The Halia

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Even though this was not the first time to Singapore, i still like to explore new delicious food and relax environment. So i came here because of the leisure feeling showed in the picture in travel book. My friend and I just walk in arrive this restaurant inside the Singapore Botonic Garden around 4:30 pmIt is located inside the Ginger garden which surrounded by all green trees and plants. The waitress leaded us to outdoor seats which allow us expose to the garden but with cover hanging with decorated ceiling and fans. (That suits my expectation in which i was planned to have a relax tea after mu flight this morning) For me, it looks like going into a Villia in Thailand. The waiter is so friendly and recommend food and drink while we are deciding to make the order. Telling us what is famous and recommended by other customers as well as ingredients inside drinks.The first thing to come is the drink — the Lychee & Thyme. The presentation matches with the environment and good for picture taking. It is not only Lychee juice but with the Thyme juice on side mixing together make it a special refreshing as well as sweet yet healthy taste! Then come the food after we enjoy the drink and environment.We have the Rangers Valley 48 Hours Short Rib ( left up ) , Sauteed spinach & mushroom (left down) and Halia’s Singapore-style chilli crab spaghettini (right).Coming to singapore, of course i would try the chilli crab thing. The taste of chilli crab spaghettini here is of strong yummy taste and what is different from other restaurant is that it also contain a little bit ginger taste, which actually help lift up the taste better without not just feeling spicy but let your tongue sense the ingredients in the sauce better. Highly recommend if anyone like me love chilly crab so much. The waiter later told me that the ginger taste actually is designed for matching the ginger garden. However, for the short rib, i was a bit disappointed by the rough feeling and high portion of fatty tissue inside. For me is still ok, but my friend who cares so much about keeping slim just took those fatty tissue out. Anyway, having this plate just because to have something warm before chilli things inside stomach.And for the snack spinach and mushroom is nothing special expected. Yet is healthy and fresh. After all, we also have the dessert — sticky toffee pudding! This dessert had all the favourite things i like mixing together — toffee, ice cream, and chocolate like pudding cake. The running sauce taste so nice sweet and just make the meal so satisfied. 😋 continue reading

Named after ‘halia’, the Malay word for ginger, The Halia at Botanic Gardens- flagship restaurant of The Halia Group, is no stranger to many having been around for the last 10 years. Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Ginger Gardens in the Singapore Botanic Gardens, the award-winning restaurant charms easily with its full-length glass windows that creates an optical illusion of dining at a fancy garden party without the associated humidity and mozzies.We came here for their highly raved Weekend Afternoon Tea which has a 'no-reservation' policy. Choose between the air conditioned 32-seater dining room or get in touch with nature at their al fresco deck that beckons with its gentle breeze and warm sunlight. Either way, it promises to be an excellent dining experience.Afternoon tea here is served in a two-tiered display. Very English, chi-chi and simply picture-perfect.The first tier made up of the sweets, included gorgeous freshly baked Scones served warm with orange and ginger jam on the side. Possibly one of the better ones in town, these were crumbly, moist and light textured, delightful even on their own. Next was a tropical Coconut Panna Cotta with infusions of Mango, Passionfruit and Lychee which we ate out of those cylindrical-tall glass containers, the New Opera offers a twist from the usual coffee/chocolate variation with a layer of raspberry buttercream, incorporating a subtle tartness to the otherwise rich cake.The second tier held the savoury items with delectables such as the pillowy-soft Poached Chicken and Smoked Paprika Finger Sandwich, a tofu-looking Smoked Trout Parfait served on a spoon, an eggy and rich Gorgonzola and Caramelised Onion Quiche encased in buttery pastry crust, an Asian- inspired Wagyu Beef Rendang Samosa which did not leave much of an impression unlike the Fennel Custard with parmesan and almond served in egg shells. Too quaint!Overall, dining at The Halia is certainly a memorable experience with the lush foliage and greenery creating the perfect setting to indulge in some cakes and tea with your girlfriend(s).The Halia Tea Service is available Saturdays, Sundays & Public Holidays from 3.00pm to 5.00pm (last seating) and is priced at $28 per person/per set. Each set also comes with a choice of Tea In A Pot (Black Tea/ Green Tea/ Herbal & Fruit Infusion), their iconic Halia Infusion (Hot or Chilled) or Freshly Brewed Coffee.For full review and photos: http://gninethree.com/2013/09/23/weekend-tea-the-halia-singapore-botanic-gardens/ continue reading

