Town Restaurant & Bar at The Fullerton Hotel Singapore have done it again. A super lunch buffet for $68 per adult from noon to 3pm, Monday to Saturday. I liked the spread. Well put together at the price point, yet not overwhelming in comparison to the more elaborate spreads offered at higher price points. Keep this in mind while you read what I have to share!
Seated at a table with a view, glass windows flowing out to the Singapore River and Fullerton Bridge, the landscape was set for a relaxing afternoon lunch. So many reasons to rock up to this stylish venue whether for an office lunch with colleagues, a quiet catch up with a friend or simply a long lunch with a group.
The menu is priced affordably with a touch of everything you might like from cold cuts to dessert. There were soft drinks to start but I went straight past to a rojak (Asian fruit salad) for a palette cleanser. A raw start was the way I did a buffet meal.
Knowing I had a fair amount of food in front of me, I had to be selective of what I would have this sunny afternoon. The cold seafood platter called out to me. Poached prawns, scallops, clams and mussels with a few drops of Tabasco, I was on the way to a glorious starter.
To add on, I decided on a few slivers of smoked salmon plain and with Szechuan pepper. This paired with some salad from the healthy salad bar and an amazing pomelo salad. Loving the ginger soy dressing and citrus sacs popping in my mouth, this refreshing dish always hit the spot.
No charcuterie this time I thought, eyeing the cheese board for later, with coffee. Back at the table, our other Expat Choice contributor Arisa Chang had a few different picks for her first round. Casting a glance around the Town Restaurant & Bar, it was pretty full house for this Tuesday lunch, mostly an office crowd.
With such convenient location at the heart of Raffles Place, this would be a super destination to enjoy a special occasion or treat one’s self to a longer lunch with colleagues. I thought it was a well-priced buffet that would attract corporate people. Some intense discussions and other lighter conversations, made for a buzz in this beautiful space.
Arisa and I were ready for our next round at the buffet. Asian delights looked good. An upmarket, quality chicken rice beckoned. With steam and roast chicken, condiments of chilly, dark soy and ginger sauces were laid out. I felt the rice was well steamed. It had a soft texture and look that made me want to have it.
True to form it turned out to be a winner. Overhearing a gentleman rave in the queue, he had come up for seconds. A few pieces of broccoli with garlic oyster sauce went well with this. As buffets go, it’s a mix of many things so I served myself a bit of oxtail rendang which fell off the bone. All totally recommended!
The Singapore laksa would be next. It looked light, not too thick coconut milk and served in a small bowl too. That appealed. A quail egg, fish cake, prawn and tofu pok, this turned out to be a delightful choice. I had only done two rounds and was already beginning to feel full.
Losing my touch at buffets obviously! Perhaps because it was non-existent for two years over the Pandemic. Keeping some room for western specials, I ventured down to try some roast spring chicken and pan seared halibut.
Oh but wait! I missed seeing the Indian corner. Too much too late, I decided to forego this side of the buffet. Perhaps next time, though the butter chicken and palak paneer looked amazing.
As I devoured every bit of food on my plate, I noticed tables thinning out. People obviously had to get back to work. Time had passed fast for us as we relaxed into our cosy corner, reminiscing past times we had spent at the Fullerton Hotel.
With so many food outlets, it was a fabulous choice for lunch or dinner. So spoilt for food options, this grand hotel gave me a feeling of opulence as I dined at Town Restaurant & Bar.
I left the pizza corner and carving station for next time, deciding to make headway into desserts. I had spotted a few green local varieties from the Peranakan basket and had a whisper that the Portuguese egg tarts were the best. A good reason to try them.
Ondeh-ondeh, green balls coated with shredded coconut filled with brown sugar that popped in my mouth. A dessert I always loved and still do. I trudged through the process of making them when I lived in Sydney and got my friends hooked on them too. Lucky to have them readily available here!
Another favourite way to end my meal – a cheese platter. Crackers and cheese piled up, I ventured back to an oat-milk flat white that tasted divine. Always signifying the end of a glorious meal my body was satiated. That was it for the day.
A chill afternoon with great company, the Town Restaurant & Bar provided just what we needed. An opportunity for reprieve from the madding crowd outside.
Town's Fuel Up Brunch
2 October 2022 - 12.00 p.m. to 3.00 p.m. (last order at 2.30 p.m.)
Fuel up for the weekend with a bountiful spread, from fresh seafood and savoury charcuterie to piping hot local fare and hearty Western roasts. Pace yourself as you steer towards the Chef's race weekend brunch specials, like the aromatic Black Truffle Cage-free Egg Croffle (a crisp croissant-waffle hybrid) with avocado, scrambled egg, shaved truffle, cracked pepper and grapeseed oil.
S$268 per adult with free-flowing champagne
S$198 per adult; S$99 per child with free-flowing chilled juices and soft drinks
Town's Roaring Dinner Feast
6.30 p.m. to 10.30 p.m.
30 September to 2 October 2022
6.30 p.m. to 11.00 p.m.
Go full throttle with bold local flavours like Rojak and the must-try Singapore Laksa with Slipper Lobster, alongside fresh seafood, hearty Western roasts from the carving station, and more. On 1 and 2 October, the feast includes smoky and aromatic barbecued delights. At the finishing line, indulge in an array of tempting desserts.
S$78 per adult; S$39 per child on Thursday
S$128 per adult; S$64 per child from Friday to Sunday with barbecued selection
w. www.fullertonhotels.com/fullerton-hotel-singapore/dining/restaurants-and-bars/town-restaurant
