Element Restaurant Tasting Session 2018 - Christmas
165 Tanjong Pagar Road
Level 1, Amara Singapore
Promotion:
24th, 25th December 2018 Only: 6:30pm - 10:30pm
http://singapore.amarahotels.com/dining/element/
This was an invited media review. I did not pay for the meal during the free hosted tasting session.
Attended with representatives from Chubby Botak Koala, Purple Taste, SG Cafe Hopping, NAHMJ Food, Travel & Lifestyle Blog, and Food Gem.
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| Baby Lobster Miso Yaki |
A Jolly Feast
(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 7
Ambience & Setting: 7
Food & Beverage: 8
Service: 7
Value for Money: 9
Budget about SGD $78 ++ per person.
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I've enjoyed my previous visits to Element Restaurant. This 2018 Christmas, they're holding a small festive celebration, available only on the 24th and 25th of December 2018, during dinner, with several festive dishes prepared specially for the occasion.
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| Element Restaurant Festive Banquet Setting |
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| Presents, Pine Cone, Candle, Wine Glasses, Flowers |
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| Presents, Pine Cone, Candle |
Ambience at Element Restaurant remains modern casual, with a touch of splendor. The spacious, open place is warmly lit with eclectic decorative lights overhead, and the polished marble floor gives it a classy feel. The comfortable brown cushioned booths, with sturdy wooden tables, is set against chairs of black and white. A wine chiller occupies the middle of the dining floor. Love the buffet display layout, the linear structure is neat and clean, well presented. For the upcoming Christmas feast, the same area will be used, however, when we were hosted, a small ballroom was prepared, with appropriate Christmas decor, exuding a touch of splendor.
Service at Element Restaurant remains similiar to standards befitting a good restaurant. Staff are friendly and proactive, greeting guests upon entry, and getting them quickly seated. They're able to accomodate and fufill simple requests efficiently. I like that staff come around regularly throughout the meal to clear away empty / dirty plates. The staff at the live stations will interact with you, as will the bartender, who can also make recommendations on drinks. For the upcoming Christmas feast, it will likewise be self-service, however, when we were hosted, staff were on standby throughout, and assisted with clearing dishes and changing cutlery after every course.
Food at Element Restaurant will appeal to most. The varied buffet spread ranges from Asian to Western, and the line-up of dishes changes daily. Generally, the Modern Asian selections are good; but I prefer the tasty Modern European dishes and casseroles here. The seafood is fresh, and includes luxurious items such as lobster or king crab, making this good value for money. Portions are naturally unlimited. For the upcoming Christmas feast, there will be a total of 8 curated Christmas dishes, some of which we got to sample during our hosted visit. Prices are comparable to other festive hotel buffets, budget about SGD $78 ++ / $108++ per person for a meal.
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| Banquet Table |
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| Star Bright |
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| Element Restaurant Christmas Menu 2018 |
Love the combination of Tomato Watermelon Carpaccio, which has thin slices of juicy watermelon interspered with tender slices of juicy tomato. When eaten in combination, it has a layered fruity vegetal sweet flavour. Garnished with wild rocket leaves / arugula dressed with balsamic vinegar and shaved parmesan cheese, lending a sharp bitter sour cheesy note that contrasts nicely. More satisfiying and tasty than I expected it to be.
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| Tomato Watermelon Carpaccio |
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| Tomato Watermelon Carpaccio |
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| Tomato Watermelon Carpaccio |
Loved the Celeriac Veloute Truffle Oil, because it's warm, soulful, and comforting. The rich, creamy soup / broth has a silky smooth texture and a delicate vegetal sweet earthy flavour. Among the more luxurious vegetable soups / broths / stews I've had. So good I crave more. Highly recommended!
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| Celeriac Veloute Truffle Oil |
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| Celeriac Veloute Truffle Oil |
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| Celeriac Veloute Truffle Oil |
The Pan-Seared Foie Gras With Raspberry Sauce is part of the buffet, but chef isn't going to put it in a food warmer like the other items. Instead, this will be prepared to order, which is the right thing to do. A medium thick slab of fatty, succulent velvety foie gras duck liver, with a smoky savoury salty flavour, is served with a sharp fruity sour sweet raspberry sauce on the side. Amongst the line up of festive items, this is the most straightforward.
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| Pan-Seared Foie Gras With Raspberry Sauce |
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| Pan-Seared Foie Gras With Raspberry Sauce |
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| Pan-Seared Foie Gras With Raspberry Sauce |
This next course, the Baby Lobster Miso Yaki, is served with a bit of flair! A spoon of Chinese rose wine is drizzled over the miso cream coated lobster, which is then torched / flambe. Served while still flaming!
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| Lobster Flambe |
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| Torching Chinese Rose Wine On Lobster |
Tuck into the Baby Lobster Miso Yaki once the flames have burnt off, infusing the Chinese rose wine into the baby lobster meat. The succulent, bouncy texture indicates how fresh this is, and the delicate sweet savoury briny flavour of the baby lobster has taken on the savoury salty notes of the miso cream, and a hint of the aromatic sweetness of the Chinese rose wine. Paired with briny salty globules of salmon roe which burst delightfully.
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| Baby Lobster Miso Yaki |
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| Baby Lobster Miso Yaki |
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| Baby Lobster Miso Yaki |
Turkey, as a meat, is just really hard to get right. But the Slow Roast Turkey With Sichuan Spicy Sauce is among the better versions of turkey meat I've had. Thinly sliced turkey breast is liberally dressed with a unique Sichuan / Szechuan peppercorn sauce, lending a savoury spice flavour to the smoky aroma of the turkey meat. The dish was served with a beautiful dollop of creamy smooth truffle oil infused mashed potato, with an earthy potato flavour; and a festive medley of vegetal sweet vegetables - tender carrots, crunchy asparagus, and juicy cherry tomatoes. Garnished with parsley. Good!
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| Slow Roast Turkey With Sichuan Spicy Sauce |
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| Slow Roast Turkey With Sichuan Spicy Sauce |
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| Slow Roast Turkey With Sichuan Spicy Sauce |
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| Slow Roast Turkey With Sichuan Spicy Sauce |
The Japanese Cheese Log Cake has a rich, thick layer of cream frosting over the moist, soft, vanilla and matcha / green tea infused sponge cake. Garnished with blueberries, matcha / green tea powder, and white chocolate chips. This has an earthy grassy floral fruity sweet flavour, tasting better than it looks.
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| Japanese Cheese Log Cake |
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| Japanese Cheese Log Cake |
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| Japanese Cheese Log Cake |
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| Japanese Cheese Log Cake |
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| Japanese Cheese Log Cake |
If you're planning a 2018 festive Christmas feast celebration, do check out Element Restaurant and their jolly spread! Really good value for money, so advance reservations are highly recommended!
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CONVERSATION