clarke quay Archives

Hutong Unveils New Menu with Szechuan BBQ Skewers from $1

December 15, 2020maybeline

Here’s something you can share it with 3 other friends, or 4 to make it merrier. Hutong, a restaurant situated at Clarke Quay known to dole out Northern Chinese cuisines, features a brand-new menu with tantalizing Szechuan BBQ skewers. The new menu comprises over 40 varieties of Szechuan appetisers and BBQ skewers, from meat to seafood and vegetables.

One noteworthy mention is that these skewers are marinated with a special inhouse blend consisting of salt, white pepper powder, cooking wine and cumin powder. Then another special blend of spices are sprinkled atop the skwer before serving to give it a very unique, flavourful taste. Oh, and don’t be worried that the skewers might get cold, as they are served over a griller instead of on plates.

Be spoilt for choices with offerings including chicken meat, pig intestine, pig stomach, premium beef cube, mutton leg meat, squid and fresh prawns. While indulging the meat from land and sea, do also remember to temper your palate with vegetables like oyster mushrooms, broccoli and romaine lettuce. I particularly loved the special chili oil and can pepper oil to add another depth of flavour to the grills.

Must try-offerings include the Fresh Oyster and Premium Half Shell Scallops, which are grilled together with the restaurant’s house-made chili paste. Accompany tat with a bowl of rice or the hot and sour rice noodles to further whets the appetite with its interplay of flavours.

One interesting mention is the Mala Xiao Long Xia with Maotai. A generous amount of baby crawfish is stir-fried with a blend of aromatic mala spices. Before serving, a shot of Maotai is drizzled over the dish for a dramatic flambee presentation. I love the juiciness and succulent crawfish, but do remember to wear the plastic gloves and make sure you don’t wear white when eating this! (deshelling might result in collateral damage).

You can enjoy other Katrina Group restaurants along Clarke Quay like the Japanese bar Tomo Izakaya, Thai restaurant RENNThai and Mexican bar Muchos.

Hutong

3D River Valley Road, #01-07 Block D, Singapore 179023 Reservation: 6337 0144 Operating hours: Tue – Sun, 5pm to 11pm | Mon closed

Facebook @hutongrestaurant

hutong.com.sg

Herald in CNY with Delicious Feast at Park Hotel Clarke Quay

January 31, 2019maybeline

Author: Alex Chua

Christmas and the new year celeb (hello 2019!) just zoom us by and before you know it its CNY again. If you’re totally unprepared or just wanting to amp up the festivity with gastronomic delight, then you might want to book Park Hotel Clark Quay’s 6-course Harmony Menu ($378++ per table of 4-5 pax) or 8-course Ultimate Success Menu ($658++ per table of 9-10 pax). You won’t regret it. Here’s a glimpse of what you will be getting.

Yu Sheng – the only dish that requires us to bottoms up and splatter around with chopsticks while chanting auspicious words. The Auspicious Abundance Yu Sheng contains flown-in yabbies (lobsters) which are easy to pop into the mouth. The dry-cured Jinhua ham is something not to be wasted after the rowdy tossing because, besides the appealing ruby color, it’s just so tasty.

When this dish is presented someone murmured ‘oh this is the Fa Guo Piao Xiang ah’. Usually I don’t take Yam Ring due to personal preference but this one I would. Encased within the Stir-fried Seafood with XO Sauce in Crispy Yam Basket contains succulent ocean delicacies such as squid, scallop and prawn. But what’s amazing is the yam basket – so crispy its like munching into nicely just-fried chips. Quite a memorable dish I must say.

While the fish head is a little bit daunting to look at, I wouldn’t want to skip this Steamed Red Garoupa with Jinhua Ham. The precious ham are inserted into each evenly sliced section of the fish meat, giving it an extra oomph. Who knew fish and pork go so well together.

If you want to huat (be prosperous) for the new year you must eat this. My favourite dish in the menu, the Money Bag contains generous amount of tender Jinhua ham full of juiciness which explodes into your mouth. The broccoli, which are soaked in the delicious broth, are distinctively crunchy and inviting. I adore the mouthfeels.

The feast ended with Chilled Coconut Pudding for dessert. Deceptively plain and simple, this light, cooling dish balances different level of sweetness pretty artfully. Yes I am bias because I love anything coconut.
Overall, Chef James Wong does an excellent job serving dish after dish of memorable deliciousness. While the spotlight falls onto the Jinhua ham (half of the dishes contain this savoury wonder from Zhejiang), it weaves in and accentuates the dishes without being overwhelming.

Park Hotel Clarke Quay
1 Unity Street, Singapore 237983

Staycation at Swissôtel Merchant Court

March 25, 2018maybeline

James and I stayed at Swissôtel Merchant Court a few weeks ago and we felt like we were literally a stone throw away from all the activities we can do in Singapore. For example, we are close the most happening nightlife places there.

You can also reach Orchard Road or City Hall in less than 10 minutes with a taxi ride.

The check-in process was swift and I was also given Niu Niu upon check-in. You can see him later. I was given the Swiss Executive Room which entitles me to visit their Executive Lounge for some drinks in the evening or breakfast in the morning. One bonus point was that their staffs were really attentive.

I opened the door to a bright and cheery room created with fruits & chocolates. Yes, the cute cow you see there is called Niu Niu, which slept with me through the night.

I have always loved hotel beds and fluffy white blankets and those at Swissôtel Merchant Court were no exception.

The toilet was spacious and all the amenities I needed were present. I thought that they have very good shampoo & conditioner though. Some hotels provide the duo that leaves my hair dry and tangled but I had absolutely no issues with Swissôtel’s own Purovel brand. Purovel is also the name of their new spa – Purovel Spa, which is convienently located right at level one.

Right after exploring the room and finishing a movie in there, we walked over the the Swiss Executive Lounge which is located at the same level. You can enjoy snacks and beverages while reading the latest happenings on the news paper. Psst: Alcohol is included as well!

We were given the choice to have our breakfast at the lounge or at their Ellenborough Market Cafe which was revamped and opened a few years ago. James’ even celebrated his birthday there last year.

They have a very good variety of food from Chinese to Indian and to Western.

What makes the hotel stand out has got to be their pool. When you are there, it gives off a resort feeling and the pool event comes with 2 slides. Tell me, how often do you come across a hotel pool with slides?

Little did I know that there are various OOTD spots around the area too. Spot another one on my Instagram (@maybelinesim) sometime this week.

James is the healthy one so he went up to the Fitness Centre to gym 1 hour after breakfast. I don’t know how well equipped a gym should look like but he commented that the gym’s facilities are pretty decent. In fact, better than what he had expected.

My overall experience was fantastic! I love the walking distance to Central (for a bowl of hot ramen) and the happening night view at night.

Adress: 20 Merchant Rd, Singapore 058281
Nearest MRT Station: Clarke Quay