| FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2019 | THE STRAITS TIMES | happenings life D5

Eunice Quek Food Correspondent recommends Picks SEA URCHIN DELIGHTS AT THE LIGHTHOUSE When I think of eating sea urchin, I naturally associate it with dining at a Japanese restaurant.

Food But at The Lighthouse Restaurant & Rooftop Bar at The Fullerton Hotel, the new four-course degustation menu ($148 a person) celebrates the Sicilian sea urchin, also known as ricci di mare. This month, says Italian chef Carlo Marengoni, marks the start of the sea urchin harvesting season in Puglia, Italy. The meal starts on a fresh note with Hokkaido scallop carpaccio topped with the briny sea urchin and dusted with seaweed powder (right); followed by sea urchin gragnano spaghetti tossed in a sauce made with , anchovies and bottarga (cured fish roe). For mains, pick either Boston lobster or veal tenderloin, which both pair well with the sea urchin sauce. I know it is a tough choice, so order both – one each with your dining partner. Finish off with a dessert of Amalfi lemon custard, lemon sorbet and limoncello, which makes for a refreshing and tart palate cleanser. WHERE: The Lighthouse Restaurant & Rooftop Bar, The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, 1 Fullerton Square MRT: Raffles Place WHEN: Till July 26, noon to 2.30pm (weekdays), 6.30 to 10.30pm (daily) TEL: 6877-8911/8912 INFO: E-mail [email protected]

PHOTOS: EUNICE QUEK, KOHAKU TENDON, THE LIGHTHOUSE RESTAURANT & ROOFTOP BAR, THE SOUP SPOON

INDULGE IN FAT COW’S NEW OMAKASE LUNCH QUORN-SCIOUS DINING When I indulge at AT THE SOUP SPOON a restaurant like While there is no way I will ever Fat Cow, I zoom in become vegetarian or shift on the beef. After completely to a plant-based diet, all, the restaurant I do not mind cutting down on my is best known as a intake of meat. Japanese-inspired Plant-based options have become steakhouse. more accessible to the masses and So even though I like how savvy businesses are an eight-seat incorporating the “meats” into their counter was menus. introduced about Last month, The Soup Spoon chain two years ago for launched its collaboration with diners to have British meat substitute company omakase meals, Quorn to offer nine meat-free soup MALA TENDON TURNS UP THE HEAT it was never options. For a mala addict like me, the thought of a mala tendon particularly New flavours this month are gets me salivating immediately. on my radar. konnyaku jaga wasabi stew ($9.50) Tendon chain Kohaku Tendon’s seasonal special The menu changed recently and I decide to give the with Quorn balls, Italian-style is a spicy version ($18.80++, above), where the fried items $120++ Sumire lunch menu a shot. It may sound pricey, Cacciatore ($9.50) with Quorn fillet are drenched in a sauce made with Sichuan peppers. The but you certainly get bang for your buck. and Moroccan-style tagine ($9) fragrant sauce is not too spicy, but if you are concerned To start, I get a meticulously plated platter (above) of with Quorn mince. about the heat, it can be served on the side as a dip. four items, which includes wagyu topped with truffle salt If you are feeling less adventurous, the soups are flavourful enough. The Fried ingredients include softshell crab, hamburg, and sea snail. Interestingly, the sea snail, which is now The Soup Spoon uses Quorn in some main difference would be the texture chicken cocktail sausage and prawn. There is also in season, is the standout for its abalone-like flavour. of its existing soups, so you still get of the Quorn fillet and mince, which bittergourd tempura, which I usually would not eat. This is a great start and the meal continues with the familiar flavours, just with Quorn lack the same firm bite of real meat. However, the spice helps to cut the bitter notes. highlights such as wagyu beef sukiyaki, uni sushi and instead of real meat. Hungarian-style Prices for the soups are also kept I also like the addition of avocado tempura, which gives the restaurant’s signature surf and turf sushi topped goulash ($9.20, above) is available reasonable, which I feel is important some contrast to the textures in the tendon as well as with beef tartare, prawn, uni and ikura. this week, followed by my favourite, to encourage more sceptical diners balances the heat. If you’re in the mood for a decadent lunch, this is it. SG Ragout ($8.90), next week. Both to attempt a meatless meal that is WHERE: Three Kohaku Tendon outlets at 03-311 Eat At WHERE: 01-01 Camden Medical Centre, 1 Orchard meat-less versions are also available no less tasty. Seven, Suntec City, 3 Temasek Boulevard; Boulevard MRT: Orchard WHEN: Noon to 3pm daily in take-home soup packs. WHERE: All The Soup Spoon outlets 02-34 Chinatown Point, 133 New Bridge Road; and TEL: 6735-0308 INFO: www.fat-cow.com.sg I have no issue with the use of including Changi City Point, nex and 64 Circular Road WHEN: Till end of next month, Quorn products in the soups because Jem INFO: www.thesoupspoon.com 11.30am to 4pm, 5 to 10pm daily INFO: www.facebook.com/ kohaku.tempura

