Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Element – Festive Dining 2018 [MEDIA INVITE]

Slow Roast Turkey with Sze Chuan Spicy Sauce.

Celebrate this year Christmas and New Year’s festivities with a luxurious spread at Element at Amara Singapore. Curated by Executive Chef Charles Goh and his culinary team, diners can expect 7 live stations to spark the Element Festive dining experience.

X'MAS Media Tasting 2018

Highlights for this special occasion are:

Tomato Watermelon Carpaccio. Unique fusion between tomato and watermelon, both fruits bursting with sweetness and a slight touch of tanginess from the tomato. The shaved cheese and balsamic vinegar accentuate the flavour of watermelon and tomato. A refreshing start to the meal.

Tomato Watermelon Carpaccio

Celeriac Veloute Truffle Oil. Creamy, smooth yet light celeriac soup. The truffle oil is light, allowing the nice pairing with the soup instead of overpowering it. Good to have a slice of bread.

Celeriac Veloute Truffle Oil

Pan-seared Foie Gras with Raspberry Sauce. Perfectly pan-fried foie gras. It is crisp externally, yet creamy and velvety internally. The raspberry sauce has the right sweetness and fruitiness to go with foie gras. Simply put, one serving of this is not enough for me.

Pan-seared Foie Gras with Raspberry Sauce

Baby Lobster Miso Yaki. The presentation of this dish will definitely leave you with an awe feeling. Basked with Chinese Rose Wine, the baby lobster is then torched, giving you the flambee effect before you dig into this dish. It is aromatic and the baby lobster is succulent, with a slight springiness to it.

Baby Lobster Miso Yaki.

Baby Lobster Miso Yaki.

Slow Roast Turkey with Sze Chuan Spicy Sauce. A fusion between East and West. The turkey is flavourful while the Sze Chuan sauce definitely packs the punch. The spiciness rises slowly and you can feel your tongue and lips become numb. Suitable for those like Sze Chuan dishes. The creamy and velvety mash potatoes are not to be missed here. It is just superb.

Slow Roast Turkey with Sze Chuan Spicy Sauce.

Japanese Cheese Log Cake. Definitely not your traditional log cake. Element present to you Matcha Cheesecake as the base of the log cake. The strong matcha flavour replaces the traditional chocolate flavour. It’s like celebrating Christmas in Japan.  

Japanese Cheese Log Cake

Japanese Cheese Log Cake

Overall, the highlights for this year festive dining are definitely enticing and luxurious. If you are looking for a place to celebrate this Jolly period, you definitely must consider Element at Amara Hotel.

Executive Chef Charles Goh, Chef Jason & Culinary Team of Element

Element Tis’ The Season To Be Jolly 2018.

When: 1 December 2018 to 1 January 2019.

(Excluding Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day).

Price:

Buffet Lunch, 12.00 – 14.30: Adult S$58, Child S$29

Buffet Dinner, 18.00 – 22.30: Adult S$78, Child S$39

Christmas Eve Buffet Dinner, 24 December 2018

Buffet Dinner, 18.30 – 22.30: Adult S$108, Child S$54

Christmas Day Brunch, 25 December 2018

Buffet Lunch, 12.30 – 15.30: Adult S$68, Child S$34

Christmas Day Buffet Dinner, 25 December 2018

Buffet Dinner, 18.30 – 22.30: Adult S$78, Child S$39

New Year's Eve Buffet Dinner, 31 December 2018.

Live carving of 55kg Bluefin Tuna directly imported from Okinawa

Buffet Dinner*, 18.30 – 22.30: Adult S$108*, Child S$54.

*Add S$30++ per adult for free flow prosecco, wines and beer at the buffet dinner and Lobby Countdown Party happening from 20.30 to 01.00

New Year’s Day Brunch, 1 January 2019.

Live carving of 55kg Bluefin Tuna directly imported from Okinawa

Buffet Lunch, 12.30 – 15.30: Adult S$68, Child S$34

For reservations or enquiries:

call: +65 6879 2607

email: fnb.sg@amarahotels.com

Other details and information available here:

https://singapore.amarahotels.com/tis-the-season-to-be-jolly.html

Thank you very much to Amara Hotels team for the tasting invitation.

