Fresh Flavours: Where to Dine This March

CONTENT: Michelle Ng

Here’s where to go in March to indulge in top-notch cuisine and creative new cocktails – think finest Japanese grills, craft cocktails inspired by all around the globe, and did we hear foie gras buffet somewhere?

MOGA – Breaking the Norm

Sometimes second chances are well deserved, as MOGA has shown with its reinvented cocktail menu as part of their new menu titled ‘Breaking the Norm’. The revamp sees a very timely overhaul of the entire cocktail menu, which now features 16 cocktails, each starring a key ingredient from Japanese cuisine. The cocktails are grouped into three categories – spins on classic cocktails, exciting creations, and – a must-have at a Japanese bar – highball concoctions. Try the Dirty Saketini, the Japanese lowdown of a martini but with a savoury blend of flavours from the sake, shochu, and house-made brine, while the Strawberry Veil is a fruity cocktail with a fresh kick of gin, strawberry, and apricot, with a dash of clarified milk which makes it creamy.

The bar bites menu largely stays the same with fan favourites like Grilled Shisito Peppers and the Beef Tartare, but with new additions that complete the Japanese izakaya experience. New sharing plates that we loved is the Smashed Batata, a Portugese smashed potato dish with fried potato bites and grilled pork belly with a wasabi mayo dipping, Crispy Squid that is sliced into chewy rings and marinated in fish sauce, yuzu, and spicy green chilli, and the Hokkaido Milk Buns. The buns are served with a seasonal blend dip, and you would be lucky to get the edamame blend, which is blended into a hummus-like consistency and served with pomegranate and furikake.

MOGA is located at Pullman Singapore Hill Street, Level 1, Singapore 179949

The Bar at 15 Stamford – The Lost Highway

While The Bar at 15 Stamford has made its name with its extensive rum collection, their latest cocktail chapter takes you 30,000km from north to south of the globe. Inspired by the world’s longest road, ‘The Lost Highway’ features 14 cocktails that pass through 14 key cities on the route. Designed by beverage manager Kavish Hurrydoss, the cocktails are crafted to focus on the signature flavours of the region, like the Northern Lights, a vibrant cocktail with mixed herbs, gin and pomelo that comes in a tall clear glass that mimics the mesmerising mosaic of lights of the aurora borealis.

Other fun creations we loved include the Beats by Dre, a Mexican-take on the Paloma which only means a trio of agave spirits mixed with the earthy beetroot and clarified milk punch, and the Banana Republic, a banana fragranced Old Fashioned with a dehydrated banana chip that pays rememberance to the booming Honduras’ banana export industry back in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Aside from cocktails, the wine collection is also worth a look at, with a curated list of around 50+ wines on the menu at any time.

The Bar at 15 Stamford located at Capitol Kempinski, 15 Stamford Rd, Singapore 178906

Food Capital – Phuket Flavourscape Buffet

Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel has partnered with the recent new kid on the block M Social Hotel Phuket to bring the spicy flavours of Thai cuisine to Singapore. The Phuket Flavourscape Buffet brings together the exciting and bold flavours of Thai cuisine in a street food-esque haven, with live cooking stations on rotation and a spread of dishes to sample.

And when you’re at a Thai street market…. You can try insects and drink lots of Thai beer! Look forward to two insect dishes – the Silkworm Thai Basil Pork Pizza and the Crispy Cricket Onion Quiche, and then wash it down with Chang Beer. Tuck into Thai dishes like Tum Neau Yang, the classic Tom Yum Goong, the beloved Northern curry noodle Khao Soi Gai, Tab Tim Krob, and Khanom Tom. If you love mango sticky rice, be sure to leave some space for the Kao Khiew Peak Lumyi, which is sticky rice paired with longans.

The Phuket Flavourscape Buffet is available at Food Capital, located in Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore

KA-MON

The latest addition to Resorts World Sentosa’s culinary destination is a casual Japanese joint that specialises in traditional Japanese grilling techniques. KA-MON prides itself on grilling meats whilst also showcasing the fine ingredients of Japan. Tuck into reimagined classic like the Wagyu Beef Tartare that is mixed with gochujang and served with Indian papadum, or the Organic Egg & Ikura, where half an onsen egg is lavishly topped with creamy uni and ikura roe for a umami bite.

The Tuna Wara Tataki is one of the best ways to enjoy grilled fish, where chunks of tuna is slowly smoked on a bed of straw that chars the meat slightly while retaining the juicy, rawness of the center. The tuna slices are then garnished by a citrusy ponzu sauce and garlic chips, and tasted refreshingly light. The Jumbo Tiger Prawn is slow-cooked in the irori-style, an ancient cooking technique where the meats are stuck in skewers around a charcoal fire and brings out the natural flavours of the prawn. It’s so good that only a garnish of sea salt and lemon is enough. And of course, not forgetting the Aged Breast of Duck which is aged for at least five days to draw out the flavours, and grilled in robatayaki style to get it to that perfect medium-rare tenderness.

The dishes at KA-MON are all designed to impress and not overwhelm, with complex yet light flavour profiles that are not overwhelming. Definitely a place to get a taste of high-end Japanese dining without emptying the wallet too much.

KA-MON is located at 26 Sentosa Gateway, #02-146, Level 2 Hotel Michael, Singapore 098269, Resorts World Sentosa

Ellenborough Market Café – Meat & Foie Gras Buffet

On the weekends until 1 June, head to Ellenborough Market Café at Paradox Singapore Merchant Court for an indulgent Meat and Foie Gras Buffet. The grills will be fired up with the finest selects of cuts like Wagyu beef, lamb leg, chicken shawarma, and spicy pork belly. But make sure you leave enough space for the foie gras specialities, with exciting creations like Roasted Beef with Mushrooms in Foie Gras Cream Sauce, Foie Gras & Duck Terrine with Port Wine Jelly, and Foie Gras Pasta in Champignon Beurre Blanc in addition to the classic pan seared foie gras served with cranberry sauce. There’s even a foie gras dessert – the Foie Gras Crème Brulee is a creamy dessert where the sweet and savoury flavours complement each other.

Aside from foie gras dishes, other buffet signatures from the restaurant are also available so you won’t leave hungry. Enjoy your meal with their signature Singapore rojak, the seafood on ice spread, Curry Fish Head, and Chincalok Egg Omelette. Each seating is limited to a 2-hour dining limit, and there are two seatings a day, with the option of adding on free-flow alcohol of beer and house pour wines. If you’re dropping by on a weekday, the Grill Platter makes for a great alternative, with Roasted Wagyu Beef Cubes, Gochujang Spice Marinated Pork Belly, Cajun Chicken Thigh, Pork Cheese Knackers Sausage, and Singapore Chicken & Beef Satay.

Ellenborough Market Café is located at Paradox Singapore Merchant Court, 20 Merchant Road, Singapore 058281. Reservations are strongly recommended