The last time I have been to Spices Cafe at Concorde Hotel Singapore was for the Singapore Flavours Buffet Lunch, known for its spread of tantalising Peranakan cuisine and popular local favourites.
Time to head back again.
Not many may know that its buffet dinner takes on a different concept of “Harvest of the Sea”.
(Click PLAY for highlights of Spices Cafe’s Harvest of the Sea Buffet Dinner.)
If you love your seafood of all sorts matched with cosy environment, then you don’t want to be left out of the selection which includes Singapore Chilli Crab, Salted Egg Crabs, Baked Mentaiko Lobster, Freshly Shuck Oysters, Sashimi To Grilled Stingray and Prawns.
Also look out for the DFD Promo in which you can enjoy the buffet dinner at $45++ (UP $58++, from Mon – Thurs, or $48++ (UP $62++) from Fri – Sun.
Concorde Hotel is conveniently located along Orchard Road within walking distance of Somerset and Dhoby Ghaut MRT stations. It just celebrated its 10th year anniversary.
To me, a buffet is not only about the spread of the food, but its environment.
The striking black and white décor of Spices Café, with pops of red here and there, exude an elegant European setting.
An amber dome, floor-to-ceiling windows and cleverly-framed mirrors add to the airy feel of this place, your backdrop as you feast both your palate and senses.
The buffet stations are mostly neatly lined up at the side of the restaurant, which makes navigation around really easy.
Expect Spices Café’s team of dedicated chefs preparing delectable a la carte seafood dishes, from local delights, Asian specialties to Western cuisine in the all-you-can eat buffet spread.
Here are 10 highlights from Spices Café’s “Harvest of the Sea” Buffet Dinner:
1. Heavenly Crab Feast
This isn’t called a heavenly feast for nothing. There is a sense of nirvana because you do get unlimited orders of crabs.
Yes, unlimited orders.
You can savour on crabs cooked to three different styles: Salted Egg, Black Pepper and Singapore’s Signature Chilli Crab.
All the Sri Lankan crabs used (NOT mud crabs) are all cooked-to-order, so you are guaranteed the freshest quality when it comes to taste.
My favourite of the lot was the Salted Egg Crabs, cooked in a luscious-creamy yellow sauce with the addition of curry leaves for that light punch, complete with wok-hei (wok heat). Real salted eggs are used in the cooking, so you get to taste that bit of graininess in the sauce.
Just a reminder, though. you won’t the get the crabs from the buffet stations. Rather, the crabs are ordered from an a la carte menu and served right to your table.
2. Baked Lobster
Aside from the unlimited servings of crabs, diners are entitled to a complimentary single serving of a Baked Half Lobster (200g) when you partake of the Harvest of the Sea Buffet Dinner.
You get to pick how your FREE baked lobster will be cooked.
Do you want it with cheese au gratin, covered in a blanket of mayonnaise and buttery mentaiko sauce, or simply plain grilled?
You also get to choose your preferred sauce on the side: sambal, mushroom or black pepper sauce when you order the plain grilled lobster.
I would recommend enjoying this dose of lobster love with choice of mentaiko for creamy cod-spiciness which complements well with the sweet lobster meat.
3. Braised Baby Abalone with Broccoli and Mushroom
For the buffet, you get to choose one complimentary served of baked half lobster, OR Braised Baby Abalone with Broccoli and Mushroom.
This dish alone is worth over $28.00++ each, making it a real value-for-money for the buffet.
The top-grade baby abalone, braised to perfection, is delicately served with a piece of broccoli and a piece of shiitake mushroom to complete the trio.
4. New Grill Station
An exciting addition to the Harvest of the Sea Buffet Dinner buffet setup: a new grill station.
Expect this station to dish out exquisite grilled and barbecued specials. There are more seafood items here to be enjoyed with that delectable barbecued taste: Squids, Prawns, and even Stingray – which is not commonly found in hotel buffets.
If you want to complement your meal with some meats, there are Beef Steaks, Lamb Chops and Pork Loin to choose from.
Enhance the flavours of all these grilled juicy seafood and meats are any of the 6 sauces: Barbecue, Black Pepper, Dijon Mustard, Hollandaise, Mint and Sambal Chilli.
5. Pan Fried Goose Liver with Honey Onion and Balsamic Vinegar
This is new addition starting from 1st December 2018.
A luxe dish of buttery Foie Gras pan-fried until golden brown, added with a touch of honey onion and balsamic vinegar to enhance of flavour of the gourmet dish.
