For pictures and full review, pls visit:
http://madamechewy.com/2015/01/23/hai-tien-lo-weekday-dim-sum-buffet/
Why wait till the weekends for Dim Sum feast when you can indulge in Hai Tien Lo’s weekday Dim Sum Buffet? Award-winning Hai Tien Lo serves classic Cantonese cuisine, in a regal Oriental setting. What we liked-quality morsels, awesome setting and professional service for only $48++. However we weren’t fond of several restrictions on the menu. Diners can have unlimited orders for 15 dim sum selections, but only one serving for each Chef’s Signatures, one serving of soup and 2 servings of dessert. For Hai Tien Lo Specialty (12 in total), each table is limited to only 3 choices.
It’s such a pity that I could only choose one selection out of the 2 soups on the menu. Of course, I went for the more atas Fish Maw with Shredded Abalone and Crab Meat Soup. The sweet crab meat complimented the tasty broth while the generous portion of ingredients gave the thick broth a nice bite. Wished for a couple more bowls but oh well! The other choice was traditional double-boiled soup by the way.
There’re 4 Chef’s Signatures and each person is allowed one serving each. For something decadent, go for the Steamed Pastry Tart with Whole Abalone and Seafood.
Baked Chicken tart with Mushrooms and Mango. The mango adds a touch of sweetness to the savory ingredients encased in the buttery tart.
Steamed Dumpling with Swiftlet Nest, White Fungus and Prawn Paste. Lovely presentation, but this didn’t leave much of an impression.
Stir-fried Carrot Cake with Dried Scallops in Chef’s Signature Homemade Chilli Sauce. It’s alright; I’ve tried better XO carrot cake elsewhere.
We had the following from the Hai Tien Lo Specialty… Juicy and tender Barbecued Duck

Deep-fried Prawns with Oat Flakes. Hugh, fresh and succulent prawns paired with fragrant oats was simply a match made in heaven.
Fresh and delicate Steamed Fillet of Grouper Fish with Vermicelli in Minced Chilli.
The dim sum we ordered from the All-You-Can-Eat section were all competently executed, with some outstanding morsels. Steamed Dumpling Soup with Crab Meat, Fish Maw, Scallops and Prawns in Superior stock.
Steamed Xiao Long Bao
Steamed Dumplings with Scallops, Prawns, Asparagus and Carrots.
Creative and intriguing, the Deep-fried Purple Potato Balls with Minced Chicken and assorted mushrooms should not be missed.
Pan fried Rice Flour Rolls with Chef’s Signature Homemade XO Chilli sauce. Pillowy Steamed Barbecued Honey Pork Bun Buns
Deep-fried Prawns and Salted Egg Dumplings with Bread Crumbs. Rave alert!
To sum up, $48++ per adult is fantastic value for the variety, taste and quality offered at Hai Tien Lo. There’ll always be something new to look forward to, as the menu refreshes every 3 months.

For drool-worthy pictures and full review, pls visit:
http://madamechewy.com/2015/01/25/eight-rhapsodies-of-spring-peony-jade/

To usher in the Year of the Goat, Peony Jade celebrates with its “Eight Rhapsodies of Spring” delights, featuring 8 new and signature dishes and takeaways, plus 2 new dessert creations. These festive treats are available from now till 5th March 2015.

‘Instant Enormous Windfall, Good Health and Longevity” Bonsai-shaped Monies Tree Yu Sheng ($198.88). Making a statement upon arrival, Peony Jade’s artistically shaped Bonsai Yu Sheng is truly sight to behold. What’s even more impressive is the generous portion of premium seafood such as lobster, Alaskan crab claws, tuna belly, urchin and sweet shrimp. Homemade deep-fried thin lotus root chips, crispy fried vermicelli, roasted pine nuts and toasted sesame seeds are added for that delightful crunch. Drizzled with Peony Jade’s unique sweet sauce, citrusy yuzu juice and truffle oil. This Yu Sheng serves up to 15 diners and is only available for dine-in at Keppel Club.

