Latest news with #TheShoppes
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Waku Ghin: A hidden gem with innovative Japanese cocktails & seasonal delights
Japanese food is probably my favourite cuisine – sushi, sashimi, tempura, donburi – you name it, I probably have a top pick from most of those dishes. I was very excited visit Waku Ghin, a Michelin-starred restaurant by Chef Tetsuya Wakuda located in Marina Bay Sands. While Waku Ghin's highly acclaimed degustation experience at the 10-seater Chef's Table is the ultimate pilgrimage for gourmands, the bar dining area offers a timeless experience of à la carte classics, and is perfect for casual nights out. The restaurant uses seasonal ingredients sourced from various prefectures in Japan, so you know everything is at its best. Chef Tetsuya has a deep appreciation for nature. Each of his dishes pays homage to traditional Japanese sensibilities while showcasing his craftsmanship. Additionally, he employs Western techniques and a distinct Italian influence to enhance some of his creations. Waku Ghin is located on the 2nd level of The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. The restaurant's exterior is minimalist, with its name on the outside and a gorgeous solid wood door. Award-winning Japanese designer Yohei Akao designed the restaurant's interior. Bold columns covered with striking artwork separate the 24-seater dining area from the bar, and the setting feels both intimate and luxurious. Waku Ghin's bar is a striking display of the restaurant's collection of rare sake, whiskies and spirits. I settled here to admire the display and peruse the extensive à la carte bar menu. It was a fascinating experience to watch the bartender assemble and shake up the cocktails. Fresh fruits feature prominently in Waku Ghin's signature drinks, with a regular rotation that showcases whatever is in season. The cocktails I sampled were the Yamaoroshi (S$25), containing wasabi gin, fresh wasabi, cacao liqueur and cream. This unlikely blend of flavours made for a truly unique sip, with the sharpness of the wasabi being cut by the sweetness of the cream. The Blood Orange Negroni (S$28) and the signature Musk Melon Cocktail (S$28) are examples of Waku Ghin's seasonal fruit-based cocktails and should not be missed when visiting. The Musk Melon Cocktail is an homage to Chef Tetsuya's hometown of Shizuoka, where the melons originate from. In both, the flavour of the fruit is brought to new levels and not masked by the alcohol. It's not just the cocktails that are stellar here, though. I love a good lobster roll, and the Slow Cooked Lobster Sandwich with Black Truffle (S$55) was a truly intriguing way of enjoying lobster that had me at the first bite. The lobster meat was an addictive paradox of being tender yet crunchy at the same time, and the homemade sourdough played off the brininess of the fresh lobster and the decadent black truffle shavings to truly bring everything together. Jinggho Shokudo: Hawker stall serving affordable Japanese fare & giant unagi bowls as big as your face The WG Grilled Wagyu Beef set on Rice (S$58) packed an abundance of flavour and decadence into a small bowl. It featured Japanese rice topped with leeks and grilled wagyu beef slices. The beef was a mouthful of pure luxury. It was rich, tender and grilled to perfection, while the meltingly-soft leeks added a subtle vegetal note that helped cut the richness of the beef. The Aburi Tasmanian Ocean Trout with Yuzu (S$32) was an elegant presentation of fresh ocean trout that had been gently torched and seasoned with yuzu. The flesh of the fish glistened with promise and was of impeccable quality. The delicate flavour of the trout was heightened by the yuzu and will undoubtedly please fish lovers. If you want to experience Japanese cuisine at its finest, pay The Bar at Waku Ghin a visit. The quality and creativity of the dishes, along with the beautifully crafted cocktails, will not disappoint – your meal will be as memorable as it is delicious. Ready for a one-of-a-kind dining experience? Head over to Waku Ghin's website to make your reservations now! Expected damage: S$40 – S$70 per pax * This post is brought to you in partnership with Waku Ghin. 13 best omakase restaurants in Singapore for the most authentic Japanese dining experience [Jan 2025 update] The post Waku Ghin: A hidden gem with innovative Japanese cocktails & seasonal delights appeared first on
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
3 best al fresco weekend dining spots at Marina Bay Sands for views & vibes
Weekends are all about unwinding and recharging before embarking on a new workweek. If soaking up some vitamin D, enjoying picturesque views, and breathing in fresh air sounds like your kind of vibe, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands has a lineup of al fresco dining spots perfect for a laid-back day out. Whether you're bringing family, friends, your significant other, or even your four-legged companion, this is the perfect place to kick back and let the weekend roll by. Craving a laid-back American brunch, planning a family-friendly feast for a big group, or looking to impress on a romantic date with oysters and champagne? We've got you covered! Read on as we dive into 3 must-try weekend dining spots at Marina Bay Sands. Yardbird Southern Table & Bar transports the bold, comforting flavours of the American South right to Singapore's shores. And with a title like Best American Restaurant voted by Time Out Miami, get set for a delicious Southern indulgence! Kicking things off with a strong presentation is the Chicken & Waffles (S$48++). It features 4 pieces of fried chicken stuffed in a quirky rooster-shaped basket, accompanied by 3 slabs of cheddar waffle, and chilled spiced watermelon cubes. With its golden-brown, crispy skin and juicy, tender meat, each piece of fried chicken was