Innehållsförteckning för September 2023 från epicure

Fatty, briny, and satisfyingly creamy. A gentle nudge of your tongue, and these tiny orbs, swollen with alluring flavours of the sea, burst open and coat your palate with a sweet and subtly salty pleasure that inevitably makes you reach for the next spoonful. As the Russian novelist Anton Chekov most aptly summarises the experience: “Ah, caviar! I keep on eating it but I can never get my fill.” Black Gold Caviar is one of the world’s most expensive foods. Procured from female sturgeons, the roe was first consumed by Persians who believed that the tiny eggs could boost one’s vitality. Caviar soon found its way into Russian courts with tsars serving this delicacy at their lavish royal banquets (in fact, according to to author Niki Segnit, the children of…

In 2004, James Suckling was invited to a blind tasting wine dinner with 10 bottles to sample. The evening turned out to contain many surprises — one of which was how a 1989 Pétrus, a 100-point wine, appeared to be the unanimously voted worst wine. The other? A 2000 Gere Attila Kopar Cuvée, a Bordeaux blend from Hungary, emerged as a crowd favourite. “Balanced, silky, and fruity… but I had never heard of it, much less tasted it,” Suckling described. As the American wine critic’s famous line goes: “When a Hungarian red beats Pétrus in a blind tasting, you know the world of wine is a gunslinger’s paradise.” A storied history Despite being an Old World wine region with a heritage dating back to Roman times, Hungarian wines haven’t quite…

Asia’s Best French Wine Sommelier Contest, hosted by the French Ministry of Agriculture, is an annual event celebrated by sommeliers and wine industry players across the region. The Singapore finale was held on 4 September at Sofitel Singapore City Centre. The competition offers an unparalleled opportunity for wine enthusiasts and professionals to showcase their profound knowledge and appreciation for the rich heritage of French wines. The 2023 local competitions are held in five markets: Singapore, China Mainland, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Korea. Participating sommeliers deep dive into a diverse array of French wines, ranging from the finest Bordeaux to Champagne and Rhône Valley wines. Additionally, they will demonstrate their expertise in recognising and appreciating the finest cheeses from different regions of France. A key aspect of the competition will be their…

If your idea of the perfect holiday is slowing down and unwinding over spice-laden sharing platters by the balmy sea, the following tropical destinations are for you. The restaurants at these three top-notch resorts in Phuket, Langkawi and Desaru Coast feature beautifully executed flavours woven with local seafood and farm fresh produce. The experience is complete with picture-perfect views of the waters and the surrounding waters and lush greenery. Pure authenticity Going to Ta Khai is akin to being invited to a house party at a fisherman’s village. You get to experience gracious hospitality and fabulous food while soaking in the convivial atmosphere. Diners can choose to sit at either the open-air pavilion overlooking the sparkling sea or the glass enclosed dining space, illuminated with the glow of pretty lanterns…

Simple Indulgence Pattiserie This small patisserie prides itself in creations made from fresh, unadulterated ingredients — and its petite tarts are no exception. Each bitesized morsel is the epitome of guilt-free indulgence: light and buttery, topped with delicious fillings, and free from artificial preservatives and colouring. Try the bestselling Apple Crumble, which features a delicate pastry shell filled with rich, caramelised apple infused with heady notes of Madagascar vanilla. Other refreshing flavours include the Passionfruit Dark Chocolate and Matcha Strawberry. Or try the Valrhona Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel petite tart, which harmoniously blends decadent dark chocolate with luscious, salted caramel. www.simpleindulgencepatisserie.sg Wunderfolks Homegrown patisserie Wunderfolks’ selection of signature tarts are handmade from scratch to achieve the perfect buttery flavour and crumbly texture, complemented by luscious toppings. Sink your teeth…

Do you remember the community hubs that were oldschool provision shops, whose kindly owners always knew just what you needed and liked? Or a time when families and their favourite wet market stalls supported each other faithfully for generations? Back then, supermarkets were feted for convenience more than quality, and independent “gourmet stores” with small but highly specialised selections of rare goods were few and far between. How much has changed since. Trad provision shops are now all but extinct: gourmet stores curate both luxuries and sundries, all at eye-watering prices; and supermarket chains are stratified to be all things to everyone, from candlenuts to caviar. In such a climate, stepping into Meatkrafters at 19 Ghim Moh Road is like a breath of fresh air, and not just because it…