“Flourishing Fortune” Steamed Black-eyed Pea Cake with golden pumpkin ($38.88 for 1kg). A mixture of savoury and sweet, the handmade taro cake is ethereally soft and immensely comforting. Peony Jade adds a refreshing twist to this traditional Cantonese favourite with the inclusion of golden pumpkin and Jin Hua Ham.

“Prosperity & Smooth Sailing” Hand-crafted Goat-shaped Deep-fried Hum-Soi-Kuok ($9.88 for 3 pieces). Intricately hand-crafted by the pastry team, these little rams are undeniably cute (but nothing is cute enough not to eaten, wuhaha!). Encased in crisp shell with a chewy mochi-like texture, these fried dumplings are stuffed with glutinous rice, minced pork and shiitake mushroom.

“Reaping Abundance Wealth” Australian Premium Whole Abalone Poon Choi ” What’s Chinese New Year without Poon Choi? While most Chinese restaurants have 12 ingredients, Peony Jade’s decadent Poon Choi presents 18! Diners and look forward to premium ingredients like 10-head Australian abalones, whole Sakura chicken, whole pork knuckle, golden oysters, roast pork, South African spikes sea cucumber, fresh whole scallops, pork tendons, fatt choy, fish maw, king prawns, whole shiitake mushrooms, homemade sea-grouper mousse cake, whole golden dried conpoy, taro, beancurd skin, radish and broccoli. I totally blissed out on this dish!

This takeaway Poon Choi Pot is priced at $468.88 for Mini Premium Pot Package (6 guests), and $598.88 for Premium Pot Package (8-10 guests). The takeaway Poon Chooi comes with 3 complimentary festive dishes:
1) ‘Harmonious, Wealth and Great Health’ Atlantic Salmon Yu Sheng,
2) Peony Jade’s Signature Cherry Wood Charcoal Roasted ‘Prosperity’ Golden Duck and
3) Peony Jade’s popular “Longevity” Glutinous Rice with lup cheong, liver lup cheong, preserved meats and mushrooms.
“A Wealth of Prosperity and Longevity” Hong Kong Roast USA Goose sealed with Chef’s Special ‘Fa Cai’ Broth ($188.88) Once again, Peony Jade sets itself apart from other Chinese restaurants by serving the first and only roasted goosed with “fa cai’ broth in Singapore. The highlight is the robust broth, prepared with Chinese herbs such as Angelica root, Radix Astragali and spices like star anise. The grain-fed goose is infused with the flavoursome broth and roasted for 2 hours to juicy tenderness. Serves up to 12 diners.

‘Abundance Fortune’ Slow-Fire Stewed Lamb with Bamboo Shoots, fresh Whole Garlic, and Beancurd Skin. A hearty stew is always welcomed during a family gathering. Peony Jade warms the soul with a pot of velvety grass-fed lamb cutlets, wok-braised with star anise, garlic, shallots, sliced fried ginger, fresh bamboo shoots and beancurd skin for 1.5 hours. Some dining companions at my table found this slightly gamey and a little too salty but I was fine with it.

Reunion Steamed “Abundance Wealth” Claypot Jasmine Rice with Chinese Sausages, Liver Sausages and Homemade Air Dry Duck Drumstick. Slow cooked in a claypot for 30 minutes with top-grade preserved meats, the jasmine rice only not exude smoky fragrance but also the aroma of the scrumptious waxed meats.

Peony Jade continues to amaze with their creative desserts. Instagram-worthy “Huat Ah!” Prosperity Goats Gift Set ($88) consist of 8 meticulously hand crafted goat-shaped snowskin pastries filled with salted egg custard.

A thoughtful choice for health-conscious loved ones, the “Triumphant Harvest and Joyous Contentment” Gift Set ($78.88) features 8 exquisite blooming peonies (how apt!) made with flaky pastry, encasing premium low sugar white lotus paste, salted egg yolk and macadamia nuts.

“Overflowing Wealth” Glazed Kumquat with “Fa-Cai” Vanilla Beans ($18.88 per jar). Kumquat lovers rejoice! Peony Jade adds a touch of luxe to the humble fruit by soaking them in sugar syrup for 7 days, then infusing them with vanilla pods. Each mouthful is a engaging combination of citrusy, sweet and tangy notes.

