Where To Eat & Drink: A Jurassic World-Themed Feast At USS, Hilton's New Afternoon Tea & More
Our round-up of great dining spots to check out, fab drinks and the latest in food news this week
By Michelle Lee SM -
Always on the hunt for new dining spots? We bring you sound bites on where to eat, including new restaurant and eatery openings, the best places for your after-work tipple, and what’s new in the food scene.
Here's what to get excited about this week: Universal Studios Singapore's Jurassic World-themed dining experience, Hilton Singapore Orchard's heritage-themed afternoon tea, and the newly reopened Sugarhall bar.
Universal Studios Singapore has unleashed Jurassic World Dominion Dining Adventure, a specially curated 2.5-hour multi-sensory dining experience.
Be whisked away to the world of Jurassic Park at the Discovery Food Court, which will be transformed through special effects and captivating storytelling, and life-sized dinosaur appearances. Tuck into a four-course dinner of BBQ pork ribs and succulent beef skewers as well as a dessert of lemongrass osmanthus jelly. Kids get a free-flow of non-alcoholic drinks and ice-cream, while the grown-ups can enjoy endless alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Get ready for lots of dramatic lighting, sound effects, and of course, watch out for prehistoric carnivores lurking around.
At $248 per adult and $188 per child. Jurassic World Dominion Dining Adventure will be held at the Discovery Food Court in Universal Studios Singapore only on select dates from May to August 2022 from 6.30pm to 9pm.
Each ticket also gets you a one-day adult/child ticket to Universal Studios Singapore (Guests can enter the park as early as 10am to enjoy the rides), a Universal Express Unlimited Pass, and Prehistoric Meet-and-Greets at the Jurassic World Dominion Dining Adventure.
Visit Resorts World Sentosa's website for reservations.
Hilton Singapore Orchard's new heritage and botanical-inspired afternoon tea
The newly opened Hilton Singapore Orchard has introduced an afternoon tea experience that pays homage to its precinct’s storied past as a vibrant plantation and celebrates the spices and flora from that era.
Held at the botanical-inspired lobby lounge and bar Ginger.Lily, the Orchard Trail Experience menu comprises a medley of classics you'd find in a British afternoon tea, but with flavours familiar to the local palate. Think Salt Crusted Pork Bun, Mini Lobster Roll, and Smoked Beef Burger.
For sweets, there's the Spice Apple Tatin, Amatika Chocolate Cake, a gluten-free treat made with vegan Valrhona chocolate, and an Almond Fig Tart with nutmeg and figs that recalls Orchard Road's history as a nutmeg and fruit plantation. Then sink your teeth into the Pink Peppercorn Cherry Macarons, crafted with fresh cherries, peppercorn and milk chocolate.
And of course, the quintessential scones. Here, you'll get Vanilla Madagascar and Golden Raisins House Scones served warm with classic condiments – clotted cream, cinnamon chocolate ganache, and a signature Ginger.Lily jam.
Wash it down with a choice of 10 premium tea varieties, including a specially curated Ginger.Lily house blend with hints of floral and light spice notes.
From $58++ per person (minimum two persons), available daily from 2pm to 5pm. Additional $20 per person for a glass or $121++ per person for two hours of free-flow of Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée Brut Champagne. Ginger.Lily is at Hilton Singapore Orchard, 333 Orchard Road, Singapore 238867. Visit its website for reservations or more information.
In all honesty, its signature bread and butter set is the only drawcard we need to make a reservation at Tablescape, but the modern European restaurant is also wooing diners with a new Sunday brunch that's great for a family feast.
Billed a semi-buffet, seafood lovers will be pleased with the fresh catch available, from freshly shucked oysters to a whole Boston lobster each. Then fill up on a free-flow of chef-passed canapes like Celery Root Velouté, Homemade Ebi Truffle Maki Roll and Pan-Seared Foie Gras.
Pick a main from five choices that include Pork Belly served with a creamy cauliflower puree, a roasted Sea Bass Meuniere served with homemade salsa verde, and the Slow Roasted Chicken. An assorted dessert platter, curated by the chef, rounds off your meal.
If you like, make it a merrier affair with brunch-exclusive cocktails ($12++). You can also opt for a free-flow of G.H. Mumm champagne and house spirits at a friendly $55++ or a free-flow of housepour red and white wines at $45++.
From $118++ per person. Tablescape is at Grand Park City Hall, 10 Coleman St, Singapore 179809. Visit its website for reservations or more information.
After a four-year break, Sugarhall by the Jigger and Pony Group has made a celebrated return as a rum-focused cocktail pub. Nestled on the second level of a 1920s heritage building, which also houses sister brand Rosemead, it's all warm wood furnishings and exposed pillars for a quintessential British pub aesthetic.
Sugarhall fans can look forward to crowd-favourite Dark & Stormy ($24++), refreshed with a local spin. It also comes in the upsized Mega Stormy ($50++). Other signatures include the Daiquiri ($22++) concocted with two types of rum, and the One Punch Rum ($250++). If you're dithering over what to order, try the Rum Of The Month, which introduces premium or exclusive rums as a flight and a cocktail.
Happy hour runs from 4pm to 7pm daily, with cocktails (rotated monthly) at $14 each, as well as the Sugarhall Sorachi Ace Lager and wines by the glass are available at $12.
The food's not to be missed too, inspired by executive chef David Tang's best nights out. Think elevated takes on pub grub like Orange Fried Chicken, battered fried chicken glazed with a sweet and sour orange reduction, as well as a Snapper, Fennel, and Laver Pie, and a Cheese Burger with a dry-aged beef patty and beer- and treacle-cured smoked bacon.
Sugarhall is at Level 2, 19 Cecil Street, Singapore 049704. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Visit its website for reservations or more information.
Decked with neon lighting, cosmic accents and quirky maneki-neko (Japanese fortune cats), the 30-seater Jidai is best known for its marriage of Japanese and French culinary influences. It's headed by chef-owner Darwin Wong (formerly of Asian-influenced modern European restaurant Beurre), who has recently launched a menu that''ll appeal to those after an omakase experience with a more affordable price tag.
Priced from $78++ for eight courses, the omakase menu kicks off with a starter of Botan ebi sashimi together with a large plump oyster sprinkled with umami and crispy shrimp chin. Then work your way through the Truffle Vermicelli and Red Swimming Crab, slathered in a truffle XO sauce that leans spicier than truffle-y, and a comforting and slightly viscous Collagen Abalone Chicken Broth with a whole braised abalone. Meanwhile, the Grilled King Hokkaido Scallop is a juicy affair that mingles with sweet white peach foam.
For mains, you get Challan Duck With Shoyu (characterised by leaner meat and a slightly gamier flavour) done two ways - wrapped in cabbage or in shoyu-doused slices. Or go for the Wagyu in Kampot Claypot.
If omakase isn't on the cards, the restaurant has a la carte lunch options at wallet-friendly prices too, like the yakitori bowls (from $8.90++) and Homemade XO Udon with Crispy Calamari ($12.90++).
Jidai is at 9 Circular Road, Singapore 049365. Visit its website for more information and reservations.