Five Elements Menu

Man Ho Chinese Restaurant's executive chef, Herman Ip, has created a "tonic menu that utilises the natural strength of the ingredients to regulate the body". The seasonal menu is now available.

Chef Ip is a fan of the "The Inner Classic of the Yellow Emperor", the "bible" of traditional Chinese food therapy, "The idea of food therapy is to absorb the nutrients necessary for our body through careful selection of ingredients to create a balanced and healthy diet. We need to take care of our five core elements - heart, liver, spleen, lung and kidney by intaking the right diet, so that our body can be strengthened and our life can be prolonged. The special menu that we created is solely for this purpose." Chef Ip emphasises that the key to health is to intake all five colours (red, green, yellow, white and black), and all five flavours (bitter, sour, sweet, spicy and salty).

For example, according to chef Ip Stir-fried chicken with chestnuts tonifies spleen, stomach, kidneys and strengthens the tendons and ligaments, while Poached fresh shrimps with beancurd in carrot soup prevents disease in the arteries, and lowers cholesterol.

Gold by Harlan Goldstein

Harlan Goldstein is getting ready for a big comeback with a new restaurant (in the old FINDS space) - Gold by Harlan Goldstein. The new restaurant will open in November and his current restaurant, Tuscany by H, will close on 15 October. Gold will naturally take the colour gold as its vibrant design theme and, "showcase a diversity of ethnic and international cuisines which are inspired by the ethnic diversity of his Lower East Side New York roots". The restaurant will be transformed into a lounge after dining hours.

He will also launch a cookbook, The Gold Collection in November, which will be available exclusively at the restaurant. 

Tiffin Afternoon Tea

Palm Court launched its "Tiffin Afternoon Tea" offerings yesterday.  Palm Court will be serving afternoon tea from 3.00pm until 5.30pm, seven days a week. Guests can choose from two menus, named after fairytale characters of Sleeping Beauty, a traditional tea with handmade shortbread and mini cupcakes, and Beauty and the Beast, a chocolate-rich offering.  Not forgetting that tea is a family time there is also a Tiffin Prince and Princess tea for children.

The Beauty and the Beast option includes Manjari chocolate dome, Vanilla bavarois cream with brownie, Black forest crystal, Dark and white chocolate mille-feuille, Praline rice crisp, Chocolate-banana baked tart, Chocolate cupcake, Valrhona frosting, gold leaf. And a selection of tea sandwiches and savouries, and is priced at $178, as is the Sleeping Beauty, the Prince and Princess options are priced at $88.

Shore Opening Soon

Restaurant and bar, Shore, is opening this month (scheduled for 13th) in Central's 'L Place'. Executive chef, Jason Black, formally of Zest and Frog Face Fish restaurants says of the menu, "We have pared everything back to basics.  Premium ingredients, precise cooking and an unfailing passion to showcase comfort food at its best. There are no foams, or flash in the pan ingredients from a chemistry set - it is simply food you can put a knife and fork to." Along with signature seafood and steak dishes on the menu, is a range of starters, salads, platters to share and grill items, plus a daytime menu of light snacks and quick bites. There will also be a meat bible - from which one can choose the size and cut right off the bone.

The 10,000 sq ft split-level venue includes a 1,800 sq ft outdoor lounge. 

208's Set Lunches

208 Duecento Otto, is serving lunch options to fit your schedule. For those looking for a quickie, the three-course Express Lunch offers Antipasti of Arugula salad, and a main of either Margherita pizza, or pasta options Quatro Fungi, Bucatini al Amatriciana or Linguini Vongole along with a scoop of Saffron, Stracciatelle, Raspberry or Granny Smith Gelato for $138. Coffee or tea is included. 

The three-course Set Lunch is served at a more leisurely pace. Start with Antipasti of Arugula salad or Grilled Pork Tongue, followed by a main of Margherita pizza, Diavola, Penne Melanzane Tartufo, Boston Lobster Linguini or Citrus Oregano Marinated Chicken. Dessert is a scoop of Gelato or 208's signature Roasted Figs in Saba. For $238, the set is served with a glass of wine, beer or soft drink to start, and coffee or tea alongside dessert.

For those who desire a lunch of the long variety, the four-course Set Lunch begins with Antipasti of Heirloom Tomatoes, Beef Carpaccio or Poached Prawn Agrodolce followed by a Pizza or Pasta round - choose from the D.O.C. pizza, Prosciutto e Rucola, Bucatini al Amatriciana or Linguini Vongole. Options for the main course are Lamb Loin Marinato, Saffron Basil Brodetto or Citrus Oregano Marinated Chicken. Dessert is Gelati e Sorbetto Trio or Roasted Figs in Saba. The set is served with a glass of wine, beer or soft drink to start, and coffee or tea alongside dessert for $388.  

Afternoon Tea Buffet

The newly opened Café on M, has introduced an Afternoon Tea Buffet. Indulge in freshly prepared home-made scones, finger sandwiches, miniature burgers, and two daily hot savoury specialties, such as Japanese fried udon with seafood, Vegetarian spring rolls, Samosa and many more. Pamper your sweet tooth with pastries and desserts, including the signature cheesecake varieties, and six premium Häagen-Dazs ice creams, or a chocolate fondue. The afternoon tea is available daily from 3pm to 6pm, and is priced at $148pp.

As a complement to the afternoon tea experience, listen to the music of Bulgarian pianist Kameliya Dimitrova Panova as she performs a wide repertoire of classics, modern and pop, every Tuesday to Sunday.  

Bubbles Brunch

Prince Hotel invites all bubbly lovers to visit its Lobby Lounge to sip Vevue Clicquot Ponsardin while enjoying the Bubbles Brunch prepared by executive chef Danny Lai and his team. 

Antipasti includes Seared Peppered Tuna with Burdock Garlic Chips, Shinso and Mustard Sauce; Smoked Duck, Asparagus Salad with Onion Jam and Soft Egg Caper Dressing; Pan Seared Scallop with Arugula, Baby Artichoke, Black Olive Sauce and Pesto and many more. Seafood choices include Chilled Prawns Tower; Yabbies; Bugs; Crab Legs; Black Mussel; and freshly shucked oysters with varieties from Coffin Bay, New Zealand; and Fine de Claire, French. 

For the main course, eight choices are available Freshly Cooked Farm Egg Dishes with Caviar will be available such as Poached Eggs with Sautéed Forest Mushroom; Omelettes with Smoked Salmon; Scrambled Eggs; Cheese and Egg Puffs with Tomato Salsa; Baked Egg Florentine with Creamy Cheese Sauce; Tomato and Pesto Tart; Crabmeat and Mushroom Egg Tart; and Eggs Benedict. Other dishes include Roast Prime Ribs; Roast Rack of Lamb; Roast Honey Glaze Bone Ham; and Roast Wagyu Beef. 

For the finale, Caramel Profiteroles Mountain; Jivara Lactee Chocolate Mint Charlotte; Caraibes Chocolate Cake; Lemon Blueberry Trifle; Marron Terrine with Apricot Coulis; and Freshly Cut Fruit. 

The brunch is available every Sunday and Public Holiday from 11:30am - 3:00pm and is priced at $498 with free flow of Veuve, Sparkling, White and Red Wine or $308 with free flow sparkling water. 

Blue Smoke Jazz Brunch

Blue Smoke Bar-B-Que has introduced a Sunday brunch with prices starting from $98pp, with free flow brunch cocktails for an extra $88. Dishes include Smokehouse Style Eggs Benedict, Huevos Rancheros, and Steak and Eggs. The brunch will also feature New Orleans Style live jazz and is available from 11am until 3pm.