Weekend dining guide: Where to get your tasty treats

SIPSMITH GIN BRUNCH AT RAFFLES. This one-afternoon-only gin-themed “brunch experience” is hosted by Jared Brown, master distiller of renowned artisanal distillery, Sipsmith. The semi-buffet menu features free-flow of the bespoke, first-of-its-kind Raffles 1915 Sipsmith Gin cocktails paired with appetisers such as beef tenderloin carpaccio and a crab remoulade. For mains, choose between the golden cod fish, roasted chicken (with duck jus), and beef cheek and lobster ravioli. Available tomorrow (March 13) at Long Bar Steakhouse, Raffles Hotel. Noon to 2pm, S$128 per person. For reservations, call 6412 1816.

A SPRING FEAST AT KEYAKI. For this spring kaiseki nine-course menu, master chef Hiroshi Ishii has designed a menu of specially-sourced ingredients, such as bamboo shoot, cherry blossom sea bream, mountain vegetable bud and plum, which complement winter delicacies such as the featured snow crab. The zensai course features grilled clam with miso, sakura dumpling, deep-fried river shrimp, sesame tofu with sea urchin, and grilled king crab. Available for dinner until May 31 at Keyaki, Pan Pacific. S$180 per person. For reservations, call 6826 8240.

LOCAL FLAVOURS AT NATIONAL KITCHEN. Violet Oon and her team dish out homespun local favourites, such as ngoh hiang (minced chicken, crab, prawns and water chestnuts rolled in bean curd skin, S$15) and daging chabek beef cheeks (S$35). National Kitchen by Violet Oon is at #02-01 National Gallery Singapore. For reservations, call 9834 9935.

NEW PATISSERIE COUNTER AT MELT CAFE. The newly revamped restaurant now boasts a more contemporary interior, and a patisserie counter with dine-in (even during buffet hours) or takeaway options. These include Pink Romance, a raspberry marmalade pound cake with strawberry-chocolate rose cream; chestnut mont blanc with vanilla chantilly cream, chestnut cream and sable Breton; and Grand Cru chocolate cake; as well as whole cakes such as the Matcha Lychee Opera (S$42.80) and Madagascar Vanilla Cheese Cake (S$42.80). Melt Cafe is at Mandarin Oriental Singapore. Open 6.30am to 9.30pm. Call 6885 3500 for enquiries.

NEW TREATS AT GOODWOOD PARK’S DURIAN FIESTA. Goodwood Park Hotel’s annual celebration of the king of fruits offers new creations, including the mini D24 durian ice cream bars (S$6 each) in flavours such as dark chocolate, white chocolate with rainbow sprinkles and pink chocolate. Call 6730 1786 for enquiries.

SUPERBRUNCH IS BACK. This is one of the most indulgent buffets you can have. It is chockfull of lush offerings: French and Canadian oysters, poached Atlantic lobster, fresh sea urchin, flambeed Carabineros prawns, oak-smoked salmon and even Peking duck. It comes complete with unlimited pours of Dom Perignon Vintage 2006 for S$468 per person. (The S$288 option comes with unlimited pours of Moet & Chandon Grand Vintage Blanc 2003 Magnums.) Tomorrow at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, noon to 3pm. For reservations, call 6434 5288.

BOOKING AHEAD …

HENDRICK’S GIN MURDER MYSTERY NIGHT. This one-time-only event is part of this year’s Singapore Cocktail Week. It’s like Cluedo – with cocktails. Guests will receive a character description with their invitation (along with details about the party) and are encouraged to come dressed in their Roaring 1920s finest. Enjoy a fabulous array of foods paired with Hendrick’s Gin cocktails specially created by host Tasha Lu, Hendrick’s Gin brand ambassador for South-east Asia. Hurry: Only 30 seats are up for grabs. March 14 at The Powder Room, 19 Cecil Street, 7pm to 10pm. Tickets at S$100++. Visit http://www.chope.co/singapore-restaurants/restaurant/the-powder-room for details.

SEOUL FOOD FIX. This showcase of more than 40 authentic Korean delicacies comprising traditional and contemporary interpretations are prepared by guest chefs Gu Yong Hoi and Kang Jung Sun (from the renowned Millennium Seoul). Choice picks include Korean ginseng chicken soup, spicy pork rib stew with kimchi, as well as street foods such as spicy rice sticks with chilli sauce, and fish cakes in anchovy stock. Live stations are on hand to dish out bibimbap, LA Galbi (barbecued sliced beef short ribs) and dak galbi (stir-fried diced chicken). Available for dinner from March 16 to April 3 at Orchard Cafe, Orchard Hotel. S$68 per person (Sundays to Thursdays) and S$78 per person (Friday and Saturday).

AFFORDABLE LUNCH TREAT AT CATALUNYA. This three-course weekday meal features a myriad of Spanish home-inspired recipes, including cream of pumpkin with morels and foie gras mousseline; tomato terrine with black olive ice cream and arugula; grilled mackerel with baked potato and saffron cream; and the vegetarian’s choice of chick pea falafel with cucumber, mint and yoghurt sauce. The menu is updated fortnightly. Catalunya is at The Fullerton Pavilion. S$38++ a person (with optional housepour wine at S$10++ per glass). For reservations, call 6534 0886.