Equinox Restaurant @ Swissôtel The Stamford Review: Unforgettable Truffle Macaroni Cheese & Panorama of Singapore

Equinox has been known as one of those restaurants that people would visit for special occasions. However, I know that it recently has been overshadowed by many other new restaurants, or the one next door (JAAN), which has received a Michelin-star a month ago.

Nonetheless, I chose to dine here for my 2nd Anniversary with my boyfriend and it was a great experience! This is one sky dining establishment that you can’t miss with your special someone *wink wink*

To gain entry to level 85, you’d have to enter its designated lift lobby and walk through this dark corridor towards a HOLOGRAPHIC lift. There were no hosts were there to lead us, by the way (minus points!).

One you step out of the lift, VOILA – Singapore is at the tip of your feet!

This space is also connected to the New Asia Bar and Michelin-star restaurant, JAAN.

We noticed that Equinox has varied seatings for couple and group dining – perfect for families, couples and business meals, which is wonderful.

Once the sun started to set 6.30pm, we began to scramble for our cameras for some intense photography of Singapore and us (hehe). I’d suggest those interested in taking photos to head up earlier!

I mean, how often do we get such opportunities to see Singapore at this angle?!

FYI, we reserved a table in advance with a view (topped up $20++ for it, yes we had to pay). The table above  was what they assigned. Not exactly what I had in mind, as I preferred the one closer towards Marina Bay (to the left).

Thankfully, the manager helped to check the availability of the tables for the night and there was one left! Yay.

We had this view! I find staring into Marina Bay and the horizons very therapeutic. It’s my all-time favourite scenery of Singapore, and I’m proud of how beautiful Singapore is!

After our photography session, we made our orders as our bellies were getting hungry.

To be honest, the food menu that featured “modern European cuisine” was pretty limited.

It was the mains that really caught our eye. I knew that they are known for their steaks. In the end, we went with two mains, as we didn’t feel that the appetisers were worth it.

To begin, we had complimentary starters that my boyfriend liked. I didn’t have much impression of them though.

I was looking forward to the 300g New York strip [$85++] instead!

Taste: 4/5

This is the epitome of how beef should be like!

We asked for medium rare, and cut was tender-perfection. The accompanying truffle butter was also extremely addictive with ample truffle tones (oh yeah). Could even spot the black truffle bits swirling in the glass saucer.

When you actually see this happen, you know it’s legit stuff.

One aspect of the dish that didn’t please us was the side of bone marrow. It was really oily and didn’t add any value to any of the components.

While the steak was great, what left us  yearning for more was actually the…

Macaroni Cheese with Black Truffle  

Taste: 100/5 

Gosh, this outshone the beef, and it’s something that I’d return again and again for! This is coming from a person who doesn’t even fancy Mac n Cheese or pasta. I know friends who go crazy over them.

I went crazy over this!

Served in an adorable cast iron mini pot, it was literally “so cheesy I can die” moment!

It was also the only dish that retained its heat even though I took a gazillion photos. I daresay this is by far the best Macaroni and Cheese I’ve had – due to the obvious TRUFFLE taste. It was also not cloyingly creamy.

Overall, it was aromatic, contained a subtle saltiness and macaroni was not mushy or overcooked. I’d like to add that the Crème brûlée-like caramelised crust was heavenly.

Didn’t know that mac n cheese could be made this way!

Nonetheless, please be sure to devour it immediately when served, as the cheese hardened at the sides of the pot; we were multitasking with our food and neglected it for awhile, oops.

Finally, our last dish – Saddle of Lamb Saddle [$60++] didn’t perform up to our expectations after the first two dishes – unfortunately!

Taste: 3.5/5

Asked for the lamb to be done medium, but it came out medium rare… so rare that I could taste the rawness of the meat and blood. Not a good sign.

I wonder why this happened, as the beef was done just right.

Also felt like the chef’s attempt to weave some level of Middle Eastern sophistication with European cuisine was a failed one. 

I didn’t like the sour pickled celery and mint purée.

The greens didn’t match the red meat at all, causing the entire dish  to be a bad orchestration. Just bring over the BBQ sauce, guys. The lamb samosa was passable, but pastry wasn’t crispy (maybe we left it out for too long?).

