Chinese New Year 2013 Prosperity Buffet at PARKROYAL on Beach Road
This Chinese New Year, you might like to try Plaza Brasserie's Prosperity Buffet Feast for a change from traditional Chinese lunches or dinners.
Fruity Yu Sheng
Image reproduced with permission from PARKROYAL
I was recently invited to a tasting at Plaza Brasserie at PARKROYAL on Beach Road where I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the Chinese New Year buffet spread included Fruity Yu Sheng, a modern interpretation of the Traditional Yu Sheng. For the purists, Traditional Yu Sheng is also available.
Fruity Yu Sheng with Salmon
A new creation by Chef Jackson, the Fruity Yu Sheng comprises fresh tropical fruits such as Mandarin Oranges, Peaches, Rose Apples (aka Jambu), Rock Melon, Green Mango and Papaya in addition to Dried Persimmons. Tossed with generously thick slices of salmon sashimi and Chef's special Fruit Flavoured Sauce, the dish is supposed to symbolize abundant wealth and well-rounded life. Although I am not a huge fan of Yu Sheng, I enjoyed this variation as it was not cloyingly sweet and was a welcome change from regular plum sauce. This is worth trying if you like fruits and Yu Sheng.
Pen Cai 盆菜
Yu Sheng was not the only traditional Chinese New Year dish on the buffet line. Diners can partake of a single portion of Pen Cai 盆菜 from the live station instead of ordering a pot of the multi-layered stew that feeds at least 6 people. Featuring premium ingredients such as Sliced Abalone, Fish Maw, Prawns, Sea Cucumber, Roast Duck, Chicken, Black Moss aka Fatt Choy, Pork and Cabbage, PARKROYAL's Pen Cai was simmered in a herbal broth instead of abalone sauce. The Chinese herbs featured in this shot were Bei Qi (Astragulus Root), Wai San (Rhizoma Dioscoreae), Goji Wolfberries aka Kei Ji (Fructus Lycii) and Red Dates, which are supposed to help improve the body's constitution.
PARKROYAL’s Mini Pen Cai makes it possible for diners to have a single portion without imposing onto other diners in their group, who may not like the dish as much as they do. It was fairly tasty and the broth can be enjoyed like a light herbal soup.
Steamed Red Garoupa (only for dinner)
Yet another surprise up their sleeve, PARKROYAL's live station serves Steamed Red Garoupa prepped à la minute (cooked to order) for dinner. The fish was fresh and tender and the sauce was light. I would have preferred if the sauce had a slightly stronger flavour but it was nonetheless a pleasant dish to share with my dining companions. Though the fish isn't large, the restaurant does request that diners avoid over-ordering to prevent wastage.
The rest of the buffet line covers typical fare such as Fresh Oysters, Chilled Shellfish, Sushi & Sashimi, Salads, Soups, Hot Dishes, Desserts, Ice Cream and Cheese. I enjoyed the Sashimi here but be forewarned that the portion is rather generous so it's perfect for sharing with friends or family.
Other buffet highlights (available on rotation basis) include items such as Lap Mei Fan (Waxed Meats Rice in Lotus Leaf), Crispy Soft Shell Crab with Tobiko Mayonnaise, Eight Treasure Boneless Duck, Chili Crab, Poached "Live" Prawns with Chinese Wine, Braised Pork Knuckle with Dried Oyster and Black Moss, Oatmeal Prawns, Fish Maw Soup with Crab Meat and Sea Cucumber in addition to some Indian favourites. If you enjoy durian, you might like to try the Durian Nian Gao. Nian Gao 年糕 is traditionally eaten during Chinese New Year because its name seems to refer to an auspicious Chinese phrase 年年高升 (Nian Nian Gao Sheng) which means to “Ascend to Greater Heights Year After Year”.
If you're planning a gathering for an extended family or friends of differing tastes, I reckon the variety of this spread is checking off quite a few points on the checklist (eg. in-laws/parents - check & kids - check). Though I generally prefer to dine a la carte, a buffet could be a perfect compromise for diners who like to have the opportunity to Lo Hei and still have be able to enjoy a wide array of dishes from the international spread.
The Prosperity Buffet Feast is available from now till 24 February 2013. Banquet sets priced from S$528 for 10 pax are also available during this period, so do enquire with the restaurant or check this link for details: Prosperous Celebrations.
Chinese New Year Prosperity Feast @ PARKROYAL on Beach Road
| Festive Periods |
Dates |
Lunch |
Dinner |
| Pre and post Chinese New Year | 28 January to 24 February 2013 | Adult: $45 Child: $27 | Adult: $58 Child: $35 |
| Chinese New Year Eve | 9 February 2013 | Adult: $45 Child: $27 | Adult: $78 Child: $47 |
| Chinese New Year First & Second Day | 10 and 11 February 2013 | Adult: $62 Child: $37 | Adult: $62 Child: $37 |
| Banquet Reunion Dinner | 9 February 2013 | Adult: $65 Child: $39 | |
| Reunion Steam Boat Buffet at Banquet (Minimum of 8 persons per table) | 9 February 2013 | Adult: $58 Child: $35 |