[Media Invite] Buffet Dinner at Sea and Blue @ Marina Bay Sands

Photo Source: Sea and Blue website

2 Bayfront Avenue, #02-01 / 01A. Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore 018972

Tel: 6688 7165

Website: https://www.seanblue.com.sg

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeaNBlueRestaurant
Reservation: https://reservations.hungrygowhere.com/sea-blue-marina-south/?s=arwoibw

Prices

Lunch (Weekdays):  Adults SGD$42.00 / Child SGD$22.00

Lunch (Weekends): Adults SGD$64.00 / Child SGD$26.00

Dinner (Weekdays): Adults SGD$58.00 / Child SGD$26.00

Dinner (Weekends): Adults SGD$68.00 / Child SGD$26.00

Sea and Blue has taken over the famous spot where Todai International Buffet (review here) used to be, holding its own strongly, with over 100 delectable food items, mainly Korean and Seafood, with some Western delights as well as huge Japanese station.

A mandatory stroll around the restaurant led to a better understanding of the exact offerings - starting from the Seafood cum Japanese counter - where one could find King Crabs, Snow Crabs, Oysters, Mussels, Shrimps, Salmon Sashimi, Tuna Sashimi, Clams, etc, as well as an assortment of Sushi.

For the healthier ones, or those who prefer to start light, the Salad section also appeals - with delectable salad selection such as Smoked Duck Salad, Tomato Salad, Greek Salad, Chicken Salad, Kiwi Orange Salad, Mandarine Salad, and Broccoli & Cauliflower Salad.

The Italian counter consists of Four Seasons Pizza, Seafood Spaghetti with Squid Ink Sauce, Four Cheese Pizza, Hawaiian Pizza and Carbonara.  Sometimes the variety changes, like how we had the Bulgogi Chicken Pizza tonight - thin crust, crispy and delicious.

Not to be missed of course, is the Korean Food station - made up of items such as Braised Spicy Chicken, Grilled Back Ribs, Korean Pancake, Japchae, BiBimbap, Soy Sauce Tteok-Bokkl, Spicy Sauce Tteok-Bokkl and Beef Bulgogi.

Asian Food lovers should keep a lookout for this section too - choosing among Chilli Crab, Crabmeat Soup, Salted Egg Prawn, Roast Duck, Roast Pork Belly, Sambal Prawns, Sweet Sour Prawns, and Stir-fry Prawns with Oyster Sauce.

There is also the Western Food counter, comprising X.O. Butter Scallops, Oven Roasted Leg of Lamb with peppermint jus, Pork Rack, and Wagyu Ribeye.

Finally, the station I will never miss out on - Desserts! There was a decent assortment such as Korean Rice Cake, Waffle, Yuzu Cheesecake, Apple Tart, Lemon Tart, Chocolate Feuilletine, Dark Chocolate Brownie, White Chocolate Brownie, Assorted Donuts,  Tiramisu and Lemon Mousse Cake. Fondue was also a lovely treat for us, made with the largest strawberries I have seen. Finally, a DIY Bingsu (Korean shaved ice dessert) machine!

Overall, the variety of food was good, but quality was decent. If you have a small appetite, I would suggest raiding the Seafood section, Italian section and Korean section first.

Thank you Sea and Blue for hosting us; and thank you Hungrygowhere for the invite!

[Media Invite] Dinner at The Seasons (四季风光) @ Holland Village

275 Holland Avenue, Singapore 278992

Tel: 6463 6568

Website: http://www.theseasons.com.sg

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theseasonssg/posts/206474923100769

Reservations: http://www.hungrygowhere.com/singapore/the-seasons-ghim-moh-holland

Located conveniently at Holland Village area is a cosy restaurant run by a young gentleman from Hainan, China, serving up healthy and surprisingly tasty Coconut Soup Steamboat as well as Japanese-style grilled food at none other than The Seasons.

Service crew was attentive and friendly so it added to the enjoyment of dining here. Ambience was cosy and ordering was done via tablets on the table.

We started with Purple Sweet Potato Cheese Balls (SGD$8.00) with a very appealing spherical form coated in deep purple; bursting open to fill the palate with sweetness and oozed melted cheese. This kind of set the standard for more mouth-watering food to come.

The Fried Squid (SGD$8.00) was crispy and umami, easy on the tongue but torturous on the mind (as one craves it for days afterwards).  It was not greasy at all which also scored points pretty well.

Then we moved on to the huge pot of pure Coconut Juice steamed as soup base, tossed with coconut flesh, wolf berries, red dates and tender chicken meat for extra flavouring. This was our Bamboo Fungus Coconut Chicken Pot (SGD$32.80). If we had any doubts about the broth at all, they dissipated the moment we tried the first sip- sweet, pleasing and light; reaping in all the health benefits of coconut such as hydration and electrolytes. Even the chicken used to cook with the soup retained its tenderness.

