Halcyon & Crane

Halcyon & Crane
290 Orchard Road
#03-09 The Paragon

https://www.facebook.com/halcyoncrane/

Smoked Tuna Tataki Salad (SGD $21)

East Meets West In Surprising Plates

(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: 5
Spent about SGD $70 per person.


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Opened in September 2018 by the same folks behind the popular fusion cafe Birds Of A Feather, Halcyon & Crane is named for the Greek myth of the Kingfisher, associated with serenity and happiness, and the Chinese myth of the Crane, associated with longevity and peace. At Halcyon & Crane, expect more of the group's experimental fusion East meets West cuisine, with heavy use of Chinese Sichuan / Szechuan spices and bold, punchy flavours.

Ambience at Halcyon & Crane continues the marriage of east and west, with aesthetics designed to reflect both cultures. The warmly lit area is neatly and tightly packed with comfortable cushioned furniture and high tables. Partitions of shiny golden mesh wires are interspersed with spherical pavilion roofs and supporting wooden poles. Lazy recliners are situated next to the long bar and barista area. The place is well suited for lingering and people watching, and is also family-friendly, with small nooks to park baby strollers.

Service at Halcyon & Crane was average. As a restaurant, I expected better service quality, not just cafe standards. While it's easy to attract staff's attention, I would have liked a more proactive approach. They efficiently clean tables when diners leave. Staff don't display much product knowledge or menu knowledge. However, if the bosses are around, they will engage diners in conversation, describe dishes as it's served, and check for feedback on meals... a stark contrast compared with the regular staff.

Food at Halcyon & Crane is modern fusion. Think European style plates and ingredients (French, Italian), with Asian style techniques and seasonings (Japanese, Chinese). Head Chef Michael Ng serves up beautifully presented, tasty and healthy dishes, without using any monosodium glutamate (MSG), yet are bold in flavour. Portions are large for individuals, and can be shared. Prices are high, similar to fine dining restaurants, however, the quality doesn't live up to the premium pricing. Budget about SGD $70 per person for a meal here.


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Halcyon & Crane Signage

Halcyon & Crane Exterior

Halcyon & Crane Interior

Highlight Of Your Day

Water Glass

The Coffee Aficionado (SGD $11) is a sampling platter that allows you to mix and match the beverages served to your liking. A chocolate powder dusted serving plate arrives with small mugs of Hot Chocolate, Piccolo Latte, and a beaker of Espresso, garnished with Strawberries. On its own, the hot chocolate has a thin, milky texture, with weak chocolatey sweet flavour. Drink a little, then add some of the strong bitter espresso coffee, and pair with the juicy fruity sweet strawberries for a decent shot. The piccolo latte on its own is alright too, with a stronger milky profile, again, the espresso coffee helps here.

Coffee Aficionado (SGD $11)

Hot Chocolate

Piccolo Latte

Espresso & Strawberries

Coffee Aficionado

A playful and novel idea, the Orange Yuzu Passionfruit Coffee Cubes Latte (SGD $14) features latte coffee ice cubes in a glass, with a beaker containing a blend of fresh orange juice, yuzu zest, and passionfruit juice on the side. Garnished with a slice of caramelised orange and rosemary sprigs, you're meant to pour the beaker of fruit juice over the iced coffee cubes, which then slowly melts and infuses the beverage. Has a bold, distinct fruity sweet citrus sour flavour, with faint undertones of roasted espresso coffee flavours. The rosemary is more decor than flavour, and the overall beverage is more fruit juice than coffee.

Orange Yuzu Passionfruit Coffee Cubes Latte (SGD $14)

Orange Yuzu Passionfruit Coffee Cubes Latte

Orange Yuzu Passionfruit Coffee Cubes Latte

Orange Yuzu Passionfruit Coffee Cubes Latte

The Cocktail Crazy Rich Asian (SGD $26) features a blend of Plantation pineapple rum, pandan kaya / screwpine leaf coconut egg jam, and honey. This gives the beverage a rich, viscous texture, with a floral fruity sweet flavour. Served on a plate dressed with more pandan kaya / screwpine leaf coconut egg jam and rose petals, which perfume the immediate vicinity with an aromatic floral scent. Good!

