Saturday, June 20, 2009

Durian Fiesta @ Goodwood Park Hotel

In our second edition of the durian special, sgdessert.com is proud to present "Goodwood Park Hotel".

Durian, also known as the “king of fruits”, is a love or hate relationship. But all durian lovers in Singapore, will not disregard the local fruit king creations available at Goodwood Park Hotel. Although the series of durian desserts are available since 1st March 2009, we have been anticipating the durian buffet offered at the Coffee Lounge.

Unlike the regular international buffets, Goodwood Park Hotel has its "Taiwan Porridge a La Carte Buffet", which includes more than 40 dishes and self service from the dessert buffet. From 1st June 2009 to 10th August 2009, the selection for the dessert buffet includes several durian pastries, ice-cream, fruit platters, cakes and hot Chinese desserts. This dessert buffet can also be enjoyed on its own at $19.80++ or with a top-up of $14.80++ with any purchase of a-la-carte items.

Dessert Buffet @ Coffee Lounge

Live station & Chinese Desserts

Apart from the dessert buffet offered at the Coffee Lounge, the Deli serves a variety of durian pastries beginning from 1st March till 10 August 2009. Since its inception in 1983, Goodwood Park Hotel’s annual Durian Fiesta has always been well received by both locals and foreigners. We are grateful for Ms Dorothy Lim from Goodwood Park Hotel for hosting us and allowing us to review this array of scrumptious creations.

Desserts tasting

Durian Strudel
Price: $8.80 per slice, $48 whole

Durian Strudel

The Durian Strudel is Goodwood’s newest creation and this is one which you will not want to miss. Between the crisp and flaky layers of pastry, the strudel is filled with Goodwood’s trademark D24 pulp filling as well as vanilla sponge. According to Dorothy, Goodwood Park Hotel prides the usage of the vanilla sponge in a strudel as this differentiate the pastry from the normal strudel available in the market. Also, the introduction of vanilla sponge also makes the overall taste less cloying and heaty but yet does not compromise on the durian pulp.

Durian Puff
Price: $2.20 per piece, $12.80/6 pieces, $39.80/ 20 pieces

Durian Puff

Need we say more about this signature dainty treats? The durian filling in the durian puff tends to be sweeter and creamier; unlike the regular pastry found in durian or custard cream puffs, Goodwood Park uses light choux pastry, thus resembling a chocolate éclair. Yuan prefers a slightly sweeter pastry though but the combination is heavenly in my opinion.

Durian Pancake

Durian Pancake

This is available in the live station of the dessert buffet and given that the pancake is sweeter than the choux pastry of the durian puff, Yuan favour this more than the latter. Having eaten this back to back with the durian puff, the durian filling used in both are distinctively different. The filling in durian puff tends to be creamier, bitterish and less sweet. In a way, the filling used in the pancake adopts a custard-like texture, thereby less heaty when compared to the puff.

Durian Pudding
Price: $3 per serving

Durian Pudding

Goodwood Park’s lighter version of Durian Pengat; unlike the regular addition of coconut milk to generate a thickened consistency, the use of milk makes it one of the best we have come across so far. This chilled dessert is silky in texture and promises substantial chunks of fresh durian pulp. We agree unaminously that the durian pudding is a good replacement for Durian Pengat.

Durian & Crunchy Hazelnut Tartlet
Price: $2.20 per piece, $12.80/6 pieces, $39.8/20 pieces

Durian & Crunchy Hazelnut Tartlet

Sharing the same filling as the durian puff, this can be considered a marriage of indulgent flavours. Comprising of durian mousse, milk chocolate, hazelnut wafer and generous toppings of roasted hazelnuts, the resulting taste includes the crunchiness of hazelnuts, smooth durian filling, buttery tartlet shell with a touch of hazelnut praline. From our understanding from Dorothy, this is a hit with the children. However durian fanatics will find that the hazelnut overshadows the signature durian filling.

Durian, Pandan & Coconut Cake
Price: $8 per Slice, $46.80 per 1.3kg Cake

Durian, Pandan & Coconut Cake

First introduced in 2005, this is a splendid twist to the signature durian mousse cake. Since it is layered with pandan (Screwpine leaf) sponge, the durian mousse is more concentrated than the latter. Encompassing with pandan sponge crunchy coconut flakes, this is refreshing and resembled that of a nonya kueh. Though the pandan sponge did not stand out as compared to the durian mousse, the combination of coconut and durian is easily accepted by most.

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This dessert tasting session does show that each of the durian creation is unique in its way. Since the combination of each creation is delicately paired with ingredients such as choux pastry, crepe, pandan, hazelnut, oreo, etc, each has its niche to appeal to the masses. Apart from the accompanying ingredients, the amount of durian, sweetness and texture varies from one creation to another. To ask for the best among the entire lot, we find it difficult to choose as each is good and unique but should you have room for only one creation, don’t miss out on the Durian strudel.
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Citibank, DBS Credit & Debit Card members and Goodwood Park Hotel Gourmet Cardmembers get to enjoy a 15% discount on takeaway durian pastries at the Deli from 1 March to 10 August 2009 .

Durian Fiesta at the Deli Goodwood Park Hotel
1 March to 10 August 2009

Goodwood Park Hotel
22 Scotts Road
Singapore 228221
Tel: 6730 1786

Operating hours
- 9am to 9pm daily
Website for Deli & Coffee Lounge

7 comments:

hazel said...

Erm...why don't you choose lunch buffet in AquaMarine @ Mandrain hotel, which is currently offering 1-1 promotion for UOB cards? Hahaha.. :D

Fen said...

Yuan is a durian fanatic and has been waiting for Goodwood Park's Durian buffet... That was why we are on a durian spree...

Oh, didn't know about the 1 -1 promo, thank you for sharing...

Actually I had been to Aquamarine twice last year, was average... I missed Melts and Oscars though...

Unknown said...

The toppest layer of the durian strudel seemed a bit overbaked? It's a great deal for durian lovers! ^.^

Big Boys Oven said...

Awesome! just pure awesome, we miss this one and hope able to make it on our next trip!

Fen said...

Foodies Queen : My vague impression is that the pastry layers were very crispy... Just right, no burnt after-taste...

Yea, durian strudel is a must-try if you are at Goodwood Park.

Big Boys Oven : Goodwood Park is one of the places durian lovers shouldn't missed. It is until 10 August... Do drop by Singapore for the durian strudel...

Anonymous said...

oh,i tried their fantastic durian tarts..heavenly..
also, so happened we stopped by goodwood park cafe around 9pm, they were having 50% off at that time for the leftover cakes..
we packed away tiramisu (SGD3), strawberry choc gateaux (SGD3)..still tasted fresh and good! (this was last year Aug though)--adel

Fen said...

Haha, u will be surprised how good their durian strudel if durian tarts are heavenly :D

Simply beyond words...

I hope this blog is giving you more reasons to drop by Singapore.

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