Captivating dishes, quality ingredients, skillful execution and enticing sweets in a classy oriental setting- Chinese New Year at Peony Jade is indeed a splendid affair! On a side note, do note that many of the items in this review require 1-day advance order. If you’re planning to dine at home, Peony Jade offers a 6-course takeaway lunch and dinner set menu priced at $368 for 6 persons and $568 for 10 persons.

For pictures and full review, pls visit:
http://madamechewy.com/2014/11/05/una-one-rochester/
UNA at One Rochester launches an enhanced menu, passionately designed by Executive Chef Jean-Phillppe Patruno to embody the flavours of his heritage. Raised in France by an Italian father and Spanish mother, Chef JP presents a one-of-a-kind experience, with distinctly unique flavours paying tribute to of his multi-cultural heritage.
Set in a an oasis of lush greenery frames with white trellises, there’s no doubt that UNA is the perfect place for a romantic date, or a relaxing end to the day.
We started our evening with 2 appealing signature cocktails- Bastille ($20) comprises of gin, hibiscus, Maraschino, Amaranto, fresh lemon juice while Champs de Fraise ($19) encompasses strawberry infused cognac, fresh lemon juice and sparkling wine.
The Iberico Ham Croquette ($14) took us by surprised with its creamy, melt in the mouth, soufflé textured bechamel mashed potatoes. Embedded within each golden sphere are bits of Iberico ham, which gave the croquettes addictive savoury punches.
Amazingly soft and tender was the Grilled Octopus ($22), brimming with charred smoky flavour. Beneath the tentacles, is a bed of pan-fried Ratte potatoes, with bursts of zest imparted from capers. The elements went very well together and we were totally charmed by this tapas.
A medley of wonderful flavours, the Grilled Mussels ($18) are doused in a robust broth based on a secret recipe. To prepare this dish, fresh Bouchon Mussels are placed in a pot and inserted into a pile of apple wood charcoal. Pine nuts are added to provide a contrast to the intense garlic broth with its subtle sweet nuttiness.
Incredibly juicy and tender, the Pluma Iberica ($33) was beyond words. We appreciated how straightforward the chef approached the shoulder of the Iberico Pig- skilfully grilled over apple wood charcoal with smoky sweet marinade. The result is carefully browned surface while maintaining a pinkish tone inside. The sublime dish was made completed with silky smoked mashed potatoes and pickled capsicum.
The standard of desserts we sampled were consistent with the earlier dishes. You got to be crazy to say no to Churros & Chocolat ($12). Lovingly handcrafted fluted sticks had marvellous texture- crisps on the outside, moist and fluffy on the inside. Dusted with cinnamon, the churros were accompanied with homemade honey ice cream and dark chocolate sauce.
It may take you a few mouthfuls to fully investigate the delights of Bitter Chocolat Ice Cream, Olive Oil and Sea Salt ($12). A play on textures, smooth bitter chocolate ice cream nests atop rosemary sea salt soil, drizzled with olive oil, and garnished with paper-thin tuiles. Indeed, a good chocolate dessert does wonders for the soul. However do note that this may not appeal to fans of sweet chocolate.

If you’re in search of an affordable dinner with quality ingredients and dedicated execution, set in an tranquil venue with impeccable service, UNA should be at the top of your list.

For pictures and full review, pls visit:
http://madamechewy.com/2014/10/31/dinner-canton-paradise/

One of the many concepts under the Paradise Group, Canton Paradise aspires to bring the heart-warming essence of Hong Kong to the table. With 7 outlets conveniently situated in shopping centers, quality Cantonese cuisine is readily available to the masses. Here, its happy, easy food with minimal pretences.

In this post, I’ll share our dinner experience and will do up another post on their Dim Sum. Service at the Arc branch was unobtrusive and generally fine.
Iced Yuan Yang ($3.40) was excellent; will order this again if we revisit.

Staying true to Cantonese fondness for soups, Canton Paradise offers an extensive list of nourishing broths, from double boiled chicken to fresh goby soups. We had clean-tasting Fresh Seafood and Tofu Broth ($7.80 per bowl) to warm our bellies.