Won’t recommend this to anyone!

All date nights should end on a sweet note! Went to have a glimpse of their menu, but we were happy to receive a complimentary chocolate cake!

Very grateful for it (prepared by the restaurant, not my boyfriend though HAHA).

Taste: 4/5

Thought it may be “cheap tasting”, but nope. It was no ordinary cake!

Top tasted something like a tiramisu – covered with cocoa powder, and the layers were rich with dark chocolate (at least 60% I reckon). We finished it even though we were really full!

My boyfriend and I exchanged gifts after that. I received personalised vouchers LOL.

Not long after, we were presented with another complimentary dessert! It had caramel, hazelnut and raspberry sweets, which would satisfy the sweet tooth (aka my boyfriend).

We spent the rest of our night admiring the city skyline and MBS lightshow – enjoying our final moments at Equinox. Had to make use of our $20++ to the fullest!

We also explored the nearby New Asia Bar (one staircase up), since it was free for all diners at Equinox. It was quite empty on a Friday night. Maybe because it was still early at 10pm.

Went on to visit City Space bar too. It looked super cosy with thick plush seats. Wanted to chill there but it was full house!

FYI, the way to the  toilet from Equinox is a bit troublesome it is located at the “basement” of these establishments. They are big though.

There’s also a huge wine cellar next door if you like looking at wines!

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BUNNY’S VERDICT:

YES! Best for birthdays, anniversaries or corporate meals.

This would most definitely be my top 3 list of sky dining in Singapore! You can’t get such clear panoramic views of Singapore at Stellar at 1-Altitude (One Raffles Place) and Spago @ Marina Bay Sands (places I’ve been to).

BUNNY RECOMMENDS: New York Strip Steak, Macaroni and Cheese with Black Truffle

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RATING

Overall Taste: 4.2/5 Although we only came here to enjoy the view, the food surpassed our expectations. If only I could order the Macaroni and Cheese on its own! Found out that it is only available for the dinner service *sniffs* Price is quite reasonable for the views that you get, but quality will of course be better next door (JAAN), which charge a lot more per head at night.

I’m just happy with my $20++ view, Macaroni and Cheese, and company!

Ambience: 4/5 Restaurant was a bit dated compared to other fine dining restaurants, but the view made up for it! The ability to have a bird’s eye view of the entire Marina Bay, Central Business District and Clarke Quay made my dining experience a memorable one.

 

Service: 4/5 Friendly and attentive. Even entertained my random request to heat up the steak when it turned cold (air con was quite strong & cold steaks don’t taste so good).  They even topped up a bit of the truffle sauce for us, which was a touch that we didn’t expect!

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 Equinox Restaurant

Swissôtel The Stamford

Address: 2 Stamford Rd, Swissôtel The Stamford, 178882

Phone: +65 6837 3322
Email: reservations@equinoxcomplex.com

Opening Hours:

Semi-Buffet Lunch:
Monday to Friday: 12.00 – 14.30

Buffet Lunch:
Saturday and Public Holidays: 12.00 – 14.30

Brunch: Sunday: 11.00 – 14.30

Early Bird and Pre Theatre
Dinner: Monday to Sunday: 17.00 – 18.30,
Last order at 6.15pm

A la carte Dinner: 18.30 – 22.30
Pink Brunch: Every Last Sunday Of The Month

RESERVATIONS: book now

GENERAL INFO
Dress: Smart Casual
Capacity: 110 persons

 Directions: 

• Nearest MRT station: 5-minute walk from City Hall MRT

Hopping out…
ANDREA THE #FOREVERHUNGRY BUNNY

DON’T BE A STRANGER!
FOR MORE HONEST REVIEWS, FOLLOW MY MUNCHING JOURNEY ON INSTAGRAM ❤

Hong Kong Food Review: Social Place 唐宮小聚 – Fusion Dimsum that Actually Looks AND Tastes Good!

Everyone knows that any trip to Hong Kong is incomplete without having dim sum.

As a seasoned traveller to Hong Kong, I personally feel that the variety of dim sum here are quite similar across eateries and their quality varies. If it’s your first time having dim sum in Hong Kong, do not expect the random eatery to be mind blowing!