Tea (the event) is the best thing that the English have invented. Nothing beats whiling the afternoon away in the garden with buttery and crusty scones, clotted cream and jam. Best place to do it in Singapore? Try The Halia at Singapore Botanic Gardens, a romantic and picturesque restaurant tucked away in in the lush foliage centrally located in town.My frazzled nerves were soothed by the Chilled Halia Infusion, a lightly spiced tea sweetened with honey, while we waited for our tiered tea set to be served. You could pick other teas or brewed coffee as part of your set. I much prefered the chilled version over the hot one that i had during brunch the last time.Always start with the scone when doing tea. It kind of sets the tone for tea (that and you really should eat it when it's hot) and i knew i was in for a great time when i bit into the crusty and dense pastry slathered with chantilly cream and a tinge of orange ginger jam.There's a nice balance of sweet and savory bites in the tea set, which i alternated between. The Gorgonzola and caramelized onion quiche had an absolutely buttery tart with a light blue cheese filling. There's also the poached chicken and smoked paprika finger sandwich and the meh-ish Wagyu beef rendang samosa. The sweet plate consists of the delicious scones, the towering coconut panna cotta with mango, passion fuit and lychee. I quite enjoyed the moist carrot cake with crème cheese icing and certainly wouldn't mind seconds. I was impressed by the Ginger flower macaroon which had quite the perfect candy shell and slightly chewy center.For $28 per individual set, I have to say this is a steal for tea. I'll definitely recommend this for a tea party with the girls! Don't miss out on this lovely tea at The Halia, Singapore Botanic Gardens which is available every weekend and Public Holiday from 3 - 5pm. Reservations are not accepted for brunch and tea service though.For full review and more photos, please visit www.ms-skinnyfat.com continue reading

Seems to be the same vendor as the Raffles Place Halia. The food quality is equally good as well. Reviewing the brownie with ice cream and singapore sling today. The brownie came warm nicely topped with sauce and premium vanilla ice cream. Great as an after meal dessert. The singapore sling is amazing refreshing as well. I heard the Singapore Sling originated from them, and it did not disappoint. continue reading

