Forbidden Duck

"Demon chef" Alvin Leung, known for his three-Michelin-starred Bo Innovation in Hong Kong, opened Forbidden Duck in Singapore. Located where Crystal Jade Prestige used to be, the contemporary Cantonese restaurant is on the 2nd floor of Marina Bay Link Mall. Take the lift, between Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 1 and 3, from the 1st floor and turn left upon exiting. Visited on a weekday for late lunch to try its dim sum and was surprised to see many empty tables for a relatively small but spacious place. Though the Pan Fried Turnip Cake with XO Sauce and Steamed King Prawn Dumpling were not recommended items on the menu, we liked them better than its Pesto Duck Spring Roll that my dining companion hated. Could neither rave about its Pork Siu Mai nor fault the thick but tender and a-tad-sweet slices of Iberico Pork Char Siu, except that the latter was too fatty for our liking. Oh, and the accompanying chilli sauce was very salty.

Moments – Two Michelin-starred Restaurant in Barcelona

It was our first trip to Spain and we decided to set aside time for a nice dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Barcelona as it would be too rushed in Madrid. Mandarin Oriental’s Moments, managed by chef Carme Ruscalleda (and her son Raül Balam) who has won seven Michelin stars for her restaurants in Spain and Tokyo, offers "creative, fresh and healthy cuisine inspired by Catalan culinary culture". Made reservations for four and brought or bought what we thought would be appropriate wear, only to realise upon arrival that we were overdressed. Ordered from the à la carte menu so everyone could eat what they wanted as the tasting menu was meant for the entire table. There was no variety of bread, neither served warm nor with butter, to choose from. Requested for olive oil and vinaigrette that took so long to arrive that we thought our request was forgotten. Liked how the mango cubes in my appetiser made the Mediterranean red tuna tartar with wasabi ice-cream less cloying.

FOO’D by Davide Oldani

It was on a weekday when we had lunch at Italian fine-dining restaurant FOO'D by Davide Oldani, located in Victoria Theatre & Concert Hall. Davide Oldani is a celebrity chef with a one-Michelin-starred restaurant – D'O in Cornaredo, just outside Milan. Started with one of his specialty, caramelised onions with 20 months aged Grana Padano served hot and cold. Our table enjoyed how the sweet and soft onions were balanced by the savoury and creamy Grana Padano, though the standout was the flaky and crispy puff pastry. Could neither rave about nor fault my choice of main course, chicken roulade with truffle sauce. There were mixed reviews for the dessert of lemon curd with meringue, lettuce sorbet and cocoa crumble. I found the lettuce ice-cream bitter with a raw vegetable taste, and gave it a miss. In contrast, the tart lemon curd went well with the sweet meringue and cocoa crumble. Was not impressed with the meal and left the place hungry.

Imperial Treasure Fine Teochew Cuisine

It has been a year since Imperial Treasure Teochew Cuisine moved from Takashimaya to Ion Orchard. Located on the 3rd floor, the always-fully-booked Imperial Treasure Fine Teochew Cuisine was one of the new entrants that made its way into 2017 Michelin Guide Singapore. My dining companions and I finally managed to get seats for dinner yesterday, despite walking in without prior reservations. Thin slices of tender duck meat were poached in a mix of soya sauces and spices that was not too salty, and served on top of marinated beancurd. Skin of the roast pork was a tad thick but still crispy, and there was an equal amount of meat and fats. We also ordered the recommended homemade beancurd with Chinese spinach and mushrooms – not on the menu, and hor fun with sliced pork (instead of beef) in peanut sauce. And I added an individual portion of succulent prawn with lovely egg white in truffle oil that did not overwhelm. Could neither rave about nor fault any of the dishes we ordered.

