A Touch of Class at Crystal Jade Prestige in MBFC

"Where shall we eat?"

I think this is probably the most popular question that you can hear during lunch hour most especially at the Central Business District (CBD) area. Not that we're lacking in choices but, in fact, we have an abundance of dining options that make it even tougher to choose just one. Normally, I would resort to my go-to salad bar or the local hawker shops in case I need to quickly grab a bite or I just want something quick, simple and cheap. Then, there are days when you want to treat yourself to a good meal. On those days, I'm reminded of what Papa would always tell me. "Tsiak ka ho" which means "eat well" in Hokkien. My dad constantly reminds me that once in a while, it is okay to indulge and to treat yourself to a good meal. I bring that learning with me to this day.

Located right at the middle of the Marina Bay Financial Centre (MBFC) complex, Crystal Jade Prestige is the newest addition to Crystal Jade's growing list of concepts and branches here in Singapore. What sets this restaurant apart is that it's definitely much more upscale and formal than the rest. Your experience starts as you step inside their exclusive lift which takes you directly up to the restaurant's receiving area.



As the lift door opens, you come face to face with their impressive wine collection that lines the wall behind the reception counter. If you're dining in a group, I urge you to reserve for one of their function rooms. The view is amazing as you get to see the beautiful Marina Bay. Three rooms have a big round table each which can sit about 8-10 pax and the last function room can accommodate a bigger group and it has a TV set too. I can imagine corporate groups holding team dinners or strat planning sessions here.

On to the food, expect that the quality is indeed top notch and the ingredients used are really of the best quality. We started our dinner with Deep-fried Scallop with Salted Egg Yolk and Chilled Organic Tomato Served with Avocado Sauce (S$20). This one has an interesting play of texture. From the crunchy coating to the silky, meaty Hokkaido scallop inside. The salted egg yolk has a nice savory punch and the best way to enjoy this is to pair each bite with some chilled tomato salad to cut the richness of the salted egg coating.

Next was my all-time favorite at Crystal Jade Prestige. You see, I was so fortunate to be part of the restaurant's opening party and it was then that I had my first bite of the delicious Roasted Baby Suckling Pig Rolled with Black Truffle Pearl Rice (S$20 per piece). I know it's quite pricey per piece but if you think about how this was prepared, then you'll understand why. Imagine sinking your teeth in a crispy roll of suckling pig skin which was filled with glutinous black rice which was infused with delicious truffle oil. Each bite was heaven! If not for the high price tag, I could easily enjoy half a suckling pig in one sitting.

For our soup, we had the Double-boiled Morel Mushroom and Bamboo Pith Soup (S$18). I'm always a fan of Crystal Jade's soup creations as I always find it so refreshing and light. Similar to the ones that I've previously enjoyed, this one was served in a young coconut shell giving it a nice, sweet and coconuty scent. Inside, I really enjoyed the clear broth which was filled with a generous serving of morsel mushroom and sliced bamboo pith. It's like the kind of soup that Mommy would cook for hours at home but given an interesting twist with the coconut infusion.

Following this was the star of the night -- the Tea-Smoked Roasted Duck (S$78 / whole duck) which was carved right on the spot. I tell you, nothing brings more excitement to a lauriat table other than the sight of a plump roasted duck with its skin glistening like diamonds. Hehe

The chef expertly sliced off the skin and our role is to enjoy these with a bit of sugar. I loved it! It was my first time to have duck with sugar but hey, it worked! This is perfect especially for those who loves sweet-salty food combinations.

After we've consumed all the crispy skin, we had the tender duck meat served with soft homemade crepe, scallions and hoisin sauce. This was indeed the bomb!

At this point, I was already feeling very full but I was told that I can't miss the next two dishes. I wonder what they were.

First came the Pan-Fried Beancurd with Black Truffle Sauce (S$8.80) which I have to admit might need a little getting used to. First off, the beancurd spots a grey-ish color and you only get to see it after slicing open the deep-fried shell. I love the fragrant truffle sauce though but then again, I'm not really a fan of beancurd so a few spoonfuls were enough for me.

Following this, we had the Pan-Fried Minced Fish Noodle with Scallop (S$12). First of all, would you believe that this dish doesn't have carbs? Well at least, not your ordinary carbs (read: rice, noodles or bread). Instead, the noodles were made from fish paste and it's cooked in an umami-rich prawn stock reduction and topped with another plump piece of scallop. This was so yummy! I don't mind going back to Crystal Jade Prestige for more of this.

Finally, we've reached the finished line and it was time to choose our dessert. Crystal Jade Prestige has a lot of dessert options but of course, I gave in to temptation and went for the Deep-Fried Durian Ice Cream with Mango Puree (S$8.50) which was a sinful indulgence but hey, it's also the best way to end such a good meal. I love that yummy durian flavor in every bite and the citrus mango puree balances it all out. I happily shared this with my dinner mates who all said that it was the best dessert in the table.

Just recently, Crystal Jade Prestige also launched several dinner set menus priced at $38 and $48 for a 6 course meal. So if you look at how much each dish costs at an average, I'd say that's really a good good good deal!

Check out Crystal Jade Prestige at 8A Marina Boulevard, Marina Bay Financial Centre, 02-01, Singapore 018984. Call them at 6509-9493 Make a reservation now!