Food for Thought: Kamameshi @ Sun with Moon Japanese Dining and Cafe

The minimalist-Zen decor of Sun with Moon Japanese Dining and Cafe is casual yet stylish.  It has a very inviting feel to it.  We were grateful that they could squeeze us in at the last minute even though we showed up on a Friday evening without any advanced reservation.  So we didn't complain when shown to a table right at the restaurant's entrance.

Helmed by Executive Chef, Tokio Sawai, the restaurant aims to serve authentic traditional Japanese fare alongside an array of more creative dishes.   One of its specialties is Kamameshi - flavoured rice steamed with specially selected ingredients in an iron pot.   At Sun with Moon, the broth and ingredients are meticulously prepared so that every pearl of rice is fully infused with the ingredients chosen.  The seasonings used to create the broth are also skilfully chosen.

Premium Seafood Kamameshi comprising flame-seared seafood mix of grilled eel, oysters, sea urchin, scallop and crabmeat served in an iron pot with flavoured steamed rice

On our last visit, both darling wife and I chose the Unagi & Yakiniku Kamameshi.  The fragrant steamed rice is topped with grilled eel with sweet soy sauce together with slivers of sauteed beef topped with egg yolk.  Every spoonful of Japanese rice was full of aromatic delight infused with the thick broth of bonito and kelp and ingredients like mushroom, chestnut, konjac, carrot and lotus root. The unagi was soft and tender and very tasty with a light hint of sweetness from the drizzle of soy sauce.  The thinly sliced beef too was very tasty with sufficient fats to ensure the moist tenderness expected of good Yakiniku.

Kamameshi with Grilled Unagi and Yakiniku

To end the meal on a very happy and satisfying note, we had for dessert their famous Hokkaido Chocolate Mille Crepe  and Sun's Tofu Cheese Cake.  Honestly, I prefer the Tofu Cheese Cake from Japanese Dining Sun @ Chijmes.  However, the Mille Crepe was sublime.

Hokkaido Chocolate Mille Crepe

Sun's Tofu Cheese Cake

Throughout our meal, the waiting staff were prompt and attentive.  We were served by 3 different staff, all of whom were polite and friendly.


Sun with Moon Japanese Dining and Cafe
501 Orchard Road
#03-15 Wheelock Place
Singapore 238880
Phone: 67336636


Ambiance:  8/10
Service:       9/10
Food:           8/10
Pricing:       $$
Recommendation:  Unagi & Yakiniku Kamameshi; Hokkaido Chocolate Mille Crepe

 

Food for Thought: High Tea at The St Regis

I had high expectations when I placed reservations for High Tea for 2 at St Regis.  It was to be held in the hotel's French restaurant, Brasserie Les Saveurs and naturally, I was looking forward to 6-star treatment and service.

On entering the restaurant, we were enthralled by its decor and ambience.  It was definitely 6-star quality.  Unfortunately, for me the 6-star quality ended there.  Their level of service, in my humble opinion, is no better than that of a 3 or at most 3.5-star hotel F&B outlet.

6-star decor and  ambience

Once seated, we placed our order from its menu of 24 TWG tea blends.  Wifey's choice was Pai Mu Tan and mine was Emperor Sencha.  Both the blends were refreshingly light.

As far as food went, there were some hits and several misses.

Let's begin with the Quintessential 3-Tiered Silver Stand which to me, had a good number of misses. The top tier's Sweet Delights comprises Mocha Eclairs, Raspberry Tarts, Creme Caramel with Orange Compote and home-made chocolate praline.  These were left untouched.

Sweet Delights from the Silver Stand

The classic Finger Sandwich, 3 types in all - Smoked Salmon, Egg and Mayonnaise and Cucumber - would have been perfect if only the bread had been softer.  The chef chose cream cheese for the cucumber sandwich and gave it a fruity twist by adding thinly sliced tomato. I would have equally enjoyed a good old fashioned English cucumber sandwich with a simple dash of lemon on unsalted butter. 

3 types of finger sandwiches

Leaving the Silver Stand aside, I turned my attention to the Chef's selection of sushi which provided a delectable Asian zing to the otherwise predominantly Continental spread.  This was indeed a revivifying variation for a die-hard Asian like me.

The cold cuts were outstanding. The prosciutto was finely smoked with a tinge of saltiness and slight tones of earthiness.  The Terrine of Salmon, on the other hand, was creamy and light.  When placed on the tongue, it gently bursts into an explosion of peppy flavours.  

Smoked salmon, prosciutto and Terrine of salmon

Another highlight of the St Regis High Tea had to be its Scones and Conserve section. Besides the classic St Regis plain scones, there were also cranberry, duck and orange, pesto among others.  The conserves included cherry and gingered rhubarb.  Along with these were a selection of jams, clotted cream and Chantilly cream.

Cranberry scone topped with cherry conserve, apricot jam and clotted cream

At one corner of the dining hall is a counter where they serve piping hot waffles and crepes made to order.  I had waffle with maple syrup and a scoop of vanilla ice cream from a separate ice cream cart.  The waffle was crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside - just like the way momma would have done it.

For me, the piece de resistance  was the cheese platter with its condiments of nuts and fruits.  You get to choose from bowls of roasted cashew, peeled walnut, roasted almond and almond flakes. Although there were dried fruits at the counter, I selected mine from the fresh fruit section.

Crackers were not available from the cheese counter.  However, the very helpful Malaysian waiter was quick to bring me some when requested.

Despite several misses, it was overall a pleasing experience mainly because of the decor and ambience. The background music provided by an old gentleman on the piano added to our overall enjoyment.

Brasserie Les Saveurs
The St. Regis Singapore, Lobby level
29 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247911

Ambience:  9/10

Service:      6/10

Price:          $$$

Food:          7/10