Food & Drinks: 7.5/10

Value: 7.25/10

Service: N/A (Tasting Event)

Ambiance: 7.75/10

Budget per Person: $51 - $80, $81 and Above

Element Restaurant

165 Tanjong Pagar Road

Singapore 088539

T: +65 6879 2607

W: http://singapore.amarahotels.com/dining/element/

F: https://www.facebook.com/amarasingapore

IG: @AmaraSingapore

OH:

Breakfast, Daily: 06.30 – 10.30

Lunch, Mon – Fri: 11.30 – 14.30

High Tea, Sat & Sun: 11.30 – 14.00 (1^st Seating), 14.30 – 17.00 (2^nd Seating)

Dinner, Daily: 18.30 – 22.00

Ginger – Festive Dining 2018 [MEDIA INVITE]

Festive at Ginger 

Create festive moments at Ginger with the culinary creation from the new Executive Chef Vincent Aw and his culinary team

The year festive highlights at Ginger, includes:

Traditional Roasted Turkey drizzled with Giblet Sauces and Cranberry Jus. I have to admit, this is one of the most tender and succulent turkeys that I have tried. Our turkey was deboned and rolled, to make it easier for cutting. The giblet sauce is just awesome, rich and bursting with flavour, almost like blended foie gras. Yum Yum.

Traditional Roasted Turkey drizzled with Giblet Sauces and Cranberry Jus

Bean Sprouts, Baby Carrots and Bacon

Honey-glazed Ham accompanied by Oriental Salsa. The combination of sweet and salty in a Christmas Ham is always an attractive proposition. The ham is still slightly rich and meaty; however, the salsa sauce really balances up this dish. It is also good when eaten with grilled pineapple, reminds me of Brazilian churrasco.

Honey-glazed Ham accompanied by Oriental Salsa

Honey Chestnut

Herb Crusted Roast Sirloin Beef. Simply delicious and unpretentious. It is roasted close to rare instead of medium rare, the beef is meaty but juicy. Since sirloin has less fat compare to rib eye, it is better to roast it this way so it retains the juiciness in the flesh.

Herb Crusted Roast Sirloin Beef.

Herb Crusted Roast Sirloin Beef.

The Ham, Turkey and Beef

Grilled Scallop with Yuzu and Shoyu. These plump and juicy scallops are not to be missed. Basked with yuzu and shoyu, it brought up the sweetness of the scallops nicely.

Grilled Scallop with Yuzu and Shoyu.

Rock Lobsters Bouillabaisse. The lobsters are juicy and succulent, while the bouillabaisse broth is just amazing. Thick, robust and extracted the essence of the lobster nicely. Feels like an exquisite lobster bisque. During the tasting, they also serve Lobster with Superior Stock, the lobster and stock are equally mesmerising.

Rock Lobsters Bouillabaisse

Rock Lobster

Lobster with Superior Stock

Assorted Satays. Well marinated, juicy and perfectly grilled. You can taste the charred flavour externally, which seal the juice of the meat internally. The peanut sauce is rich and spicy, making you want to dip everything on the plate with the sauce.

Assorted Satays

Singapore Chilli Crab with Fried mantou. Solid version of Chilli Crabs. The chef really throws in all the spices, including the chilli in making this dish. The spicy, thick and velvety egg chilli sauce penetrate into the crabs thoroughly and the gravy is just begging for you to polish it off with the fried mantou.

Singapore Chilli Crabs

Fried Mantou

Gula Melaka Log Cake with Coconut Flakes. The local version of Log Cake. The sponge cake is light and the fillings, especially attap seed really represents Singapore local desserts scene. Definitely unique, however it is very sweet.

Gula Melaka Log Cake with Coconut Flakes

Assorted Christmas Desserts

Overall, the Signature dishes for the festive dining at Ginger are definitely something that you can look forward to. On top of the star dishes above, the rest of the spread is commendable as well. So, if you are considering a location for your festive dining, Ginger should come into consideration as well.

Ginger Bread Cookies

Chocolate Cake

Festive Dining at Ginger Restaurant

When: 1 December 2018 to 1 January 2019.

Location: Ginger at PARKROYAL on Beach Road

Timing: Lunch 12.00 – 14.30; Dinner 18.00 – 22.00

Price:

Lunch, Mon – Fri: $58 per Adult, $29 per Child.

Lunch, Sat – Sun: $68 per Adult, $29 per Child.

Lunch, 24, 31 Dec 2018 and 1 Jan 2019: $68 per Adult, $34 per Child.

Lunch, 25 Dec 2018: $88 per Adult, $49 per Child.

Dinner, Mon – Thu: $78 per Adult, $39 per Child.

