The theme for 2018 Christmas buffet at Mercure Singapore Bugis is A Globetrotting Christmas At The Royale Restaurant, one of the 2 restaurants at the hotel. The other is a Chinese restaurant.
Our first visit to The Royale Restaurant was for the Peranakan Buffet. We have good memory of their desserts and are certainly looking forward to the Christmas spread.
A Globetrotting Christmas At The Royale Restaurant
Kick start the meal with Salad and fresh succulent seafood at the Salad Bar and Seafood on Ice. This isn’t the highlight hence expect standard offerings of vegetables and Seafood.
Next whet your appetite with Oven Roasted Butternut Pumpkin Soup With Mascarpone Cheese, endorsed with a resounding yes by the group of foodies. Even for me who doesn’t enjoy soup highly recommends, therefore, you shouldn’t miss this item at the globetrotting Christmas’s at the Royal Restaurant.
Carving Station – The Must-Have For Christmas
At all Christmas Buffet, Turkey, ham and beef, the must have are always found on the table and we tend to lament about the same old stuff. However, at The Globetrotting Christmas At The Royale Restaurant, an Asian twist was added.
First was the Ovenbaked Nyonya Turkey served with Homemade Chilli Sauce that has a Chicken Rice-like chilli sauce
Followed by the Roasted Beef Sirloin with Red Wine Sauce and Mustard.
Baked Honey Cinnamon Gammon Ham with Citrus Sauce always get me excited. The smokey flavour and citrus sauce complemented perfectly.
Next is the German Pork Knuckle with Pineapple Sauce. OMG, he crackling skin on the pork knuckle is all I want.
My favourite among the selection at the Carving Station has to be the Baked Tandoori Salmon with Mint Chutney. I was surprised to find that Salmon could turn out so wonderful in Tandoori-styled. And don’t forget the Mint Chutney to elevate the taste.
Western & Asian Hot Line Specialties
In addition to the Carving Station, a medley of Hot food, both Western and Asian dishes added to the variety. Accordion Potatoes was one such perfect item to go with the meat. Generous amount of sour cream and having like bites with spring onions augmented the otherwise dull potato.
Cherry and Port Glazed Rack of Lamb is for the Lamb meat lover. This is a dish you either love it or hate it. Though I enjoy lamb, I didn’t like this one. I find the flavour too pungent.
The size of the Garlic and Rosemary Prawn was huge. I was surprised to see such a size which was rare to be seen on buffet table.
Waffles Chicken was a crowd favourite. All sang praises about the Fried Chicken, but there is room for improvement for the Waffle. It was too doughy and hard.
A Twist
Instead of having Western Food, who say we can’t have local dishes for Christmas.
Crayfish Laksa is definitely the must have at this Globetrotting Christmas at The Royal Restaurant. Well-balanced laksa gravy with a touch of luxury due to the Crayfish stole the limelight of the Carving Station. Most of us have 2 bowls as we can’t resist the charm.
Christmas Dessert
At all buffet, we won’t want to miss the dessert offering. As soon as we finished a round of savoury food, we hit the dessert table.
Fluffy Santa Red Velvet Cupcakes with attractive colours cream swirl was among the array of dessert selection.
Chocolate New York Cheesecake
Next are 2 desserts with Asian ingredients. First is the Cempedak Meringue Tart.
And my favourite dessert at The Globetrotting Christmas at The Royale Restaurant is the Pandan Creme Brulee and Berries.
At all Christmas Buffet, there is no lack of Christmas Cookies which is often mediocre. Likewise for these.
Christmas will not be the same if there aren’t Log Cake. Lightly sweetened Hazelnut Log Cake was an appealing cake.
Lastly was the Fruit Cake, another must have dessert during this festive season. I was surprised to find these soft and fluffy fruit cake lightly saccharine.
NAHMJ Verdict
We would recommend the Globetrotting Christmas at The Royale Restaurant to those looking for Christmas goodies with an Asian twist.
Royale Restaurant @ Mercure Singapore Bugis
Tel: +65 6521 6088
Website: https://restaurants.accorhotels.com/gb/restaurant-A0D7_R001-royale-(formerly-sauces)-singapore.shtml
FB: https://www.facebook.com/MercureSingaporeBugis/
Opening Hours
Daily 0600 to 2300 | Breakfast: 0600 to 1030 | Set Lunch 1200 to 1430 | A la Carte 1100 to 2300 (Last order 2230)
Getting There
By MRT:
- Circle line – Bras Basah station
By Bus:
- Opp Prime Centre along Middle Road 56, 64, 65, 131, 139, 147, 166, 857
- Peace Centre along Selegie Road 64, 65, 131, 139, 147, 166, 857
- Rendezvous Hotel ong Bras Basah Road 7, 14, 14e, 16, 36, 77, 106, 111, 124, 162, 162M, 167, 171, 174e, 175, 190, 502, 502A, 518, 518A
- Manualife Centre along Bras Basah Road 131, 147, 166, 857
Rating: 7.5/10
*Disclaimer: This was a media invite.