Showing posts with label `Conrad Centennial Singapore. Show all posts
Showing posts with label `Conrad Centennial Singapore. Show all posts

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Golden Peony Mooncakes

Golden Peony Snowskin

Golden Peony new flavour for this year is the Osmanthus in White Lotus Paste. Osmanthus is an acquired flavour and may not be everyone's cup of tea. The plus point is the soft snowskin. If you are not a fan of osamanthus, green tea maybe be a better choice.

The Mango with Pomelo and the Oreo Cheese were slightly disappointing. This is probably due to the paste which doesn't hold pretty well. Hence it can be messy and the mooncake sticks to your fingers.

Golden Peony Box

The mooncakes are presented in this lovely draw box above. For more ordering information, refer to their brochure below.


Conrad Centennial mooncake order form 2012

Conrad Centennial Singapore
Two Temasek Boulevard Singapore 038982
Tel 6334 8888
singaporeinfo@conradhotels.com
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Tuesday, October 6, 2009

A Taste of Nagoya @ Oscar's

One of the most important factor for a good buffet experience is the element of surprise but there is more than just this factor that make me ranked Oscar's as one of my favourite buffet place in Singapore.

A Taste of Nagoya

Well, as mentioned in my previous post, Oscar's has a Nagoya special for its lunch and dinner buffets from 5th to 13th September, which includes a selection of authentic creations presented by guest chefs, Tsuyoshi Itoh and Syuhei Tsukahara from Hilton Nagoya.

Oscars @ Conrad Centennial Singapore

However, it was a pity that the guest chefs had taken a flight back on the 12th September and the following spread is presented by Conrad's Executive Sous Chef, William Lim.

Taste of Nagoya I

On top of Oscar’s standard array of salads, fresh seafood options, local and international dishes and desserts mentioned in my previous post, Taste of Nagoya includes a unique spread of Japanese appetizers which uses Okra (traditional food plant in Africa), caviar, bonito flakes and seared fish slices.

Interesting combination but to a certain extent the taste is acquired.

One of the appetizers that caught my attention was the sesame-flavoured tofu for its smooth but yet slight chewy texture. An in-between of muah chee and silky tofu.

Sushi & Sashimi

The selection of sushi and sashimi (Maguro (tuna), Mekajiki (swordfish) and Salmon) is the same as my last visit.

Taste of Nagoya II

Frankly speaking, I was expecting the entire spread to be Japanese cuisine but it was not the case. Apart from the appetizers highlighted earlier on, the Nagoya special includes live tempura section, fried items (e.g. Tonkatsu (Japanese fried pork), Deep Fried Shrimps Dumplings, Deep Fried Cuttlefish with seaweed and Fried Fish Fillet), Steamed White Gourd with Ankake sauce, Rice Soup, Fish Cake Soup and many more.

Generally, the tempura batter used is soft and blend while the other mentioned dishes are on the saltier side. Of the entire selection, the flavourful Fish Cake Soup and Rice Soup leave the deepest impression.

Noodle Bar
Noodle Bar @ Oscar's Terrace

Having visited the buffet twice within 2 weeks, I realized the hot selection changes daily and hence one will not be sick of the spread. The most talk-about dish for the night were steamed cod fish, braised mutton, fried fish with salted egg and the roasted prime rib with shallot sauce served at meat carving station.

Chef Lim
Conrad's Executive Sous Chef, William Lim

Of course the Bak Kut Teh and Laksa from the noodle bar did not disappoint.

Desserts I

Desserts section didn't disappoint and if you have read my previous post, Pastry Chef Yong of Conrad Centennial Singapore is a chocolate lover himself and it is no surprised he has paired chocolate with raspberry, praline hazelnut dacquoise and chestnut cremeux to present a wide array of cakes.

Desserts II

Non-chocolate lovers will not be disappoint with shooters desserts, though the desserts are presented at room temperature, the desserts are replenished fast enough to ensure that they are served chilled. Special mention to the Apple Noramandie, Ume and Almond Jelly, Strawberry Yuzu tart and Caraibe Pistachio and Chocolate Surprise. Not too sweet, refreshing and light enough to have after a buffet.

Warm Chocolate Cake

And the dessert live section for the night presents piping hot waffles and warm chocolate cake. Not forgetting a selection of 7 Movenpick ice-cream.

In any buffets, there are bound to be hits and misses. The shuckled oysters were alot smaller than what I had at Cafe Biz (Traders Hotel) 2 days ago and apparently, there were traces of sand in the chilled prawns but acceptable among my friends. Apart from these 2 factors, I have to admit that I have enjoyed the dinner completely and I am now curious what Golden Peony has to offer.

Before signing off, many thanks to Ms. Joyce Yao, the Communications Executive of Conrad Centennial Singapore for the second photography opportunity and Conrad's Executive Sous Chef, William Lim and F&B Executive, Mr. Peter Yeong for the warm hospitality.

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)

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
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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
[ ... ]
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