Epicure – Three Michelin-starred Restaurant in Paris

This was my 1st time dining at a three Michelin-starred restaurant, since my dining companion and I ate at Joël Robuchon Restaurant before the inaugural edition of Michelin Guide Singapore. Other than making sure we reserved seats early enough, was also reminded to bring appropriate wear lest we are denied entry – was politely told Sophia's restaurant at The Charles Hotel, Munich was full when I was underdressed. Stepping into the luxurious Le Bristol hotel where the beautiful Epicure is located, we were ushered to the restaurant that has held its three Michelin stars since 2009. After offering to take my jacket (and remembering to return it to me as we were leaving), we were brought to our table overlooking an exquisite garden. Fret not if you do not understand French as the staff speak English, just like at Fischers Fritz and Seta. Their recommendations were good too and service impeccable.

Tsuta

It has been almost a year since the world's only Michelin-starred ramen restaurant, opened by chef-owner Yuki Onishi in 2012, arrived in Singapore. There is always a queue whenever I pass by Tsuta at Pacific Plaza and the only time when I do not see anyone waiting, it is closed. So imagine my delight to spy empty seats in the Japanese restaurant, located on the 1st floor, when I walked past on a weekday. Waited for my turn (there were a few people in front of me) and ordered a Ajitama Shio Soba, adding a Yuzu Wonton, from a big touchscreen. Chose original Japanese taste over less salt for the seafood and chicken broth mixed with Okinawa sea salt and Mongolian rock salt, and served with green olives pureed in truffle oil. The long straight thin noodles were cooked just right in a delicately flavourful broth that was a tad oily, with a subtle aroma and taste of truffle that did not overwhelm. Char Siu was tender and nicely seasoned while flavoured egg had runny yolk the way I liked it. I loved the wonton skin and yuzu so the filling of minced meat was not cloying.

2017 Michelin Guide Singapore

Congratulations to all winners for making their way into 2017 Michelin Guide Singapore!

* denotes new entrants

Three Michelin Stars 

Joël Robuchon Restaurant at Resorts World™ Sentosa

Two Michelin Stars 

L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon at Resorts World™ Sentosa
Les Amis at Shaw Centre
Odette at National Gallery Singapore
Restaurant Andre at Bukit Pasoh Road
Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro at Mandarin Orchard Singapore
Shoukouwa at One Fullerton
Waku Ghin at Marina Bay Sands

One Michelin Star 

Alma by Juan Amador at Goodwood Park Hotel
Beni at Mandarin Gallery
Braci at Boat Quay *
Candlenut at Dempsey Hill (moved from Dorsett Residences)
Cheek by Jowl at Boon Tat Street *
Chef Kang's at Mackenzie Road *
Corner House at Singapore Botanic Gardens
Crystal Jade Golden Palace at Paragon Shopping Centre
CUT at Marina Bay Sands
Garibaldi at Purvis Street *

Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodles at Crawford Lane
Iggy's at Hilton Singapore *
Imperial Treasure Fine Teochew Cuisine at Ion Orchard *
JAAN at Swissotel the Stamford
Labyrinth at Esplanade *
Lei Garden at Chjimes
Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice and Noodle at Chinatown Food Complex

Meta Restaurant at Keong Saik Road *
OSIA at Resorts World™ Sentosa
Putien Restaurant at Kitchener Road

Rhubarb Le Restaurant at Duxton Hill
Saint Pierre at One Fullerton *
Shinji by Kanesaka at Raffles Hotel
Shinji by Kanesaka at St Regis Hotel
Summer Palace at Regent Singapore *
Summer Pavilion at Ritz-Carlton
Sushi Ichi at Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel
The Kitchen at Bacchanalia at Hong Kong Street
The Song of India at Scotts Road
Whitegrass at Chjimes *

Bib Gourmand

328 Katong Laksa at East Coast Road
A Noodle Story at Amoy Street Food Centre

Alliance Seafood at Newton Food Centre

Ah Er Soup at ABC Brickworks Food Centre
Balestier Road Hoover Rojak at Whampoa Market Place
Bar-Roque Grill at Tanjong Pagar Road

