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2014-11-01
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See my full reviews & photos at = http://chefquak.com/2014/11/01/lobster-crab-average-buffet-spices-cafe-on-31oct2014/a friend organised the monthly RI schoolmates dinner at spices cafe, concord hotel yesterday on 31.10.2014. it was a really fun evening with a lot of interesting conversation.the dinner buffet came with 1 order only of 1/2 cheese baked gratin lobster (or alternatively abalone). they said 200g though it looked bigger. the preparation though was so-so, the meat didn’t feel bouncy s
a friend organised the monthly RI schoolmates dinner at spices cafe, concord hotel yesterday on 31.10.2014. it was a really fun evening with a lot of interesting conversation.the dinner buffet came with 1 order only of 1/2 cheese baked gratin lobster (or alternatively abalone). they said 200g though it looked bigger. the preparation though was so-so, the meat didn’t feel bouncy so either it was not a live lobster or maybe slight overdone.
the abalone was small c/w say the 2in size & more importantly excellent tasting abalone at ah yat abalone restaurant in a 5-course dinner groupon deal costing only S$28.80.
the buffet also included unlimited order of crabs prepared 5 ways – thai basil, pepper, chilli, salted egg & butter baked.
the preparations were ok. for me, thai basil & salted egg were best, pepper ok, butter baked so-so. i did not try chilli.
the crab were indonesian mud crab type or maybe vietnamese, not the large sri lankan crab. meat was sweet, not very firm, but not falling apart also. i seldom eat crab as they are really expensive in seafood restaurants, so this may make sense if you want to “whack” the crabs.
we were too busy talking & having fun & did not even order a second round.
the cold appetiser section had oysters(good), mussels(ok), scallops on shell(i did not want to try), salmon belly sashimi (good). i did not try maguro & tai sashimi, prawns & some sushi (looked like supermarket type).
i also took smoked salmon (so so, i should say poor actually), and a marinated saba (ok). did not try the prawns & cold pasta.
satay was good, and they actually had the pineapple sauce (not so common these days).
laksa was good, lemak. as good as any of the “katong laksa” around & the sungei road laksa. i had a second helping, maybe should have gone for a third.
i did not touch any of the cooked food.
the cheese & salad bar was ok if limited. i took the brie & the blue.
the fruits were good. i had 2 helpings of pineapples & watermelon, and they had a lot of dried fruits like figs, apricots & prunes that i liked.
overall, i find spices cafe buffet rather expensive, at S$54++pax for friday & weekend dinners. fortunately there was a 3paying 1 free promotion, so we paid about S$49pax nett.
i would rate this as slightly above olive tree restaurant @ intercontinental hotel (S$34++ after 1 for 1 promotion) & the lunch buffet at edge @ pan pacific (S$43.50++ after 3paying 1 free) but not by much.
for buffet, my favourite is still the semi buffet at equinox (after 50% feed at raffles discounts, that is). the main courses are ala carte orders & of fine dining standard.
the same goes for one ninety mezzo lunch at four seasons, another superior semi buffet. one ninety has better quality of buffet spread than equinox, & the main courses are also ala carte orders of fine dining standard.
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