Knowing Joël Robuchon - Part 2

[Written by Tania H.]



Joël Robuchon and long-time chef companion Philippe Braun sharing his amazement about the amphibians



“He’s amazed by how big the live frogs are. They’re almost double the size of those in France!” his interpreter said. 

There was Joël Robuchon, the greatest chef on earth with 26 Michelin-stars (think Oscars) at the Kreta Ayer market in Singapore’s Chinatown at 6.30 in the morning. He’s humble, wide-eyed and interested.

Lunching out?

Have you reached the point where your entry in that regular lunch spot is welcomed by that all familiar voice of that same stall vendor who can spell out your dish of choice for lunch flawlessly everytime? Or perhaps exhausted every possible permutation of food selections at your lunch hangouts that you've resorted to Google for new options?

Well, if that's you, here's some great deals to look forward to at the resort to spice up your lunch hours!

Lunch Deals till 30 April (Valid for Mondays - Fridays, 12-2pm)

Another Option For Celebration

[A review by Amelia Eng, winner of Osia signature dish contest]

For this year's Valentines' Day celebration we wanted to have it in Resort World Sentosa. We went to Osia Restaurant for dinner. The first word that came to my mind was 'EXPENSIVE'! But hey, fear not, its all affordable!


Dish 1: Seafood Ice Experience

Served in test tubes with a metal rack, this dish consists of 6 different flavors - pineapple lemongrass ice with blue fin tuna, quandong orange ice with amaebi shrimp, calamansi 'mojito' ice with sea scallop, lychee martini ice with oyster, watermelon lillipilli ice with lobster and apple celery ice with tasmanian salmon. Almost every table in the restaurant that day had it:)

Fun food to eat at Resorts World this Lunar New Year!

[Written by Tania H.]

When it was time to invite the media over for the traditional lo hei luncheon, I decided to shake things up a bit. Other than the usual tossing and sending vegetables a-flying, I invited a couple of my media friends to stuff Feng Shui Inn’s signature Braised Eight Treasures Duck. [Check out Brad Lau from ladyironchef working his charm on the duck!] A highly sought-after item on the restaurant’s menu, the duck stuffing consists of salted egg yolk, Chinese sausage, chestnuts, flower mushrooms and lotus seeds among other ingredients to infuse the poultry with an aroma to make your mouth water. Seeing how Singaporeans love their duck, no doubt this will be on many tables this festive period.

OSIA Wins Best New Restaurant!

[Written by Tania H.]




Inset (L-R): Australian celebrity chef Scott
Webster and Chef de Cuisine Douglas Tay



Leaping across the baptismal fire, 2010 went out with a bang with Osia being awarded the title of Best New Restaurant by CNNGo’s Best Eats 2010! Barely a year into its opening, chef Webster together with local chef de cuisine Douglas Tay have won the hearts of many who would attest to Osia’s unique fare (showcasing fresh Australian ingredients like barramundi and lemon myrtle) and service with a smile. Instead of blowing our own trumpet, I got Mr. Eric Teo, President of Singapore Chefs Association and Panel Judge for CNNGo's Best Eats 2010 to share why he feels Osia deserves the award.










Inset: Chef Scott Webster (left)



“OSIA is my choice as Best New Restaurant because the quality of food is excellent and has been extremely consistent since its opening. Australian celebrity chef Scott Webster runs a tight ship and together with Chef de Cuisine Douglas Tay’s impressive culinary creativity, OSIA’s menu is truly value for money. Congratulations to the OSIA team for winning this award!”



Eric Teo,
President of Singapore Chefs Association / Panel Judge for CNNGo's Best Eats 2010

The Fe(a)stive Season!

[ Christmas blogpost (part 2) by Tania H. ]


In part two of my foodie blogpost for Christmas, we move on to the festive themed menus around the restaurants this December. Give mom a break from the stove or your wife for that matter and take them out for a festive feast followed by a stroll to Singapore’s tallest Christmas tree at Resorts World.

A picture speaks a thousand words and I’m sure the shot below speaks volumes to your parotid gland. Are you salivating yet?

