Where to eat this weekend: The best new menus from hotel buffets to international flavours

CONTENT: Isabel Tan

If you’re feeling a little lost being spoiled by options in the local dining scene, no fret — we bring you a roundup of the latest food happenings in Singapore to check out this weekend. From Meditteranean-Asian international buffet at Chara Brasserie to flavours of Vietnam at Conrad Singapore and more.

Here are the best places to check out with your family and friends.

Chara Brasserie, Mercure ICON Singapore City Centre

If you’re looking for new hotel buffets to try, head to Chara Brasserie, a Mediterranean Asian buffet at the newly opened Mercure ICON Singapore City Centre. The Mercure ICON recently opened its doors this year, nestled in the heart of the Tanjong Pagar-Chinatown enclave. Chara Brasserie brings its diners on an international culinary journey, showcasing a rotation of the best mediterranean-Asian flavours. With four rotating menus, diners can savour flavours of the Meditteranean and Southeast Asian seafood specialties, Japanese inspired tempura and sushi, lamb rotisseries and roasts, and more.

For the meat lovers, diners are spoiled for choice — The live rotisserie station serves up mouthwatering juicy roasts; from Australian Angus beef prime rib to tender roasted chicken, grilled fish and more. In addition, dinners every Friday to Sunday will offer the spice marinated whole baby lamb rotisserie, featuring tender baby lamb marinated with aromatic masala spices. Meanwhile, the Seafood on Ice station serves up fresh chilled raw seafood, sitting beside the Japanese Station which offers diners a selection of raw sashimi, aburi chirashi dons and maki rolls. A highlight of Chara Brasserie is their Live Stations, featuring a medley of various specialty dishes. From the popular favourite Lobster Bisque to Japanese Okonomiyaki and Korean Tteokbokki, diners are spoiled for choice.

Chara Brasserie celebrates its grand launch with an opening special of 25% off the buffet menu prices, until 31 May 2024.

Find out more: Chara Brasserie

PREGO, Fairmont Singapore

Italian stalwart restaurant PREGO now greets diners with a refreshed menu. At the helm of Prego is Chef Davide, hailing from Pisa, Italy. With his Tuscan heritage, Chef Davide brings to the table dishes inspired by the landscapes of Tuscany — from the Apennine Mountains to Chianti vineyards and the Elba seaside.

Prego serves up the best of Italian flair — diners can expect a diverse menu including handmade pastas, wood-fired pizzas, antipastis and grilled meats. Try Chef Davide’s signature Cappuccino di Funghi, featuring what looks like a cappuccino but is actually a porcini mushroom soup topped with milk and truffle oil foam. For the lobster lovers, try Chef Davide’s signature Linguine Astice e Burrata pasta, featuring homemade linguine in lobster bisque, served with Boston lobster. Another must-try homemade pasta is the Casarecce alle Costone e Tartufo, featuring wagyu short ribs braised in aromatic cinnamon and spices, mascarpone cheese and topped off with grated Italian truffle.

For the wood-fired pizza section, Chef Davide also brings his signatures to the menu. His iconic Sapori di Bosco pizza, Italian for ‘flavour of the forest’ is an ensemble of earthy flavours that pay homage to the Italian Garfagnana mountain. Sink your teeth in the garlic cream base, topped with savoury buffalo mozzarella and scarmorza cheese, and porcini mushrooms.

Have a taste of Chef Davide’s new menu at Prego, available daily for lunch and dinner.

Find out more: Prego Fairmont Singapore

Oscar’s, Conrad Centennial Singapore

International buffet restaurant Oscar’s at Conrad Centennial Singapore presents “Taste of Vietnam”, in collaboration with Hilton Da Nang. From now to 9 June 2024, enjoy a curated selection of the best Southern Vietnam dishes in addition to the diverse international buffet spread.

Embark on a Vietnamese culinary journey with iconic dishes. The noodle bar serves up the staple Vietnamese Pho, as well as the classic Bun Cha Ha Noi; a dish of pork belly and pork cake noodles. Meanwhile, try the aromatic Bo Cuon La Lot, a dish of minced beef wrapped in betel leaves and accompanied with peanut butter sauce. Don’t miss out on other staple dishes including the Banh Mi, and Vietnamese spring rolls.

From Wednesdays to Sundays, make sure not to miss out on the live charcoal barbecue station, serving up freshly grilled roasts. Diners are in for a treat with mouthwatering Vietnamese grilled meat dishes — from marinated pork skewers to grilled lobster.

Find out more: Oscar’s

Putien 

From now to August 15, Putien’s annual Doutou Clam Festival is back for the 7th run this year. As the official advocate for Fujian Doutou clams, Putien’s Clam Festival menu features a curation of fan favourite Doutou clam classics.

Premium selections include the fan favourite salt baked Doutou clams — this holds the title as the best seller dish for seven years in a row. This simple dish retains and highlights the original flavour and charm of the Doutou clams, with nothing added except a touch of salt and peppercorns. Meanwhile, Putien’s famous Doutou clams in aged wine is a dish that is dubbed as the essence of Putian’s culinary heritage. The rich aroma of the aged Fujian wine pairs well with the natural sweetness of the Doutou clams, resulting in a savoury and rich broth.

Excite the tastebuds with the stir fried Doutou clams with ginger and spring onion. This aromatic dish features doutou clams stir fried with traditional ginger, scallion and garlic with a delicate sauce that balances all the flavours. Another favourite dish is the steamed Doutou clam with minced garlic, a timeless dish featuring succulent pieces of Doutou clams with aromatic minced garlic.

The Doutou Clam Festival is available from now until August 15 — order any two dishes from the Doutou clam menu for $46.80.

Find out more: Putien Singapore

$48 Inflation Bites by The Dandy Collection

The famed The Dandy Collection, which owns famed culinary concepts The Prince, Firangi Superstar, Lo Quay and Neon Pigeon is back with a new campaign. Meet the Inflation Bites campaign, featuring a collection of $48 dinner menus at all dining concepts under The Dandy Collection. With the mantra “We bite back together”, the Inflation Bites campaign is an act of defiance against the inflation rate of 4.8% in Singapore. With this initiative, the collection is also freeing up 480 booking slots each week across its four dining venues.

The $48 menus are presented differently at each restaurant, showcasing their individual flair. At The Prince, the $48 menu brings together a Moroccan family dining experience featuring homely dishes; start off with the Grilled Octopus fennel salad, the savoury Lamb Tagine and complete with orange cake for dessert. Meanwhile, Neon Pigeon serves up its Japanese specialties with the Tokyo style Peking Duck. This dish is a tribute to the communal tradition of serving Peking Duck door-to-door, evoking a sense of heritage within diners.

Celebrate diversity at Firangi Superstar, featuring a menu that caters to both vegetarians and meat eaters alike. Try the Roasted French Poulet or Roasted Eggplant Makhani Gravy, featuring an array of enticing flavours that evoke the spirit of harmony and community. Transport yourself to the streets of Saigon at Lộ Quậy, serving up a refined interpretation of Vietnamese street food — think fried chicken wings with fish sauce, steamed duck rice in lotus leaf and complete with a banana coconut popsicle for dessert.

Find out more: The Dandy Collection