Thursday, December 17, 2020

[Tasting] Chef's Christmas Tasting Menu @ Grissini Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel (4 Dec 2020 to 1 Jan 2021)

0 comments

For the festivities this year, why not indulge in a Chef's Christmas Tasting Menu? Each course in this set menu from Grissini was a treat, for the visuals as well as for the tastebuds.

One could opt for the 8-course, or the 6-course menu at $98++ or $78++ per pax. Book 3-days in advance to enjoy 10% off.

Come during dinner time and guests will be served with complimentary bread basket comprising of foccacia and multigrain breads. A trolley of olive oils and balsamic will presented to diners, and one could choose the dip of their liking. I had the house-infused olive oil with black balsamic.


of balsamic and olive oils

bread basket (served warm)


I enjoyed the warm breads and preferred the soft foccacia. The first course was served fairly quickly. One of the item from the 8-course menu is the Fresh Oysters, served in trios (yay!). The oysters were good.  Served in red wine vinaigrette, shallot, chive and lemon juice. High tangy.

Fresh Oysters (part of the 8-course menu)

plump, juicy and saucy, no need for extra lemon

Next, we had the tuna tartare. I had two variations of tuna tartare from Grissini before and this would be version 3.0. This version was the daintiest of all. 

Tuna Tartare

Not sure if I should mixed the tuna tartare but did that anyway. End result, was a genteel taste and loved the extra crunchy savoury lift that the croutons provided.

lovely starters

Next came the hot starter; Pumpkin soup. Sweetness was prominent, and liked the addition of orange in it. If you are worried if the soup will make you very full, the verdict was, it didn't. 

Pumpkin Soup

Then, we had the Eggplant Parmigiana. Now, I've had this before and looking forward to enjoying it again in this tasting menu.

Eggplant Parmigiana

Look at that. So so cute. Was fairly impressed when I started on the eggplant parmigiana. Maybe because of its smaller portion, the parmesan and mozzarella cheese became more pronounced. Loved the chewy, smokiness from the cheese and the softer texture of the aubergine.

For the next course, Gamberi e Caviale was served, on a bed of orange celeriac purée.  This is part of the 8-course menu. Enjoyable and finished in a few bites.

Gamberi e Caviale (part of the 8-course menu)


Before we dived into the main course, we were served the Lime Sorbet. 

Lime Sorbet


For main course, one could opt for the Josper-grilled Ribeye Steak or Kurobuta Pork Collar. I'd choose Ribeye Steak. Loved the smokey flavours and texture of the beef.

Josper-grilled Ribeye Steak

gorgeous


Had a burst of flavours with the Kurobuta Pork Collar too and that's when I happen to chew on a piece with fats. So good!

Kurobuta Pork Collar

go for the ones with fatty bits


And for the finale, we must have dessert and we're getting baked Alaska. If you loved the baked Alaska version served at the alfresco dining, you will be impressed by this special version served as part of the Chef's Christmas Tasting Menu. Tableside service to flambe this dessert, so get your camera ready.


Baked Alaska (before flambe)

light it up~

Chocolate ice-cream with passion mango compote and a marshmallow-like texture of the outer layer. 


dig in

For reservations, please call 8168 1539, email dining.gcw@millenniumhotels.com or click here 

Book 3 days in advance for 10% off, and do enquire by contacting the hotel/restaurant directly.


Have a Tasty Christmas, my friends!


Special thanks to Gilbert Ong, Lee Ji Cheng for the invite, and team Grissini at Grand Copthorne Waterfront for feeding us.


Grissini

Location: G/F Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, 392 Havelock Rd, 169663

Website: http://www.celebrateatgcw.com/xmas2020

Business Hours:

Daily - 12.00pm to 2.30pm, 6.30pm to 10.30pm


Tuesday, December 8, 2020

[Tasting] Your Perfect Christmas @ Beast & Butterflies M Social Hotel Singapore

0 comments

Looking forward to festive eats with your loved ones? Come on down to Beast & Butterflies M Social Hotel Singapore and indulge in their Festive Dinner Set Menu, specially curated for this holiday season by Chef Bryce Li. Glad that there's wine pairing option too, and with just a $10++ difference, I'd like to think that the one with 3 glasses of wine, would be better choice as compared to just one glass. But of course, up to you to decide for, let us eat, drink and be jolly!


getting into the festive mood

Beast & Butterflies

photo op before dinner


Short video of the vibe during dinner time at Beast & Butterflies:



Festive Dinner Set Menu

21 December 2020 to 3 January 2021


3-Course Festive Dinner Set Menu

Beast & Butterflies 3-Course Festive Dinner Set Menu

3-Course Vegan Festive Dinner Set Menu

Beast & Butterflies 3-Course Vegan Festive Dinner Set Menu



wine pairing for the Festive Dinner Set Menu

To start, we had the Castellblanc Cava Brut, a Spanish organic sparkling wine (cava) which tasted refreshing and slightly sweet with flavours of citrus, melon and peach.