The offerings here differ from Singapore. For example, Hong Kong occasionally has Salted Egg Yolk Buns on the menu, but rather Custard Buns 奶黄包 that unfortunately do not ooze for that Instagrammable #foodporn photo. While this is so, Hong Kong has other delectable dim sum that Singapore does not have – which is exactly what got me excited.

You may be familiar with staples like Har Gow (shrimp dumpling), Siu Mai (pork dumpling), Char Siew Pork buns and so on, but have you tried buns shaped in a rose, mandarin orange, or even a pig?  If you are raising your eyebrows right now, you’d be in for a treat at Social Place, a fusion dim sum restaurant situated in Sheung Wan, one of the busiest districts in Hong Kong.

Reservations were made for four at 12pm, but it was already half-filled when we arrived!

It is apparent that diners not only come for their food, but also their fantastic ambience; the attention paid to its Parisian and Oriental decor is remarkable.

The eclectic mix is portrayed from the shelves and kitchen with Chinese herbs and condiments lined up neatly, whereas western element shone through once you see the open-air concept kitchen. I was able to catch the chefs in action, preparing ingredients and blasting their hot woks skillfully.

Unlike other yum cha restaurants, their menu is not limited to just dim sum; a wide selection of appetisers, soups, vegetables, rice & noodle dishes and desserts are available and it was quite hard to decide because I wanted everything!

*Full menu was nowhere to be found online (boo), but you can preview some of their dishes here.

I ended up ordering dishes that I saw on Instagram and had no regrets.

I squealed with delight when the food came! I MEAN, HOW CUTE ARE THEY?! Full marks for presentation, hands down.

It was a difficult choice, but the first to tackle was the Grapefruit-shaped Har Gow x3  [HKD49, SGD8.60] because it seemed like the least “cruel” thing to do out of all the dim sum that we ordered.

Taste: 4/5

I appreciate the chefs’ effort gone into making these grapefruits – the little doumiao inserted into each har gow must have been tough!

I had no expectation for them, but was pleasantly surprised when they were actually palatable. They had a distinct grapefruit aroma and flavour infused into the skin.

I’m usually put off by har gows that have a thick and doughy skin. Thankfully, this was the exact opposite. Prawn was also quite fresh, but on the limp side.

It can be juicier.

The next one in line to enter the slaughterhouse were the Pig-shaped Taro Buns [HKD29, SGD5]. 

Taste: 4.5/5

Again, I had absolutely no expectations for them – as long as they are photogenic.

I was so impressed, as I broke one into half. Look at those fillings!

The pigs were stuffed with taro to the brim and brought me to taro heaven. For those watching their sugar intake, these buns would be great because they are not overly sweet, and fluffy too.

The most adorable and tastiest taro bun I’ve had. Taro lovers, you HAVE to order this.

While their Steamed Rose Floret bun [HKD29, SGD5.05] was another popular dish displayed repeatedly on Instagram, it was a severe letdown.

Taste: 2.5/5

The red bean merely occupied the middle portion of the bun – exactly where you see it in the picture, and the flour was too dry. It was drier than the taro bun!

I like the conception of having red beans with the dried rose petals, but techniques gone into making this dish should be improved.

The final picture-worthy dim sum dish was the Truffle Shiitake Buns [HKD49, SGD8.55]! 

They come in a cute set of three, and my company was so hungry that she stole one first. Sniffs.

But they really looks like mushrooms, don’t they?

Taste: 5/5

Despite looking like the real thing with its spotty mushroom cap and a stalk (yes they made a stalk), the shroom buns were unbelievably soft and fluffy.

My mouth was also injected with crunchy mushroom bits, which burst with that irresistible flavour of truffle that everyone adores. It was not overpowering but sufficient to make us go “ahhhh”.

This became a massive hit and we finished it instantly. I was yearning for more after!

Apart from dim sum, we had their recommended Roast Pigeon.

And for those who are afraid of getting your hands dirty, the staff has prepared plastic glove to make sure that we consume the pigeon spanking clean!

Taste: 5/5

If you haven’t had Roast Pigeon, you need to try it.

Their meat is usually a lot tender than their bigger counterparts like chicken and duck. I personally used to eat it as a kid during my trips to Hong Kong. Things changed, however, when I went to Australia, where pigeons are seen walking around at beaches – instead of serving at restaurant, oops.

