{Media Invite} Prosperous Lunar New Year with FORT by Maison Ikkoku
W
e were back to the mighty fortress - FORT by Maison Ikkoku again after our media tasting for their Christmas menu (you might read my previous experience HERE) and hence would be expecting more new creations from Chef Ethan Leslie Leong for the upcoming Chinese New Year.
The Chinese New Year Menu consists of a 4-Course Set priced at SGD48++ per person and cocktail pairing is available for an additional SGD40++ for 4 unique cocktails. This menu will be available from now till 29 February 2016.
FORT by Maison Ikkoku
Location:
Pinacotheque De Paris
5 Cox Terrace
Fort Canning Hill
Singapore 179620
Tel: 6336 0507
Operating Hours: Daily, 16:00 till late
Website | Facebook
The Chinese New Year Menu consists of a 4-Course Set priced at SGD48++ per person and cocktail pairing is available for an additional SGD40++ for 4 unique cocktails. This menu will be available from now till 29 February 2016.
| Joyous Treasure (招财进宝) + Jubilant Festivity (喜气洋洋) |
First up, the starter - Joyous Treasure (招财进宝) consisting of Pan-seared Hokkaido Scallop, Seaweed and a heap of Black and Golden Roe finished with a sprinkle of edible gold flakes is served. The scallops resembled mini ingots (元宝) with the edible gold flakes sprinkled on top.
Paired with Jubilant Festivity (喜气洋洋) - a sake infused with fragrant lemongrass, it was refreshing for us to commence our meal on a joyous note.
| Bountiful Harvest (好事连连) + Bejewelled Radiance (珠光宝气) |
Next up, the beautiful Bountiful Harvest (好事连连) was served. This is a dish inspired by the Traditional Roast Goose which Chinese will usually enjoy during Chinese New Year and Chef has used various cooking techniques (roasting to boiling) to prepare this dish and it consists of ingredients such as beet, lotus, sweet potatoes and kaffir lime. It is no wonder this dish is simply called "a series of good events" when directly translated from its Chinese name.
We love how smooth the sweet potato purée tasted but the somewhat raw looking beetroot cubes reeked of its unique taste which might not be welcomed by all.
| Bejewelled Radiance (珠光宝气) |
A fizzy cocktail was selected to pair this dish -- Bejewelled Radiance (珠光宝气) which is a visually stunning and refreshing cocktail made using daisy caviar suspended in sparkling bubbly.
| Bountiful Harvest (好事连连) |
| Close-up of Bountiful Harvest (好事连连) |
FISH is always a must-have ingredient for this festive occasion as fish in Chinese is pronounced as yú (鱼) which has the same pronunciation as the Chinese character yú (余) which means leftovers. The well-wishing 年年有余 (nián nián yôu yú) simply means having leftover yearly which signifies Abundance.
| Sea of Fortune (年年有余) + Opulent Prosperity (招财进宝) |
Hence the Sea of Fortune (年年有余) consisting of succulent Salmon steak served with a dollop of briny salmon roe to balance out the sweet and tart green apples, grapefruit and passion fruit. I was impressed that they actually managed to slice the green apples into such thin slices which I mistook for cucumbers initially *LOL*
I enjoyed this dish the most because the salmon steak is very juicy and moist ~ something that I cannot replicate with my home-cooked salmon using the air fryer :D
| Sea of Fortune (年年有余) + Opulent Prosperity (招财进宝) |
Opulent Prosperity (招财进宝) is paired with the salmon dish and it is basically an Old Fashioned as it consists of Whiskey, Bitters and a sprinkle of Citrus Sugar. If you did not notice, the Chinese name for this cocktail is the same as the Chinese name of Joyous Treasure's earlier.
| Sea of Fortune (年年有余) |
| Close-up on Sea of Fortune (年年有余) |
We finished the 4-course meal with a delectable dessert -- Golden Royale (金玉满堂) which is served on an artistic looking white plate.
| Golden Royale (金玉满堂) |
金玉满堂 is a well-wishing for the halls of our homes to be filled with gold and jade (a symbol of prosperity).
This dessert consists of lime green citrus sorbet (symbolizes jade) topped with lavender caviar (the flavor of the caviar may be seasonal) and some golden kamquats laid atop of the golden crushed cookie base.
| Golden Royale (金玉满堂) |
Taste wise is zesty and light which somewhat aids to digest all the new year goodies consumed throughout the day :)
| Golden Royale (金玉满堂) |
Passion Abundance (步步高升) cocktail is selected to pair this zesty dessert.
| Preparation of the Passion Abundance (步步高升) Cocktail |
The Passion Abundance (步步高升) is an earthy drink made with a base of spiced rum and a hint of caramel and passion fruit for sweetness and tartness, finished off with a dash of Himalayan salt to give more depth to the taste.
| Passion Abundance (步步高升) Cocktail |
Presentation wise was visually appealing as dry ice was used to create some spiraling smoke up to the skies.
| Passion Abundance (步步高升) |
Not satisfied after taking the 4-course meal? Fret not, you can always order items from their Signature à la carte Menu comprising of dishes such as The Sea, The Nest or The Fort featured in my previous blog review HERE.
| The Fort (SGD18++ / 4 pcs; SGD28++ / 8 pcs) |
| The Fort (SGD18++ / 4 pcs; SGD28++ / 8 pcs) |
