Showing posts with label - Macarons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label - Macarons. Show all posts

Sunday 30 June 2013

Todai Singapore - International Seafood And Sushi Buffet Restaurant (Marina Bay Sands)

Todai Singapore an international seafood and sushi buffet restaurant opened at Marina Bay Sands in 2011. It  is an international brand with presence in United States, Hong Kong and China South Korea, and has been hailed as 'The Mother of All Seafood Buffet' by a famous food critic. Todai Singapore presence in Singapore has not been exactly smooth sailing. In late 2011, a group of customers had food poisoning after consuming the oysters in Todai. Those who followed the news would have known that the Todai's management responded quickly and compensated the customers. It was heartening to note that they did not reacted negatively or defensively.

I have been wanting to visit Todai Singapore as I am a fan of Seafood. I have to try this 'mother of all seafood buffet'!
Todai Singapore is located at the corner of the basement of Marina Bay Sands (the portion nearer to Bayfront MRT station entrance / Exhibition Center).
Abalone Festival and Alaskan Crab Buffet
Todai's June Premium Abalone Festival
For the month of May and June, Todai held a Premium Abalone Festival along with Alaskan Crab Buffet.
Stepping into the restaurant, I was most impressive with the long line of buffet spread. Todai Singapore had quite an extensive spread of food. The seating capacity was huge! Even on a weekend, they restaurant had just 50%  of the tables occupied.

There were Salads & Cold Cuts, Sushi & Sashimi, Cold Seafood, Italian Pizza & Pasta, Brazilian Churassco, Korean food, Noodles, Western food, Chinese food, Deep Fry and Desserts.
King Crab, Snow Crab and Red Crab

Baby Octopus, Green Mussuel, Scallop
The King Crab, Snow Crab and Red Crab section, and the Baby Octopus, Green Mussuel, Scallop (Cold Seafood) section were the most popular sections.
Desserts and Macaroons
Todai Singapore had a unique way of displaying the Macaroons in the shape of a pyramid. The dessert section was next to it.
Food from the Cold Seafood section; Snow Crab, Abalone, Baby Octopus, Green Mussel and Scallop. The Snow Crab was great! Fresh and sweet! The best item among all the food in the Cold Seafood section. The mussel was average. The first batch of Scallop was very fresh. However, the subsequent batches were not as good.
Abalone
The highlight for the month was supposed to be the Abalone. It was small in size and taste wise was not impressive. The snow crab stole the limelight.
Abalone Porridge
The Abalone Porridge was tasty, flavourful and not diluted. Although there were only a few pieces of abalone bits in it, it was surprisingly delish.
Sushi and Salmon Sashimi

The Sushi seen in the above photo was just the tip of the ice berg. There were more different varieties of sushi available.
Western food

Deep Fry food
The Grill Lamb Rack and La Galbi (Beef Short Rib) were tough and hard. The other sections in the Deep Fry section was equally disappointing. Especially the Vegetable Tempura which had a thick coat of batter and were oily. The Miso Shisamo with Gratin Sauce had such a fishy smell that I did not finish it.
Salmon Steak with Digon Sauce
The Salmon Steak with Digon Sauce fared better.
Abalone Gratin with Salad

Abalone Gratin
The Abalone Gratin was a hard to get item. I walked past the counter several times to try to land my hands on it. They replaced this item at a very slow rate. Out of all the abalone items (Abalone, Abalone Porridge, Abalone Gratin), the Abalone Gratin was the most disappointing.
Churassco food
 The Churassco section.
Churassco and Italian food
The food at the Churassco section was incredibly oily. Even the mushroom was soak fully of oil. The chicken wings were overcooked and tasteless. The Italian food fared much better compared to the food at the Churassco section.

I went back for more of the abalones and snow crabs. The Snow Crab was the only item which I went back several times for. Look at how big they are.
Desserts and Macarons
 The Macarons were not bad.
Ice Cream
I need to improve in using the ice cream machine. The ice cream was quite delish!

Overall, I only like Todai Singapore for their King Crab, Snow Crab, Red Crab and Ice Cream. Although there was a wide variety of food, I did not fancy most of the food. As we ate during lunch on a weekend, after adding up all the additional charges, the bill came up to $75.33 nett per person. Quite pricey, I would be better off going to Kuishinbo if I was to just spam on the Snow Crab (which was what I did).

