Indulge in a Chinese-style feast at the swanky Royal Pavilion
Fans of the Chinese-style smoked duck can rejoice at the Royal Pavilion in Park Regis Hotel. Introducing new world Cantonese cuisine, you’ll be spoilt for choice with a selection of over 80 dishes.
I understand from a management executive that some of the kitchen staff at the Royal Pavilion were previously from Paradise Pavilion at the Marina Bay Financial Centre, and they bring over their panache and wealth of experience.
Dim Sum at its Best
Executive Chef Chung Ho Shi, who has 30 years of experience under his belt, presents dishes such as the Dim Sum Dazzlers menu which comprises Carrot Cake with Lao Gan Tie (Old Godfather) Chilli Sauce ($8.80++) and Steamed Prawn Dumpling Har Kau ($5.80++).
The dim sum is handmade fresh daily at the Royal Pavilion and it shows. I especially like the carrot cake in its slightly spicy and sweet chilli sauce.
Any self-respecting Cantonese restaurant will not scrimp on its double-boiled soup. Royal Pavilion’s Double-boiled Chicken Soup with Fish Maw and Macalan ($25++) is lightly-flavoured medicinal brew that bears a hint of sweetness with the combination of fish maw, wolfberries, huai san and maca (Lepidium meyenii – a medicinal herb and a supposed aphrodisiac) with Chef’s blend of noble chicken soup.
Heavenly Duck
The duck is definitely the piece de resistance at Royal Pavilion. The Royal Smoked Duck ($35++ for a half portion) is simply amazing.
The chef told us that the duck is smoked with lychee tea leaves and wood chips and it shows, or rather smells like it.
The smoky and aromatic scent exuded from the duck platter even when it was placed at the opposite end of the lazy Susan from where I sat. The taste was even more phenomenal. The skin was crispy and the meat, tender without a gamey smell, probably absorbed by the overpowering fragrance after all that smoking. Two thumbs up!
Chinese desserts can be a little underwhelming at times, but I did like their Steamed Mashed Taro with Pumpkin Puree Served in Young Coconut ($8.50++), the traditional orh-nee dessert steamed in a coconut husk. But the Special Walnut Pastry ($3.80++ with a minimum of four pieces) was a little disappointing and hard.
Royal Pavilion Level 1, Park Regis Singapore, 23 Merchant Road, Singapore 058268, Tel: 6818 8851
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