Friday, September 4, 2009

Oscar's, Conrad Centennial Singapore

When it comes to international buffet, there is always a battle between quality and quantity. In any case, any diners will be spoilt for choice when it comes to a good hotel buffet.

Oscar's

Located on the lobby level of the hotel, Oscar's provides a casual and lively atmosphere. Warm lighting with friendly service.

Casual dining comfort

Just like any renowned hotel buffet, seafood lovers will be pleased with the cold selection of prawns, mussels, crayfish, lobsters and crabs.

Cold seafood on ice

For cheese lovers, here is the cheese counter.

Cheese Counter

It is going to get boring if I were to show you the spread and just label them as appetizers, oysters, seafood, hot dishes and desserts, etc. Sounds repetitive as it is pretty much the same for almost all good hotel buffets. Thus, I am going to highlight what Conrad's F&B Executive and Communications Executive have to recommend about their buffet dinner.

One of the highlights of the buffet is the Parmigiana (Parmesan) bowl where romaine lettuce is tossed with sauce, pepper and cheese by the hotel chefs to present their diners a lovely bowl of Caesar salad.

Caesar Salad in the making

And if you are a fan of Japanese food, you will not want to miss out Oscar's buffet between the 5th Sept 09 to 13th Sept 09 where Oscar's will collaborate with Hilton Nagoya to present unique selection of Japanese food with both hot and cold live section.

Japanese Station

In 2006, Oscar's has undergone a major renovation. Its kitchen can be clearly visible behind its buffet spread. Hence diners can see the chefs at work, whipping up all those delicious dishes. Of course one should also take some time to appreciate its deco, notice the panels behind the savoury section? These are actually cut from a huge piece of art work.

The serving of the hot dishes are small and are replenished at a regular basis so that freshness is ensured in all the dishes.

Selection of hot food ranged from Indian curry, Steamed pomfret in "Teochew" style, Braised spare rib with plum sauce and spices, Grilled tiger prawns, Double boiled veal cheeks with Chinese herbs, Wok fried Udon, etc. The list goes on and on but bottom line, there is something for everybody.

Open Kitchen Concept

If you thought I have missed the highlights of most buffets. You are wrong, when it comes to oysters, it is nothing new in the context of hotel buffet dinners but Oscar's takes an extra step to shuck the oysters upon request. Guaranteed freshness!!!

Fresh shuckled oysters

The live section for the night is mini burger with portobello mushroom and black pepper dip. Patties is done medium well with a slice of grilled portobello mushroom. Although the mushroom is alittle salty, the beef patty is juicy with nice buttery crisp buns.

Teppan mini burger with portobello mushroom and black pepper dip

Also, there is a noodle bar which served Bak Kut Teh, Prawn Noodle Soup, Laksa, Wanton Noodle and Fishball Noodle Soup. We didn't try all of them but the Laksa and Bak Kut Teh were so good that I went for a second serving. The former is rich in taste while the pork ribs in the latter is well-marinated, tender in a concentrated soup base.

I am sure there is a fair share of diners who will rush for the desserts and apart from the desserts shown in the picture, there are also cakes ranging from Tiramisu, Matcha and White chocolate, Blueberry Cheesecake and Araguani Walnut Brownie.

Pastry Gallery

Chocolate is a personal favourite of Conrad's pastry chef and thus it is no surprise that the chocolate creations including the bonbons were so good that Yuan felt that it is an alternative to Fullerton's chocolate buffet. The ice-cream served at Oscar's is from Movenpick with a decent selection of condiments.

Chocolate Bonbons, Ice-Cream & Condiments

Desserts don't just stop here, though there is no chocolate fountain, Oscar's offers a wide selection of cookies and meringue, not forgetting a dessert live section where waffles and hot chocolate pudding. Believe it or not, the waffles remind us of Gelare while the hot chocolate pudding stirs my memories at Laurent Bernard Chocolatier.

Overall, if you are looking for spread, Oscar’s is nowhere near The Line (Shangri La). However if you are looking for quality, I must say that this is one of the few buffets which I found little to complain. It also brings the diners close to the chefs, which is welcoming and pleasant. Moreover, the open kitchen concept allow one to appreciate that most of the food is prepared on the spot and replenished at a regular basis.

Pastry Chef Yong

Before signing off, let me introduce Pastry Chef Yong of Conrad Centennial Singapore.

Our heartfelt thanks to Ms. Joyce Yao, the Communications Executive for the mini tour at Oscar's and the introduction to Pastry Chef Yong.