Cocktail Crazy Rich Asian (SGD $26)

Cocktail Crazy Rich Asian

Named for the eponymous email fields, the Cocktail To, Cc, Bcc (SGD $20) features a blend of Bankes London dry gin, yuzu juice, passionfruit, and honey. The beverage has a cloudy, thick texture, with a fruity zesty sweet sour flavour. Served with a slice of candied lemon, this tipple is both refreshing and thirst-quenching.

Cocktail To, Cc, Bcc (SGD $20)

Cocktail To, Cc, Bcc

Cocktail To, Cc, Bcc

The Cocktail Layton Ginger (SGD $21) features a blend of V.S.O.P. (Very Superior Old Pale) brandy, ginger beer, and lemon peel, garnished with slices of orange and a sprig of rosemary, served over ice. This has a refreshing fizzy body, with bright floral citrus fruity sweet sour herbal flavours. Great for warm summer days.

Cocktail Layton Ginger (SGD $21)

Cocktail Layton Ginger

The Aburi Mentaiko Fries (SGD $15) are served in a large, generous sharing portion. Liberally garnished with creamy torched mentaiko / Alaskan pollock fish roe and small juicy globules of ebiko / shrimp roe, the thick cut potato fries have a slightly crisp exterior, and a fluffy interior. What I like is the balanced taste; not too salty, not too briny, but just right, leaving you craving for more. Highly recommended!

Aburi Mentaiko Fries (SGD $15)

Aburi Mentaiko Fries

Aburi Mentaiko Fries

The Smoked Tuna Tataki Salad (SGD $21) is a lovely appetizer. On one side, there's a fresh, crisp mixed mesclun salad (lettuce, chard, curly endive / frisée, spinach) with crunchy lotus root and firm melba toast bread, that has been dressed with Chinese Sichuan / Szechuan peppercorn spice. This complements the natural vegetal sweet flavour with an earthy spicy touch. On the other side, tender slices of smoked tuna fish tataki are laid over chilled grainy quinoa salsa. The fresh meaty savoury smoky flavours of the tuna fish are complemented by the grainy sweet quinoa and its seasoning of spice. A red chili oil vinaigrette is served as a dipping sauce on the side, this isn't as spicy or numbing as it looks. Highly recommended!

Smoked Tuna Tataki Salad (SGD $21)

Mixed Mesclun Salad With Lotus Root, Melba Toast

Smoked Tuna Tataki On Quinoa Salsa

Smoked Tuna Tataki Salad

The unique King's Chicken Hash Benedict (SGD $21) is among the most delicious breakfast / brunch dishes I've had. A spongy crisp home-made English muffin, with bready earthy smoky flavour, is topped with tender gong bao / kung kao chicken cubes stir-fried with crunchy leeks, Sichuan / Szechuan peppercorns, ginger, garlic, sugar, dark soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and dried chili, but without the roasted peanuts. This delicious, savoury sweet spicy mess is overlaid with a wobbly soft, 64-degree poached egg, whose perfect runny yolk bursts delightfully. Blanketed with cheddar cheese, which partially melts over the ingredients. Garnished with fresh crisp spinach leaves and curly endive / frisee, both with vegetal earthy flavour. Served with juicy baked cherry tomates that burst with vegetal sweet flavour, and Sichuan / Szechuan spice-coated roasted potatoes, that are tender in texture with bold savoury potato spicy flavour. Highly recommended!

King's Chicken Hash Benedict (SGD $21)

King's Chicken Hash Benedict

King's Chicken Hash Benedict

King's Chicken Hash Benedict

King's Chicken Hash Benedict

This has been removed from the menu since May 2019. Loved the Ham & Cheesy Egg Crepes (SGD $19). The thin egg crepes are generously stuffed with crunchy pickled purple cabbage and carrots, soft scrambled eggs coated with gooey cheese, and tender medium-thick slices of pork ham. Garnished with wispy curly endive / frisee and crisp red radish slices, each bite is a lovely eggy savoury sweet salty zesty cheesy flavour. The Sichuan / Szechuan Marinated Pickled Cabbage has fine shreds of crisp sour pickled cabbage with spring onions and crunchy soy beans, in a slightly spicy salty vinaigrette (black vinegar, sugar, light soy sauce, chili oil). The Spiced Fries & Rice Krispies have fluffy medium potato fries and crisp rice krispies coated in a light dusting of salt and mala peppercorn powder, giving them a light salty spicy touch. Completed with a creamy Dou Ban Mayo, a spicy blend of mala peppercorn powder, mayonnaise, white vinegar, and sesame seeds. Every bite was delicious. Highly recommended!

