Known as
one of the top buffet restaurant in Singapore, Carousel is a place to
try for foodies in Singapore. So when LD suggested this place, I
agreed in a heartbeat.
Carousel
is only a handful of high end International Buffet Restaurant with
Halal certification. They served food ranging from Mediterranean,
Asian, Japanese fare, a lavish seafood spread, French Rotisserie, and
three dazzling dessert stations.
As it was
a Friday night, the restaurant is basically pack full of people. If
you are trying your luck to dine without reservation, well your
chances are very low. We went through lots of 'channels' to get our
reservations.
 |
| Cold Seafood Selections |
We
started our degustation buffet from the seafood selection; which
offer lobsters, crayfishes, Alaskan crab legs, spanner crabs, mud
crabs, oysters, mussels and prawns. All the seafood are chilled and
fresh, especially the lobster and prawns. This is my second encounter
with spanner crabs, and I can confirm my dislike for it as the meat
is rougher compare to mud crabs or Sri Lakan Crabs. The oyster is
good, but not fantastic.
 |
| Cold Seafood Selections on the plate |
Sashimi
and Sushi section. The variety of sushi and sushi roll is very
extensive and creative with more 10 different types, while the
sashimi selection is so limited with salmon, swordfish and yellow
tail and the cuts for the sashimi is very small, which is abnormal
for a 5-star international buffet restaurant.
 |
| Part of Sashimi & Sushi Counter |
 |
| Sashimi & Sushi |
Moving to
the rotisserie and cooked food selection, the roast beef is quite
ordinary and the Yorkshire pudding is just flat. The beef ribs is
chewy, while the rest of the international cooked food is so
uninspiring. If I ever return, I will just skip the cooked food
section and go for the Indian food. They are authentic and so much
better compare to the rest. The Briyani rice is fluffy while the
tandoori meat is tender and well seasoned.
 |
| Roast Beef with Yorkshire Pudding |
 |
| Chicken Shawarma & Indian Station |
 |
| Nasi Briyani |
For the
live station of Teppanyaki and Pasta, I only manage to try the
Lobster Risotto from the pasta section. To save time, the risotto are
pre-cooked to half done. Upon order, they will re-cook and add the
lobster and the rest of the ingredients. Unfortunately, for my
serving the risotto is under cook. Way below the al-dente level and
lacks of punch.
 |
| Lobster Risotto |
For
desserts, they have three type of fondue to indulge you. Chocolate,
Strawberry and Green Tea. Although it is nice to the eyes, stick with
the chocolate. The taste of the strawberry and green tea are very
artificial. While I tried other bite sized of the cakes, nothing
really catch my eyes except for the bread & butter pudding and
chocolate cake which are delicious with the custard sauce.
 |
| Strawberry, Chocolate & Green Tea Fondue |
 |
| Bread & Butter Pudding |
 |
| Desserts Selection and Fondue |
I decided
to skip the bread station, salad bar, HK roast station and dim sum
station. When our friends told us the HK roast station and dim sum
station is very ordinary, I decided not to waste my stomach space.
 |
| Bread Station and Cooked Food Station |
Service
on Friday night definitely need to improve. It is very difficult to
get the attention of the service staff, either to top up our drinks
or clear the dirty plates. The one that horrified me the most is when
I ask one of the Chef, where does your roast beef come from, he
replied “Fresh from the Market”. OMG, I'm just floored by the
answer. I can confirm, guarantee and chop that no restaurant in
Singapore will use beef fresh from the market for their roast.
Atmosphere
is very good. The decoration is very simple and modern. There are
good spaces between tables for you to walk around without
accidentally bumping to other diners. For those celebrating your
birthday, you will get birthday cupcakes and entertained with the
performance of the chefs and service staff.
 |
| Birthday Performance by the Chefs and Service Staff |
Overall,
I cannot understand what the rave is all about for Carousel. For the
price that I am paying, I have to say I expect more. Although the
varieties are extensive, the quality and the overall standard of the
food and services are really not worth paying for. Hopefully they can
improve on their quality and consistency, and who knows, Chubby Botak
Koala might drop by again. Cheers!!!
Reservation
Tips
For
Chubby Botak Koala reader, here is a little hint: The best way to
make online reservation is by HungryGoWhere booking. I tried the
carousel website to no avail, but I manage to get through using
HungryGoWhere booking. It seem there are some tables kept
specifically for HGW readers.
Food
& Drink: 6.5/10
Value:
6/10
Service:
5/10
Ambiance:
7.5/10
Budget per Person: $81 and Above
Carousel
25
Scotts Road
Lobby
Level, Royal Plaza on Scotts.
Singapore
228220
T:
+65 6589 7799
OH:
Daily
06.00 – 21.30
Lunch
Buffet: 12.00 – 14.00
Dinner
Buffet: 18.30 – 21.30
Prices
available here:
http://www.carouselbuffet.com.sg/Carousel-Prices.aspx
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