Grainge Black Angus Beef Striploin MS 3

 

Titled Grainge Black Angus Beef Striploin MS 3 with creamed chestnut, roasted artichoke, field mushrooms and bacon beef glace sand, this is one of Osia’s main highlights on the Christmas menu, available both on Christmas Eve and the day itself.  If you haven’t tried Osia’s cuisine by Australian celebrity chef Scott Webster, it’s a reflection of Australia’s cultural melting pot. Showcasing the freshest produce from the Land Down Under, beautiful ingredients are transformed into morsels of goodness on the plate with an adept chef’s hand which practices absolute meticulous finesse. 

Fiesta - a carnivore's sweet dream

[Written by Chris D.]

I just had one of the best mix of food and service experience in the past few months.  

When my friend Emma first asked me to join her for dinner at Fiesta, located within Festive Hotel, I wasn't sure what to expect from a restaurant which serves Latin American cuisine. But from the moment we arrived until the moment we walked out, the impeccable service and memorable food blew us away.

It's Chill-out time at Resorts World

[Written by Tania H.]


No matter how active your lifestyle may be, we all need to ‘chill’ sometime. And what better way to watch the world go by, than to have your favourite pick-me-up, munchies and fabulous company for an idling good time. Check out the places at Resorts World to people-watch and just give in to sloth.  We promise we wouldn’t tell.


Big Easy Cajun Jazz Bar & Restaurant

Crab Cakes

Chef of the Century descends upon Resorts World Sentosa

“Exhilarating” and “bliss” are just a couple of choice words to describe Chef Joël Robuchon’s food. The great Chef Robuchon is the world’s most decorated chef with 26 stars in the 2010 Michelin Guide.

And he’s coming to Resorts World Sentosa!

In early 2011, Chef Robuchon will be bringing his three widely successful concepts to Singapore: Joël Robuchon Restaurant, L‟Atelier de Joël Robuchon, The Pastry Shop and Lounge.

It doesn’t just stop there. On top of great food, patrons can also expect a stellar team of chefs, maître d and stewards, all handpicked from his dining establishments to spearhead the three outlets.

Mr. Robuchon said: “Joël Robuchon Restaurant will be a fine dining restaurant with the quality of service of a three Michelin-star dining establishment as it currently exists in Tokyo, Las Vegas and Paris, while L‟Atelier de Joël Robuchon is a different innovative concept. It features a „convivial‟ atmosphere, where I wanted to stage the chefs in a central kitchen in full view of the guest, without any manager. The guest, seated at the counter, can see his product being transformed, everything is transparent, and he can even follow the cooking of his meat on the teppanyaki or on the spit of the rotisserie.”

If you’re not familiar with who Joël Robuchon is, just check out his list of accomplishments.

Chef Robuchon standing outside the location
of his restaurant at Resorts World

At a glance:

• Chef/Owner of 21 restaurants around the world under the Joël Robuchon name; bestowed 26 Michelin-stars between them
• Received The Laurent Perrier 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award at The S.Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants
• In 2008, Joël Robuchon at MGM Grand was the only recipient to receive three Michelin-stars in the city of Las Vegas.
• Jamin was awarded Best Restaurant in the World by International Herald Tribune (1994)
• Titled ‘Chef of the Century’ by the Gault Millau guide (1990)
• Youngest chef ever to be awarded three-Michelin-stars for Jamin (1984)
• Received the highest honour of Meilleur Ouvrier de France (Outstanding French Craftsman) in cuisine (1976)
• Published several cookbooks and chairing the committee of the current edition of Le Grand Larousse Gastronomique (the authoritative encyclopedia of gastronomy)
• Started his own cooking show, called Bon Appétit, Bien Sûr (2000-2009) and the first ever cooking cable channel called Gourmet TV with producer Guy Job (1996)

To know more about F&B dining options at Resorts World Sentosa, visit www.rwsentosa.com.

Sweet Cravings (Part 2)

[Written by Tania H.]

This is part two of Sweet Cravings (read part one here). In this sweet search, Tania brings our attention to more yummy things that can be found in Resorts World Sentosa. Watch out, as these are places where adults miraculously transform into overgrown kiddoes ;)

Sweet Cravings (Part 1)

[Written by Tania H.]

