Niigata Keihin Hotel 新潟京浜ホテル

The first stop of our Northern Japan trip was Niigata. And the main reason why we wanted to visit Niigata was because of their rice. Niigata is the second only to Hokkaido in rice output. And when in Niigata, you definately have to try their Koshihikari rice (越光米), widely considered to be the highest quality rice produced in Japan. 

We stayed at the Keihin Hotel, a simple business hotel 5 mins walk from Niigata train station. As there were no more double rooms available, we took the twin room, at 7000JPY per night (approx SGD110). And their twin rooms is definitely the bigger rooms in the hotel. 

As we were dead tired from all the walking and freezing cold wind, we decided to just buy some sushi from the nearby departmental store for dinner. To be able to eat it in the comfort and warmth of the hotel room, is also a form of luxury for us as well. 

Breakfast was inclusive - serving local Japanese fare which normally comprises of rice, miso soup, grilled fish, a few stewed dishes and salad. They also served special homecooked curry, which seems quite popular among the guests.

Did I mention that natto is also a must item in local Japanese breakfast? And also a must item for me! I love natto!
And I must say this is simply the best combination: Natto on top of top grade Koshihikari rice, topped with a fresh raw egg. I could have this for breakfast everyday! 

It was snowing the day we left Niigata! This is the first time I am seeing snow! Walking on the soft snow feels just like stepping on cotton candy!

I love this photo! This car was parked just outside the hotel, fully covered with snow! (and my friends were saying in FB that I shouldn't "vandalize" other people's car!) If you realise, it was raining tiny hailstones one day before on the same car. 

And on the snow covered Inaho train we go, off to our next stop - Aomori!

Niigata Keihin Hotel

新潟県新潟市中央区弁天1-3-15
1-3-15 Benten, Chuo-ku, Niigata, Niigata Prefecture
Nearest train station: JR Niigata - Bandai exit (JR新潟駅ー万代口)
www.keihinhotel.com 

Bi Feng Tang Shanghai

We went to Bi Feng Tang (避风塘) with L's sister for our last meal in Shanghai before the flight. Bi Feng Tang was opened in Shanghai since 1998, specializing in Hong Kong dishes and Dim Sum. 

We ordered some side dishes such as black fungus salad (香辣拌木耳), spicy liang fen (麻辣凉粉), kai lan (白灼芥兰) and braised beancurd and egg (潮式豆腐蛋). I particularly liked the black fungus and the liang fen salad, for their tint of spiciness and refreshing taste. 

Next was the rice rolls (肠粉). 

The plain rice rolls with sesame and sweet sauce (香麻斋肠粉) looked quite delicious on the menu, so we decided to order it. The presentation of the dish was also very good! However, the dish was a big letdown, as the rice rolls consistency were too chewy and thick, so much different from those you have in Hong Kong or even Singapore. 

 

The other rice roll we ordered was the Crispy Rice Rolls with Shrimp (脆皮锦绣虾仁肠粉). Upon tasting, it is actually deep fried spring roll wrapped with rice roll. Kudos to them for thinking of such a dish. 

Of course we also had to order the crab roe xiao long bao (蟹粉小龙包) since we are in Shanghai. Nothing special about this dish. 

However, the pan fried stone pot xiao long bao (石锅蟹粉小龙包) did have my thumbs up as the skin was crispy, and every bite oozes piping hot soup out, even if it was left there for a period of time. 

L ordered the roasted duck and char siew rice dish (琵琶鸭拼叉烧饭), as he had to have rice. I think roasted duck and char siew in Singapore tastes better than theirs. 

Lastly, L's sis ordered a steamed layer cake (迷你千层糕) which if you look closely are layers of rice flour steamed with salted egg yolk sandwiched in between each layer. 

Bi Feng Tang carries an extensive menu of dishes, but only a few of them stand out. The rest are only okay in standard, and given a choice, I would definitely choose Crystal Jade over Bi Feng Tang!

Crystal Jade Shanghai Xintiandi

Being highly recommended by L's sister staying in Shanghai, to try their roast pork belly (烧肉), we headed to Xintiandi (新天地) for our Sunday lunch at Crystal Jade.

L's sister mentioned that it is best to make a reservation, and I fully understood why she said so. The place is packed! Luckily as there was only 2 of us, we did not have to wait too long before we got a table.

And this is the roast pork belly! The meat is very tender and juicy, and the skin - super crispy. The portion of meat and fat in the belly are just right, not too fatty and not too dry while the skin is roasted just right. Some roasted pork belly skin are over roasted, causing the skin to be too hard. No wonder L's sister highly recommended it.

We also ordered the usual tim sum - Siew mai, Har gao and steamed pork ribs. Their dim sum prices are on the high side, same as the prices in Singapore, while their dishes are cheaper. However, the quality of the dim sum is much better than that of Singapore.