Bismallah Biryani at Dunlop Road

Chey Sua Carrot Cake at 127, Toa Payoh West Market & Food Centre

Claypot Laksa at Alexandra Village Food Centre
Famous Sungei Road Trishaw at Hong Lim Market & Food Centre

Hjh Maimunah Restaurant at Jalan Pisang
Hong Heng Fried Sotong Prawn Mee at Tiong Bahru Market
Hong Kee Beef Noodle at Amoy Street Food Centre
Hoo Kee Rice Dumpling at Amoy Street Food Centre
J2 Famous Crispy Curry Puff at Amoy Street Food Centre 
Ka Soh Restaurant at College Road
Kok Sen at Keong Saik Road
Lagnaa at Upper Dickson Road
Liang Zhao Ji Duck Rice at Whampoa Market Place
Liao Fan Hawker Chan at Smith Street

Man Man Japanese Unagi Restaurant at Keong Saik Road
Na Na Curry at 115, Bukit Merah View Market & Food Centre
New Lucky Claypot Rice at Holland Drive
New Ubin Seafood at Hillview Avenue
Peony Jade at Keppel Club
Shi Hui Yuan Hor Fun Specialty at Mei Ling Market & Food Centre
Shirokane Tori-Tama at Unity Street
Shish Mahal Restaurant & Pub at Albert Street
Sin Huat Eating House at Geylang Road
Song Fa Bak Kut Teh at New Bridge Rd

The Blue Ginger at Tanjong Pagar Road

Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice at Maxwell Food Centre
Tiong Bahru Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice at Tiong Bahru Market
True Blue Cuisine at Armenian Street
Tsuta at Pacific Plaza
Whole Earth at Peck Seah Street
Yhingthai Palace at Purvis Street
Zaffron Kitchen at East Coast Road
Zai Shun Curry Fish Head at Jurong East Street 24

Kam's Roast

Have wanted to try Kam's Roast since its opening last November in Singapore, its 2nd branch and the only outside Hong Kong. Located on the 1st floor of Pacific Plaza beside Michelin-starred Tsuta Ramen, it is in the same building as another Michelin-starred restaurant – Tim Ho Wan on the 2nd floor. Kam's Roast Goose, founded by the 3rd generation of the founder of my favourite Yung Kee (what a mouthful), has been awarded a Michelin star in Hong Kong since it opened in 2014. We were seated immediately when we visited on a weekend for late lunch. My dining companion ordered crispy roast pork rice while I had seasonal vegetable soup noodles and we shared a quarter-portion of roast duck. While I loved the springy noodles, could neither rave about the pork nor fault the tender and succulent duck. If only the skin was crispier.

Tim Ho Wan – Has the Standard Dropped?

3 years have passed since Tim Ho Wan 1st landed on our shores. Now, the Michelin-starred dim sum restaurant has expanded its presence to 8 locations across the island – 112 Katong, Aperia Mall (Lavender), Atrium@Orchard (Plaza Singapura), CityLink Mall, ERA Centre (Toa Payoh), Pacific Plaza, Tai Seng and Westgate. Last weekend, I visited its newest branch at Pacific Plaza and ordered my favourites. The Steamed Egg Cake was as airy-light, soft and fluffy as the 1st time I tried it though the caramelised taste was more muted than the ones in Hong Kong. Skin of the Steamed Prawn Dumplings was not as springy and translucent-thin as I remembered, and a tad mushy but did not stick to the paper on the bamboo steamer basket. I preferred the succulent and well-marinated prawns in Singapore to Hong Kong's. While Spring Roll with Egg White seemed oilier, the skin was still crackling-crispy thin and went well with the egg white, prawns and chopped carrots. By the way, breakfast sets are also available at CityLink Mall's takeaway counter.

