Unique New year treats
Go off the beaten track with these unusual variations on traditional Chinese New Year dishes
Some believe the Year of the Monkey will be a lively and unpredictable time, so to honour the quirkiness, try something unexpected this Chinese New Year.
Here are some offerings that do not conform to the norm.
EUROPEAN-STYLE DUCK
Zafferano (Level 43, Ocean Financial Centre, Tel: 509-1488) offers the Challans duck ($228, feeds four) till Feb 29.
It is stuffed with garlic, onion, salt, pepper, rosemary, sage, thyme, orange and vanilla, then oven-baked.
It is a European-style dish that is perfect for the season.
SUCKLING PIG TREAT
Ginseng and suckling pig may be things we are familiar with, but combine them and it is a new way to celebrate Chinese New Year.
Serenity Spanish Bar and Restaurant marinates a piglet with ginseng-infused sherry, white wine, vinegar and herbs. It is then slow-roasted for more than eight hours.
The result is crispy skin covering tender flesh.
Till March 5, you can get a quarter-pig from $88. The whole pig costs $288 and can feed about eight.
Call its Ngee Ann City (Tel: 6235-9989) or VivoCity (Tel: 6376-8185) outlet to order.
BESPOKE YUSHENG
Think of the Yusheng of Fortune (from $39.80, serves four) at Days Hotel Singapore At Zhongshan Park as bespoke yusheng.
You pick one of the six specially created sauces - such as spicy lemongrass, yuzu soya or lemon ginger bud - or be creative and mix them all in (additional sauces are available at $6.80 each).
It is available till Feb 10. Call 6808-6847 to order.
CHICKEN ESSENCE BOOST
At Street 50 Restaurant and Bar (Bay Hotel Singapore, Tel: 6818-6681), the Essencetial Yusheng has Brands Essence of Chicken aspic mixed with smoked salmon and vinaigrette.
This unusual - but definitely healthy - yusheng is selling from $38 (for four) and is available from Feb 5 to 21.
COCKTAILS AND SALMON
Some of us need alcohol to get through Chinese New Year. At Fort by Maison Ikkoku (Pinacotheque De Paris, Tel: 6336-0507), your four-course meal comes with cocktail pairing.
Till Feb 29 for $88 (inclusive of four unique cocktails), the menu includes the Sea of Fortune (salmon steak with sweet and tart green apples, grapefruit and passionfruit) and Joyous Treasure (pan-seared Hokkaido scallop with edible gold flakes).
FRENCH INSPIRATION
From Feb 8 to 20, French restaurant Le Bistrot du Sommelier (53, Armenian Street, Tel: 6333-1982) offers a French-inspired menu.
Highlights include Panache de Fruits de Mer (seafood salad) and Poisson du Jour (fish). There is even a version of lo hei, just to make sure you don't forget it is Chinese New Year.
It costs $788 for eight, excluding wine.
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