New take on traditions

New take on traditions

It is comforting to know that modernity has not eradicated all Chinese New Year traditions.

There is always room to throw in something new and unexpected.

It is great to be able to switch between tradition and innovation. If you want to introduce a touch of modern into your Chinese New Year celebrations, here are some suggestions:

SERENITY SPANISH BAR & RESTAURANT

While the roast pig is hardly new to the Chinese New Year menu, why not try it Spanish-style?

Serenity Spanish Bar & Restaurant is offering its Spanish style roast pig (from $88) which has the signature crispy skin.

It comes in the form of a platter with the pig (either a quarter, half or a whole pig) served with homemade tomato jam, pineapple sauce and a brown sauce.

You can order this for dine-in or takeaway till March 5. Call 6376-8185 (VivoCity) or 6235-9989 (Ngee Ann City) to order.

It's open till 11pm tonight.

CORNER HOUSE (SINGAPORE BOTANIC GARDENS)

One of the standout restaurants last year was certainly Corner House (Singapore Botanic Gardens). Its gastro-botanica concept was a big hit with foodies.

Now, it has produced its version of the yusheng. Anything preserved or artificially coloured has been replaced with fresh or specially cured ingredients using French techniques.

You'll get items such as Japanese daikon, beetroot, mushrooms, abalone, flounder and smoked hamachi. A pineapple vinaigrette goes over it.

The Gastro-Botanica Yusheng will be available till March 5 at $28 per person.

Call 6469-1000 to book your table.

ANTOINETTE

Queen's Yusheng ($88) is certainly a showstopper.

It's a dessert that you crack open with a hammer (which is provided) to find fruits (such as green mangoes and red dragon fruit) and sweets (chocolate fish, ingots and coins; five-spiced almonds and cashews; Mandarin orange butter cake and meringue kisses; and yam and sweet potato chips).

It looks like it's going to be super sweet and overwhelming but when cracked, it's a tasty sweet treat for all to share.

It's only available at the Penhas Road outlet. Call 6293-3121 to order.

SHOKUTSU TEN JAPANESE FOOD STREET

One of the CNY greetings goes: "May you be forever youthful."

If that's your wish, the collagen hotpot in Jurong Point could be a good CNY treat.

The special Abundance Kani Suki ($33.80 a person, at least two to dine) is also auspicious because it's loaded with seafood, such as Alaskan snow crab leg, king crab leg, scallops, mussels and prawns.

So if you're tired of the usual festive fare, this could be a nice alternative.

It's available till April 5.


This article was first published on Feb 18, 2015.
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