Seta – Two Michelin-starred Restaurant in Milan

According to Mandarin Oriental's website, the "number of Michelin-starred restaurants in the group's portfolio is more than any other hotel group in the world". Other than its two hotels in Hong Kong, the list includes Shanghai and Tokyo in Asia as well as four in Europe – Barcelona, London, Milan and Paris. Upon arrival in Milan, we made reservations for dinner at Seta which has been awarded a second Michelin star in the 2017 guide and were delighted that a table for four was still available despite it being a weekend. Rain throughout our stay in the fashion capital meant the weather felt more like winter than spring and we could not sit at the courtyard. As much as I would like to try the black truffle tasting menu, it is suggested for the entire table and my dining companions would be compelled to eat the same. For democracy, we decided to order from the à la carte menu and everyone could choose what they wanted.

Jaan

Upon hearing that Jaan was awarded one Michelin star in the inaugural edition of Michelin Guide Singapore last month, was hoping very hard that I still have a chance to try (have wanted to for the longest time but never got down to doing so). Located on the 70th floor of Swissotel the Stamford, Jaan is derived from the ancient Sanskrit word for "bowl". As my dining companion made a reservation more than two months in advance, we were seated at a table by the window. It was a weekday night and according to the website, "only 7 and 10 course menus will be available during dinner service". We settled for the former, choosing Menu Prestige over Jardin Gourmand (vegetarian) and neither topped up for the finest cheese selection and condiments nor wine pairing. While all guests at the table are expected to order the same menu, dishes can be modified or replaced according to different guests' dietary requirements.

2016 Michelin Guide Singapore

Congratulations to all winners for making their way into 2016 Michelin Guide Singapore, the inaugural edition!

Three Michelin Stars 
Joël Robuchon Restaurant at Resorts World™ Sentosa

Two Michelin Stars 

L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon at Resorts World™ Sentosa
Les Amis at Shaw Centre
Odette at National Gallery Singapore
Restaurant Andre at Bukit Pasoh Road
Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro at Mandarin Orchard Singapore
Shoukouwa at One Fullerton

One Michelin Star 

Alma by Juan Amador at Goodwood Park Hotel
Beni at Mandarin Gallery
Candlenut at Dorsett Residences
Corner House at Singapore Botanic Gardens
Crystal Jade Golden Palace at Paragon Shopping Centre
CUT at Marina Bay Sands
Forest at Resorts World™ Sentosa
Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodles at Crawford Lane
Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice and Noodle at Chinatown Food Complex
JAAN at Swissotel the Stamford
Lei Garden at Chjimes

OSIA at Resorts World™ Sentosa
Putien Restaurant at Kitchener Road
Rhubarb Le Restaurant at Duxton Hill
Shinji by Kanesaka at Raffles Hotel
Shinji by Kanesaka at St Regis Hotel
Summer Pavilion at Ritz-Carlton
Sushi Ichi at Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel
Terra at Tras Street
The Kitchen at Bacchanalia at Hong Kong Street
The Song of India at Scotts Road
Waku Ghin at Marina Bay Sands

Bib Gourmand

328 Katong Laksa at East Coast Road

A Noodle Story at Amoy Street Food Centre

Alaturka at Bussorah Street

Alliance Seafood at Newton Food Centre

Balestier Road Hoover Rojak at Whampoa Market Place

Bismallah Biryani at Dunlop Road

Chey Sua Carrot Cake at 127, Toa Payoh West Market & Food Centre

Claypot Laksa at Alexandra Village Food Centre
Famous Crispy Curry Puff at Amoy Street Food Centre

Famous Sungei Road Trishaw at Hong Lim Market & Food Centre
Hjh Maimunah Restaurant at Jalan Pisang
Hong Heng Fried Sotong Prawn Mee at Tiong Bahru Market
Hong Kee Beef Noodle at Amoy Street Food Centre
Hoo Kee Rice Dumpling at Amoy Street Food Centre
JB Ah Meng Kitchen at Geylang Road
Ka Soh Restaurant at College Road
Kok Sen at Keong Saik Road