pure finger-lickin' goodness — a one-way ticket to flavour heaven! I love watermelon as a fruit, but spiced watermelon? That's a first! Each juicy cube had hints of minty basil, and the gentle heat that kicked in after a while was an unexpected twist. Macaroni and cheese fans will swoon over the Lobster Mac & Cheese (S$79++). Served with an entire Boston lobster, the unctuous macaroni is slathered in a heavenly marriage of 5 artisanal cheeses — one of the best I've had! The Crab Cake Benedict (S$30++) came in 2 stacks consisting of fried green tomatoes, crab cake, and a poached egg, with a crispy, long piece of grilled bacon on top. I drizzled the rich Hollandaise sauce generously and then proceeded to obliterate the flawlessly poached egg with a little assistance from my fork and knife. The chef behind this dish deserves an award. Who would've thought swapping the usual muffin bottom for breaded green tomato would make such a game-changing difference? Paired with the fresh, sweet crab cake, the oozy poached egg, and the other elements, each bite was pure bliss. The Donut Tree (S$18++) arrived on an attention-grabbing bare jet-black tree, with 6 crispy, sun-kissed donuts in 3 varieties hanging like peculiar 'ornaments'. The Oreo one was satisfying, while the pistachio had an earthy, addictively-chunky bite. But what really took the spotlight was the bacon-glazed donut, topped with crispy, salty bacon chunks and a sweet icing finish. The Bourbon Bacon Chocolate Cake (S$28++) stood tall with 4 layers of rich chocolate sponge. The cake was infused with a light bourbon chocolate cream, crowned with crackling bacon and a drizzle of caramel. It was paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Once again, the savoury-sweet combo totally charmed me. Never in a million years would I have imagined chocolate, crispy bacon, and bourbon in a cake could taste that amazing! To book yourselves a table to enjoy a Southern feast, click here. Just over a year old, Maison Boulud is a romantic, French restaurant by celebrity chef, Daniel Boulud, that stretches over 2 levels The decor is glamourous and perfect for date night at the basement, while the first floor exudes a resort-like charm overlooking the Singapore waterfront. Swing by with your other half or friends and indulge in the Brunch Set Menu (S$68++) — a fantastic choice if you're hankering for French brunch classics over the weekend. It includes the Lobster Eggs Benedict, a beautifully crafted masterpiece so stunning that I almost couldn't bring myself to dig in. With luscious spinach, fresh lobster, luxurious poached egg, calamansi Hollandaise, and micro greens on top, it was an exceptional brunch food to revel in. 30 Italian restaurants to relish in Singapore For the Eggs Any Style, take your pick between sunny side-up and scrambled eggs, that comes complete with charred grilled farmers bread, Toulouse Sausage, haricot beans in tomato sauce, bacon, and creamy spinach. The French Toast was a buttery, sweet respite from the two savoury dishes we had earlier. Its partners in crime? A vibrant berry compote and a tangy, airy yogurt espuma. Of course, who wouldn't say yes to croissants? The Viennoiserie consists of a croissant and pain au chocolate, paired with classic butter and a duo of jams — enjoy them just the way you like! What better way to kickstart your lovely brunch affair than to take advantage of their weekend Oysters & Bottomless Champagne promotion? The Set for one (S$98++) includes 2 hours of free-flow Duval-Leroy Champagne, half a dozen French oysters, and 3 kinds of tartare. We tried the Set for two (S$196++), which has an extra 10g of N25 Caviar and 6 more oysters. We turned our attention to the centrepiece of the table, a 2-tier metal bowl display filled with ice. The bottom layer featured a dozen freshly-shucked oysters while the top showcased the opulent caviar with a trio of tartares. Enjoy the briny pops of caviar that burst with divine oceanic essence. Have them on their own, pair them with blinis or potato chips, or alongside the crab, salmon, or tuna tartare. Slurp on oysters imported from France such as fine de claire and speciale. Feast on them with some punchy shallot mignonette or the good ol' spritz of lemon. To experience Maison Boulud's delightful French fare, click here. Those words sound familiar, don't they? 'It's RAAAAAAW!' — famous from none other than Gordon Ramsay of Hell's Kitchen, the mastermind behind Bread Street Kitchen. This decade-old waterfront restaurant continues to charm diners with its industrial decor and signature checkerboard floor tiles. You can also head outside with your family in tow as you relish in a variety of elevated yet comforting British European specialities. Available only on Sundays, the BSK Roast (S$45) features 4 succulent slices of USDA prime striploin, Yorkshire pudding, roasted potatoes, carrots and seasonal vegetables. The beef slices were a carnivore's dream — tender, rich in taste, and matched wonderfully with the velvety brown jus. Be sure to save some of that sauce to dunk the crispy, fluffy Yorkshire pudding. Those seeking something healthy and authentically British can go for the Avocado Croast (S$28). A luscious blend of buttery guacamole and earthy mushy peas fill the flaky croissant, adorned with 2 perfectly jiggly poached eggs, peppery arugula, and parmesan shavings. Nothing says 'weekend' quite like a generous slab of Lobster Roll (S$45). Experience the taste of the sea with succulent lobster chunks tossed in a zesty fennel and apple salad, all finished with a velvety Maria rose sauce. Click here to book yourself a table at Bread Street Kitchen. * This post is brought to you in partnership with Marina Bay Sands. Jalan Besar dim sum showdown: Dim Sum Haus vs Sum Dim Sum The post 3 best al fresco weekend dining spots at Marina Bay Sands for views & vibes appeared first on
