Photo: Shangri-La Hotel
It’s durian season, which means it’s time to binge on more than Netflix. Get your fill of the king of fruits at these hotel restaurants that have upped their game with delectable savoury dishes and desserts.
1. Latest Recipe at Le Meridien
Photo: Le Meridien Hotel
Open to public for the first time this year, Le Meridien hotel in Sentosa rolls out a medley of sweet and savoury durian-inspired creations for you to sink your teeth into. In the dessert corner are durian choux puffs, durian creme brulee, durian ice kacang, durian chendol and durian muah chee.
Our favourite? The durian mousse. It’s chilled like ice-cream. Super yummy. If you fancy something unusual, the buttery durian prata hits the spot. Enjoy it with the spicy fish head curry and marinated masala chicken.
If you’re a purist who would rather devour the divisive fruit the traditional way, you’re going to dig this.
On the alfresco patio, the merlion within view, is the pop-up stall. Fresh durian are popped open a la minute. Stuff yourself silly with an unlimited free-flow of the Mao Shan Wang, Red Prawn, D24 and XO. You know you want to. “Must-trys” are the punchy, rich and creamy Mao Shan Wang, and the orangey Red Prawn. The latter is sticky and bittersweet.
Photo: Le Meridien Hotel
Need a break from durian? Check out the Asian roasted meats and Western barbecue live station. Tuck into an Australian rack of lamb, sea bass, prawns and other smokey delights.
The Du-licious Discovery Buffet will be ongoing on Fridays and Saturdays until 1 Sept 2018 (6pm-10pm). Price:$ 80++ per adult. Durian pop-up stall only will be available until 28 July 2018 (6pm-7.30pm; 8pm-9.30pm). Price: $88++ per adult. Both buffet and pop-up stall, price: $128++.
Call +65-6818-3305 or visit the website to make a reservation.
Le Meridien Singapore, Sentosa, 23 Beach View, Sentosa, Singapore 098679
2. Lime Restaurant at PARKROYAL on Pickering
Photo: PARKROYAL on Pickering
Go dressed in your sweatpants and you won’t regret it. There’s no shame in being prepared. From durian wild rice and chicken salad to baked durian nasi lemak and durian curry chicken, it seems like the Lime Restaurant has it all. Even wok-fried kung pao pork belly with durian and durian salted egg popcorn chicken. The king of fruits and our favourite spices? Say no more.
But save some room for the sweet stuff. Work your way towards the dessert bar for tasty treats such as the durian with avocado puree and sago, and durian pengat.
Photo: PARKROYAL on Pickering
If you’d rather savour the bold durian flavours in pure form, swing by the pop-up stall. D24 and mao shan wang will be freshly cracked open by expert hands from 7pm to 9pm.
The Thorny Temptations spread will be available from 27 July until 26 Aug 2018 (6.30pm-10.30pm). Price: $98++ per adult.
Call +65-6809-8899 or visit the website to make a reservation.
PARKROYAL on Pickering, 3 Upper Pickering St, Singapore 058289
3. The Deli at Goodwood Park Hotel
Photo: Goodwood Park Hotel
Goodwood Park Hotel’s annual Durian Fiesta is back for the 35th time with four newly-crafted D24 goodies – the white chocolate raspberry dome, orange choc-a-bloc, coffee glaze and fried kataifi. The thorny D24 is smooth, sweet and easier on the palate than other durian varieties.
New additions aside, durian lovers can also indulge in meticulously handcrafted Goodwood Park Hotel signatures. If you’ve been frequenting the buffet line over the years, you might recognise the flavourful durian mousse cake, irresistibly flaky durian strudel and aromatic durian ice cream.
Photo: Goodwood Park Hotel
But don’t leave until you’ve tried the moreish Mao Shan Wang power puff ($19.80). A jumbo-sized soft and pillowy profiterole freshly piped to plumpness with creamy golden goodness, it’s a winner in our books.
The durian dessert buffet will be available at the coffee lounge until 22 July 2018 (9am-8pm). Price: $38.80++ per adult. In a hurry? Grab a pastry to go or dine a la carte.
Call +65-6730-1786 or visit the website to make a reservation.
22 Scotts Road, Singapore 228221
ALSO READ: WE TRIED THE WORLD’S FIRST DURIAN TEA AND IT’S NOT AS WEIRD AS IT SOUNDS
4. The Line at Shangri-La Hotel
Photo: Shangri-La Hotel
The durian spread will be added to The Line’s regular smorgasbords – Marine Harvest on Tuesdays and Thursdays (featuring seafood mainstays), and Mad for Wagyu on Wednesdays (showcasing wagyu in various styles, from carvings to aburi and sukiyaki).
Crowd-pleasers such as the D24, D21 and Hong Xia are opened fresh at an outdoor kiosk from 7.30pm onwards. That’s on top of tropical fruits such as rambutan, longan and mangosteen.
Photo: Shangri-La Hotel
From durian fried rice to durian miso-glazed scallops, from durian crab to durian prata, feast to your heart’s content. Satisfy your sweet tooth with the freshly baked pandan-infused roulade, layered with luscious durian mousse. The chefs also work their magic on the puddings and tarts.
The durian buffet is available from now to 31 August 2018, daily dinner from 6pm to 10pm except Mondays. Price: starting from $58.80++ per adult.
Call+65-6213-4275 or visit the website to make a reservation.
22 Orange Grove Rd, Lower Lobby, Tower Wing, 258350
ALSO READ: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DURIAN SEASON IN SINGAPORE