Ham & Cheesy Egg Crepes (SGD $19)

Ham & Cheesy Egg Crepe Half

Sichuan / Szechuan Marinated Pickled Cabbage

Spiced Fries & Rice Krispies

Dou Ban Mayo

Close-Up

Ham & Cheesy Egg Crepes

Was disappointed with the Spicy Beef Stew Capellini (SGD $25). While I like the condiments of sharp sour black vinegar vinaigrette, crispy savoury salty white soy beans, and crunchy vegetal spring onions, the main dish let me down with its overly intense flavours. The plain rice vermicelli is rather flat, and the soft braised daikon radish was much too salty. At least the braised beef cubes were properly tender, succulent, and meaty savoury in flavour. The cherry tomato was also sufficiently juicy sweet. The Chinese Sichuan / Szechuan beef stew was too delicate in taste, lacking that robust meaty edge. I didn't finish this.

Spicy Beef Stew Capellini (SGD $25)

Condiments - Black Vinegar Vinaigrette, Crispy White Soy Beans, Spring Onions

Braised Beef Cubes, Braised Daikon Radish, Rice Vermicelli, Cherry Tomato

Spicy Beef Stew Capellini

With Red & Spicy Beef Stew

This has been removed from the menu since May 2019. The Australian Angus Short Ribs (SGD $42) was tasty but full flavoured, getting a little too intense towards the middle and end. The Chinese Sichuan / Szechuan spiced fried potato was the best component, the firm waxy texture and lovely savoury spice potato flavour is tops. The tender vegetal broccoli, juicy sweet cherry tomato, and creamy earthy pumpkin puree, all lend good flavour and vibrant colour. The buckwheat pesto was interesting, with its bouncy chewy texture and earthy herbal sweet flavour. The braised beef short ribs are super tender and succulent, the meat just sliding off the bone. However, the robust salty savoury flavour is a little too intense, and we ended up drinking quite a bit of water. If this could be toned down, the dish would be perfect.

Australian Angus Short Ribs (SGD $42)

Chinese Sichuan / Szechuan Fried Potato, Broccoli, Buckwheat Pesto, Baked Cherry Tomato, Pumpkin Puree

Braised Beef Short Ribs

Australian Angus Short Ribs

Australian Angus Short Ribs

The Pork Sausage Onigiri (SGD $24) is among the few non-spicy dishes here, served with sides of crunchy zesty sour pickled cucumbers, medium-cut fluffy soft sweet potato fries, and creamy mayonnaise dip. The base features a pan-seared, crisp crunchy patty of Japanese white rice mixed with quinoa, having bold grainy earthy sweet flavour. Topped with fresh crunchy vegetal sweet lettuce leaves, and a thick juicy tender minced pork sausage patty, which has a lovely satisfying bite, and bold meaty savoury sweet salty flavour. Completed with a sunny side up egg, cut it to let the yolk coat the dish. Very happy with this. Good!

Pork Sausage Onigiri (SGD $24)

Pork Sausage Onigiri

Pork Sausage Onigiri

Pork Sausage Onigiri

The Classic Baked Cheesecake (SGD $14) may feature a classic American New York cheesecake, but the presentation is modern. The moist, soft cheesecake is served in 3 wedges and has good cheesy sweet flavour, while the digestive biscuit base has a buttery sweet flavour with a grainy crumble to texture. Garnished with crisp charcoal infused meringue wafers that crunch softly, releasing an earthy sweet flavour. Plated with rich chantilly cream, sticky raspberry compote, crunchy raspberry soil, and a creamy smooth raspberry sorbet; all with proper sharp sour sweet flavour. Best shared with at least 3 people. Overall, it's presented to resemble a modernist deconstructed dessert plate, but because the individual components are designed to stand alone perfectly, it's an ironic presentation.

