Ah, Crystal Jade. One the classier haunts of our school days. Many a memory was made over-ordering plates of delectable dim sum at its various locations – although we confess we rarely stepped into its flagship, Crystal Jade Palace, at Ngee Ann City. Too high class for our wallets, perhaps.
So when we recently stepped into the Palace outlet to sample dishes from the revamped menu by Crystal Jade Group’s new Group Executive Chef, Martin Foo, we were in for a pleasant surprise.
Teetering on the line between traditional Chinese cuisine and contemporary techniques, the new creations are familiar, yet modern and inventive. If you’d like to give them a try, they’re available at the restaurant till Sept 30.
To start with bite-sized treats, there’s the Palace dim sum symphony ($28; two pieces per item) for an assortment of intricately crafted dumplings filled with everything from truffle Boston lobster to baby abalone to garoupa. (Take note that it’s only available for dinner, though).
If it’s a rainy day and you’re in desperate need of a comforting broth, try the double-boiled sea whelk with sea cucumber flower and black garlic ($22/person) that’s been simmering on a stove for hours. For a meaty addition to your meal, the black truffle roasted Irish duck ($25/portion, $48/half, $90/whole) is tender and juicy, with covered with crisp slivers of skin and truffle shavings.
For those who may want to try something more indulgent, there’s also a six-course set ($128/person) that starts with an impossibly rich, yet creamy and fluffy Hokkaido sea urchin and ikura with egg white wrapped in a crispy seaweed handroll. The line-up also includes a broth made fragrant with black truffle foie gras, chicken, and Chinese mountain yam.
Next up, the grilled beef short rib slathered with honey char siew sauce is a glistening chunk of melt-in-your-mouth goodness, enhanced by mustard and a spring onion with ginger sauce.
Following that is a bit of a carb sesh: pan-seared tiger king prawn with XO sauce on a bed of egg noodles. It’s made slightly more sinful with crunchy nubs of deep fried pork lard — yum.
To finish, there’s a dessert of chilled mango with bits of grass jelly, kidney beans, and sago pudding. Yes, kidney beans. Not the most traditional of bean choices in Chinese desserts, but we guess it’s one of those contemporary touches in this dish.
All in all, it’s a pretty decent spot if you’re looking for some place to host your next family gathering.
FIND IT:
Crystal Jade Palace is at #04-19 Ngee Ann City, 391 Orchard Rd.
6735-2388. Mon-Fri 11:30am-3pm, 6pm-10:30pm; Sat 11am-10:30pm; Sun 10am-10:30pm.
MRT: Orchard
