Chef Lau Siaw Dee's creativity is once again reflected in the inventive dishes he created for Wan He Lou's Christmas set meal. The 5-course set meal costing $56.50 per person, will be served at the restaurant from 1 December 2013 to 4 January 2014.
The meal starts with an appetizer, Chinese-style Turkey Roll. This is an adaptation of the popular Peking Duck but the Chef has substituted turkey for duck. I must say this was my least favourite of the dishes. The crepe wasn't fresh, the turkey was dry and tough and the dressing was a tad too sweet for my liking. I would have preferred the dressing to be more tangy thus giving the dish that oomph that is expected of an appetizer. However, I give Chef Lau high marks for creativity.
The appetizer is followed by Pan-fried Cod in Pomelo Sauce. Two slices of pan-fried cod sits atop a bed of diced tropical fruits awashed in a tangy pomelo sauce. The entire ensemble was put together very adeptly. The fruit compote was refreshing and the sweetness was from the natural goodness of the fruits - mango, dragon fruit and passion fruit. The real treat came when I dipped the fish into the sauce. The combination of the freshness of the cod and the smoothness of its texture together with the lightness of the pomelo sauce was sublime! In this dish, I got to savour Chef Lau's creativity and ingenuity.
The main course which is also one of Wan He Lou's signature dishes is Lobster Porridge. How does this compare with its competitor which has been featured on television and in the local papers? I have eaten both but my personal preference is for Wan He Lou's version. Its winning point is that its broth in rich in constituency yet its flavour is understated. There is no trace of unwelcome grease or artificial flavouring.
After the main course comes the vegetable dish. Chef Lau has chosen the very unique and hard to come by green dragon vegetable. This is a cross between 2 types of chives and is commercially cultivated in the Cameron Highlands. This dish deserves full marks for presentation. The yellow of the sauce contrasted well with the green of the vegetables. The colour of the pumpkin sauce was strong, yet surprisingly its taste was very delicate. I did not detect the addition of any sort of flavouring which would have been superfluous anyway given that pumpkins possess a natural sweetness of its own. The shimeji mushrooms were cooked to perfection retaining its firmness. But the crowning glory of this dish has to be the green dragon vegetable. I immediately fell in love with this vegetable when I first ate it in a Kuala Lumpur restaurant last year. Hands down, this was my favourite dish. This, to me, is the embodiment of Chef Lau's passion for creative cooking.
After this dish, everything else would have paled in comparison. We skipped the dessert but if you are having this as the Christmas set meal, the house dessert will be served as the final course.
While the appetizer was a let-down (at least for me), the other dishes that followed were of superlative quality. With the feedback that I had given to its owner Vincent, I am sure Chef Lau will be making the necessary improvement. Diners can, therefore, look forward to an excellent culinary experience this Christmas at Wan He Lou.
Wan He Lou
65 Maude Road
Singapore 208347
https://www.facebook.com/WanHeLou
http://www.hungrygowhere.com/singapore/wan-he-lou-chinese-restaurant-jalan-besar-lavender/
Ambience: 6
Service: 7
Food: 8.5 for the Christmas Set Meal
Price: $$$
Recommendation: Wan He Lou's Christmas Set Meal
The meal starts with an appetizer, Chinese-style Turkey Roll. This is an adaptation of the popular Peking Duck but the Chef has substituted turkey for duck. I must say this was my least favourite of the dishes. The crepe wasn't fresh, the turkey was dry and tough and the dressing was a tad too sweet for my liking. I would have preferred the dressing to be more tangy thus giving the dish that oomph that is expected of an appetizer. However, I give Chef Lau high marks for creativity.
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| Chinese-style Turkey Roll |
 |
| Pan-fried Cod in Pomelo Sauce |
 |
| Lobster Porridge |
 |
| Green Dragon Vegetable with Sea Cucumber and Mushroom |
While the appetizer was a let-down (at least for me), the other dishes that followed were of superlative quality. With the feedback that I had given to its owner Vincent, I am sure Chef Lau will be making the necessary improvement. Diners can, therefore, look forward to an excellent culinary experience this Christmas at Wan He Lou.
65 Maude Road
Singapore 208347
https://www.facebook.com/WanHeLou
http://www.hungrygowhere.com/singapore/wan-he-lou-chinese-restaurant-jalan-besar-lavender/
Ambience: 6
Service: 7
Food: 8.5 for the Christmas Set Meal
Price: $$$
Recommendation: Wan He Lou's Christmas Set Meal
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