Dinner, Fri – Sun: $88 per Adult, $44 per Child.

Dinner, 24 and 31 Dec: $98 per Adult, $49 per Child

Dinner, 25 Dec: $88 per Adult, $44 per Child

Dinner, 1 Jan 2019: $68 per Adult, $34 per Child.

For Reservation:

Email: dining.prsin@parkroyalhotels.com

Call: +65 6505 5710

Thank you very much for to the team at PARKROYAL on Beach Road for the tasting invitation.

Also making an appearance during our tasting session is Festive Pork Knuckle with Dried Chillies and Peppercorns. It is definitely not your traditional dishes, but for those who like sizzling aromatic spicy flavour. This dish is available for dine-in at Si Chuan Dou Hua at PARKROYAL on Beach Road and also for Festive Takeaway.

Festive Pork Knuckle with Dried Chillies and Peppercorns

For more details you can contact dining.prsin@parkroyalhotels.com or at +65 6505 5710.

Food & Drinks: 7.5/10

Value: 7.25/10

Service: N/A (Tasting Event)

Ambiance: 7.75/10

Budget per Person: $51 - $80, $81 and Above

Ginger

7500 Beach Road

PARKROYAL on Beach Road, Singapore

Ground Floor

Singapore 199591

T: +65 6505 5710

W: Ginger at PARKROYAL on Beach Road, Singapore

F: https://www.facebook.com/PARKROYAL.BeachRoad

IG: @Parkroyalbeachroad

OH:

Breakfast: 06.00 – 10.30

Lunch: 12.00 – 14.30

Dinner: 18.00 – 22.00

Here's How You Can Make Your House Look Bigger [ADVERTORIAL]

There are many new houses available for sale with beautiful interior designs on iproperty Malaysia. Although some houses come with smaller size, people still manage to make the space appears bigger than the actual size by doing some minor renovation. Are you tired of your current old house layout because it looks small and cramped? Worry not, you could change how your space looks like if you make some minor renovations to your current house. This article will guide you through some tips to make your house looks bigger.

1.     Right proportion

Choose the right proportion for your furniture that you want to place at home. Avoid getting furniture that is too big for your house as this will only make your space looks smaller than it already is. It is suggested to always keep some air or spaces between the walls and your furniture. In addition, avoid heavy and weighty furniture that eat up the spaces in your house.

2.               Keep it low to the ground

It is said that furniture which is lower and nearer to the ground will give a feeling of openness in the house. Hence, it is advised to place mattress direct on the ground or use a loft bed to create the feeling of openness in your bedroom.

3.               Show a little leg

Although the above tip suggest to keep furniture as low as it could to the ground, you could choose furniture with legs if you do not like your furniture laying low to the ground. Furniture with legs allows air and light to flow in, which makes your furniture look like it is floating. You could choose furniture that are low and leggy to create a feeling of openness in your house. Opt for armchairs or sofas that are raised on legs to create a sense of space and light. Show off the legs!

4.               Mirrors

Mirror is said to be the fastest way to make a space looks bigger and brighter than it actually is. Whether or not it is a myth, it is true that they are good in reflecting sunlight in a room. However, it does not work the same when mirrors are placed in dim spaces such as the bathrooms as there are no direct sunlight for reflection purpose. Instead, you could use some framed mirrors to make your space appear brighter and more spacious. Not only they make your room appears larger, they can also reflect light coming into the room if placed across from light sources.

Mirror - Image Credit: Lookbox Living

5.               Ditch the drapes

Ditch the drapes around your house, such as curtains. Expose your windows as you want to allow natural sunlight to create a sense of depth in a small space. Natural sunlight plays an important role in creating a sense of openness in your house, making the space looks bigger than it is. If privacy is your concern, you could choose shutters or cloth blinds.

6.               Keep it white

White color reflects cleanliness and openness. Paint your house white to create a cloud like effect that enhances your house design. In addition, neutral colors give an illusion of a bigger and more organized space. Not only it is comfortable to the eyes, it also makes your space looks bigger than it already is. Minimalists will definitely like the idea of keeping the house white.

7.               Clear pathway

Keep the pathway at your house clear from clutters. Declutter the pathway if you already live in a small space. Not only it helps in keeping your house neat and tidy, it also create a sense of openness in your home that makes your house looks more spacious. Avoid putting too many furniture at the hallway or pathway. This will also prevent you from bumping into those furniture.

