Innehållsförteckning för January 2019 från epicure

We’re loving the newly revamped Orchard Cafe, an all-day dining restaurant that serves a much wider selection of local and international treats than before. Think European cheeses and charcuterie, a temperature-controlled Seafood Room and Oyster Shucking station, a Vertical Salad Bar as well as a Charcoal Grill station teeming with handsome cuts, such as the tomahawk steak. For those who can’t do without carbs, there’s a Noodle Bar dishing the hotel’s signature seafood laksa, and freshly baked truffle pizza from the Pizza Oven. What’s a meal without dessert? Besides ice cream sandwiches, Nyonya kuehs and waffles and crepes made à la minute, the Dessert Showcase’s most impressive feature is the panning machine that coats freshly roasted nuts in a chocolate dust. From $58/person (lunch), from $78/person (dinner). Orchard Hotel, 442…

Meat-eaters needn’t be apprehensive about trying vegan recipes from food writer Amanda Logan’s Great Vegan Meals for the Carnivorous Family. Whether it’s to introduce additional vegetables to a diet or transition to a vegan lifestyle, Logan provides an array of ways to successfully feed families vegan dishes. Tasty breakfast options include eggless French toast, roasted pear parfaits, and chocolate baked oats with blistered berries. For vegans looking to branch out from more traditional fare, Logan offers a dairy-free milk and vegan butter béchamel–based lasagna that includes lentils, red wine, fresh sage. Published by Page Street Publishing. Available from amazon.com. $16.94 This extensive tome from long-time vegan and restaurant owner Jean-Christian Jury could otherwise be known as the indispensable guide to vegan cooking. The Vegetable Gardener’s Cookbook boasts more than 450…

For an industry that’s been around for hundreds of years, mechanical watchmaking never really gets old. Thanks to luxury maisons that continually reinvent the classics and evolve their icons, watch connoisseurs are treated to ever more inspirational masterpieces, whether it is a simple three-hand timekeeper or a rare and exalted high complication. The secret – they’ll tell you – is to keep on refining the product, little by little, year after year. That’s how a wristwatch becomes an eternal object, one that is as relevant today as when it was created. Designed to be an aviator’s timepiece, the Santos de Cartier is strikingly elegant compared to the average pilot’s watch. This timeless icon exists in several forms, but it’s the latest incarnation that has captured both the connoisseur crowd and…

It was a wonderful start, as summarised by new Singapore chancellor Melvin Choo of the Jurade de Saint-Emilion’s establishment of a local chapter in November. Seven members were inducted, including wine merchant Sandy Tan from La Vigne D’or and Dr Richard Chen, in the presence of 110 dinner guests and 12 Jurats representing their respective wine houses at a ballroom in Marina Bay Sands. The sumptuous menu prepared by DB Bistro featured Maine lobster paired with a lithe Château Lanbersac Cuvée Or Rouge, and Petit Filet Migon, which matched with an earthy Château Laroze Grand Cru Classé 2011. The oldest wine brotherhood in the world celebrates its 820th anniversary this year, with a grand celebration in Saint-Emilion in June on occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Jurisdiction’s inscription on…

SPRING PLATE WITH FERMENTED CASHEW CHEESE Heralding the start of spring and the micro-seasons, this dish incorporates 14 raw and cooked spring vegetables with colourful leaves, cheese (made from fermenting cashew nuts with natural yeast). A plate of garden perfection indeed. Serves 2 Prep time 48 hours fermentation + 45 minutes Cook time 1 hour cashew nut cheese 1kg cashew nuts, toasted2g salt6.6g honey » Soak nuts overnight in water » Blend nuts with salt and leave them overnight covered with cloth » Once done, remove the top layer and discard. Fold the honey in with the remaining layer. to assemble 1 baby spring onion, charred1 pearl white onion, pickled1 red radish, slicedfresh snap peas, halved50g broccoli couscous (available from iherb.com)1 heirloom tomato confit1 baby carrot, yellow, sliced1 baby carrot,…

I’ve done it all. Atkins, Cabbage Soup, Macro and the silly egg diet; the latter had me downing up to eight tasteless, boiled eggs a day. What these diets had in common were how short they lasted. A bowl of spaghetti cacio e pepe with copious shavings of Pecorino Romano (and a glass of Chianti Classico, please) would always win out in the end. It comes as no surprise that my weight yo-yoed over the years. Nothing, however, weighed me down more than my obsession to be thin. Joining the publishing industry was a dream come true for me, yet it presented an additional hurdle. The numerous work engagements aside, my social circle narrowed to those in the same line. I couldn’t risk whispering the word “diet” for fear of…

