Shangri-La Hotel's Big 40

It just gets better and better. First, it was 38% discount off total bill, to celebrate their 38th anniversary. Then, it was 39% discount, to celebrate the 39th anniversary. This year is the 40 大寿 so from now till 31st July 2011, Shangri-La Hotel is offering 40% discount! It's true what they say, that life just gets better as you grow older hurhur.

The discount applies to The Line, Shang Palace, Nadaman, The Rose Veranda and BLU, for a maximum of 8 persons. Reservations can be made up to 40 days in advance and only online at http://dine.slsrewards.com.sg/.

Tips

1. I managed to snag a booking for 5 pax at the Line’s Thursday Seafood buffet last year and it was a fantastic deal. Originally $88++, each of us ended up paying only $63 nett – for copious amounts of fresh lobsters, oysters, prawns, crab (you get the idea) AND best of all, free flow of house wines, beer and juices! The free flow of booze only applies on Thursdays though so plan your reservation ahead of time.

2. My next target is to use the promotion to check out the degustation “Experience Menu” at BLU (original price $148++ per pax). I can’t wait! 6 courses left to the imagination of Chef Kevin Cherkas - previously from Lafite in KL, and stints at 3-Michelin stars Arzak and El Bulli. Woohoo – the gym can wait haha.

Basilico

One last food post before I fly off to Beijing/Hong Kong for my cheenah holiday. My hungrygowhere 50%-off-buffet-dinner-for-two voucher was expiring soon so I grabbed my reliable makan buddy NDee along for a mid-week gorge. Sorry, limited pics as I was too busy stuffing my face.

It's normally $65++ for a 3-course dinner with a choice of main course and semi-buffet of (i) cold cuts, marinated seafood, salads and cheeses and (ii) desserts and gelato. 50% off with the coupon was a freaking good deal lah.

Just like during the Sunday champagne brunch last year, the cheese and condiment spread last evening was AMAZING. I was like a kid in a candy shop, spoilt for choice! So I did the logical thing. I took some of EVERYTHING. Wet cheeses - mozzarella, buffalo ricotta, burrata. Soft cheeses - ricotta (original and truffle flavoured - love). Semi/Hard cheeses - asiago, pecorina, fontina. Nuts - almonds, pistachios. Quince paste - 2 flavours. I drizzled truffle honey, lemon honey all over my cheeses - lovely!

By the time my main course of seabass came, I was stuffed! Nonetheless, the fish was good. For desserts, the glutton in me sampled the cannoli, panna cotta, fig tart and the vanilla and expresso gelato. The gelato was the best of the lot.

Burp. I still felt full this morning when I woke up. Definitely one of the better priced and quality (thumbs up) dinner buffets around. Don't miss out on the Sunday brunch too - I don't care what they say but foie gras (station) this good has to be ethical. It's $128++, worth the splurge! I so need to hit the gym later.

Fukuichi

I remember the first time Elaine brought me to Shinobu Dining at PSA Building for lunch and I was impressed with the great lunch bento sets. The following week I dragged K down for dinner and again, the food wow-ed us. Imagine how bummed I was, when the restaurant closed down last year and (sniff), I didn't even get to say goodbye!

By a stroke of luck I found out recently that the ex-Shinobu has moved to TripleOne Somerset. Since that precious bit of discovery, I have been back not once not twice but three times, in the past two months (which for me is saying a lot).

Their sashimi is freshly flown from Japanese and very good. But I usually just attack the cooked food - highlight being my kani tofu! Fresh crabstick encased in smooth tofu and smothered in creamy century egg sauce and topped off with more finely diced century egg. My kind of heaveeen..

Another must-try is the the mentaiko cod. Yums. I love everything with mentaiko so this dish is right up my alley. Great balance of salty creamy (oops the cholesterol) mentaiko with sweet oiliness (double oops) of codfish. Best for sharing with another person as it can get a bit jelat.

Then try the almond crusted ebi tempura. I've never seen it anywhere else and they really do it very well at Fukuichi. So generous with the almonds too. Lastly, if you are like me and need some carbo to complete a meal, order the aburi salmon maki. I don't have a pic here but it's good, trust me.

Affordable Morton's

Last June, I checked out Morton's Steak and Seafood Combo and walked away a very happy girl. Guess what... the offer is now back. Until March 31st so hurry!


Same deal: $95++ gets you the following:

First Course:Caesar Salad or Morton's Salad
Second Course:Single Cut Filet
Seafood side: (select one) Broiled Sea Scallops, Colossal Shrimp Alexander or Jumbo Lump Crab Cake
Vegetable side: (select one) Signature Potato or Fresh Vegetable

Tips
1. Go with a friend and upsize the steak to a double cut for $15 more. Share everything else.

2. Go easy on the onion loaf, I know it's hard to resist. Doggy back the remaining and toast it the next day with some garlic butter - heaven!

3. $60 corkage is a killer and wines by bottles are expensive. Order by the glass. $20++ per glass is still pricey but they are generous so yay.

4. Save some space and order a Chocolate Martini from the bar. Best dessert ever.