Castellblanc Cava Organic Brut


For food, we sampled dishes from the 3-Course Festive Dinner Set as well as the Vegan offerings.

Was impressed by the Salmon Ceviche (the first dish from the 3-Course Festive Dinner) which by now has become my favourite salad. Loaded with ingredients that are not only nutritious, it also gave the much required textural contrast plus wholesomely flavourful! Wow.

Salmon Ceviche with Avocado, Dutch Cucumber, Cilantro and Seasalt

so good

Next dish, if you didn't say, I wouldn't know that it is not chicken. At least not visually. A rather impressive and memorable main course from the 3-Course Vegan Festive Dinner Set.

Braised NoChicken Chunks with Grilled Capsicums in Mushroom Tofu Cream, Parsley Mint Quinoa

close-up on NoChicken

Read more about NoChicken here. I think food innovations have come a long way. and happy to see the products out there today. More options, hence why not? Of course, Chef Bryce has transformed this NoChicken into a delicious dish that many in my party, just could not resist taking one bite after the other. Make sure that you have it while it is still hot!

The team here also does very good tasty quinoa dishes at Beast & Butterflies. I've never thought I'd be saying this (with me being a meatatarian and all) but the quinoa dishes here are really really good. Try it, and let me know your thoughts!

The wine paired with the Braised NoChicken would be the Tasca Regaleali Bianco, a southern Italian white wine made from the grecanico grape variant.

Tasca Regaleali Bianco Sicilia

Regaleali Bianco Sicilia has a Vivino rating of 3.7 and easy to drink. It has hints of pear, apple, subtle mineral and pairs well with vegetarian food too.

Another main course option in the Vegan Festive Dinner menu, is the Chargrilled NoBeef Patties. 

Char-Grilled NoBeef Patties with Scallion Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Brussels Sprouts with Smoked Vegetarian Bacon, Black Pepper Sauce


Make your reservations for the 3-Course Festive Dinner Set Menu via this link here. .

To order the festive goodies such as the beautiful log cakes below, email fnb.mss@millenniumhotels.com or call/ whatsapp +65 6657 0018 or +65 9183 9420


Signature Chocolate Royale Log Cake @$70++


Indulgent Cheese Berry Log Cake @$68++



Thank you Fiona, Chef Bryce, Team Beast & Butterflies, Gilbert and JC for the sumptous meal. Merry Christmas everyone!


Beast & Butterflies

Address: M Social Singapore 90 Robertson Quay Singapore 238259

Website: https://www.millenniumhotels.com/en/singapore/m-social-singapore/beast-and-butterflies/

Contact: For enquires & bookings, email fnb.mss@millenniumhotels.com or call/ whatsapp +65 6657 0018 or +65 9183 9420

Business Hours:

Mon-Fri: 6:30am – 10:00am, 11:30am – 10.00pm

Sat - Sun: 6:30am – 10:00am, 11:30am – 11.00pm

Sunday, December 6, 2020

[Media] One Night Staycation in Loft Gallery Room @ M Social Hotel

0 comments

Had a chance to spend a night in Loft Gallery Room at M Social Hotel recently, and I must say that the room gave quite the cosy romantic vibe. Room size of about  22 m² is not that big if we think about it, but it has an illusion of space since the design is in loft style.

Read more about my first staycation experience at M Social's Alcove Room here, and this was the second night and had the opportunity to roll about in Loft Gallery Room. The difference between Loft Gallery and Premier Loft Room, is the bed location. Mine is at the lower floor, and most importantly, next to the washroom. Bed that is near the washroom is an important factor for me as I age.

The Loft Gallery Room was at Level 7.

Loft Gallery Room

beautiful room

Similar to Alcove Room, it has a double bed with fluffy pillows that guarantees a good night sleep. Noticeable differences are the bigger space, availability of Nespresso machine, leather couch upstairs, and a sleeker bathroom door. If you are going solo, Alcove Room is adequate but if you're a couple, then Loft Gallery Room or Premier Loft would suit the mood.