Clear Pathway - Image Credit: Singapore Carpentry Service

8.               Breezy fabrics

It is suggested to use soft breezy fabrics that absorb sunlights and promote airiness. Keep heavy materials because it weighs down the space.

9.               Vertical illusion

In addition, you could also add in some vertical stripes to make your space appear longer and bigger. Using tall furniture such as a tall bookshelf will also enhance the sense of openness and height of the space.

10.            Keep it simple

Last but not least, keep everything simple. Less is more, so try not to buy too many furniture for your space as it only makes your space looks crampy and small. Avoid exaggerated patterns or drawings that could be too overwhelming for your house. Instead, go for paintings that are simple that will visually expand a small room.

In conclusion, your house will definitely look more spacious if you follow the tips above. Most importantly, it does not cost as much as you think it would be. If you have the budget, you could definitely engage an interior designer to help you on the design. If not, you could always visit Pinterest to have a look on how people design their house. 

Ellenborough Market Café – Festive Feast 2018 [MEDIA INVITE]

Festive Feast 2018

Swissotel Merchant Court, Singapore has prepared a special feast to celebrate the 2018 festive period. The highlights of this year festive culinary delight at Ellenborough Market Café includes:

Santa, Raindeer and Gingerbread Man

Asian-inspired Turkey with Cranberry and “Kam Heong” Sauce. It is juicy, succulent plus the superior ingredients of dried shrimps, curry powder, shallots and garlic in the Kam Heong marinate infused throughout the turkey. Yum Yum

Asian-inspired Turkey with Cranberry and “Kam Heong” Sauce

Honey Glazed Smoked Gammon Ham (Whole, Semi Bone-In). The ham has a nice smoky aroma, followed with a beautiful combination of sweet and salty in the meat. To balance the rich flavour of the ham, pineapple sauce is served together with the ham.

Honey Glazed Smoked Gammon Ham (Whole, Semi Bone-In)

Braised Short Rib of Beef with Winter Mushroom. The meat has a nice marbling and just simply melts in your mouth. The braising sauce absorbs into meat nicely. This dish got our pick for the best dish this year.

Braised Short Rib of Beef with Winter Mushroom.

On top of the Signature Log Cake, the culinary team also introduced the Ivory Valrhona Yule Log with Pandan Roulade, White Sesame Mousse and Azuki Red Bean. An interesting combination of Asian flavours, especially blending white chocolate with red bean.

Signature Log Cake

Ivory Valrhona Yule Log with Pandan Roulade, White Sesame Mousse and Azuki Red Bean

Keep a look out for their Smoked Salmon. It is surprisingly good and surprisingly makes a nice pairing with the mushroom salad and roasted pumpkin.

Smoked Salmon

Charcuterie Platter

These dishes are available on top of the regular spread at Ellenborough Market Café

Pumpkin Salad

Mushroom Salad

Festive Feast at Ellenborough Market Café

When: 3 to 31 December 2018

Price:

Lunch (Monday to Sunday): $58++ for Adult, $29++ for Child

Dinner (Monday to Sunday): $78++ for Adult, $39++ for Child

Cookies and Gingerbread Woman

Blushing Santarina Cocktails - at Crossroads Bar
(Homemade pomegranate, prosecco, gold dust and sugar)

Santa's Devotion - at Crossroads Bar
(Frangelico hazelnut liqueur, Mozart dark chocolate, double espresso, kahlua,
whipped cream, and grated cinnamon served with cinnamon stick)

The delicious festive dishes above also available for takeaways. Check out their Takeaway order form below. Festive Takeaway Treats is available from 1 to 25 December 2018.

Take Away Order Form

 

Take Away Order Form

Thank you very much for Swissotel Merchant Court for the tasting invitation

Food & Drinks: 7.5/10

Value: 7.25/10

Service: N/A (Tasting Event)

Ambiance: 7.75/10

Budget per Person: $51 - $80, $81 and Above

Ellenborough Market Cafe

20 Merchant Road

Level 1, Swissotel Merchant Court

Singapore 058281

T: +65 6239 1847/1848

W: Ellenborough Market Cafe

F: https://www.facebook.com/SwissotelMerchantCourtSingapore/

IG: @Swissotelmerchantcourt

OH:

Buffet Breakfast: Daily, 06.30 – 10.30

Buffet Lunch: Daily, 12.00 – 14.30

Buffet Dinner: Daily, 18.30 – 22.00

Buffet High Tea: Sat, Sun & PH: 15.30 – 17.30

(Ala Carte Menu is available upon request)