB and UOB cardholders)

Grand Shanghai

grand shanghai mooncakes 2020 (source: grand shanghai)

Texture is one key aspect of this year’s mooncake collection by Grand Shanghai. Their main draw this year is the Bird’s Nest with Almond Paste snowskin which intertwines the rich flavor of almond with the stringy texture of bird’s nest. Another notable items in their collection this year is the Shanghainese Crispy Yam Paste. Grand Shanghai is one of the few outlets to offer this style of flaky, crispy mooncake which is more popular in Shanghai itself. Grand Shanghai’s mooncakes also do not come with artificial flavoring or added preservatives.

The box: Grand Shanghai’s pink tin box comes with a 1930’s Shanghai motif.

Prices: From S$60 per box (4pcs baked) / S$58 (6 pcs snowskin)

Dates: Now until 1st October 2020

Order here

The Marmalade Pantry

the marmalade pantry mooncakes 2020 (source: the marmalade pantry)

The Marmalade Pantry’s mooncakes this year are all made with low-sugar and do not contain lard. Flavors this year include the Double Yolk with White Lotus Paste mooncake, a slight update to this traditional flavor but with less sugar, as well as the Macadamia Nuts with White Lotus Paste mooncake. The Marmalade Pantry is also offering a taro-based mooncake in the form of the Baked Taro Mooncake with Lychee. Each bite promises to deliver layers of the rich yam paste followed by a tinge of the lychee fragrance. Melon seeds are also added in the filling for an added crunch. Rounding up The Marmalade Pantry’s mooncakes for 2020 is the Golden Charcoal Baked Mooncake with Black Sesame. It comes as a combination of black sesame and low-sugar white lotus paste filling with some melon seeds for texture.

The box: The Marmalade Pantry’s bag this year takes the form of a scarlet handwoven handbag made from rattan paper, polycotton fabric and bamboo.

Dates: Now until 1st October 2020

Prices: From S$68 per set (4pcs)

Order here(update: sold out)

Zafferano – Sunday Grill Specials With Huge Tomahawk & 3 Side Dishes

August 29, 2020 by Bino Leave a Comment

There is a whole new reason to return to the CBD during weekends with Zafferano’s new Sunday grill specials. This Italian restaurant located at the rooftop of Ocean Financial Centre is probably more well-known for its exquisite Italian fare as well as incredible seafood but it does up those meats very well, especially with Italian sensibilities thrown in.

For the Sunday grill special, order any large cut of meat and receive 3 complimentary sides and 3 complimentary sauces to go along your meal. The meats available for this promotion are either their 200 days grain fed Black Angus beef tomahawk (1.2 to 2kg) or their 200 days grain fed Black Angus beef porterhouse (1 to 1.2kg). Combined, the 3 side dishes are valued at S$72++ and together with the meat, are more than enough for a satisfying dinner.

I recently headed down to Zafferano to check out the Sunday grill specials, thanks to the invitation of the kind team. Other than for quiet and intimate dinners, Zafferano is also popular among those seeking a place to soak in the sumptuous Marina Bay views. When I was there at about 6:30PM on a Sunday evening, I saw a couple of folks seated at the bar area with drinks in hand. When it comes to an Italian dinner, the aperitivo hour is a must and the bar area is a great place for a glass or two before heading to the proper meal.

As mentioned previously, diners get two options for the meat dish for the Sunday grill special – either the Black Angus Beef Tomahawk or the Black Angus Beef Porterhouse. For this particular occasion, I had the former. Tomahawk steaks are probably the most intimidating due to the huge chunk of bone that comes with it. I found Zafferano’s beef tomahawk to be particularly notable because I could already smell the distinct fragrance emanating from the herbs when the dish was placed at the middle of the table. The steak was surrounded by wreaths of rosemary. Personally, I love rosemary and I’ve been putting it in just about every meat to bring out the flavor but I’ve never smelled rosemary with such intensity before. Head Chef Andrea de Paola explained that he had to fly in the herbs from Italy because locally-sourced ones just do not make the cut.

Before serving, staff members asked me for my preferred done-ness. I went with the recommendation which is to have it done to medium. It was a great choice. The exterior had the aroma of rosemary without being too charred while the flesh within still had a bit of redness and was surprisingly juicy given the done-ness.

There are three side dishes that come with the steak and during the dinner, I had the Truffle Mashed Potato, Charcoal-grilled Green Asparagus and Sauteed Girolle Mushrooms. The three sides were excellent and I had a particular inclination towards the truffle mash – quite addictive with the scent of actual truffles wafting through the air.