However, Social Place rekindled my love for it because the dish blew my tastebuds away.

The meat was so juicy and tender, and skin was ultra thin and crispy. It was not overly salty or loaded with MSG.

This dish ticked all the right boxes on how a Roast Pigeon should taste. We were all very satisfied.

We also wanted to have some greens to go along with our dim sum, so we had Smoked duck veg rolls [HKD48, SGD8.40], which boasts the vibrant colours that nature has to offer.

Taste: 4/5

First thing that struck us was how the spring rolls were served cold, instead of warm that we are used to. While this is so, they were a refreshing change from the deep fried ones that usual eateries would offer and not taxing on our bodies.

It’s healthy like the Vietnamese ones!

Moreover, the cabbage used to wrap the ingredients was not too tough and the vegetables encased in it (carrots, zucchini etcetera) were crisp. The “smoked duck”, however, was not what I imagined it to be because it seemed like a piece of ham that was overly salty.

Whenever I visit a Chinese restaurant in Hong Kong, one dish I absolutely cannot leave without is Hong Kong Kai Lan or Chinese Broccoli because they are usually fresher than Singapore’s – especially during the winter season when it is in season!

Most restaurants here stir-fry it with garlic or oyster sauce, but Social Place stands out by having the Dragon Beard Kale cooked with bisque/ginger [HKD79, SGD13.70].

Taste: 5/5

My company chose the ginger version and it was one of the best Kai Lan dishes I’ve had to date!

The Kai Lan sourced was extremely crunchy due to the “young parts” provided; it did not have stringy or tough stems that I detest. I was also able to taste traces of wine added and the extra ginger shreds provided the dish a fun kick.

I’ve had over 30 Kai Lan dishes in my life (I love veggies too much) and this turns out to be my top 3. Simply wholesome and wonderful.

Finally, my company who is obsessed with Rice Rolls savoured their Wok Fried Shrimp & Rice Rolls [HKD69, SGD12] and tucked into them before I could take a proper shot, unfortunately.

Taste: 4/5

I’m not too keen on rice rolls, but this had an interesting twist to those steamed ones you’d normally have in Singapore.

These had a wok hei flavour – fried with sticky sauce, and then topped with chives and white sesame seeds. Quite tasty I would say. As much as I would like to rate it higher, I have to admit that the dish was on the saltier side.

While we were leaving, the elevator corridor was packed like sardines as working adults were. I’d advise everyone to book ahead or come before 12.30pm to avoid the lunch crowd!

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BUNNY’S VERDICT: 

YES, I WOULD HOP BACK FOR LUNCH AGAIN!

BUNNY RECOMMENDS: Truffle Shiitake Buns, Pig-shaped Taro Buns, Dragon Beard Kale, Roast Goose

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RATING

Overall Taste:  4.5/5  Prices may be on the higher side in comparison to other dimsum eateries, but you get what you pay for. I could tell that the ingredients used are of high quality, freshly sourced . Presentation of the food is also stellar! I will be back for more.

Ambience: 5/5We felt like we were having our meal in fine dining restaurant. The food was greatly enhanced by the chic Tiffany blue and silver theme chosen, which reminds me of Tung Lok in Singapore, but even better.

Service: 3/5 Mediocre. It took long to be served whenever we needed to pass them our orders and tea refills. I think they are understaffed during peak hours. This is how Hong Kong functions, nevertheless.

 

Social Place 唐宮小聚

Address: 2/F, The L. Place
139 Queen’s Road Central, Central 
中環皇后大道中139號 The L. Place 2樓
Phone: +852 3568 9666 (Reservations recommended)

Opening Hours:

11:30am -3pm (dim sum)
6pm – 10pm (Last Order 9.30pm) 

Directions: 4-minute walk from Exit E1/2 of Sheung Wan station where you would turn right when you see Gilman’s Bazaar Road. Continue walking until you see the building below and take the lift up to Level 2.

Hopping out…

ANDREA THE #FOREVERHUNGRY BUNNY

DON’T BE A STRANGER!
STAY CONNECTED WITH MY MUNCHING JOURNEY ON INSTAGRAM ❤