The tray of ingredients for us consisted Wagyu Beef Slices, Special Selection Pork Shoulder, Sliced Pork Belly, an assortment of Vegetables, Beancurd, Bamboo Pith, Chicken and Cheese Tofu. Meat was succulent and vegetables were fresh.

We also tried the Signature Laamei Rice (SGD$5.00) cooked with preserved (waxed) pork aka lup cheong and mushroom dices.  The result was fragrant and redolent of its sweet, earthly ingredients. This dish is usually served in a claypot.

For dessert, we had the Hainanese Coconut Rice (SGD$8.00) - soft, sweet glutinous rice served in coconut husks, embedded with coconut flesh, red dates and lotus seeds. This was special and heart-warming.

Drinks to conclude - there were Grapefruit Peach Tea (SGD$4.50), Salted Green Tea with Lime (SGD$4.50),  and Lime Peach Tea (SGD$4.50) for us.

Overall, I enjoyed the meal very much and look forward to telling my friends and family about this coconut soup steamboat - healthy and tasty totally. Thank you The Seasons for hosting us and thank you Hungrygowhere for the invite.

[Media Invite] Dinner at Verdure Cafe @ Thomson Road

1218 Upper Thomson Road #01-02 Springleaf Nature Park, Singapore 787136

Tel: 8692 6288

Website: http://verdurecafe.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verdurecoterie

Reservations: http://www.hungrygowhere.com/singapore/verdure-cafe-upper-thomson-springleaf-01-02

Verdure Cafe is situated among lush greenery at Springleaf Nature Park, offering a beautiful glasshouse concept that allows diners to enjoy the views of nature easily. Interior is modest and decor is simple, understated, elegantly enhanced by the greenery surrounding it. Menu is largely Italian, priced at pocket-friendly range, and service is friendly.

I was honoured to be part of invited tasting at Verdure Cafe, attended by representatives of Hungrygowhere and other familiar food reviewers.

They started us with a cute pot of Truffle Fries (SGD$8.90) preparing the palate for more things to come. This was pretty good- aromatic of truffle's signature taste but not overpowering.

Moving on,  Mixed Platter Appetizer (SGD$18.90) served on tiered high-tea style trays, comprising Deep-fried Chicken Winglets and Drumlets, Chicken Strips, Bacon-wrapped Sausage, Calamari Rings and Potato Wedges. I loved the calamari rings the best, because of the thin batter around thick squid flesh.

Next, Chilli Crab Pasta (SGD$16.90) - springy spaghetti tossed with chilli crab paste, shredded crabmeat and egg. I thought that a higher level of spiciness might have enhanced the creamy flavor better. The saving grace here was the use of actual fresh crabmeat, not flour-mixed crabsticks.

The Black Pepper Smoked Duck Aglio Olio (SGD$14.90) was created from al-dente spaghetti tossed with olive oil, herbs, chilli flakes, garlic, mushrooms and black pepper smoked duck. Pasta had a bounce to its texture and redolent of earthly mushroom notes amidst its tangy deliciousness; the smoked duck was tender and moistened, every bite a swishy  joy.

Following that, Chicken Chop (SGD$14.90) which consisted pan-grilled chicken thigh topped with mushroom sauce; served with salad and fries on the side. Chicken was succulent and bathed tastefully in earthly mushroom aroma.

Then it was Salted Egg Chicken Burger (SGD$14.90) - crispy charcoal buns flanking crackling chicken thigh fillet topped with luscious salted egg sauce; salad and fries were served on the side. This was another memorable dish for me.

The Stewed Beef Curry Rice (SGD$16.90) was a new item and utterly satisfying, composed of stewed beef curry, carrots, potatoes and fragrant rice, served with keropok on the side.

Finally, before we moved on to drinks, we also tried the Salted Caramel Lava Cake (SGD7.90) which looked better than it tasted. Sweetness was definite, and expected, however the lava cake - this made the cake almost soggy.

We enjoyed very much their various organic teas, such as my Rose Hips Tea (SGD$6.90) and the Peppermint Leaf Tea (SGD$5.90) served in a very beautiful teapot.

Other interesting beverages included the Zucchini Refresher (SGD$4.90), Lychee Tea (SGD$4.90), Peach Perfect (SGD$4.90), Fizzling Passionfruit (SGD$4.90), Rose Hips Tea Float (SGD$6.50) and Mocha (SGD$4.90).

I will definitely like to be back here for the cosy setting and lovely glasshouse concept; as well as try other signature dishes such as their Prawn Aglio Olio and Foie Gras French Toast, etc. Thank you Hungrygowhere for the invite and Verdure Cafe for hosting us!