Aside from the side dishes, diners are invited to pick from five sauces, ranging from classic options such as saffron-infused béarnaise and the herbaceous salsa verde, to an intense, flavoursome black truffle & porcini mushrooms sauce. Exclusively for dinner on Sundays, diners can also bring their own bottle of wine to complement the à̀la carte dishes, including the grill special, with no corkage charges.

Zafferano
Ocean Financial Centre
10 Collyer Quay
Level 43
Singapore 049315

Opening Hours

Lunch
Tuesday – Friday:
11.30am – 3pm (last order 2.30pm)

Dinner
Tuesday – Friday:
5.30pm – 11.30pm (last order for food 9.30pm)
Saturday – Sunday:
6.00pm – 11.30pm (last order for food 9.30pm)

Hotel Buffets & Dining Promotions Under Phase 2 in Singapore – Of Theatrical Presentations, Sunday Brunch Deliveries & Contactless Ordering

August 17, 2020 by Bino Leave a Comment

With new rules surrounding social distancing as well as restrictions in terms of “sharing” consumables, hotels have turned to creative ways in order to maintain a good chunk of their pre-2020 business after the Singapore government announced Phase 2 in late June. Indeed, the idea of diners scooping up their favorite dishes from the buffet spread seems to be a distant reality for now. The all-you-can eat concept remains alive and well and I checked out five different hotels (four for buffets and one for its new menu) to see how they have adapted to the new normal – some through the clever use of technology while others through age-old hospitality practices.

Without further ado, here are some noteworthy hotel dining promotions to check out under the new normal (phase 2 in Singapore):

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Review: La Dame de Pic in Raffles Hotel Singapore – Is This French Fine Dining Restaurant Worth Visiting?

July 31, 2020 by Bino Leave a Comment

It was a full house when I stepped into La Dame de Pic at Raffles Hotel Singapore one pre-holiday evening. It has been about a year since the renowned chef, Anne-Sophie Pic made her first foray in Asia by opening a branch of her popular La Dame de Pic restaurant in the Lion City. The reception so far has been quite positive, judging from the crowd that I saw and the feedback from friends and colleagues who have already visited. Not only do you get the exquisite classical ambiance of the Raffles Hotel Singapore as a backdrop but you also gain an understanding of Chef Pic’s culinary philosophy without having to fly to France – collectively she has 7 Michelin stars under her belt. The Singapore outlet of La Dame de Pic is helmed by Chef Kevin Gatin who has worked with Chef Pic for eight years before coming to Singapore.

interiors of la dame de pic in singapore

To get to La Dame de Pic, enter via the hotel’s grand lobby. However, owing to the current situation, hotel staff members will instead usher you via a side gate. If you are coming on foot or by car, the drop-off point is still via the hotel main entrance.

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From S$10 Minimum Order – Tried & Tested Islandwide Food Delivery Establishments in Singapore

April 25, 2020 by Bino Leave a Comment

Due to the current evolving situation, there has been a greater demand for takeaways when it comes to dining in Singapore. In light of that, there is also a recent surge in demand for food deliveries. While many ride sharing and food apps can bring orders to your doorstep, many of the establishments presented there allow for deliveries up to a certain radius only. This list on the other hand was created to focus on those dining establishments that do islandwide delivery – many for FREE as long as you hit a certain spending threshold.

Rather than coming up with some run-of-the-mill list, this particular one draws from my own personal experiences. I have personally tried the dishes mentioned here and can recommend the efficiency of delivery as well as freshness and taste of the food after reaching my door.

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Where to Go for 2020 Chinese New Year Reunion Dinners – Best Yu Sheng, Pen Cai & Other Auspicious Dishes for the Year of the Rat

December 14, 2019 by Bino Leave a Comment

The upcoming Chinese New Year which will be the Year of the Metal Rat will fall on the 25th of January 2020 and there are plenty of restaurants and hotels to choose from to order yu sheng (lo hei), pen cai and other traditional delicacies for your reunion dinner. After tasting more than one’s fair share of CNY 2020 offerings, my overall verdict is that each restaurant has its own specialty, whether it be in the yu sheng, pen cai, meat dishes or even the takeaways.

Without further ado, I’ve tried my best to list them down here for your convenience. I can vouch for the dishes here, having tried them personally! I will also add more as the season goes along.

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