CLAYPOT DELIGHTS
Fans of claypot cooking will find plenty to choose from at Hai Tien Lo. To celebrate its 30th anniversary, Pan Pacific Singapore has introduced 30 claypot dishes to the menu of its Chinese restaurant, priced at $22 to $28 each.
But you are unlikely to order just one because you can get any two pots for $33.30, which is a much better deal.
In fact, I would pick four. That would be just right for three or four people because the pots are small. Get a couple of dimsum and dessert items and you should have a satisfying meal.
Among the claypot selections are common dishes such as Homemade Bean Curd With Pork Belly And Chinese Mushrooms. But my favourites are a Cantonese staple - Pork Shoulder With Bitter Gourd In Black Bean Sauce - and the Drunken Chicken With Seasame Oil, Ginger And Chinese Wine, which reminds me of a confinement dish.
Steer clear of the Ee-fu Noodles With Crab Roe In Superior Stock, which is boringly bland.
WHERE: Hai Tien Lo, Pan Pacific Singapore, 7 Raffles Boulevard MRT: Promenade WHEN: Ongoing, 6.30 to 10.30pm (Sunday to Wednesday) PRICE: $22 to $28 a pot; $33.30 for two pots TEL: 6826-8240
TREAT FOR BEEF LOVERS
Beef lovers will have a grand time at The Carvery next month.
The buffet restaurant at Park Hotel Alexandra specialises in roasts and is giving a boost to its spread by offering a range of premium meats and cuts.
There is beef from various parts of the world, so diners can appreciate the differences and discover what makes each variety stand out.
The one that most people will make a beeline for is probably the Aomori rice beef from northern Japan, which is served only on Fridays and Saturdays. It comes from cows fed on whole rice plants and spring water, and is tender and mild.
The other meats are available daily during the promotion period.
The Mayuri full-blood wagyu from Australia has a stronger flavour, if that is how you like your meat. Or for something tougher, but with the robust flavour that comes from cattle grazing in open fields, try the Zebu from Brazil.
The other meats are Cape Grim from Tasmania and Black Angus from the United States.
WHERE: The Carvery, Level 7 Park Hotel Alexandra, 323 Alexandra Road MRT: Queenstown WHEN: Till Oct 22, 6.30 to 10pm PRICE: $78 (Sunday to Thursday), $88 (Friday and Saturday) TEL: 6828-8880
NEW AND OLD FAVOURITES AT MITZO
Mitzo has refreshed its weekend brunch buffet and some of the new items are rather good.
One highlight is the Hokkaido milk cheese tart, which rides on the current craze over these Japanese pastries. The ones here are tiny, which you can pop into your mouth whole. And since this is a buffet, you can order as many as you like.
But leave room for the rest of the 40 items, especially the dimsum. Check out the royal shrimp dumpling, which is topped with caviar, and the crystal vegetable dumpling. There is also a selection of special dishes that you can have only one order of. These include a delicious baked lobster with creamy lemon sauce and cheese.
I am glad to see some old favourites. The Mitzo special barbecued pork is delicious, with a sweet glaze covering flavour some slices of slightly fatty pork.
WHERE: Mitzo, Level 4 Grand Park Orchard, 270 Orchard Road MRT: Somerset WHEN: Saturday, Sunday and public holiday, 11.30am - 2.30pm PRICE: $68 a person TEL: 6603-8855
CELEBRATE WITH PASTA
Mondo Mio has been in Robertson Quay for 10 years and, to celebrate, it has revamped its menu with dishes from southern Italy.
Typical of the region's cuisine is the use of seafood as well as vegetables such as tomatoes, zucchini and eggplant.
The restaurant specialises in housemade pasta and those who prefer light sauces will enjoy the tagliatelle with eggplant and crayfish ($26), which lacks the sharpness of tomato sauces. Another interesting pasta is the gnocchetti (mini dumplings) with saffron and prawns ($28, photo), which I have not seen at other restaurants here.
For the main course, I'd recommend the veal fillet with marsala red wine sauce and grilled vegetables ($24), which boasts tender, tasty meat.
Until Dec 15, the restaurant is also offering a 10th-anniversary set menu with four courses for $45 a person. Choices in the menu include the two pastas as well as the veal fillet.
WHERE: Mondo Mio, 01-02A Riverside View, 30 Robertson Quay MRT: Clarke Quay OPEN: 11am - 2pm, 6 - 10.30pm daily TEL: 6736-2503
Book a meal at Hai Tien Lo, The Carvery, Mitzo or Mondo Mio with Chope.