Sweet Cravings [sweet krey-ving] — Great or eager desire for sweet desserts.

Did you know that "stressed" spelt backwards is "desserts"? Not to be cliché but whenever I'm feeling blue, a little dessert or even just the thought of it makes me smile. Be it a cupcake with pink icing to melt a girl's heart or the unforgivable "chocolate whatever" to blame for the love handles, there's always room for sweets. So don't be shy, find out how you can satisfy your cravings at Resorts World Sentosa.

Brunch at Starz Restaurant with Chris and Emma

[Written by Chris D.]

Very little things in life is better than a lazy Sunday. Well, perhaps a lazy Sunday with good company and great food. And that's what I did on a wonderful weekend.

So one Sunday (check!), with good company - a friend, Emma (check!) - we headed to try the great Sunday Brunch (check!) at Starz Restaurant!

Power Lunch (Part 2)

This series is prepared by our very own foodie lady, Tania H.  This is part two of the series - read her first post here. In this second part of her Power Lunch blog, she introduces two more restaurants, both Asian but poles apart.

Power Lunch (Part 1)

This series is prepared by our very own foodie lady, Tania H. Her last post was in December last year, and now she's back with suggestions about where you can go for special occasions.. And some insider tips too.

Power Lunch [pou-er luhnch] noun — Important lunchtime business meeting: a meeting over lunch that gives somebody the opportunity to cultivate an important contact or discuss high-level business matters. (Source)

If you’re looking for a venue that allows you to talk shop but not intimidate, and at the same time to enjoy some fine cuisine, we’ve got some places in mind for your next business sign-off. In a two-part blogpost, we will introduce some restaurants in Resorts World Sentosa that you can consider for your next business meet up. Who knows, you might just sign THE deal over a bottle of fine wine.

Chris and Anna checked out Palio

Chris D, who is working on upcoming projects for Resorts World Sentosa, will be guest blogging about his dining experiences at the resort.

Chris D's enjoyment of traveling is second only to the love affair with food and luckily for him, his job has allowed him to combine those two passions. Everything from six star, fine dining experiences in Europe and pork lau lau cooked in an underground oven in Tahiti to fried scorpions in China and catfish in the US; he has rarely met a food that he didn't like.

"I'm forever in search of 'THE meal'; the one that combines impeccable service, a unique ambiance and that ever-so elusive perfect combination of ingredients, cooking technique and at least a pinch of culinary passion.  Be it back street food cart or Michelin rated restaurant, until then, I'll continue to enjoy the journey."

- Chris D.

A Little Piece of Australia

Catch celebrity chef Scott Webster in this video about his latest restaurant OSIA. Located along Resorts World Sentosa's FestiveWalk, OSIA is the place to savour Scott's critically-acclaimed Australian cuisine.



Here are some links: If you'd like to make reservations, read more about our celebrity chefs, or see the other dining options we have at Resorts World Sentosa.

Pure magic

[Written by Tania H from Communications]


There’s something magical stirring in Universal Studios Singapore, in the land of Far Far Away. Inside a fantastical store called the Fairy Godmother Potion shop, Princess Fiona’s fairy godmother (if you remember her, she’s the rotund, bespectacled flying ‘witch’ in disguise who’s actually Charming’s mother) is bottling magical elixirs out of an enormous tank.

Step inside this store and you’ll find wooden beams, brick walls, huge doorways and Shrek characters welcoming you as you enter. The space is bound to draw you into the mystical world of Shrek, where fantastical characters come to life: donkeys shoot their mouths off and ogres are actually friendly.

A rendering of the interior of the store

I was awestruck when I saw the store, which is complete and has been fitted out. There are three things you can do there: there’s a retail shop for you to bring home your memories of the park, a counter where ‘potions’ aka fresh juices would be sold and a ferris-wheel kiddies can ride while their parents shop or get a breather. How awesome is that?

At the Fairy Godmother Potion Shop, you’ll find all things Shrek! Personally, I’m in love with Gingy, the gingerbread man but I absolutely love the huge variety of Shrek plush toys, character caps, photo frames and lots, lots more! (Note to fellow fans of Gingy, you HAVE TO look out for the stuffed confectionery character on the shelves, it’s simply a sweetheart! Get the pun?)

