Szechuan Court & Kitchen

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Item: Szechuan Court & Kitchen
Rating: 4
Author: RunningMan

四川閣

3.5

10 Reviews

Taste

Decor

Service

Hygiene

Value

City Hall

$31 - $50

Sichuan Chinese Dim Sum Seafood Hotel Restaurant

RunningMan

Level4

325

A long serving stalwart of the Fairmont Hotel Singapore, having opened together over 30 years ago, Szechuan Court is a reowned Chinese fine dining restaurant known for its excellent Szechuan and Cantonese cuisine, impeccable and attentive service, and stunning Imperial Chinese decor. The high level of quality and ability to consistently deliver continues to draw many diners to Szechuan Court, and despite its high prices, makes one feel it's still value for money.Ambience at Szechuan Court exudes

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Ambience at Szechuan Court exudes a luxurious and sophisticated elegance, having been recently renovated in 2011. The Chinese Imperial style royal decor within the spacious setting is enhanced with gleaming black onyx lacquered surfaces, contrasted by rich fabric colours in red, scarlet, white, and gold. Walk past the Imperial styled entrance, and choose to dine in 1 of 2 areas, the spacious and bustling open restaurant, or the quiet private booths which offer a view of the city skyline. Impressive, all around excellent!

Service at Szechuan Court is courteous, professional, efficient, and hard-working. Staff politely greet guests, and quickly usher you to your selected seats. If questioned about the menu, they are able to describe dishes in basic detail. I realise however, they are more fluent in Mandarin than English. Staff proactively top up tea / water without being asked. Observant and attentive, they arrive quickly when beckoned, offering near personalised service. I also appreciate that staff change your cutlery and plates after every dish, good effort!

Food at Szechuan Court comprises traditional, familiar Chinese Szechuan and Cantonese flavours, presented in modern fine dining style, arranged neatly on clean, white dishes. Staff will present you the dishes, then assist to portion it out. Generally, the ingredients used are fresh, prepared with respect, and well executed, full flavoured with excellent taste. Completely delicious!

We tried mainly the Szechuan dishes, and I must say that looks are deceptive, because while they look non-spicy, there was always the hidden presence of chili, spice, peppercorn, or chili oil. Yet the skill of the kitchen is such that the heat is palatable, not overwhelming. Portions are designed for communal dining. Perhaps the only drawback of Szechuan Court is the high prices, as expected of a fine dining establishment. Be prepared to splurge between SGD $80 - $150 per person for a meal here. I personally feel this is good value for money, as you can expect a consistently high standard.

Chong Qing Style Poached Chicken, Spicy Peanut Sesame Sauce

The Braised Bird's Nest, Cabbage, Chicken Broth (SGD $42) is a large, filling, luxurious, individual bowl of yummy soup / broth! The chicken soup / broth is light with a slight savoury taste, filled with fresh chinese cabbage / bok choy, wolfberries, and a generous portion of bird's nest! Quality is evident, the strips of bird's nest are off-white / pearl white and translucent in colour, doesn't stain the soup / broth, is sweet with no fishy taste, and is smooth and slippery in texture, like thick egg-white. Chef says this is his favourite dish!

Braised Bird's Nest, Cabbage, Chicken Broth

The Stir-Fried Duck Breast, Black Fungus, Pickled Wild Chili (SGD $32 / $48) has duck meat which is cooked till tender yet not dry, similar to the texture of venison. An earthy, aromatic, savoury dish with bell peppers / capsicum, black fungus, and soft garlic, the duck has also picked up some spicy heat, and there is a slow burn that builds while eating this. Surprisingly, the pickled wild chili isn't spicy, instead, it's face-scrunchingly, intense sour.

Stir-Fried Duck Breast, Black Fungus, Pickled Wild Chili

Absolutely loved the Braised Pork Belly Ribs, Crispy Rice, Sweet Vinegar Sauce (SGD $30 / $45)! The pork meat has a fork tender, moist texture, with a sweet, clean taste from the unique vinegar. The exterior is coated with Sezchuan peppercorn spice, which you don't feel at first, until it starts to numb your tongue, though there isn't any spicy chili burn. The small selection of diced tropical fruit lend a tinge of juicy sweetness, while the small bits of crispy white rice is genius as a garnish, eye-catching while lending a crunch to texture. Exotic, and really good!