6. Fresh Sashimi, Oysters and Scallops
Head to this station to witness a plethora of fresh sashimi, oysters, scallops and other seafood such as prawns and shellfish.
Expect only the freshest catch of oysters and scallops in shells, presented in a visually stimulating display on a bed of ice.
Get lost in colourful platters of sushi, and the freshest cuts of sashimi of salmon and vibrant red maguro (tuna).
7. Delectable Spread of Hot Food at the Cooked Food Station
Check out the Cooked Food Station, where you can find many of Spices Café’s most-loved signature dishes.
Get your fill of these appetising specials, consistently on the theme of seafood, of course. Try the Seafood Fried Rice, Fusilli with Pesto Sauce, and Baked Salmon with Potatoes Cheese Au Gratin.
Also look out for a daily special that rotates every single day. There will be ONE specialty from a different chef each day. I had the Spanish de Pascado Seafood Stew prepared by Chef Casey, which reminded me of a rich Seafood Bouillabaisse.
8. Sumptuous Asian Delights
There is also something here for locals and tourist who are looking for Asian seafood delights.
Discover (or rediscover) the Herbal Prawn, a superb combination of flavours: salty savoury taste of plump prawns and the fresh, medicinal taste of assorted herbs.
The Steamed Seabass Hong Kong style is another classic Asian fare, esteemed for its simple cooking method that locks in its freshest flavours. The flesh tender but still firm, with a delicate taste.
Go for the Stir-Fried Canadian Scallop with Oyster Sauce, and taste how these wild-caught scallops from Canada differ from other types of scallops.
Finally, keep the meatless-streak with the Sliced Abalone and Mushrooms with Pak Chye.
9. DIY Laksa Station
Who doesn’t like DIY stations?
They’re engaging, fun and “live”. Adds the different level to your dining experience and makes it even more memorable.
Well, Spices Café’ DIY Laksa Station is here to complement your Harvest of the Sea Buffet Dinner experience.
The fragrant Nonya style Laksa is served with gravy that is lemak (coconuty-rich) and bursting with flavours from blended spices. For tourists, don’t worry as the spiciness is on the mild side.
By default, you can add prawns, fishcakes and beansprouts to your bowl.
10. Delightful Dessert Bar
Spices Café’s Dessert Bar offers a spread of English pastries, mini-sized cakes and traditional Nonya desserts.
Indulge in their Opera Cake, or go for the more homely Banana Bread. Berry lovers will love their Strawberry Swiss Roll and the Blueberry Cheesecake.
To me, the highlight is their authentic Peranakan desserts like Apong Bok Kuah (topped with durian or banana sauce), Kueh Charah, Kueh Dadar and Durian Pengat – durian lovers can’t stop at one.
Harvest of the Sea Buffet Dinner (New Pricing Effective as of 1st December 2018, not applicable for Christmas Eve, Christmas and NYE dinner.)
Dinner Buffet Hours: 6.30pm to 10pm (Mon – Sun)
Monday to Thursday
Adults: DFD Promo Price $45.00++ (UP $58.00++)
Child (between 4 to 10 years old): $24.00++
Senior Citizen (55 years and above): $38.00++
Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Adult: DFD Promo Price $48.00++ (UP $62.00++)
Child (between 4 to 10 years old): $24.00++
Senior Citizen (55 years and above): $40.00++
For reservations and to enjoy the promotion please call Spices Café at +65 6734 0393 and quote “DanielFoodDiary” or email spices.chs@concorde.net (also to quote “DanielFoodDiary” when making the email reservation).
Alternatively, reservations can be made online via this link – bit.ly/spicescafesg under message column to type in “DanielFoodDiary” to enjoy the promo.
Promotion period 1st December 2018 – 31st January 2019. (Promo extended till 31 Jan 2019 due to popular demand.)
Singapore Flavours Buffet Lunch – Peranakan Cuisine
Savour delicious Peranakan dishes like Bakwan Kepiting, Ayam Buah Keluak and Assam Prawns or Squid; and popular Singaporean dishes including Kway Chap, Laksa and Yong Tau Foo.
Monday to Friday: 12 noon to 2.30pm
Adult: $39.00++
Child: $18.00++ (4 – 10 years old)
Senior Citizens: $29.00++ (above 55 years old)
Spices Cafe
Concorde Hotel Singapore, 100 Orchard Road, Singapore 238840
Reservations: +65 6734 0393 or +65 6733 8855 Ext 8133
Email: spices.chs@concorde.net
* This post is brought to you in partnership with Concorde Hotel Singapore.
Concorde Hotel Singapore i love this place and food..
This is truly helpful, thanks.