The Halia has been on my ‘Temptations‘ page for the longest time, and I can finally strike it off now. The restaurant has been around for a whooping 12 years, serving two very different crowds at Botanic Gardens and Raffles Hotel. With that, its interior design and menu caters to the respective – one set in a lush and laid-back environment, while the other a modern, fast-paced and busy surrounding. On a weekend, The Halia @ Botanic Gardens is definitely a more appropriate choice to opt for. A relaxed walk in the park, supplied with an abundance of fresh oxygen. Man, that sounds healthy already, and can arguably (if you’re not that calculative) balance out what you’re going to have for brunch in a bit.A useful tip for getting to the restaurant is to look for the sign saying, ‘Singapore Orchid Garden’. The restaurant is right across from it.The furnishing was exquisite and elegant. I was impressed. The outside the wooden-centric concept, while the inside the black, white and red, a colonial yet contemporaneous touch to it, complete with a high ceiling, done such that the morning sun only has a chance to peep into the dining area, thus not interfering with the job of an air-conditioner.The Halia’s menu has only been recently revamped earlier July 2013, together with the introduction of Executive Chef Peter Rollinson, who now helms the kitchen of The Halia. Coming from Australia with his more than a decade experience, his daring and creative take on the ingredients leaves you in for a treat with his new creations in this all-new Modern European cuisine with an Asian twist.Brunch is served only on the weekends and public holidays from 10am – 4pm. Unfortunately, reservations are not taken for Brunch. If you are like me, who have been living in the city for way too long, you ought to know that on a weekend, Singapore Botanic Gardens is filled, and I mean really filled with tourists, tour groups, school groups, and families alike. I had thought that I would have a chance to take a quiet and non-disruptive walk in the Gardens en route to the restaurant. I was so wrong, but still a good sight of the activities going concurrently.Halia Infusion (Hot) ($10++): A house specialty mix of sun-dried ginger and wild mountain honey. I’ve always been a fan of Ginger Tea as it exudes the pampering feeling, thanks to it being a common practice in beauty salons. I like it such that the ginger is overwhelmingly strong – which The Halia has rightfully fulfilled (well since ‘Halia’ means ‘Ginger’ in Malay).Iced Cardamom, Ginger & Cinnamon Coffee ($12++): This add-your-own-sugar-and-milk coffee is solely for serious coffee drinkers. And I’m for sure, not one. I like my coffee nicely flavored. It can get confusing with that many loud ingredients coming together all at once. Do you know, Cardamom is the seeds of a plant of the ginger family, and it’s the world’s third most expensive spice.Cocktail of King Prawns ($22++): Very neatly and sleekly presented, the batman here is the King Prawns, while the robin(s) are avocado, wasabi, coriander with spicy tomato sauce. I’m not so much a fan of the latter two, but when put together, man do they work well. I found myself voluntarily getting a huge chunk of coriander to complement the prawns. And I’m a non-green person. If you’re feeling generous, go for this.Cinnamon French Toast ($18++): Of the three main breakfast items I’ve had, this piece of exquisite art wins, hands down. This ain’t your everyday French Toast, it looks huge, but very easily edible with its very soft texture. A bite into it and you’ll find it very fluffy (it’s so fluffy I’m gonna die!) as well. Much enjoyable and best thing, it doesn’t get cloying. Thanks to its fresh seasonal berries (which aren’t sour, thank god), white chocolate (which adds an all new twist to it, but not overly sweet), and Iranian pistachio, the entire dish doesn’t get too one dimensional after all. Trust me on this, order this whilst there.Poached Eggs on Brioche ($22++): The poached eggs were done perfectly. The hollandaise was sprinkled with some dill (which I would have loved even more if it was more generous, but I know, I know, these condiments are only meant for as a touch and go). I thought it was very much an ordinary course and safe option.Wood Smoked Salmon Toastie ($24++): Beautified with a sunny-side up, I was reluctant to touch it. I mean, just look at its vibrant look. However, the Toastie fell short as I find the Smoked Salmon quite a bit too salty, and that there was nothing (in the dish) to help with the damage control. The Toast was nicely done. Fragrant and crisp on the edges.Halia Chilli Crab Spaghettini ($28++): A Halia Signature dish tossed in Singapore-style spicy, sweet and tangy crabmeat sauce – one that is highly acclaimed, but didn’t quite work its way through my palate that very day. I’ve heard raving reviews on this, and I’m hoping it was just a rare error on the restaurant’s part. To me, the spaghettini was cooked pretty alright, but it was just the whole taste that didn’t quite gel. It wasn’t as addictive as I thought it’d get. A little too sweet and not spicy enough for me.Sticky Valrhona Chocolate Brownie ($12++): A dessert dish to satisfy your chocolate cravings. It wasn’t the best dessert I’ve had, but notable enough. It might have been because of the below..Caramelized Banana Walnut Bread ($24++): When asked to choose a favorite dish of the day, I was torn between the French Brioche and this. Being quite an anal sweet tooth, I was greatly impressed with this. The Walnut Bread was done to perfection – pleasingly firm, dry and brittle on its edges but soft, warm and comfortable on the inside. As you take a bite, the combination would give a ‘fly me to the moon’ feeling. Complete with Vanilla Mascarpone Cream and Kumquat Compote. Highly recommended. It can come as a little pricey, but heck, share it with your friends and at least give it a go if you are already here.As you look outside the restaurant, you would see happy families after families bonding under the sun. It’s like in the Army, you bond when you suffer right. But it’s also true that you need to reward yourself after a long day. The Halia Restaurant is a family-friendly place. Ready your children for some fun with crayons when they are here. continue reading