Crystal Jade Prestige, the winner of the “Best New F&B Establishment” at the RAS Epicurean Star Awards 2016 is a contemporary Chinese restaurant that keeps up with the times. This is manifested in many aspects at the restaurant.
Firstly, in place of the usual peanuts and pickles, you get cherry tomatoes. Albeit pickled ones and a welcome drink like at a spa. Secondly, the private rooms are equipped with full length windows to offer diners the city skyline view. Lastly, other than the classics, you can expect to savour innovative dishes that infuse modern gastronomy trends.
To stay current, Crystal Jade Prestige also updates its menu periodically to include new exciting dishes. And this April, they have launched an updated menu featuring wholesome and hearty dishes done with a little twist. For example, Ma Po Tofu paired with Ee-fu Noodles, Dim Sum with Thai Prawn Salad and ‘live’ station Fish Soup.
New Signatures
Poached Whole Garoupa
Among all the new dishes, I am the most impressed with the Poached Whole Garoupa with Chrysanthemum and Ginger in Superior Rice Wine Broth served in Claypot (S$118++). And I will tell you why.
Imagine the waitress pushing a cart to your table side. Curious, you look up to see a beautiful Garoupa fish (about 800g) beside a claypot with bubbling broth. If you look carefully, you will notice that the Garoupa has been expertly de-boned and served with its head and tail intact. While you take in all these, the waitress will cook the fish slices in front of you. Each piece of fish will only be blanched for a few seconds, long enough for the fish to absorb the broth but short enough to cook. When prepared this way, you will get to enjoy the innate sweetness of the Garoupa fish.
For the fish head, diners can choose either to cook in the broth or to have it deep fried then topped with some salt and pepper. For me, I chose the former so that I can taste a slightly thicker and sweeter fish broth.
Free Range Meat
Roast Meats (BBQ Pork, Roast Pork Belly and Roast Duck) are typical classics that one will find at any Chinese restaurant. To do things a little different this time, Crystal Jade Prestige will make their BBQ Pork with free range Spanish Iberico pork to yield the Free Range Spanish Iberico BBQ Pork (S$21.80++). The slightly fatty pork is tender with bite and goes well with the sweet and savoury BBQ sauce.
If you are into free range meats, you can also opt for the Free Range Chicken Stew with Rice Wine and Ginger (S$32++ for half chicken, S$60++ for whole chicken). Although less meaty, the free range kampong chicken is more tender and juicy. As this is a stew and not a broth, it tends to be saltier so I will advise you have this with a bowl of rice! Do also note that because Huang Jiu (a yellowish Chinese wine made from grains) is used, this warming dish can also be heaty.
Soup
Fish maw in thick chicken soup is really nothing new in a Chinese restaurant. But Crystal Jade Prestige presents their Fish Maw Stuffed with Chicken Thick Soup Bamboo Pith (S$$28++ per person) in a hot stone bowl with a stick of fried Cong You Bing (green scallion pancake) stuffed with minced meat. It is the first time I am having a soup with a crispy Chinese fried crepe! The soup itself is very thick and sticky, proof of the presence of lots of collagen! Although it is super delicious and comforting, I will advise you to share this among two, else by the end of this dish, you will be too full to have anything else!
Bean-curd
Seeing this dish, I really have to applaud the creativity of the chefs here. Again, Ma Po Dofu (Ma Po beancurd) is nothing special at a Chinese restaurant. But Crystal Jade Prestige went and did a Spicy Ma Po Ee-fu Noodle with Minced Meat & Bean-curd (S$22++, small) instead. So don’t be fooled by the appearance of this.
Beneath the bean-curd and minced pork, you will find awesome Ee-fu noodles in a slightly spicy and peppery Si Chuan inspired Ma Po sauce. Each strand of ee-fu noodle is perfectly cooked to be soft but still springy. If you are a fan of Ee-fu noodles, you must try this rendition!