At the drinks stand (called Fairy Godmother’s Potion Factory) where fresh juices are served, the best thirst quenchers for anyone are served. Rejuvenating and healthy, the little ones would love it too. The most wondrous thing is that you can ‘brew’ any concoction you desire, and this is limited only by your imagination.

A youth 'elixir' made of beetroot, strawberry and apple juice -- let your imagination run wild as you come up with your own potions!

Last but not least, the Magic Potion Spin ride would delight the tykes who’re ever eager to hop on another attraction. Offering the rider a bird’s eye view of the hustle and bustle in the shop, the ferris wheel will allow its passengers a chance to catch the fun and whimsical atmosphere.

Honestly, words and pictures can’t capture the magic you will experience as you will be transported into another world when you set foot into the store. So I shan’t deliberate because I know you’ll come. You know you want to!

See you soon in 2010!

Exclusive treats in Universal Studios® Singapore

[Written by Tania H from Communications]


What’s a world-class theme park without food? A situation like this would probably leave tonnes of unhappy guests, famished and frustrated. That’s why Universal Studios® Singapore has a wide selection of dining outlets and food carts designed to complement your theme park experience.

Other than our theme dining restaurants like Mel’s Drive-In, KT’s Grill, Hollywood China Bistro and Celebrity Café & Bakery, you’ll see lots of distinctive food carts dotting the various zones and parked outside certain rides or attractions to satisfy your every craving.

However, be warned if you’re watching the scales, because we’ll be serving wicked snacks to whet your appetite for once you start, you can’t stop!

Of these eye-catching food carts I’d mentioned previously, one which stands out is the popcorn cart, which will be selling an assortment of uniquely-flavored popcorn with flavors like green apple, grape, and lots of others. Personally, I’m looking forward to tasting the churros (Spanish fried dough) from the churros cart, which will be out of this world because they are filled with yummy, velvety chocolate!

Imagine the dark, molten chocolate oozing out of the churro as you take your first bite into the hot confectionery. Yum! I know I’ll be on cloud nine, that’s for sure!

If  savories are more your thing,  sink your teeth into roti-prata wrapped sausages which promise to change your perception of how the local Indian favourite dish should be served. Also, be sure to stop by the pretzel food cart because you’ll live to regret it if you don’t grab one of the mouth-watering cheese-filled pretzels available. Buy a round for your friends and family. I can guarantee that they would be delighted with this treat.

For light snacks, we’ll also have rice-crispy bars, something to keep the kids happy and not be overfed for more exciting rides and adventure for the entire day!

Last but never least, if you’ve never tried turkey legs, I must exhort you not to leave Universal Studios Singapore without trying one, because it’s a truly divine dining experience that tops my snack list anytime. Once you’ve tasted it, nothing else ever comes close.

We’re looking forward to welcoming you with open arms really soon. Think turkey drumsticks. Think churros. Get ready your appetite because you’ll need it. Trust us.

Rock-n-Roll, Jukebox and Frosty Shakes!

I’m a huge fan of the 1950s retro age of classic American diners and the always appealing cheeseburgers and fries synonymous with the Greenback nation. And you can get this and more at Mel's Drive-In in Universal Studios Singapore, which combines great food with a great atmosphere, encapsulating the rock-n-roll fad that took the world by storm in the cult movie Grease, and marking an era in old world America where gaudy flared skirts and body-hugging shirts were all the rage.

Singapore probably has some decent-looking eateries replicating the classic American diner experience, but nothing comes close to the real deal—which is why if you’re a fan of jukeboxes, twisting to the tunes of Elvis Presley, the first-ever and probably last King of Rock’n’Roll, creamy yummy-licious milkshakes and melting cheeseburgers, Mel’s Drive-In in Universal Studios Singapore would be a dream come true (and you don’t have to burn to a hole in your pocket for a plane ticket just to try out these authentic flavors).

Featuring bright neon lights, classic black-and-white checkered tiled flooring, booth seating upholstered in synthetic leather, a long bar counter with a whole line of high bar stools, good old fashioned chrome-plated, padded dining chairs and tables, lots and lots of stainless steel furnishings and a bevy of classic automobiles parked outside the premise, that’s the 1950s look of Mel’s Drive-In in a nutshell.