Lagnaa at Little India

Liang Zhao Ji Duck Rice at Whampoa Market Place
Na Na Curry at 115, Bukit Merah View Market & Food Centre
New Ubin Seafood at Sin Ming Road

Peony Jade at Keppel Club at Bukit Chermin Rd

Shi Hui Yuan Hor Fun Specialty at Mei Ling Market & Food Centre

Shish Mahal Restaurant & Pub at Albert Street

Sin Huat Eating House at Geylang Road

Song Fa Bak Kut Teh at New Bridge Rd

The Fishball Story at Golden Mile Food Centre (it has moved to Timbre+ at Ayer Rajah Crescent)

Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice at Maxwell Food Centre

Tiong Bahru Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice at Tiong Bahru Market

True Blue Cuisine at Armenian Street

Wedang at Golden Mile Food Centre (it has moved to Blk 117, Aljunied Ave 2)

Whole Earth at Peck Seah Street

Yhingthai Palace at Purvis Street

Zaffron Kitchen at East Coast Road

Fischers Fritz – Two Michelin-starred Restaurant in Berlin

As this was my 1st time dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant, I decided to write my 1st post on an eatery not in Singapore. Planning what to eat when overseas is not part of my itinerary, as I do not want to specially go out of the way in an unfamiliar place looking for an obscure restaurant only for my effort to come to nought because it is closed or the queue is simply too long. However, my travel companion has always wanted to try a Michelin-starred restaurant. The first time we went Europe on a packaged tour, there was limited free time before our guide would bundle us up the bus. And we did not manage to make reservations during our last trip to Paris so this time, we made sure we reserved seats early enough. Fischers Fritz, helmed by Chef de Cuisine Christian Lohse who used to work at 3-Michelin-starred Guy Savoy in Paris and The Dorchester in London, has earned two Michelin stars for the 9th consecutive year. It is conveniently located on the 1st floor of Regent Berlin.

FOC

FOC is not free of charge but means fire in Catalan, a language spoken in the Barcelona region of Spain. Located on Hong Kong Street opposite Central, FOC is as synonymous with Catalan cuisine in Singapore as it is with hand-crafted cocktails by award-winning mixologist Dario Knox. According to its website, authentic flavours of the best local and seasonal produces are brought together to impeccably present traditional Catalan dishes in a contemporary format with an enthusiastic attitude. The collaboration between chefs Nandu Jubany, who received a Michelin star for his restaurant Can Jubany in Calldetenes, and Jordi Noguera reinvents recipes to the smallest details where the land or sea products find a balance of complexity and subtlety on the plate. This is an overdue visit and I finally dropped by for lunch on a weekday. Among the four of us, we shared six tapas (small plates) and one each of paella, main, dessert and cocktail – Blacked Out in Bangkok.

L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon

Organised and compiled by William Reed Media, Asia's 50 Best Restaurants collate votes of The World's 50 Best Restaurants Academy – an influential group of more than 900 international leaders in the restaurant industry, each selected for their expert opinion of the international restaurant scene. Ranked No. 24 on 2013's list is L'Atelier De Joël Robuchon, Singapore. Located on the 1st floor of Hotel Michael at Resorts World™ Sentosa, it is on the left of its entrance shared with fine-dining Joël Robuchon Restaurant on the right. It was a weekday evening when my dining companion and I visited the more casual L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon with counter seats around an open-concept kitchen, and a few tables in the main dining area.