Indulge in resident chef Martin Foo’s innovative take on Chinese cuisine at Crystal Jade Palace Restaurant. Foo not only jazzes up the usual noodle dish – a symbol of longevity – with a Wok-fried Yuzu Noodle with Bacon & Mushroom, but also offers his take on the traditional char siew with an umami-laden black bean sauce. An extensive range of set menus (from $108 to $168/person, minimum two to dine), including vegetarian options, is available. #04-19, Takashimaya Shopping Centre, 391 Orchard Road. Tel: 6735 2388 Executive chef Liu Ching Hai continues to impress his regular guests with a slew of classic Cantonese dishes at one Michelin-starred Summer Palace. Between 25 January and 19 February, diners can come by for lunch ($88 per person, minimum four to dine) or dinner (from…

For biodynamic wines, we have Austrian metaphysical theorist Rudolf Steiner to thank, who devised the Demeter biodynamic concept according to his doctrine of ‘anthroposophy’ in the 1920s. The holistic concept of biodynamic farming focuses on the farm and soils as living, self-sustaining organisms to be cultivated naturally without any need for synthetic intervention. On my seminal visit to Vienna for the 20th anniversary of wine fair VieVinum in 2018, I found that Austrian winemakers young and old were resonating with the century-old writings of Steiner with good reason – they are truly attached to their pristine lands and the traditional, closed loop method of farming which continues to make so much sense today. One of these meetings happened almost by chance while I was on an excursion to the village…

Domaine Laporte Le Grand Rochoy 2015 First established in 1850, Domaine Laporte changed hands in 1986 when respected winegrower Henri Bourgeois took over. Now Bourgeois’ grandsons are in charge of the vividly intense Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir from this estate. The Le Grand Rochoy bottling has always been a prestige selection of fruit with tightly wound mineral texture and richness that is extracted from its renowned soils. The wine is balanced by fleshy stone fruit and flinty, almost smoky notes. While young now, it can be appreciated with seafood, fish or white meat. $68 from Wine Clique HIGHLIGHTS The hillside terroir is a 25-hectare monopole vineyard called Domaine du Rochoy, which is south-facing and rich in rare silex soil. 2015 was promising across the region, with a warm dry…

When head chef Fabrice Mergalet was first tasked to come up with a gluten-free menu for The Butcher’s Wife, a cosy restaurant in Tiong Bahru, he thought it would be a headache. It turned out to be easier than he thought as the experiment process is similar to other recipes he has created. One of the difficulties, however, for the French chef was getting the right gluten-free flour ratio for the pumpkin gnocchi. It took him and his team several tries before they could crack the code. “Once we found the golden ratio, everything went smooth sailing for us,” he says. Mergalet chose to incorporate pumpkin in the gluten-free gnocchi. “Pumpkin is a very versatile ingredient, it works well in both sweet and savoury dishes. By adding the orange squash…

Made up of 26 atolls – consisting of more than 1,000 coral islands – and surrounded by azure waters, it’s no surprise that Maldives is a popular honeymoon and wedding destination. In 2017 alone, the island country welcomed over 1.3 million visitors from around the world. When we arrived at Velana International Airport after a four-hour flight from Singapore, we were greeted with a resounding “Maruhabaa!” from the Noku Maldives staff, who were there to pick us up. That was to be a greeting we’d hear on loop in the days to follow. Used in place of hello, goodbye, and well wishes of happiness and good health, the Maldivian word means ‘life’. And Maldives is indeed invigorating, thanks to the warmth of its people and the splendour of its unspoilt…

Get 12 issues for $82, 24 issues for $143 Free delivery to your doorstep every month Designed for bon vivants who share the belief that food is the ultimate universal language, epicure is on an enthusiastic quest to seek out the latest dining trends, sniff out remarkable wine vintages and uncover the dynamics and intricacies of the local and international culinary scene. Each month, the magazine profiles celebrity chefs and winemakers, showcases exclusive recipes for entertaining as well as highlights the latest destinations for well-travelled foodies These insightful articles are complemented by lush, captivating photos to stimulate the senses.…

As chairman and CEO of the world’s leading gym, how does the nature of your work influence your appreciation of food? I do become more conscious of the food I put in my mouth, but that said I still am adventurous in exploring new restaurants and seeking out new foods and tastes. Singapore is a food lover’s paradise so one never runs out of choices. Do you have a tendency to over-analyse the calories of a dish during mealtimes? I usually just try to enjoy food for what it is, unless I am going through an intense workout training. Then I would probably start asking myself, is this dish worth spending my calorie intake on it? Can you share some memorable scenes from your recent dining experiences? I was enjoying…

» 8AM Stroll through Vecriga, the historical centre of Riga. The UNESCO World Heritage site has over 800 years of history and is teeming with influences from the many nations that wandered through. Remember to pop by architectural gems like the House of Blackheads for a photo opportunity. Central District, Riga, LV-1050, Latvia. » 10AM Saunter over to Riga Central Market, an enormous complex of five zeppelin hangars that’s filled with Latvian specialities. Opened in 1930, the variety of smoked fish, black bread and birch sap juice make for a authentic breakfast. Bring cash. Negu iela 7, Latgales priekšpilseta, Riga, LV-1050, Latvia. Tel: +371 67 229 985 » 12PM Head chefs Juris Dukalskis and Erisk Breibants use only locally and ethically sourced produce and meats to create a stunning menu…