For nibbles, hearty meals and the ultimate indulgence, look forward to a whole selection of irresistible juicy burgers and fries, chicken sandwiches, piping-hot chicken fingers, crispy onion rings, authentic root beer floats, frosty milkshakes and the list goes on!

What’s more, when you dine, you’ll be entertained by a motley crew of swinging a capella singers and you can join in too, in the song and dance.

The atmosphere would be bright, cheery, and no doubt stylish and sleek. If you want to experience how it was like on the movie set of Grease and immerse in the nostalgia of the rock-n-roll era, Mel’s Drive-In is THE place for you to start. So put on your blue suede shoes, practise your killer moves to get ready to rock the building and grab some juicy burgers along the way!

Mel’s Drive-In, which is located inside Universal Studios Singapore, Southeast Asia’s first and only Universal Studios theme park, is slated to open in the first quarter of 2010, as is Resorts World Sentosa.

Hollywood, Here I Come!

[Written by Tania H from Communications]


Just last week when I was on my way to work, I saw the Far Far Away castle, or for fans of the DreamWorks animation, the name of the castle is the ‘First Castle from the World of Shrek’.

It’s being built at an unbelievable speed; other than the highest turret which has been erected (measuring some 42.5m in height), the main facade is also almost completed.

For a moment, I felt like a child again, looking at the majestic castle and wondering what it beholds. Then it occurred to me that this is a part of my (world’s first) ‘office’, considering I’ll be conducting work at some point in time in the castle, be it showing the media around or talking shop with my Universal Studios Singapore colleagues. I can’t believe we’re almost coming to the end of the rainbow to find the pot of gold!

A mock-up of the ginormous lettering, which will greet visitors to Sentosa Island. This has been put out in the sun some weeks back to test the weather fastness of the paint.

The other exciting development for me is actually the constructing of the larger-than-life-sized alphabets that spell ‘Sentosa’ at the entrance of the island, which will be among the first things greeting guests when they commute to Resorts World Sentosa. The letters are humungous and I’ve seen them at the current construction site, waiting to be transported to their new home. Imagine—instead of the famous Hollywood sign that has become emblematic of the playground of the rich and the famous in Los Angeles, we’ll all be seeing ‘Sentosa’ standing proudly on our own Sentosa hill, and that’ll be another unforgettable sight to behold.

And now to continue where I left off at my previous entry, I’ll fill you in on more of Universal Studios Singapore’s exciting food offerings. Other than the 12 dining outlets, of which six are Halal certified for our muslim guests (i.e. Mel’s Drive-In, Friar’s, Goldilocks, Celebrity Café & Bakery, Oasis Spice Café and Gloria’s Snack Shack) and the many vegetarian options to cater to the diets of lacto-vegetarians, strict vegans and fruitarians alike, we also have innovatively-themed food carts too — and you heard it here first!

The Pops! food cart... with loads of popped delights

Instead of your usual run-of-the-mill food kiosks, some of these amazing 500-metre long fanciful food carts are actually fabricated out of automobiles and will be stationed at the respective zones of the park. They are extremely eye-catching and were creatively designed to reflect the food they serve. Like for the Pops! food cart shown in the photograph below, naturally, it spells popcorn! But not just any salted caramel or sweet-buttered popcorn, there’ll be flavours out of this world that you’ve never tried before.

In addition to this one, there’ll be a motley crew of others with quirky names like Tail of the Pup selling hot dogs and sausages; Curry Up! selling Indian pratas; Gingy’s House of Sweets selling special candy apples and Little Red’s selling smoked giant turkey legs and yummy savoury pies.

As for drinks, grab special arctic blast frozen drinks from the Antarctic Refreshments food cart and for some indulgence, sink your teeth into the extremely sinful, but mouth-watering churros first to hit Singapore, from The Churro Station food cart. Are you drooling yet?

I can already hear my tummy rumbling so while I go settle my hunger pangs, I’ll leave you to rummage your refrigerator. Expect more photos when we’re ready to release them, and so until my next entry, eat well and sleep well because you are what you eat!