Min Jiang has gathered a group of veteran Chinese culinary maestros to come together for a special  ‘10 Hands Culinary Showcase: A Rediscovery of Cantonese Classics’ experience that spans for a limited time from July 13 to 20, across various six- and eight-course menus.

The well-seasoned stalwarts include Chan Kwok, Yim Yiu Wing, and Cheng Hon Chau, as well as Min Jiang’s own Chan Hwan Kee and Ho Chee Hee. There’s also a recipe concocted by a guest contributor too — local celebrity Moses Lim.

Savour meticulously handcrafted dishes like steamed diced chicken in a delicate egg white dumpling in a savoury superior stock, and a boneless chicken thigh stuffed with bird’s nest and Yunnan ham in a warming double-boiled soup. A standout is the Baked Stuffed Crab Shell with a crisp exterior that houses tender handpicked crabmeat in a savoury cream sauce. It’s served with tender roasted Roasted Silver Hill Irish duck paired with fresh mango slices and a sweet plum sauce.

Another time-honoured dish is the Pan-fried Dace Fish Meat, meticulously deboned and mixed with liver sausage and aromatic orange peel before getting carefully stuffed back
into the dace fish and pan-fried till crisp.

From Moses Lim, is the Crispy Wontons with Pork and Seafood in Sweet and Sour Sauce, a childhood favourite elevated with succulent Iberico ‘char siew’.  The crisp parcels deliver an audible crunch and can be dipped in the tomato-heavy sauce which also has pork slices, prawn, Australian scallop, pineapples and bell pepper.

For dessert, we had the delightfully crisp and chewy Crispy-fried Water Chestnut with Apricot accompanied by a chilled D24 Pandan Gula Melaka Rice Roll.

-Available for dinner on July 13:
8-course menu for min. 8-10 persons at $168++ per person
Available for lunch and dinner from 14 to 20 July:
6-course menu for min. 4-6 persons at $138++ per person
8-course menu for min. 8-10 persons at $168++ per person

The ‘10 Hands Culinary Showcase: A Rediscovery of Cantonese Classics’ dinner runs from July 13 to 20, 2023. Min Jiang is at Goodwood Park Hotel, 22 Scotts Road, Singapore 228221. Visit its website for reservations and more information.

Durian season is in full swing and Jurong Point is back with its Durian Fiesta 2.0 so you can feast to your heart’s content.

The 60-minute all-you-can-eat durian buffet, which was launched for the first time last year, runs from June 26 to Aug 6, 2023 (6pm to 10pm) at JP1 Level 1, in front of City Hot Pot. You can look forward to stuffing yourself silly with D24 and premium Mao Shan Wang durians from Pahang. Further more, L Privileges members will enjoy 10 per cent off their total bill.

Take your pick from two options: the Pahang D24 Durian Buffet ($38) and Pahang Premium Mao Shan Wang Durian Buffet ($138). The buffet is on every Tuesday and Thursday from 8pm to 10pm during the campaign period.

During the campaign period, you can also purchase the durians for home enjoyment or as gifts for your loved ones. Spend and get to redeem free chilled packs of durian as well.

• Spend $120 and above on Pahang D24 durians, and get to redeem one box of D24 durian chilled pack worth $12 (200g).
• Spend $200 on the Pahang Premium Mao Shan Wang and get to redeem one box of Mao Shan Wang chilled pack worth $25 (200g).

The Durian Fiesta 2.0 is on from June 26 to Aug 6, 2023 (6pm to 10pm) at JP1 Level 1. Jurong Point is at 1 Jurong West Central 2, Singapore 648886.

Discreetly nestled within OUE Downtown Gallery is contemporary Japanese restaurant Masa Saito, which opened in late 2022. Step inside and you’ll find an intimate space with a bar counter (there’s also a private dining room) that’s reflective of the food it serves — contemporary interiors inflected with traditional Japanese elements.

Tokyo-born chef-owner Masanao Saito, who’s had stints at the Japanese Embassy in Sweden as well as Caffe B in Singapore, helms the kitchen and takes guests through an inventive eight-course seasonal tasting menu.

Showcasing the season’s best produce, cleverly concocted starters like squid in a crisp delicate tart shell of citrusy salted lemon skin, as well as akagai (ark shell) in briny tosazu jelly and a slightly tart sherry vinegar dressing give an inkling of what’s to come.

Then there’s a memorable pillowy toasted brioche that pops with Russian Osetra caviar, sweet bafun uni and anise-like hanaho (shiso bud), as well as a moreish sweet-savoury risotto that mingles with pieces of crunchy corn. It’s topped with tender charcoal-grilled river eel from Nagoya, that would have shone with a crispier exterior.

Further on, there’s a smokey Shio Koji Marinated Aya Pork Belly served with two condiments — kinome misu and yuzu kosho that cut through the richness of the fat. The dessert course is a delightful end to the meal too. Think smooth creamy Hokkaido milk gelato, with sake jelly, remarkably juicy and sweet Japanese white peach and crumble for texture.

All meals are accompanied by a carafe of sake from Nakamura Sake Brewery. And if you’re there with your kiddos, a kids’ option is available upon request too.

$250++ per person. Dinner service is available from Tues to Sat (7pm to 11pm). Masa Saito is at #1-04 OUE Downtown Gallery,  6A Shenton Way, Singapore 068815. Visit its website for reservations and more information.

Save on the hassle of packing your own picnic basket with Bee’s Knees ready-to-set-up kits, or what they call “buzzkets”. Intended for a fuss-free picnic at Botanic Gardens (where the cafe is located), each “buzzket” comes with its own reusable mat, cushions to keep you comfy, battery-operated candles, and meals for two or four. Some things you’ll have to bring yourself: a battery-operated fan for hot weather, or an umbrella in case it rains.

The set comes in a trolley cart that you can lug to your spot of choice — the Symphony Lake is a 10-minute walk away with select shady spots to park yourself at.

Food-wise, take your pick from hearty mains like pizzas, pasta and salads and sandwiches. For the six-inch pizzas, there are options like Magherita and Smoked Chicken Mayo, while pasta offers options such as Truffle Carbonara and Beef Bolognese; the latter gets our thumbs up for its delightfully chewy pappardelle and tender beef chunks in a flavourful sauce. 

You’ll also get a choice of sides like fresh fruits, chocolate mousse, or a generous heap of crisp truffle fries. 

You can add on with individual picnic boxes for the kids, a Chandon Garden Spritz add-on at $16 nett (one glass), $25 nett (two glasses), or $58++ (bottle). And if you’re thinking of bringing your pooch, there’s an additional dog-friendly Picnic Buzzket that includes dog toys, a dog bowl, treats and a bandana, too.

Reservations have to be placed at least three days in advance. The Picnic Buzzkets have to returned after your picnic. Click here for more details.

Available now till July 31, 2023. Bee’s Knees at The Garage is at 50 Cluny Park Road, Level 1, Singapore Botanic Gardens, 257488.

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