Chinese New Year is fast upon us. Seasonal menus are hitting us like waves. Not sure where to go for your Chinese New Year meal? Here are three restaurants located at Resorts World Sentosa that we can recommend you with certainty.
1. Avenue Joffre
Most casual of the three, Avenue Joffre brings to the table an extremely homely and comfortable vibe. Serving a series of set menus featuring Cantonese and Chinese delicacies, Avenue Joffre has seven set menus ranging from SS368 for four pax to SS2880 for 10.
Szechuan Poached Sliced Fish in Chilli Oil. Photo © Vanessa Koh.
Two dishes stood out. First, it was the Szechuan Poached Sliced Fish in Chilli Oil. It is of the chef’s belief that cooking fresh live fish locks in the flavour and sweetness of the tender fish meat. Less spicy than it actually looks, this dish was a hit with most people at the table as it somehow managed to retain its flavour while gradually and almost unknowingly giving you a tongue-numbing sensation.
Braised Pork Knuckle with Dry Oyster and Fatt Choy. Photo © Vanessa Koh.
The Braised Pork Knuckle with Dry Oyster and Fatt Choy is extremely tender; the meat of the pork knuckle fell apart with a prod of my spoon. A huge fan of dried oysters and fatt choy, I loved this dish as it tasted truly Asian and reminded me of warm, family dinners at home, accompanied by the fatt choy my father cooks up for our annual Chinese New Year feast.
These two dishes can be found in their set menus, and will be available from 22 January to 22 February 2016
Time: Lunch – 12pm – 4pm (Last order at 3.30pm) Dinner – 6pm-10pm (Last order at 9.30pm). For reservations, contact +65 65703213.
2. Forest
Helmed by local celebrity chef Sam Leong, Forest is a contemporary Chinese fine dining restaurant located at Equarius Hotel, Resorts World Sentosa. It presents to the public a sophisticated and indulgent spread this Lunar New Year. Bound to ignite the taste buds of diners with its diverse flavours and ingredients, Chef Leong distinguishes himself from the rest by adding special touches to otherwise known classics.
Forest has seven set menus this Chinese New Year starting from prices at S$68 per pax to S$888 per pax. Yes, you’ve read that right – S$888 – that will be the Luxury Celebration Menu.
A firm believer of freshness and not adding preservatives to his dishes, this is clearly seen in his Hot and Sour Soup which is braised with red flower crabmeat, ginger flower, lemon and kaffir lime leaves. Unlike traditional hot and sour soups, the one at Forest uses a double boiled chicken broth to give that extra potent flavour.
I was pleasantly surprised when I dug my spoon into the soup to realise that there was a bed of chawanmushi resting at the bottom with a generous serving of red flower crabmeat. The crabmeat gave the dish that extra sweetness which I found to be extremely pleasant, differentiating it from other hot and sour soups or in fact, any other soups I have tasted. Perfect for the old folks in your family, this is a dish truly not to be missed.
The new menu items will be available from 22 January to 22 February 2016.
Time: Chinese New Year Eve Dinner first seating – 6pm to 8pm | second seating – 8.30pm to 10pm.
Time: Regular operating hours (throughout Chinese New Year) | Lunch – 12pm to 2.30pm (Mon to Sat, last order at 2.15pm)
Dinner – 6pm to 10.30pm (daily, last order at 10.15pm) | Sunday Lunch – 12pm to 3pm (last order at 2.30pm). For reservations, contact +65 6577 7788 or email [email protected].
3. Feng Shui Inn
My personal favourite is Feng Shui Inn, a gem of a restaurant nestled underground. With impeccable decor and silverware to boot, I knew I was in for a treat the moment I stepped into the restaurant.
Feng Shui Inn has an a la carte menu that has special menu items starting from S$6 per person per serving. It also has five set menus, which ranges from S$88 per pax (minimum four pax) to S$268 per pax (minimum 10 pax) to usher guests into the New Year.
The Longevity ‘Lo Hei’ with Smoked Salmon, was my favourite of all the three restaurants. Taking on an extremely different take, the ‘Lo Hei’ here was paired with a range of unique ingredients that I did not think could and would work in a ‘Lo Hei’. Moving away from conventions, this ‘Lo Hei’ came in the shape of the Auspicious Fire Monkey presenting peaches as a symbol and blessing of good health and wealth to diners. Paired with deep fried salmon skin, barbecue pork, banana nut crunch cereal and banana chips – all these were added as a symbol of good luck.
Never have I seen a ‘Lo Hei’ this aesthetically pleasing.
The Chinese Premium Ham Fried Rice with Prawns is the other dish I thoroughly enjoyed dining at Fengshui Inn. Fried with Jinhua ham, this plate of fried rice was moist and had that desirable wok hei flavour.
This year, Feng Shui Inn has also released a variety of Festive Goodies – one of which I had the privilege of tasting. The Eight Happiness Chinese Rice Cake (S$58++ per portion) was truly unlike any other ‘nian gaos’ I have had in the past. Reinventing the customary look of a ‘nian gao’ into the shape of a peach, this is a symbol of good luck for the Monkey Year. Feng Shui Inn also has the usual Chinese new year suspects. Expect to find Pineapple Tarts, Almond Cookies and a whole range of traditional Chinese New Year treats.
The menu is available from 22 January to 22 February 2016.
Time: Chinese New Year Eve Dinner first seating – 5.30pm to 7.30pm | second seating – 8pm to 10pm.
Time: Regular Operating Hours (Throughout Chinese New Year) | Lunch – 11am to 3pm | High Tea – 3pm to 5.30pm (last order for Dim Sum at 5pm)
Dinner – 5.30pm to 11pm (Last order at 10.30pm) | Supper – 11pm to 1am (Friday and Saturday, Eve of Public Holiday, Last order at 12.30am)
For reservations, contact +65 6577 6688 or email [email protected].
