[Sponsored] Hotel buffets may be an institution in Singapore, but what elevates an eat-all-you-can experience is an extensive array of local cuisine, stylish surrounds and of course, free-flow Champagne. Here’s how to see if you’re getting your money’s worth at a Singapore buffet.
Stylish, instagrammable interiors
We all know that dining out is fodder for humble bragging on social media, and giving your food shots that bit of oomph is the all-important location. Inspired by Peranakan culture, Ellenborough Market Cafe’s three dining zones feature details such as a bold turquoise wall with diamond-cut glass mirrors, a lofty mezzanine with restored stained-glass skylight, and a room imbuing a posh Hamptons vibe.
A healthy dose of nostalgic classics
Any real Singaporean buffet will have iconic local dishes on the menu. While the selection includes the signature chili crab served with golden fried mantou, look out for a delicious Peranakan feast. Popular Nonya specialties such as ayam buak keluak, babi pongteh, sambal sotong and Nonya chap chye are all authentic heritage dishes that no local dinner can do without.
Don’t forget to make room for dessert—there’s a staggering choice of nine different types of traditional local desserts. Items range from durian pengat, pulut hitam, cheng teng and burbur cha cha, or order handmade muah chee with crushed peanuts from the Dessert ‘Live’ Station.
A hearty international spread
It’s a no-brainer that if you’re dining at a hotel buffet, variety is key. Besides local plates, other international choices here range from a curated sashimi and sushi selection, popular Asian items like tandoori chicken and double boiled herbal frog’s legs, as well as fresh salads comprising wild rice with octopus and beef with hot basil. There’s also a carving station, with roast beef for to sink their teeth into.
Dishes that are cooked a la minute
For a true blue buffet lover, there’s nothing more satisfying than watching your food being whipped up from scratch. At the La Mian ‘Live’ Station, you can order a freshly-made, piping hot bowl of la mian.
A gorge-till-you-drop seafood station
Everyone knows that gorging on expensive seafood is the best way to get bang for your buck, so make a beeline for the chilled prawns, flower crabs, snow crabs, half shell scallops and New Zealand mussels.
Kueh pie tie, made just the way you like it
Giving you an excuse to pile on your plate is a do-it-yourself kueh pie tie station, where you can assemble your own snack. Make the savory Nonya tart a tapas-style dish, and help yourself to a yummy filling of shredded turnips, carrots and prawns.
Bubbly for hours
Champagne brunches are not the only places that offer an all-you-can-drink option. For $45 per person, you can upgrade to a free-flow of Moet & Chandon Champagne and at $35 per person, a free-flow of red or white wine.
And amazing cocktails
With free flow Champagne or not, you need to round things off with a cocktail. Whether it’s something refreshing like a mai tai or—dare we say it—a Singapore sling, you’ll find these options and more at Crossroads Bar, a new cocktail bar located at the lobby. Launching in September, the casual space shakes up bespoke cocktails inspired by local spices and flavors, as well as crowd favorites such as martinis, magharitas and mojitos.
For the complete Singapore experience, head to Ellenborough Market Cafe. Prices start from $42 for High Tea (Sat, Sun and public holidays), $52 for lunch (Mon-Sun), $62 (Mon-Thu) and $68 (Fri-Sun, and eve and day of public holidays) for dinner.
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