[Media Invite] FUNOLOGY SG53 - A Durian Buffet Party @ Element and Element on Tras Street Amara Hotel

Come 9 August, Element and Element on Tras Street buffet guests could enjoy the all-you-can-eat Mao Shan Wang, D24 or Kampong durians, and have a short walk down a short memory lane with old school games of 'Tikam-Tikam' (sure win!) or the 'Knock Down The Tins' for a prize. There are also snack stalls such as tutu kueh, muah chee, and ice-cream cart where one could choose to enjoy the ice-cream wrapped in bread, much like the ice-cream uncle style. For a limited time, don't forget to let your caricature be drawn by Singapore's fastest caricaturist, Adam Chua and there's also a photo booth with vintage props including a trishaw and a samsui woman. Yup, or rather a lady dressed in samsui style. She's friendly.

Priced at $88++ (adults) and $36++ (child 6-12 years), and for 8 other paying guests, 2 gets to dine-free. For group bookings of 53 adults, there will be free flow iced-tea for you.

Read on for a preview of available activities and specials of FUNOLOGY SG53 Aug 2018. 

The durian stall is setup at the outer side of Element on Tras, complete with alfresco table for outdoor enjoyment of the King of Fruits. There will be about two to three variants of the durian available and we got to taste the Mao Shan Wang, D24 and kampong durians during the media event.

Durian Buffet Party

hurry and chope your table for all-you-can-eat durians

My personal favourite for the durian would be Mao Shan Wang. An attractive bright yellow hue, firm thin layer of outerskin that is not wet, plus that burst of creamy bittersweetness when one sinks their teeth into the soft flesh.

Mao Shan Wang 猫山王, just look at that beauty

Interestingly, kampong durian is available and it was of a much paler hue. Looks interesting but with limited stomach space, decided to give this a miss. Do let me know how it tasted if you had tried it.

kampong durian

Tropical fruits

Also tried our hands at the retro game stalls and got a prize from the sure-win Tikam Tikam. The game with the tins gave the arms a slight work-out!

my Fun Pass

Tikam Tikam and Bola Bola

Tikam Tikam prize

Trishaw ride / photo op

After all that fun and games, don't forget to head right in for the buffet line-up. Element's Dinner Buffet menu highlights for National Day include DIY Rojak Station, Daily Smoked Salmon (3 types!), Seafood on Ice (oysters, poached lobsters and prawns, Alaskan Crab, scallops), Carving Station's roasted meat (chicken, pork, char siew), Noodles Station (Singapore laksa without cockles, or Mee Siam), Hot Live Station (Katsu Don), Charcoal Grill Satay Station (chicken, mutton) and Dessert Stations where durian-based dessert takes centrestage with signatures available (for example chempedak creme brulee, nonya kueh). Please note that some of the items will be on rotation basis.

National Day dining

seafood on ice

freshly shucked oysters from France

For buffet, I'd start with oysters. The freshly shucked oysters from France are creamy and briny. I can sense the recurring theme of 'creamy'!

smoked salmon

Peking Duck Station

Peking Duck wraps

Live Noodles Station

Katsu Don

roasted meats

Old school eats of kueh tutu (with coconut fillings), muah chee and ice cream bread.

kueh tutu

muah chee

ice-cream bread

And for finale, eat to your heart's content at the dessert counters. Cakes, creme brulee, pudding, mousse, nonya kuehs are awaiting for your pick!

Durian Cake

Durian Mousse

Durian Panna Cotta

Happy SG53 and Happy Feasting!

For reservations, please call +65 6879 2607 or email to: element_sg@amarahotels.com

Thank you Lindy and Amara Singapore for the invite and Chef Charles for your hospitality.

[Media Invite] Bluefin Tuna Kaiseki Set with Beer, Sake or Wine @ Amara Singapore

It was a one-night only event at Element On Tras Street Amara Hotel Singapore on the 20 April 2018. For this event, a 56kg bluefin tuna was imported from Okinawa. Diners who were there for the International Buffet Dinner got to enjoy free-flow of bluefin tuna and sashimi for just $98++ and diners who chose the Bluefin Tuna Kaiseki Set with Beer/Sake/Wine would have enjoyed the 5-course kaiseki at $68++ per set.

Bluefin Tuna One-night only event

Chefs in action

Passerby were intrigued by the large fish, while patrons awaited eagerly for the prized meat. The two Chefs showcased their skills in getting the most yield from the fish. It wasn't an easy feat and it was interesting watching the Chefs in action.

Japanese Chef Yow and Executive Chef Charles

the prized fatty tuna

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Bluefin Tuna Kaiseki Set with Beer, Sake or Wine

Mosaic of Freshly Smoked Bluefin Tuna with Caviar

Bluefin Tuna Carpaccio with Salad and Japanese Shoyu Dressing

Bluefin Tuna with 63 Degrees Poached Egg and Spicy Jon Jing Zhang Sauce 

Bluefin Tuna Sashimi and Sushi 

Bluefin Tuna Belly Soup with Leek and Tofu

All the dishes in the Kaiseki were beautifully presented. The starting dish was most impressive for me while the last dish was the weakest link in the kaiseki. 

Mosaic of Freshly Smoked Bluefin Tuna with Caviar tasted complex with that ever slight hint of smokiness from the flesh, and was lightly seasoned with truffle salt before topping it with caviar. So good. That's one umami dish.

The Bluefin Tuna Carpaccio with Salad and Japanese Shoyu Dressing, alternated back to a milder palate. The taste is reminiscent of tuna tataki sans pepper. It's always good to have some greens on the plate in this tuna-centric kaiseki. 

Next, was the Bluefin Tuna with 63 Degrees Poached Egg and Spicy Jon Jing Zhang Sauce. Was amused by the sauce name. Have not heard of this funny sounding sauce though. Upon further enquiry, it turned out to be gochujang sauce. Oooh...Chef so humourous ya. Loved the spicy cheese stick cracker that goes so well with the poached egg and tuna cubes.

Next, was a small plate of tuna sushi and sashimi. Freshly grated wasabi was placed on the plate as well. This brought out the mild sweetness in the tuna. Soy sauce was not needed here.

Chose sake to go along with this set as it would then feel more, complete? The sake served was light and clean tasting.

Gekkeikan Junsui Sake

If you're doing buffet, one could imagine the fun in 'building' your own dessert. Element's buffet dessert section has ice-cream and cakes, so one could 'combine' these two. I did, and such fun it was! Tasted good too. Two scoops of vanila ice-cream, with some chocolate sauce and sprinkles, topped with a mini-swiss roll cake.

ice-cream and mini-cake for dessert

To get updated on what or when is the next event, one could follow @amarasingapore Instagram and Facebook for more information. Stay tuned! Till then, eat well and stay healthy!