Summer Pavilion at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore awarded with One Michelin Star - Michelin Star Menu
When Summer Pavilion at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore was relaunched last year, I fell in love with it. In fact, at that point, I knew in my heart that if we were ever to get a Michelin Guide in Singapore, this restaurant would definitely be on that prestigious list. In the inaugural Michelin Guide Singapore 2016, Summer Pavilion has been awarded its first Michelin Star and it is the only hotel Chinese restaurant in Singapore to receive this commendable accolade.
In celebration of winning this prestigious award, a newly-curated Michelin Star menu has been launched to feature some of Chef Cheung Siu Kong's signature dishes - this menu is available during lunch and dinner from 22 July 2016 to 30 September 2016. I decided to go down for lunch and it is worth noting that the lunch set menu is slightly lower in price as compared to the set dinner menu so you are really getting a ton of value here - needless to say, you are also getting impressive service here at Summer Pavilion.
Following the appetiser, the first dish on the Michelin Star lunch menu was a trio of carefully plated dim sum. I was told to eat them in a certain order so I will talk about them in that exact same order here. The Steamed Prawn, Bamboo Shoot and Mushroom Dumpling was the lightest amongst all three (and I guess that's why it was recommended that I started with this first). I love how chewy the translucent skin was and the crunch from that prawn inside was just truly satisfying. I moved on to the next component - the Barbecued Iberico Pork and Honey Sauce. I believe this was inspired by the regular char siew but instead, an Iberian pig is used for its notable flavours. The final (and middle) component is a Poached Prawn, Chicken, Chinese Cabbage and Preserved Vegetable Dumpling - extremely satisfying and it definitely showcases the chef's exquisite culinary skills.
No visit to an authentic Cantonese restaurant (let alone a Michelin Star restaurant) is complete without a bowl of double-boiled soup. As part of the Michelin Star lunch menu, you will get to sample the Double-boiled Superior Chicken Soup, Fish Maw, Bamboo Pith and Chinese Cabbage. Seriously, this is hands down the most tasty soup I have had this year - every single drop of that soup is just brimming with intense flavours that is a culmination of hard work in the kitchen. This nourishing soup is also believed to be high in collagen so make sure you finish every last drop of it (it would be difficult not to).
If I had to pick my favourite dish in the Michelin Star lunch menu (which is actually really difficult since every dish is executed perfectly), it would have to be the Baked Sea Perch and Hoi Sin Sauce (the soup is a close second). Look beyond that beautiful glaze and you will find a masterfully-cooked piece of sea perch that is firm and yet moist on the inside.
It is common for one of the items on the menu to be a carbohydrate - here at Summer Pavilion, Chef Cheung has created a poached rice (cooked in lobster broth) that is served with chunky lobster meat before a delicious hot soup is poured over it table-side. If you are looking for a hearty dish, this is definitely it!
Finally, the last course of the Michelin Star lunch menu is a Chilled Aloe Vera, Kiwi, Strawberries with Lime Juice - a refreshing dessert that is served cold to cleanse the palate. Honestly, each time I visit Summer Pavilion, I am tempted to come back again. While the prices are definitely on the higher side, I thought that the Michelin Star lunch menu (S$88++ per person) is extremely reasonable for what you are getting. There is also a Michelin Star dinner menu (S$118++) which has different items on the menu if you'd prefer a later dining time.
Summer Pavilion - The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore
7 Raffles Avenue Singapore, 039799
Phone: 6434 5286
Lunch: 1130AM to 230PM | Dinner: 630PM to 1030PM | Tea Salon: 12PM to 10PM
Indulge in one of the most highly-prized delicacies in Chinese cuisine - the Hairy Crab - at Yan Ting from 26 October 2020 to 30 November 2020. Available for a very limited time for lunch and dinner, Yan Ting (located within The St. Regis Singapore) is currently offering two separate menus that feature the seasonal hairy crab.