More
Apart from the above, other new Signature dishes include Chilled Black Fungus Strips in Rice Paper Rolls with Century Egg Ginger (S$10.80++), Double Boiled Bean-curd Soup with Fresh Mushrooms (S$12++ per person) and the Signature Oven Roasted Baby Spanish Suckling Pig with French Mustard (S$148++ for whole pig). Weighing 3.5kg to 3.8kg each, the suckling pig will have its crisp crackling expertly carved out to be served with Chinese pancakes, leeks and cucumbers in Peking-duck-style. For this item, 1 day advanced order is required.
New Dim Sum Delights
Further boosting their already comprehensive dim sum menu, Crystal Jade Prestige added three new items.
In line with the current trend of healthier eating, Crystal Jade Prestige modernizes the traditional Har Gow by adding in vegetables. As such, there are Steamed Shrimp and Spinach Dumpling (S$6.80++ for three pieces) and Thai Prawn Salad Wrapped in Crystal Skin (S$6++ for three pieces). For the health conscious, take your pick from Spinach and Thai Mango Salad!
Other than the above dim sums, another new addition is the Baked Seafood and Cheese Pastry (S$6.80++ for three pieces). Instead of the usual char siew pastry, you can now enjoy a creamy mix of scallop and prawns in a similar crisp Chinese-style puff pastry.
New Dessert
To cater to desserts lovers who often cannot decide on one, Crystal Jade Prestige has prepared the perfect dessert. Presenting the Crystal Jade Prestige’s Trio Dessert on ice (S$14.80++)! While this is not a new menu item, it has undergone a makeover to include desserts that differs from previous combination.
For this new trio, you can expect to savor Coconut Jelly with Fresh Milk, Chilled Avocado Cream topped with Coffee Ice Cream and Lemongrass Jelly with Sour Plum in Lime. Very often Platter desserts have a mixture of hits and misses. For this, I love all three items. Since none of the dessert is overly sweet or rich, you can consume them in any order you like. Since they are served on ice, take your time to relish each one without worrying about them warming up.
Promotion
- S$118++ Signature Oven Roasted Spanish Baby Suckling Pig (U.P. S$148++).
Available for dinner dine-in only and while stocks last. Valid from 13 February 2017 till 30 April 2017.
- Weekends Lunch Special – 25% off appetizers and dim sum items.
Available for weekends/PH lunch dine-in only and while stocks last. Valid from 14 January 2017 till 30 April 2017 for Jadeite members or DBS/POSB/SCB Credit/Debit card holders.
NAHMJ Verdict
If you enjoy traditional Chinese cuisines with a modern twist, this is the place to be.
Crystal Jade Prestige @ Marina Bay Financial Centre
8A Marina Boulevard, Marina Bay Financial Centre (Ground Plaza) between Tower 1 & 2, #02-01, Singapore 018984
Tel: +65 6509 9493
Website: https://www.crystaljade.com/prestige/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Crystal-Jade-Prestige/1511992079103241
Opening Hours
Monday – Friday: Lunch 1130 to 1500, Dinner 1800 to 2230 | Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays: Lunch 1100 to 1530, Dinner 1800 to 2230
Getting There
By MRT:
- Downtown line – Downtown station
By Bus:
- Marina Bay Financial Centre 97, 97e, 106, 133, 400, 402
- Marina Bay Station 97, 97e, 106, 133, 400, 402, 502
- Downtown Station 97, 97e, 106, 133, 400, 402, 502
- One Raffles Quay 10, 10e, 57, 70, 75, 100, 107, 128, 130,131, 162, 167, 186, 196, 196e, 700, 723, 735, 753, 970, 970e
[Directions: At Marina Bay Financial Centre Ground Plaza, look for the lift near a fountain with a pair of buffaloes.]
Rating: 7.5/10
*Disclaimer: This was a media invite.
Written by Denise Chua myfoodstory.sg.