Mandarin Orchard Hotel @ Singapore

I managed to get a pretty cheap fair to Singapore about 2-3 weeks ago on Jetstar which was only at RM60 one way and I planned to fly on Saturday morning. Then, my friend asked me why not fly there on a Friday evening so that I can have dinner in Singapore and so I thought, why not take leave on Friday and flew there in the morning. And so I forfeited my Jetstar ticket (which cost me and additional RM110 to change my schedule) and went ahead with Airasia that costs me RM80. It's still cheaper than changing my schedule.

It didn't really went as well as I thought because of the hotel bookings. It was FHA week and some passengers are still stranded due to the volcanic ash. Initially, I was supposed to stay at Four Seasons (my favourite hotel since my first stay in Dec 2008) but it was fully booked and the rates were crazy. So I settled for Mandarin Orchard, which has been newly renovated and I absolutely love the location!



The Mandarin Orchard, formerly known as Meritus Mandarin is famous for it's location and it's nice restaurants such as The Chatterbox, the home of the famously expensive and awesome chicken rice. My friend calls this an Indonesian hotel because there are many Indonesians staying here for their shopping weekend. The proximity of this hotel to Takashimaya at Ngee Ann City is like crossing a one lane street. Yes, it is that close! And just a step away, just a step, is the newly opened Mandarin Gallery for your fix of expensive shopping. They have brands like Marc Jacobs, Emporio Armani, Tribecca, Vertu and delicious Beschle Suisse Chocolate.



I was lucky to be put in the Main Tower, which will cost an additional S$30 (I was eavesdropping on the conversation between the receptionist and the lady beside me because she wanted a room at the Main Tower instead of the Orchard Wing). The Main Tower has easy access to the lift and lobby. The last time I stayed at Mandarin Orchard was a year ago and my friend managed to get me a Club Room at a special rate. In every of the Club Room, there is a massage chair and you won't want to get out of the room!



The Deluxe Room has been given a new upholstery, new furniture and interior design to give it a modern and sleek atmosphere. It's simple and nice but I felt the Plasma TV was rather funny to be positioned in such a way that you actually have to tilt the TV to the right if you are watching it from the bed. Toiletries are ample, with toothbrush and the standard bath foam, (since there is a bathtub) shampoo, conditioner and body lotion.

I enjoyed every minute of stay at the hotel but of course a good hotel wouldn't come cheap, well, at least not in Singapore. I think an indulgence once in a while is good for the body, soul and mind.

Emporio Armani @ Mandarin Gallery

Crystal Jade Palace @ Ngee Ann City Singapore

Look at the gigantic seafood!

The Crystal Jade Palace restaurant is very well established place for yum cha as well as lunch and dinner. This group of restaurants can be found all over Asia from Singapore, Beijing, Shanghai, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Manila and many more. Even in Singapore itself, they have more than 30 outlets countrywide. The funny thing is, I have not tried the Crystal Jade in KL which is present in The Gardens, Pavilion and also Lot 10.



Just before my flight, my friend, Johnny took me to this place for lunch. According to him, this restaurant is always packed to the brim and people are willing to queue for this place. Speaking of which, don't all Singaporeans like to queue? They like to queue for good food. For me, it depends, if I have to wait for more than 30 mins for it, I'll say forget it and I'll go elsewhere. Surprisingly, the night before, I was willing to wait for 45mins for a particular restaurant in Singapore. Lucky, Johnny made a reservation and we were shown to the table right away as we arrived at 4th floor of Takashimaya Shopping Centre in Ngee Ann City.

As I was still very full from a heavy breakfast, we didn't order much. I wanted to try as many dishes as possible but I know I can't and thus settled for just 4 dishes. The must try dishes for every yum cha place must not run away from the classic favourites like the Siew Mai (steamed pork dumpling), Har Gow (prawn dumpling) and also the Char Siew Pau (Roast Pork Bun). But I decide to skip the Char Siew Pau and opted for the Fried Beancurd Skin with Prawns instead. That's one of my favourites of all time!

The dim sum didn't disappoint. In fact the prawns are not only fresh and succulent, they are rather big too! Notice that the portions come in fours unlike in KL, they usually come in threes. A dish costs S$4.00-5.00 which in my opinion is very affordable and fair, provided you do not convert. Come to think of it, things in KL is rather expensive, as a plate of Har Gow of threes will cost around that price too, in Ringgit of course. If you earn in Singapore and spend the money there, it wouldn't be expensive at all.

Johnny strongly recommend me to try a new type of Chee Cheong Fun (Rice Roll) which is not available in KL and it's popular in Singapore. This CCF is called the Sauteed Rice Roll with Dry Shrimps. It's indeed very special. The rice roll come all sauteed and infused with soy sauce, dry shrimps and spring onions. The condiments for this dish is none other than ketchup and also peanut sauce. I find it very interesting on the palate as the rice roll goes very well with the paired sauces! Although it's not my usual favourite steamed Hong Kong CCF, I wouldn't mind having this in KL once in a while if they do serve this.

The whole bill only come up to S$31.00 for both of us. a word of advice though - come early or make a reservation prior to lunch or dinner to avoid queuing. Weekends is crazy!

Crystal Jade Palace Restaurant
391 Orchard Road,
Ngee Ann City #04-19
Takashimaya Shopping Centre
Singapore 238872
Tel: +65-6735 2388
www.crystaljade.com