Our choices for the Combination Platter ($22.80) consisted of Roasted Duck, Roasted Pork Belly and BBQ Pork Belly. The duck had crispy skin and juicy meat but flavor was somewhat lacking, a dollop of plum sauce was required to get it off the ground. Slow-roasted for 4 hours, the Roasted Pork Belly boasts tender meat with thin, crisps (not crackling as I’d prefer it to be) skin. Absolutely gorgeous is the sweet Roasted Pork Belly, beautifully caramelized, moist and tasty, with just the right amount of fat. Skip this and you’re gonna regret it!

One of the specialties here is the Firm Tofu, made from scratch in the kitchen from quality farmed soy beans. Spring water is used to prepare the tofu, as tap water would not give the ideal taste and texture. Pan-seared Hakka Stuffed Firm Tofu ($12.80) was so fresh, that we could taste the soy beans.

Drench in tomato sauce, the satiny Scrambled Eggs with Tomatoes ($8.80) is simple, yet appealing. The chef certainly did not sting on the crunchy, plump tomatoes, which provided textural balance.

We unanimously agreed that the best dish that night was Wok-fried Pork Shoulder Meat and Chinese Lettuce in Prawn Paste ($14.80). Served in a sizzling hot pot, the well-marinated slices of tender meat was bursting with flavor while the crunchy greens were done just right, coated evenly with enticing sauce.

Desserts sadly failed to shine. Not that they were awful, but I’d preferred options with more creativity. Chilled Red Bean Yam Pastry ($4.20) was smooth enough, with bits of broken beans embedded within. Subtle sweetness from the yam lingered after the former fades.

Stewed egg custard ($5) is light and easy to eat. However, I find it too bland and monotonous.

Generally, all the dishes we tried were decent; I especially like the fact that the dishes were not loaded with overwhelming flavors. However, price is on the high side for such tiny portions.

For pictures and full review, pls visit:
http://madamechewy.com/2014/09/26/mellben-signature-tanjong-pagar/
Many years ago, along with my cousins, I braved outrageous queues and merciless heat at the original Mellben in Ang Mo Kio. It was worth it! Ahh, how I longed to savour the crabs once again, but there is no way I can achieve that with Hubby who will not queue for any food for more than 30 minutes. Plus, Ang Mo Kio and the other branch at Toa Payoh are way too far for us.
Thanks to Groupon, I discovered that another outlet has opened at Tanjong Pagar and reservations are accepted. I dialed immediately (and of course, bought the Groupon voucher).
Located next to Bestway Building, Melben Seafood is less than a 10 minute walk from Tanjong Pagar MRT. Beside the open-air coffee shop styled seating area (both indoor and outdoor available), are ample car parks. Contrary to many negative reviews with regards to the service, the young girl who served us was very pleasant and patient.
Mellben is famous for their crabs, in particular, Claypot Crab Been Hoon Soup ($55/ 1kg). As the portion of the soup and bee hoon is quite small for 4 of us, we topped up $5 for an additional bowl of soup and $3 for bee hoon. I peeled opened the shell with anticipation and was rewarded with chucks of succulent flesh. Each bite was pure bliss as the meat has absorbed the milky broth. However, the broth was not as robust as I’d have liked, but this was easily fixed with a little chilli padi and soy sauce.
This piping hot bowl of springy bee hoon brought us immense comfort.
Finger-licking good is the Butter Crab ($55/kg), drenched in an enticing creamy sauce, which was not at all cloying. Be quick to finish it, because it’s not as good once cooled down. The crustacean was well-cooked, with meat separating easily from the shell. Fried man tous were the perfect companion to this indulgent dish.
Behold! A massive crab claw. Drooling yet?
Who can ever say no to Salted Egg York Pork Ribs ($15)? Each piece of tender meat is generously coated with Salted Egg Yolk and so well marinated that I could taste the flavor right in the middle.
Pea shoots with Garlic($8) and the classic Garlic Bean Curd Combo with fresh seafood ($15) were both satisfactory and I can see them pleasing most palates.
We were quite disappointed with the Chye Poh Egg ($8) because the preserved radish came in thin shreds, hence lacked bite and burst of saltiness unlike diced chye poh.