Todai Singapore - International Seafood And Sushi Buffet Restaurant (Marina Bay Sands)
Marina Bay Sands
2 Bayfront Ave 
#B2-01 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
Singapore 018972
Tel: 6688 7771
Opening Hours: Mon to Sat 1130am -3pm, 530pm - 10pm
                          Sun 1130am - 4pm, 5pm - 10pm

View FoodieFC's Singapore Food Map in a larger map

Tuesday 4 June 2013

Pierre Hermé Macarons (France, Paris)

Most of us maybe familiar with Pierre Hermé and associate it to the chain of luxury pastry boutique shop well-known for their Macarons. Did you know that Pierre Hermé is actually the name of a person; the French  pastry chef who started the Pierre Hermé chain of shops. Pierre Hermé was also involved in the expansion of Laduree (famous for Macarons) and only started out Pierre Hermé in 1998.

I have heard so much about Pierre Hermé and Laduree but did not have the chance to try it. I have been wondering what was the fuss and hype with Macarons. This time as I was in Paris (France), I knew that I had to try the Macarons since it all started in France!

We thrilled to know that Pierre Hermé had an outlet at Galeries Lafayette and made a point to hunt search for it.

Side track a little: Galeries Lafayette is an upmarket French department store. Noticed that there were a lot of tourists. This is especially so when you step into one of the luxury shops such as Louis Vuitton or Longchamp.  I am sure you know what I mean since its cheaper to purchase such goods here compare to back in Singapore.
'Christmas Tree' in Galeries Lafayette
'Christmas Tree' in Galeries Lafayette. Beautiful right?
Pierre Hermé is located at the building called "Lafayette Coupole" (do noted that Galeries Lafayette is very big, with at least 3 standalone buildings). Lafayette Couple is in the same building as Galeries Lafayette Main Store. An easier method is locate Pierre Hermé is that it is at the basement (-1 floor) in the Women's Shoe Department near to the Chaussée D'antin La Fayette Metro station exit. Alternatively, this is the very same building which houses all the luxury goods such as Louis Vuitton, Longchamp, Coach, Burberry, Cartier,   and Guess at level 0.
Cover of box
We bought a box of 7 Macarons for 17 € (S$26.6). That meant each piece of Macaron cost $3.8. 
Packaging of box

Box of 7 Macarons 17 € (S$26.6)
The Macarons were packed nicely with ample of space so that they would not be squashed.

The Macarons were heavenly! Delectable and beautiful! As you bite into the Macarons, it first provide a slight crunch followed by a melt in the mouth sensation as you reach the fillings. The two tiny shells (biscuit) that sandwiched the fillings were made perfectly. They each had a perfect texture with no cracks and were so incredibly soft. The outside of the shell was crisp which the inside (where the shells are in contact with the fillings) were soft such that it provides a slight crunch as your teeth sinks into it. As for the fillings, they were moist, not too creamy and with distinct flavours. The shells and the fillings complemented each other. Whoever came up with Macarons concept is a genius!

It was fun trying out the different flavours of Macarons such as Infiniment Caramel (Caramel au Beurre Salé), Mogador (Chocolat au Lait & Fruit de la Passion) and Crème Brûlée (Vanilles & éclats de Caramel). Most of which were impressive, but there was one or two that was too exotic in taste for us.

Now I know what all the hype is about. It was a pleasure sinking my teeth into these Macarons!

Do note the Macarons have to be kept in a cool place and is best eaten within 3 days. If you are buying it back to Singapore, buy it on your last day and hand carry it up onto the plane.

ps: great news for fans of Macarons. Laduree has opened a branch in Singapore at Takashimaya Shopping Centre / Ngee Ann City. Laduree's Macarons are all made in Switerland and then flash freeze before being shipped to its outlets worldwide.

Pierre Herme (France, Paris)
Basement (Floor -1) Galeries Lafayette
40 Boulevard Haussmann
75009 Paris
Tel: +33 1 43 54 47 77
Opening Hours: Mon to Sat 930am - 8pm
                         Closed on Sun
Website 
Location

The locations are as follows:
A - Pierre Herme in Galeries Lafayette
B - Croque Saveur & Galerie Kebab
Blue area shows Galeries Lafayette


View FoodieFC's Europe Map in a larger map
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...