Restaurant Fiz’s chef-owner Hafizzul Hashim had an epiphany when he was working at Jean Georges Tokyo (by the acclaimed chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten). The globally renowned establishment features a lot of Thai and Japanese flavours in the menu. “I realised then that high-end restaurants were using ingredients that I grew up with – like kaffir lime leaves and galangal.” This prompted the Malaysian-born chef to delve into Southeast Asian cuisine and present his rendition that “speaks to the diners of today”. The chef who lived in Japan for two years before moving to Singapore says that he learnt from the Japanese about their mindset and discipline as well as their appreciation and respect for ingredients. “Also, the simplicity [of their cuisines], and not to man-handle produce too much,” he says. Prior…

Today, the hospitality sector is integrating on-site farming into their operations – not just to reduce their reliance on imports from abroad, but also to cater to an increasing demand for sustainably-driven stays. In land-scarce Singapore, these initiatives are especially crucial. Two hotels by PARKROYAL COLLECTIONS are doing their part to transform the way they source, prepare, and incorporate ingredients into their offerings — translating them into elevated dining experiences for their guests. Meanwhile, neighbouring countries are also engaging in green initiatives in their bid for a more sustainable path. Take for example, the island resorts in Koh Samui (Thailand) and Langkawi (Malaysia). The family-owned wellness resort of Garrya Tongsai Bay Samui has been practising sustainable efforts since the property was established in 1987. In Malaysia, The Ritz Carlton Langkawi…

Good food and drink, genuine human connections, immersive travel and cultural experiences: these are the things that make life worth living. Travel by sea ticks all these boxes. There’s a certain romanticism that comes with ocean voyages: of warm, balmy nights out on deck under a harvest moon; the excitement of adventure as your ship pulls into the next port, with new sights, tastes, and experiences to unearth around every corner. Discover your own version of la dolce vita or the ‘sweet life’ aboard Oceania Cruises. With over 94 distinct itineraries planned for the Mediterranean for 2024, a trip aboard the luxury cruise is a chance to dive into the region’s storied history, culture, and cuisine. Departing from cities including Rome, Barcelona, Lisbon, Athens and London, sailings range from seven…

Today’s champagne houses are moving away from traditional methods of grape cultivation and even discontinuing elaborate packaging and gift boxes that used to flood the market. These three maisons are at the forefront of sustainable practices – from increasing biodiversity to eliminating packaging, and reducing bottle weight, they are finding ways to reduce carbon footprint in their own ways. Minimalism over extravagance Telmont located in Damery, about 10 minutes by car from Epernay, has been steadily and actively working on their sustainable initiatives. After launching their “In the Name of Mother Nature” project, the company embarked on a complete overhaul of their packaging to get rid of everything that was unnecessary. Ludovic du Plessis, president of Maison Telmont, believes that the CIVC (Interprofessional Committee for Champagne Wine) is doing a…

Beyond the pristine beaches, nature walks and stunning sunsets, these sprawling resorts in Vietnam and Thailand are pampering guests with one-of-a-kind fine dining feasts. Housed in uniquely designed buildings, La Maison 1888 in Danang and Hom in Phuket offer stellar experiences. The chefs in the respective restaurants deftly incorporate fresh local ingredients in their well-executed creations. And the tasting menus are topped with exquisite wines and gracious service. French finesse with Vietnamese influence Your memorable dining experience at Intercontinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort starts when a specially designed funicular transports you from the top of the mountain to a charming villa flanked by lush greenery. You step off and make your way into the fine dining French restaurant – La Maison 1888. The beautiful light-filled interiors inspired by the French…

Imagine being cocooned within the embrace of unspoilt nature, surrounded by the mysterious allure of a hidden grotto in Bali’s Jimbaran Bay. This is The Secret Cave – Raffles Bali’s latest dining destination – where culinary creations are brought to life in a unique sanctuary for the senses. Your evening begins with a sunset cocktail. As twilight deepens to an inky black, the warm glow of torches beckons guests to the cave’s entrance, the air spiced with the delicate scent of sandalwood and the gentle tunes of age-old Balinese music. Inside, an intimate table setting awaits, candlelight throwing dancing shadows across the cave’s stone walls. Relish in a meticulously crafted menu featuring the finest seasonal ingredients and fresh produce sourced from the resort’s own garden and local farmers. Each dish…

Andermatt is a place filled with superlatives. It is the largest ski region in central Switzerland with one of the longest ski seasons (usually from late October to May). Five-star hotel The Chedi Andermatt has the world’s largest hotel collection of fine cigars and the country’s longest indoor hotel pool. It’s also where you’ll find the highest Japanese restaurant in Europe, and the most extensive sake menu in Switzerland. But let’s start from the ground first – or rather, at 1,440 metres above sea level in what was once a sleepy mountain village. Since 2009, Andermatt – located in the Uri canton about a 90-minute drive from Zurich – has been undergoing $2 billion worth of luxury development projects by real estate developer Andermatt Swiss Alps. Apartment buildings, four- and…