Chabuton

Located at B2 of 313@somerset beside Saboten, Chabuton is opened by Michelin-starred chef Yasuji Morizum who was named "King of Ramen" by well-known Japanese program TV Champion in 2002. With presence in Japan and Thailand, it was the first ramen eatery ever to be awarded Michelin star. Decked out in neutral colours and lots of wood, the décor was typical of most Japanese restaurants. Lunch sets include small portions of ramen with a side dish and a dessert. My choice was its signature Chabuton Tonkotsu Ramen, Hitokuchi gyoza and konnyaku jelly. The rich and creamy broth was a tad oily and salty though I loved the springy thin noodles and tender melt-in-the-mouth chashu slice. While skin of gyoza was thin, it was not crispy enough and the filling was nothing to rave about. But the sweet grape and peach jelly was a perfect end to my meal.

db Bistro Moderne

Except Ku Dé Ta and Sky on 57 at the rooftop, most celebrity chef and fine dining restaurants congregate along two stretches in The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. One is on the 2nd floor (includes Guy Savoy, Hide Yamamoto and Waku Ghin) whereas the other is at B1. Beside MasterCard Theatres – Grand Theatre is Cut, Chef Wolfgang Puck's modern take on the American steakhouse. And across are Chef Mario Batali's Osteria Mozza and Pizzeria Mozza as well as db Bistro Moderne, Michelin-starred Chef Daniel Boulud's reinterpretation of the Parisian classic with New York style. Offering traditional French cooking with contemporary American flavours like signature burger collection inspired by the modern American palate. My dining companions and I started with a pitcher of Endless Summer Punch. It had a nice aroma of apples, tasted more like fresh orange juice than apple juice and was mostly sweet, with a tinge of tartness and a distinct note of raw cucumber slices but not ginger beer.

Tim Ho Wan Revisited

Have you heard the world's cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant has expanded its presence in Singapore? Tim Ho Wan by Chef Mak Kwai Pui opened a 2nd branch on Thursday at ERA Centre, formerly known as Toa Payoh Entertainment Centre. But until its official launch sometime next month instead of July as initially planned, it is available only to staff of Hersing Corporation and ERA agents who can bring along their family and friends. So my dining companions and I visited the one at Atrium@Orchard, next to Plaza Singapura. More than 4 months have passed since the hole-in-the-wall eatery, offering authentic made-to-order (not pre-steamed and reheated) Hong Kong style dim sum, arrived on our shores. I reached 15 minutes before it was opened for business yesterday and estimated from my position in the queue we would be within the 1st batch of seating. While waiting, order chits were distributed as staff asked for the number of people in each group.

Joël Robuchon Restaurant

Conferred Chef of the Century by the prestigious Guide Gault Millau in 1990, Joël Robuchon was the youngest chef ever at 38 years old to receive three Michelin stars for his first restaurant Jamin. In fact, three of his restaurants are in 2013's lists of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants and Asia's 50 Best Restaurants. Ranked No. 24 on the former is L'Atelier Saint-Germain de Joël Robuchon in Paris while No. 23 and 24 on the latter are L'Atelier De Joël Robuchon in Hong Kong and Singapore respectively. Organised and compiled by William Reed Media, the lists collate votes of The World's 50 Best Restaurants Academy – an influential group of more than 900 international leaders in the restaurant industry, each selected for their expert opinion of the international restaurant scene. It was for the legendary (in the culinary world) icon's internationally acclaimed French haute cuisine that I specially made a trip to Joël Robuchon Restaurant.

New Kid on the Block – Tim Ho Wan

The world's cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant has landed on our shores. Tim Ho Wan by Chef Mak Kwai Pui, who hopes to offer authentic made-to-order (not pre-steamed and reheated) Hong Kong style dim sum to Singapore, opened at Atrium@Orchard yesterday. Next to Plaza Singapura, this is the hole-in-the-wall eatery's 1st overseas branch with the 2nd one in Toa Payoh opening in July and another four by year end. Recalled seeing a long queue at the original Mong Kok branch, which was awarded one Michelin star within a year of business and continued to earn the accolade every year since. With its recent move to Olympian City, the only branch with the hard-earned one star now is Sham Shui Po's though Tim Ho Wan also has presence in North Point and IFC Mall. No different from Hong Kong, seating here is on a 1st-come 1st-serve basis but customers can get a queue number and go shopping until they received a notification via SMS that their table is ready.