Not forgetting Mr. Peter Yeong, the F&B Executive for the information provided with regards to information on Oscar's buffet.

Definitely looking forward to my next visit to Oscar's.

Oscar's
Conrad Centennial Singapore
2 Temasek Boulevard
Lobby Level Conrad Centennial
Singapore 038982
Tel: 6432 7481

Credit cards discount includes UOB - 1 dines free with every 3 paying adults
Citibank or American Express at 15% off the total bill for dinner

Buffet dinner is priced at
$54++ (Sunday to Wednesday)
$65++ (Thursdays to Saturdays, also Oysters night)
The prices above are applicable for the duration of the Nagoya promotion (5th Sept 09 to 13th Sept 09).

Operating hours:
Breakfast à la carte - 6:30 am to 10:30 am
Breakfast buffet - 6:30 am to 10:30 am
Lunch à la carte - 11:00 am to 2:30 pm
Lunch buffet - 12:00 noon to 2:30 pm
Dinner à la carte and buffet - 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Amazing Graze Sunday Brunch - 12.00 noon to 3:00 pm
Supper - 10:00 pm to 6:00 am

Website

9 comments:

Camemberu said...

Looks fantastic! I much prefer buffets to have less but better items. This looks like a pretty good deal.

Julia said...

I second Camemberu's comment! Been meaning to check out Oscar's buffet, thanks for the comprehensive review.

Is the seafood selection available for the $54++ pricing?

Fen said...

Camemberu: Yea, I prefer lesser selection and better taste, particularly when my appetite has reduced... What I liked about this buffet is a good selection of hot food such as the Steamed Pomfret, Crispy Dory in Orange Sauce, Seabass in Cream Sauce and Grilled Salmon, not forgetting the Bak Ku Teh and Laksa...

If you like Japanese food, don't miss out on their special between 5th Sept to 13th Sept... :)

Julia: I went on a Monday and it has Seafood on Ice which includes Crabs, Prawns, Mussels, Crayfish and Oysters. Hot Section includes Grilled Tiger Prawns, Wok-fried dried green curry slipper lobster, Black Mussels and Prawn noodle soup... Quite decent...

$65++ is for a wider selection of oysters...

Hazel said...

Totally adore conrad! But i feel pan pacific hotel is the most honest firm among all the five* hotels in term pricing marketing. Hahahaaa.......

Fen said...

I am still thinking of feasting at Conrad... the dinner was so memorable...

Hey, you stir my curiousity... Tell me more about honest firm in terms of pricing marketing, why Pan Pacific?

stargirl said...

Oscars' chocolate bonbons are addictive! I thoroughly enjoyed their warm chocolate passionfruit pudding served with vanilla ice cream (:

Elaine Ng. said...

looks good.. im so putting it on my buffet list (: a live station for burgers is interesting!

Fen said...

Stargirl: Yea, enjoyed the chocolate bonbons so much that I had more than 4 pieces despite a stomach full of food...

It is a pity they didn't have a hot chocolate section, if not I would suggest this to be an alternative to Fullerton Chocolate Buffet.

However, I realize that the chocolate bonbons sold in the Conrad's shop is different from the ones served at the buffet...

Elaine: But the live section changes everyday, I visited Oscar's again and I miss their burger so much.. Call them up to ask them what's up at their live section for that day =)

Fen said...

Rates for Oscar's 2011 buffet

Buffet Lunch
Lunch Buffet - $52++ (Mon to Fri)
Saturday Oyster Lunch Buffet - $58++ (Sat)

Buffet Dinner
$58++ (Mon to Thurs)
$72++ (Fri, Sat & Sun)

Sunday Brunch
Sunday Roast - $68++

On every last Sunday of the month, the pricing of "Amazing Grace" Sunday Brunch is as follows:
$158++ per person with free flow of champagne, house wines & Tiger beer
$109++ per person with free flow of Chandon Sparkling Wine
$98++ per person without alcoholic beverages.

Credit card promotions*
AMEX
15% discount off total bill for dinner only

UOB
3+1 promo (maximum cap for 8 person) Only valid for Dinner Buffet

HSBC / Citibank
15% discount off total bill for buffet lunch and dinner

DBS
4+1 promo (maximum cap for 10 person)
Only valid for Sunday Roast or Amazing Graze Sunday Brunch

Citibank
3+1 promo (maximum cap for 8 person)
Only valid for Lunch and Dinner Buffet till 30 August 2011

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