FOOD 10pm PRICE: Dishes: $10++ - $28++; Singapore-inspired dishes until the olive oil and gazpacho, and sweet raw paste mooncakes ($78, box of four) Durian Snowskin Mooncake ($98), set lunch: $13++ TEL: 6824-8851 National Day weekend. At the outlet red prawns. Dishes include linguine and a contemporary snowskin Mao featuring the rich durian PROMOTIONS INFO: E-mail hello@ at Forum The Shopping Mall, dressed with Canadian lobster tail, Shan Wang durian ($88, box of four). pulp encased in pale yellow snowskin. bluejasmine.com.sg selections include chilli crab tender sous-vide and pan-fried Ideal for gifting, they come in Blue WHERE: 05-02 National Gallery ($32.95++), tandoori lamb chops Queensland farm lamb loin, Lotus’ four-tier tingkat tin box in Singapore, 1 St Andrew’s Road The Ultimate Chilli Crab Cheesy Mac Attack ($45.95++) and ($16.95++) roasted Mediterranean sea bass fillet pastel blue and white, splashed with MRT: City Hall WHEN: Till Sept 13 At Ippudo At 25 Degrees topped with coconut-infused panna and sous-vide free range spring its signature lanterns. PRICE: $64 - $98 nett Ippudo Singapore has just launched American burger joint 25 Degrees has cotta and pandan-flavoured jellies, chicken. WHERE (MRT): 01-13 Quayside Isle, TEL: 6384-5585 INFO: E-mail [email protected] The Ultimate Chilli Crab Ramen, brought back its Cheesy Mac Attack, slow-cooked sweetened red beans WHERE: Level 43 Ocean Financial Sentosa Cove (HarbourFront); created in collaboration with which features a US Angus beef patty and gula melaka. At the VivoCity Centre, 10 Collyer Quay MRT: Raffles 01-10, 991B Alexandra Road (Labrador No Signboard Seafood and made paired with traditional Thousand outlet, there will be items such as Place WHEN: Aug 9, 7pm Park); 01-13 Tanjong Pagar Centre specially for this year’s Singapore WINE EVENT Island dressing, topped with smoky chicken rice risotto ($34.95++) PRICE: $128++ a person ($98++ (Tanjong Pagar) WHEN: Till Sept 13 Food Festival. The dish is a bacon, caramelised onions and and rendang beef cheeks on soft for early birds) (call to inquire about times); culmination of the best flavours Buona Terra Cuisine arugula, slathered with melted polenta ($34.95++). TEL: 6509-1488 collection from Aug 16 of each establishment, presented With Le Vigne Di Zamo, Swiss and nacho cheese. Topping off WHERE (MRT): 01-01 Forum The INFO: E-mail [email protected] PRICE: $78 - $88 (25 - 40 per cent in a bowl of chilli crab sauce, tonkotsu Mirafiore Wines these are two mac ‘n’ cheese buns Shopping Mall, 583 Orchard Road discount) TEL: 6339-0880 (Sentosa broth and springy ramen . Buona Terra’s chef Denis Lucchi with a crispy exterior and a molten (Orchard); 01-165 VivoCity, Cove), 6665-0880 (Alexandra), Each outlet will serve up to 30 bowls showcases a small part of Northern centre. 1 Harbourfront Walk (HarbourFront) MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL 6996-0880 (Tanjong Pagar) daily. Italy in his five-course menu, WHERE: Hotel G Singapore, WHEN: July 19 - Aug 11; Forum: INFO: bluelotus.com.sg WHERE (MRT): 04-02 Mandarin Gianduja & Yuzu, Coconut with dishes such as Sendai wagyu 200 Middle Road MRT: Bugis/ 11.30am to 10pm daily (till 11pm carpaccio, charcoal-grilled scampi, Gallery, 333A Orchard Road & Pineapple Among Bencoolen WHEN: Till Aug 31, 7 - 11pm on Fri & Sat); VivoCity: noon to 9pm on Salted Yolk Hae Bee Hiam, baby squid linguine in squid ink sauce (Somerset); B2-54 The Shoppes New Flavours At Hai Tien Lo PRICE: $18++ TEL: 6809-7990 weekdays (till 10pm on Fri & Sat) , Ondeh Ondeh and suckling pig belly with eggplant. at Marina Bay Sands, 2 Bayfront Four new snowskin mooncake INFO: E-mail 25degreesSG@ opens at 11am on weekends From Antoinette Paired wines include Le Vigne di Zamo Avenue (Bayfront) WHEN: Till Aug 12; flavours ($68.80+ for a box of four) randblab.com PRICE: $16.95++ - $45.95++ Antoinette brings back three Sauvignon 2015, Vigne Cinquant’Anni Mandarin Gallery: 11am - 11pm (till debut this year – Gianduja & Yuzu, TEL: 6655-7676 (Forum), 6733-5500 traditional baked favourites – Salted 2013 and Mirafiore Barolo Riserva 10pm on Sun); Marina Bay Sands: Earl Grey & Cherry, Coconut & Hundred Sichuan Delights (VivoCity) INFO: E-mail Yolk Hae Bee Hiam ($60+), Single Yolk 2007. 