All I want for Valentine's Day: Candlelit dinner at Dolce Vita

Mandarin Oriental Hotel is located at a prime spot. That's why when you dine at Dolce Vita, you can get a fabulous view of Marina Bay.

For Valentine's Day, the Mediterranean restaurant is offering a five-course set dinner menu, which begins with with variations of Perigord Foie Gras which includes custard, marinated, parfait or pan-fried served with caramelised granny smith apple and aged balsamico glaze; “Veloute of Topinambour with quail timbale, chestnut crumbles and red pepper dust”; followed by premium “Alaska King Crab with tempura zucchini flowers and Champagne emulsion”; and “Tournedos Rossini with Perigord Foie Gras”, a grain-fed beef tenderloin fillet on homemade brioche, pan-fried Perigord foie gras and truffle sauce; then enjoy a dessert of “Strawberry and Bergamote Tea Mousse”.

I'm totally lusting after this menu because I am a foie gras lover, and I absolutely love Mediterranean-style cooking!

The romantic five-course candle-light dinner is priced at SGD388 for two and every two dining guests receives a bottle of champagne (375ml). For reservations at Dolce Vita, call 6885 3551 or e-mail mosin-dolcevita@mohg.com.

Akari Japanese Dining & Bar launches new Sunday a la carte buffet

Editor's note (updated 7 Sep): Do take note that this promotion is now only available on Saturday and the restaurant will be closed on Sundays. The promotion remains the same though!
 
I was supposed to go for Japanese food today, but ended up with German food. This leaves me with a strong sashimi and sushi craving!

So pardon me while I type and drool while typing this, because the images below will make you crave for nihon ryori as well.

Akari Sunday ala carte buffet.

Fit for a king... or queen! :)

Charles LaFitte champagne

Akari Japanese Dining & Bar, located at Marina Bay Financial Centre, is offering Sunday à la carte buffet with an option for free flow of Charles LaFitte champagne (this is   an award winner champagne with a high wine critic scores of 85/ 100), wine, beer and sake.

Sashimi.

The buffet is available every Sunday for both lunch (12pm-3:00pm) and dinner (5pm-9pm), and offers a selection of over 50 Japanese dishes such as all-you-can-eat premium sushi and sashimi, and Akari’s authentic Japanese favourites including Soki Tatsuta Age (deep fried, soft tender pork rib), Unagi Tofu, Gindara Saikyou Yaki (black cod with miso) and Saikoro Steak.

Desserts galore.

Lunch Buffet (12nn-3pm)
$68++ per person
$98++ per person (with free flow Charles LaFitte champagne, wine, beer and sake)
Dinner Buffet (5pm-9pm)
$78++ per person
$128++ per person (with free flow Charles LaFitte champagne, wine, beer and sake)

Bring your children along because one child under 12 eats for free for every two paying adults (additional children will be charged at $15++ each).

Akari Japanese Dining & Bar is located at #01-02 Marina Bay Link Mall. Call 6634-0100 for reservations.

Editor's note (updated 7 Sep): Do take note that this promotion is now only available on Saturday and the restaurant will be closed on Sundays. The promotion remains the same though!

Paradise Pavilion at Marina Bay Financial Centre

Any dim sum lovers here?

My hand goes right up. Out of all types of Chinese cuisine, my favourite has to be dim sum. They're great for sharing and are so yummy.

I attended the media tasting for Paradise Pavilion some time ago and here are some of the fare that I tried:

The words "Bo Luo" actually means "pineapple", but most bo luo bao doesn't come with pineapples. These ones do though! Pineapples, bacon and peking duck fills the fluffy and lightly-salted buns.

Bo Luo Bao

What the restaurant is really known for is its super authentic Peking Duck. This is also one of the best that I've tried since the last time I ate the dish in Beijing. Eat it while it's hot individually or by wrapping it and feel the duck skin literally melt in your mouth while the fragrance fill the palate.

Peking Duck

The siew mai skewers are also something that I found interesting at the restaurant. Cantonese food with Japanese styled cooking.

Siew Mai skewers

Desserts wise, the crispy man tou goes very well with the vanilla ice-cream. Think of it as a "Chinese" version of the brownie with ice-cream - the brownie is replaced with the man tou.

Crispy Custard Man Tou with Vanilla ice-cream

Paradise Pavilion is located at #02-01 Marina Bay Financial Centre. Call 6509-9308 or visit www.paradisegroup.com.sg for more information.

Opening Hours:
Lunch: 11.30am – 3pm (Monday to Friday) / 11.00am – 3.30pm (Weekends and Public Holidays)
Dinner: 6pm – 11pm daily

What's your favourite dim sum?