Classic Baked Cheesecake (SGD $14)

Classic Baked Cheesecake

Classic Baked Cheesecake

Classic Baked Cheesecake

The modern Tiramisu On Glass (SGD $15) is plated with crisp crunchy biscotti, fresh strawberries, and crushed peanuts. The tiramisu itself is non-traditional, with a base of peanut crumble and oreo cookie crumble, layered with vanilla chantilly cream and coffee chantilly cream. Completed with a garnish of raisins, golden raisins, dried cranberries, and a dusting of chocolate powder. You get a blend of textures, creamy chewy crunchy grainy; with bold fruity milky sweet chocolatey coffee nutty flavours. Felt it looks better than it tastes actually, and seems more like a trifle than a tiramisu. Could be improved.

Tiramisu On Glass (SGD $15)

Tiramisu On Glass

Tiramisu On Glass

Tiramisu On Glass

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Update Jun-2023: Revisited Halcyon & Crane in catching up with friends, and also because Executive Chef Eugene See recommended we try his new collaboration with Dearborn Granola. The ambience, service, and food quality at Halcyon & Crane remains much as before, though the menu has been completely refreshed.

A straightforward Latte (SGD $7) with medium strength of body, carrying toasty earthy milky flavour. Alright, but nothing to shout about.

Latte (SGD $7)

The Dearborn Granola And Milk (SGD $9) highlights the collaboration in its simplicity. A straight bowl of their signature hand-blended 'Apricot, Pecan, And Orange' granola mix, crunchy and chewy with beautiful grainy floral fruity earthy sweet nutty flavours. The blend consists of organic rolled cereal oats, organic maple syrup, organic coconut sugar, dried apricot, pecan nuts, pumpkin seeds, orange extract, sea salt, and sunflower oil. A pitcher of luscious chilled fresh milk accompanies. Highly recommended!

Dearborn Granola And Milk (SGD $9)

Dearborn Granola And Milk

Dearborn Granola And Milk

The Crispy Squid, Green Chili (SGD $18) features chunks of clean-tasting bouncy squid, coated in a crisp batter, spiced with black pepper, Sichuan chili, cumin, and fish sauce. Served alongside slices of juicy battered green chili, each bite carries a burst of sweet savoury salty spice flavour. The sweetness tends to be more pronounced here, but I like it. Good!

Crispy Squid, Green Chili (SGD $18)

Crispy Squid, Green Chili

The Grilled Tiger Prawns, Multi-Grains Risotto (SGD $32) is delicious, and feels wholesome. The large crunchy juicy tiger prawns are partially deshelled and well grilled, with savoury salty sweet flavour. The sticky soft multi-grain risotto, comprising corn kernels, pumpkin, zucchini, barley, and black fungus / wood ear fungus, has lovely vegetal earthy sweet flavour, so addictive. While the crisp porous toasted sourdough bread was properly bready sour sweet in taste, I felt this could have been excluded as the dish was quite substantial already. Good!

Grilled Tiger Prawns, Multi-Grains Risotto (SGD $32)

Grilled Tiger Prawns, Multi-Grains Risotto

A delicious fusion of Italian and Chinese influences, the Dan Dan Spaghettini (SGD $26) has long silky spaghettini pasta noodles coated in thick tender pork ragout and creamy peanut sesame seed butter, crowned with a runny soft-boiled onsen egg, and fresh leafy kale. Mixed together, this has meaty savoury salty vegetal herbal sweet spice nutty flavours, yum. So good we ordered it again on a repeat visit. Highly recommended!

Dan Dan Spaghettini (SGD $26)

Dan Dan Spaghettini

The Nutella & Banana French Toast, Almond (SGD $23) surprised us for how delicious it was. The thick fluffy soft wedges of egg-layered toast bread is coated with a sticky crunchy garnish of nutella spread and crushed peanuts, stacked with soft banana slices, rich mascarpone cream, and crisp almond flakes. Has lovely chocolatey nutty bready sweet fruity flavour, so tasty. The plate is decorated with juicy seasonal berries (strawberries, blueberries) with fruity sweet flavour, edible flowers, a mint leaf, and a creamy scoop of vanilla ice cream with floral earthy milky sweet flavour. Highly recommended!

Nutella & Banana French Toast, Almond (SGD $23)

Nutella & Banana French Toast, Almond

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