This is the fried nian gao (炒年糕), a popular Shanghainese dish. 

This is the claypot "yong tau foo" which has fish paste stuffed in beancurd, brinjal and green capsicum  A bit on the salty side though, Kok Seng's claypot yong tau foo is still my favorite. 

Overall we spent approximately RMB200 for the meal. As I mentioned, their prices are similar to Singapore, but definitely better quality food and service. 

After lunch,we took a walk around Xintiandi, which comprises mostly of cafes and restaurants with both indoor and outdoor seating. A very nice place to spend an afternoon at the cafes, enjoying a leisure read or some chatting with friends. 

Crystal Jade Restaurant, Shanghai Xintiandi

新天地广场南里2F-12A

Nearest subway station: Line 10 - Xintiandi

Au Jardin, Botanic Gardens

Au Jardin, part of the Les Amis Group occupies an elegantly restored colonial residence inside Botanic Gardens. In French, Au Jardin means - in the Garden, hence a appropriate name for this restaurant. 

Ms C had invited us for an opulent afternoon of French food at Au Jardin.

Look out for the signage at the entrance of Botanic Gardens. The restaurant is only a 5 minute walk from the entrance (Cluny road entrance)

Reservations are highly recommended. We got the best seat in the house! A corner seat with great view of the forest. 

Elegant table setting with fine China. 

A choice of 2 set menus are offered for lunch and the set menu changes every month. 

The Amuse-bouche - Watermelon juice with grapefruit foam and prawn roll. Something refreshing to cleanse our palette before the start of the meal. Amuse-bouche are not something in the menu, but served complementary in accordance to the chef's selection. 


The starters we had: 

pan fried foie gras with seasonal mushroom, figs chutney and puff pastry, truffle vinaigrette

salmon graviax with radish salad and grapefruits, garnished with trout roe, whisky cream, honey mustard dressing

pan seared crispy goat cheese & heirloom tomatoes, Mediterranean anchovy & pesto sauce 

The foie gras was simply melt in your mouth! To put it bluntly, it was like having a piece of fat which is so soft it melts immediately in first bite, leaving only the taste of fragrant foie gras. No wonder Ms C ordered the $65 set menu - just for the foie gras! And a big piece of foie gras it was. Totally worth the price! 

Salmon graviax was pretty normal, but I liked their salad which was very refreshing with a nice touch of roe and grapefruits. 

Ms H had the pan seared goat cheese as smoked salmon wasn't something she fancied. however I ended up having quite a lot of the goat cheese as well, as goat cheese had quite a strong aroma, not suitable for the faint hearted. 


The mains:

I had the braised beef cheek with wilted spinach, carrot puree, potato, red wine sauce. The beef cheek is another melt in your mouth dish - braised until so tender that there is no more toughness to the beef. 

Sea bass, the catch of the day, together with peas and bacon, baby potato. 

The grilled black cod with vegetable ratatouille, olive puree & tomato concasse

Ms K had the roasted Angus striploin with butternut puree, baby potato and zucchini ring. It was also a big piece of meat, and indicated specially in the menu at they are 200 day grain fed beef. 


Our desserts: 

Being a coffee lover, I love my dessert which is coffee parfait, creme de cacao jelly, earl grey ganache and milk tea ice. The items listed are mostly prepared in liquid form, such as coffee, earl grey, milk tea, but the chef manages to create it all in solid form, some good cooking technique and creativity here. 

Ms H had the poached rhubarb with strawberry confit, aloe vera yoghurt parfait and cranberry jelly. Seems like she loves her dessert choice as well, as she finished every single item on her plate as well. 

Ms C's dessert of mixed berries with balsamic yoghurt, lemon sorbet. Hers is the only dessert which was served in a glass plate. It's like an piece of fruit art on a plate.

Ms K's dessert of dark chocolate variation with spicy chocolate ice cream. Too bad the ice cream melted quite quickly after it was served, otherwise it would have been another great dessert. 

And what best to end a meal with a cup of piping hot coffee. 

We almost forgot about the petits fours which came with the coffee. Well not exactly four but two each. The madeleine and chocolate coated almond. 


We were also presented with a voucher each at the end of the meal. Enjoy 4 set lunches for the price of 3. A good way to attract customers back, as the set menu changes every month. 


Although the set lunch prices are a bit on the high side at $45 and $65, but the quality of the food is definitely worth paying for it. Anyone wants to join me for a great lunch at Au Jardin again? I have a voucher! 


Au Jardin
EJH corner house, Singapore Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre, Cluny Road
Opening hours:
Lunch - Tuesdays to Fridays 12 - 2pm (last seating)
Dinner - Tuesdays to Sundays 7 - 10.15pm (last seating)
Sunday Brunch - Sundays only 11am - 1pm (1st seating)

Reservations recommended: 6466 8812