10.30am - 11pm (till 11.30pm on Fri, At Si Chuan Dou Hua Pineapple and Passionfruit & Mango. ($53+) and Double Yolk ($57+). WHERE: Buona Terra, 29 Scotts Road Sat & eve of public holidays) [email protected] The Mao Shan Wang Snowskin Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant has An assortment of mini snowskin MRT: Newton WHEN: July 23, PRICE: $28++ a bowl TEL: 6235-2797 ($88.80+) returns with the traditional brought back its “100 Sichuan mooncakes ($56.50+), such as 7pm PRICE: $198++ a person (Mandarin Gallery), 6688-7064 The Sampan’s $54++ Menu baked varieties ($69.80+ to $73.80+), Delights, One Gastronomic Feast” Salted Yolk Truffle, Crunchy ($158.40++ for HSBC credit (Marina Bay Sands) To mark Singapore’s 54th birthday, such as the Signature White Lotus promotion for the fourth straight year Chocolate Pearls, Ondeh Ondeh cardholders) TEL: 6319-4038 The Sampan has introduced a Seed Paste with both double and at Parkroyal on Beach Road. There and the new Peach Truffle, are also INFO: E-mail gustoitaliano@ four-course menu ($54++) . Dish single yolk. Halal-certified and Blue Jasmine’s New Menu, are 102 dishes – of chicken, duck, pork, available. sph.com.sg choices include Lemak Chilli Chicken low-sugar versions are also Alfresco Bar seafood, noodles, vegetables and WHERE (MRT): 30 Penhas Road Kueh Pie Tee, Rendang Chwee Kueh, available. Blue Jasmine has undergone a bean curd – in 26 flavour profiles, (Lavender); from Aug 1: Duck Lilit and Prawn , WHERE: Mooncake Booth at level 1 revamp with a new “no pork, no lard” such as mala, nutty sesame 01-28 Millennia Walk, 9 Raffles Lamb Shank Tulang Merah and or Hai Tien Lo at level 3, Pan Pacific menu that retains its Thai flavours and pepper sauce; and Sichuan Boulevard (Promenade) Curry Fish Head. Desserts Singapore, 7 Raffles Boulevard inspired by Thai classics and street minced pepper and spring onion WHEN: While stocks last PRICE: $53+ - include pulut hitam pudding MRT: Promenade WHEN: Till Sept 14 food favourites. It has also added sauce. $60+; 15 - 20 per cent early-bird and ang ku kueh. (snowskin from Aug 1); collection from an alfresco bar serving classic WHERE: Parkroyal on Beach Road, discounts; corporate discounts of WHERE: 63 Boat Quay MRT: Clarke Mooncake Booth, 11am - 9pm (till tropical cocktails ($14++), alcoholic 7500 Beach Road MRT: Nicoll up to 30 per cent for bulk purchases Quay/Raffles Place WHEN: July 22 - Aug 25), 10am - 9pm (Aug 26 - Sept 14) beverages ($5++ to $18++) and Highway/Bugis WHEN: Till Sept 30, TEL: 6293-3121 INFO: E-mail Aug 27; lunch (weekdays): 11.30am - PRICE: $68.80+ - $88.80+; 20 per bar bites such as Thai Hor Mok; 11.30am - 10.30pm PRICE: $60++ [email protected] 2.30pm; dinner (Mon - Sat): 5pm - cent discount (25 per cent discount crispy chicken skin with Thai herbs; a person (includes a glass of sake), midnight PRICE: $54++ a person for early birds) TEL: 9009-5936 Don’t settle. antipasto platters; and smoked $30++ a child; minimum of four diners Thousand Layer Yam TEL: 6732-1698/1687 INFO: E-mail mooncake.ppsin@ salmon on toast with cream cheese. TEL: 6505-5722 INFO: E-mail Mooncake From Yan INFO: E-mail [email protected] panpacific.com or go to Drink only The restaurant’s starters and mains [email protected] Yan celebrates the joys of the autumn include deep-fried Thai seafood pacificmarketplace.com.sg harvest with its signature five great wines! cake, sesame beef, Phad Kee Mao Toast To Singapore’s traditional mooncakes such as classic (Thai drunken noodles) and NATIONAL DAY Birthday At Zafferano Blue Lotus’ Timeless Baked white lotus pastes with single and . Zafferano’s four-course National Day Classic, Contemporary double yolks ($64 to $68 nett) www.STwine.sg WHERE: Level 5 Park Hotel Farrer Month-Long Celebration Table D’hote menu features antipasti Snowskin as well as the Thousand Layer Yam Park, 10 Farrer Park Station Road At Jamie’s Italian such as burratina cheese served with Blue Lotus’ signature mooncakes Mooncake ($64 nett). Making its MRT: Farrer Park WHEN: 11.30am - Jamie’s Italian will be serving fresh tomato, basil oil and seeds, are a baked classic of the white lotus debut this year is the Mao Shan Wang