I love my Nespresson
My favourite is the Lungo

Arpeggio - intense 

Similarly, the hotel had the Welcome Card and complimentary macarons ready in the room when you checked-in.

Welcome Gift for the Guest


ooh, different flavours of macarons

reading materials

something to read

bigger towel here


shower

As usual, the sink is outside of the bathroom. There is a complimentary care pack placed next to the sink area.

care pack

bottled water in the mini fridge


Let's head upstairs to check out the loft area (aka, let's watch TV!).

air cond controller at the start of the stairs

loving the groove

loft area


small work desk

view from upstairs


Video from the Loft:



When booking the room, one could opt for "Mix and Stay" package, the "Bottled Up Happiness Package" or the "Triple Treat Staycation", with varying prices. Be a My Millennium (the global guest loyalty programme of Millennium Hotels and Resorts (MHR)) member to enjoy discounted prices plus other benefits.

Did you know that My Millennium was recently crowned Best Loyalty Programme at the Loyalty & Engagement Awards 2020? Yes, it trumped shortlisted contenders from across South Asia,
Southeast Asia and ANZ regions to win Gold for Best Loyalty Programme – Travel/Hospitality and
Bronze in Best Regional Loyalty Campaign at the Loyalty & Engagement Awards (LEA) 2020 on 25
November 2020. Congratulations!


As part of the "Mix and Stay" package, guest could try their hands in making their own cocktail with Beast and Butterflies resident mixologist, Vladyslav Yesepiv. Guest would adjourn to the bar area to watch Vlad, demonstrates the basics of cocktail making and after which, it was up to us to dictate how our drink will turn out that night. Vodka as the base, with passionfruit liquer, and vanilla to mix. Nothing too complicated. And we got to play with 'fire' too.

cocktail making workshop

demo in progress


lime garnish is ready and torched

shaken, not stirred - you get to take home this complimentary M Social Cocktail Shaker

finishing touches

cheers~


After the workshop, guests could enjoy the cocktail that they had concocted as well as take the cocktail shaker home. Cocktail glass not included ya.

After the cocktail workshop, peruse the dinner menu at Beast & Butterflies which serves up delicious Modern Asian Cuisine. My personal favourite can be found here.

After dinner, please feel free to stroll around the hotel vicinity.

night view



The "Bottled Up Happiness" package is another popular staycation package where one gets to "Create your Own Perfume" with Maison 21G Singapore. Of course, you can bring your own bottled perfume with your unique scents, home.

Bottled Up Happiness Workshop

It was rather interesting to find out which scent suits my personality by taking an online quiz. Plus, there's a Day Scent as well as Night Scent. Wow. Pretty overwhelming!

Get busy in this workshop as you'll be curious to each of the suggested scents combination. A lot writing, spraying and sniffing.

combination

Finally, decisions. That was the hardest part as there could be so many scents combination that you may find it to your liking.

bottle it up, our own happiness - handmodel cr: @where.is.karl

finally

mine!


Thank you M Social Hotel, Millennium Hotels and Resorts, Gilbert and JC for the invitation and hosting the staycation.

I enjoyed my stay in Loft Gallery Room for its cosy compact design and good quality beddings. Shower strength was good and hot water comes about pretty quickly. Pro-tip: Keep the water running if you're lathered up otherwise, you may not be able to turn on the water in the shower with soapy hands.

In-room coffee (Nespresso) was good and recommend to get the breakfast with the room. Breakfast is of ala-carte buffet style, so one could eat to their fill. The eggs, and salad were really good. Not forgetting the cut fruits. I tried the nasi lemak and the sambal was nicely fragrant and not so spicy. Rice was served warm and loved the crunchy peanuts. Pro-tip: Do let the service staff know how you would like your eggs be done for the nasi lemak, otherwise, it will likely be served without any!

American breakfast from Beast and Butterflies


Set B - Nasi Lemak from Beast and Butterflies


The staycation workshops were pretty fun, and worth getting it together with the room. Plus, you get to enjoy the end product!

Till we meet again, stay tuned!

M Social Singapore


Address: M Social Singapore 90 Robertson Quay Singapore 238259





 
All Rights Reserved. © Purple Taste
Blogger Theme by BloggerThemes| Theme designed by Jakothan Sponsored by Internet Entrepreneur