Check out the movers and shakers What’s new and happening in Johor? Bring your OCBC Credit/Debit Card to score the best savings as you check out the latest concepts over the Causeway. Here are 10 you can’t miss. THE REPLACEMENT LODGE & KITCHEN Known for their perennial brunch menu that’s served till 6pm, The Replacement’s Eggs Benny and Croque Madame will never go out of style. But it’s the creative menu that keeps us coming back, whether it’s to try the churros with salted egg yolk dip, unagi bao or crab meat mentaiko aglio olio with smoked duck. You’ll also find Melbourne-inspired hand brews and specialty teas like Cascara coffee cherry fruit tea from Bolivia. OCBC CARDMEMBERS EXCLUSIVE: 10% OFF TOTAL BILL 33-34 Jalan Dhoby, 80000 Johor Bahru Tel: +60…

Up in the misty mountainous regions of China, deep in the natural forests, located at high altitudes of 1,000 meters or more above sea level, is where one will find some of the best and most exclusive wild tea plants. These precious plants are exposed to abundant sunlight, a sufficient amount of rain, and extreme temperature differences between day and night, which are deemed favourable, shares Annie Sun, group chief executive officer of Dynaforce International. Sun is also the founder of Hui Rui Tang – a nascent and bespoke tea boutique specialising in health enhancing teas from the wild forests and mountains of China. “Unlike plantation tea, wild tea does not depend on chemicals, pesticides or fertilisers. They are deep-rooted plants and have the capability of absorbing more nutrients from…

Sherry cask expert Glendronach is making a splash not just with its Revival Aged 15 Years ($299) – which was brought back after being discontinued in 2015, but with the 1993 #393 Aged 25 Years ($1,099). The latter was selected by master blender Rachel Barrie as an exclusive for Southeast Asia, and is memorably composed of apricot Danish and sultana notes, with a dry sour raspberry and dark chocolate finish. Distributed by Malt Wine Asia and retails at The Grande Whisky Collection. Speyside single malt Glenrothes heralds its return to Edrington ownership with the bright and catchy Soleo Collection, featuring four all-new whiskies now available in Singapore. Newer drinkers will find the 12 Year Old easy to enjoy with sweet vanilla notes, while longtime fans gravitate to the 18 and…

Raspberry and thyme shrub • 250g raspberries• 8 thyme sprigs• 6 kaffir lime leaves• 250g caster sugar• 125ml apple cider vinegar• 125ml verjuice » Combine all ingredients in a Mason jar and muddle to release flavours. » Screw on the lid, give a shake, and leave overnight. Strain through a fine strainer the next day. Little Red Dot • 50ml Seedlip Spice 94• 40ml cold chamomile tea• 25ml thyme and raspberry shrub• 10ml cherry cordial• belimbing flowers, for garnish » Add crushed ice to a mixing glass, and add all ingredients except garnish. Stir then strain into a vintage cocktail glass, topped with fresh crushed ice and garnished with flowers. Know your botanicals Alcohol-free Seedlip ‘spirits’ contain all the flavour but no ABV, thanks to a secret distillation technique. Its…

Upon arriving at Velana International Airport on the island of Malé, you'll be greeted by a representative from Noku Maldives. The friendly staff will escort you to the ferry or seaplane (Trans Maldivian Airways) terminal. Depending on the volatility in the weather, you could be taking either transport or a combination of both to reach the resort. Maldives is hot and sunny all year round, with average temperatures of 23°C to 31°C. The best time to visit is between November and April; the other months are low-season periods due to monsoons and the high tides. If you are looking for a local photographer to capture the best moments of your wedding, honeymoon or birthday, try Asad’s Photography (@asad.photo on Instagram). Rates from US$1,500. www.asad.photo Wifi connection in Noku Maldives is…

Arcadia Yachts, known for its eco-friendly designs, has launched the Arcadia 105 to much fanfare. Its signature low-consumption sailing, 400 sq ft network of solar panels and thermal insulating glass have won the vessel the Most Innovative Yacht award from the World Yacht Trophies right after its debut. The smart layout continues in its interiors. Floor-to-ceiling windows are available throughout, with electric side windows that roll down automatically to allow ocean air in. In particular, there’re fold-out balconies for an impromptu al fresco dining experience. Owners can also customise their boats (more than 50 design combinations are available). Price upon request. arcadiayachts.it/en The health conscious but sweet-toothed can finally have their cake and eat it too. Known for her diabetic-friendly vegan cakes, chef Delcie Lam of Delcie’s Desserts has launched…