The Swissotel Merchant Court has some of the best culinary talents in the Singapore. They have spared no expense in making sure that people who stay here always have the best experience that will enhance their visit.  The treatment that I got was just the best there is, bar none.  The breakfast buffet of the Ellenborough Market Cafe is one of the best I have tried.

The Swissotel Merchant Court lies right beside Clarke Quay, a riverside quay named after Singapore Second Governor Sir Andrew Clarke which has been converted into a busy kaleidoscope of colors and sounds where you can find some of the most incredible restaurants and coffee shops. It is also beside the Central department store which houses the Central Market, a place to buy food and things.

The Ellenborough Market Cafe of the Swissotel Merchant Court has some of the best chefs and service professionals. Of course they hired Filipino workers too because a lot of them help form the backbone of Singapore’s economy and society. In keeping with their multi-cultural heritage, the Singaporeans have no reservations in getting foreign workers to get things done. Swissotel was no exception. I did meet two of their really nice people, who happen to both Filipinos.

However, I did not lose sight of my objective, which was to partake of the Peranakan cuisine and the Ellenborough Market Cafe did not disappoint at all.

So this was my first plate from the breakfast buffet. I LOVED the salmon and I kept coming back for more.

This is egg custard. It came as a complete surprise because of what I know about egg custard, it is usually sweet. This one was not sweet. It was savory with mushroom shreds on top. I loved this because it went down the hatch easily and the texture was creamy. Now THIS is my kind of egg custard!

So I didn’t stop there, I had a second plate. Everything was delicious.

( to be continued )

I was invited by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) to go to Singapore and experience the annual Singapore Food Festival. Being a foodie, how could I have resisted that? Upon arrival I checked in to the Swissotel Merchant Court beside Clark Quay (pronounced as “k-ee”) which will house the longest Peranakan buffet on Sunday.

This wonderful hotel treated me to a sneak peek at the Peranakan dishes to be featured at the longest Peranakan buffet on Sunday. Here are some of the dishes that I tried:

This is Kueh Pie Tee. It is served without the shell and the diners must put the condiments, shrimp, vegetables and all, by themselves. The cone is crunchy while the filling is fresh and hot. A little longer and the shell might go rubbery, but this Kueh Pie Tee went down the hatch faster than when it was made.

That’s Chef Shirley, the genius behind all the good food that afternoon.

This is Sambal Prawn. I asked the people around what Sambal means and apparently it refers to the chili paste used. It is fiery and tasty but not salty. I think all things Sambal is probably good, as in the case of this prawn dish.

This is Kueh Dadar. It is basically a thin pancake with coconut in the middle. The coconut filling reminds me of our own “bukayo” as the taste and the consistency effectively reminds me of my childhood. Yes, bukayo is a part of my childhood, and now Kueh Dadar is here to take it’s place with equally happy memories of a wonderful Singapore experience.

The Swissotel Merchant Court Singapore’s Market Cafe showcases of best of international and Peranakan cuisine. Stay here when you come to Singapore and enjoy the sights, sounds and food that is uniquely Singapore.