Greenhouse

Most excellent place but for the rising prices...i went there twice for dinner...the first time it was 50+? the second time it became 65 i think...i wonder what it costs now...
Um, they serve a wide range of cuisines, and i think they rotate the stuff, so i really can't tell what i'm going to get next time i go...if i go... The second time i was there we were each served a separate prawn-sake-soup in a mini claypot...didn't like it as much as the chinese style cod, all the tempura,all the sashimi, and all the creme brulees and panna cottas...
Generally everything there is well done. even the prawn-sake-soup thing. didnt enjoy it mainly because i don't dig peeling prawns...even if they're rather big and simmered in sake...
But i'm not into buffets nowadays..so i'm probably not going back there any time soon....

I have earlier reviewed the buffet dinner at the Greenhouse.  Pleased with the earlier experience, I was armed with expectations when I came for a Christmas lunch during the holiday season. 

I was arrived early and found everything was what I expected them to be - great and perfect.  There were a wide range of each type of cuisine, ranging from 4 types of different soups to countless types of cooked food, ice creams of sorbets, salads and sashimi in a nice setting.  During this christmas, I actually saw cranberry sauce that is not from a can, but made fresh from cranberries.

However, I discovered a new mantra if you decide to dine here, come early.  As the lunch hour progressed, and with the lunch crowd swarming in, food gets depleted and they don't get replenished.  In fact the whole basket of snow crabs were gone by about 12.30pm and I was lucky to get a leg or two.  I only managed to try 2 of the 4 kinds of soups for example. Perhaps with the top dollar that we are paying here (S$48++), I was expecting more.

Nevertheless, the service was good and the staff actually allowed us to sit around and enjoy our tea past the lunch hours.

Came to Greenhouse nearing the end of December for our First Year Anniversary Dinner, and was really impressed by the variety of seafood available.

The area is divided into 9 sections -

1) Breads and Soups
There was a large variety of breads available, but only 2 soups - lobster bisque and a chinese pork rib soup (which I didn't try). The lobster bisque reminded me of the soup that was in the fisherman's stew we had back at Fifteen Melbourne, and went very well with the bread, but a word of caution on OD-ing on it; it's quite heavy.

2) Salads
Didn't try it, but was quite impressed with the selection.

3) Japanese
Zaru/Cha soba and Maki Rolls with Miso Soup. The Missus remarked that the cha soba wasn't nice because the soba was too tough and the sauce wasn't palatable. The maki rolls was not bad, but Japanese rice tends to be quite filling. The sashimi and sushi are covered in the seafood section.

4) Cooked Foods (Centre)
There was a large variety of foods there, beef fillets stewed soft, lamb chops, crispy fried prawns, steamed garoupa (which was decimated the minute it hit the pot), dory fish in a cream sauce and so on and so forth. The beef was really soft, and I found the garoupa slightly tough (when I got it); the Missus found it to be quite good but agreed with me after a while (heh). The crispy prawns were slightly overcooked. The lambchops were seasoned and marinated well, and were quite tender, and didn't have the normal stench associated with mutton.

5) Seafoods
The seafood section was probably the shining beacon of the entire buffet for me. The definite plus was the lobsters - their flesh was tender and succulent, and was incredibly fresh. They had simply been boiled quickly and cooled on ice, letting the flesh retain all the juices. We had some trouble deshelling it, but got the hang of it after a while. The minus side is that after the big ones are gone, the replenished ones (if any) seem slightly malnourished.

Prawns were fresh as well, but slightly over-boiled, leading to slightly tougher flesh.

Oysters were fresh, but I hit a bad one, one which was really mucus-y and it put me off oysters for the rest of the night. Also, they seem to run low on tabasco, and I had to settle for the Habanero Tabasco, which is not only spicier, but also thicker and hence overwhelmed the taste of the oysters.

There were 2 other types of shellfish which I can't really place, but they tasted good, although I tend to stick to familiar foods (you never know if the "interesting" ones will give you explosive diarrhea)

Sashimi was fresh, but I found a bone in my salmon (like, what are the chances, right?), and I found the slices to be unevenly cut. The sashimi was precut and placed into a small plate - salmon, tuna and another white fishmeat (not quite sure what it was, but it was sweet). Overall the selection wasn't fantastic, and not being able to actively choose what we want might be too restrictive for some.

6) Indian Foods
Prata and curries - I didn't try this as strong spices tend to flood the senses.

7) Cheeses and Vegetarian Food
I only tried the asparagus for the vegetarian food, but it was delicious - it wasn't as crunchy as I would have liked it, but it was really juicy.

The cheese variety is quite small, but it's quite enough to satisfy your sudden cheese cravings, especially since the section comes with crackers/wafers, dried fruits and jam.

8) Roast Food area
We heard the other table raving about the roast pork, but I didn't see where it was being offered. The Missus tried the roast duck, and offered me the plate after she found out she didn't like it (thanks dear). The duck tasting was rather complex and played across my senses like a Hokkien serial - episode 1: I didn't think it was that bad, ep2: I found the sauce a little too sweet, ep 3: I found the meat too tough, and that with the sweet sauce made it slightly jelat, ep4: I wondered why I was still chewing, ep5: I felt slightly betrayed.

9) Ice Creams
The vanilla bean ice cream was really good - soft, fluffy, sweet but not cloying, and went down very well indeed. So was the Strawberries and Cream. There was an enthusiastic and friendly wait-staff manning it.

------------

Service wise, the reception is now run by 2 persons - one at the phone, another in front to greet guests, at least that was the case when we arrived at 6.30pm. Iced water was filled up promptly, and service was prompt but unsmiling, much like automated passport photo machines. In fact, some of the service staff looked a little snooty. Of all the times I said "Thank you" whenever my water was filled or my plate taken away, I received only one "welcome" in return. When will restaurants learn that merely being efficient isn't enough? A robot is efficient. A shark is efficient. An elevator is efficient. Wait staff, clearly, do not belong in these categories.

Oddly enough, they were all smiles and bows when a couple (apparently some bigshot) came in, and was attended to by 2 managers, and thereafter smiling waiters, which sorta proves they had it in them all along. Maybe I didn't have the right surname, or wasn't a valued guest. I'm surprised they didn't think guests would notice these things.

We did, however, receive a $14 discount as a result of using Mastercard, so the total bill came out to be $122 instead of $136.

Overall, the food was good, but like I remarked in another forum, when we're paying that kind of money, everything: from the ambience (lighting, ambient sound etc), food, service, cleanliness, has to be absolutely perfect. Nothing else would justify us paying $70 - $100 for a meal.

Conclusion: I'd Probably return because the seafood was mostly fresh, but since we found out we don't really eat much at buffets, we might just opt for an italian restaurant or a seafood restaurant the next time round.

Been to greenhouse twice and I would say both was a pleasant visit. They do have a wide variety of food there. I love the oyster they have there and the sashimi. It's really fresh and it taste good. I always miss the lobster night :( But what disappointed me was that the tiramisu was just a wet spongy with coffee liquor in it.

The service is not bad but I would expect better service with the price we are paying.

Why do I think service award undeserved:

1. Lady at the reception at Greenhouse totally ignore us even thou she was busy on the phone, at least some kind of acknowledgement like a smile or nod of head will make us feel as are not ignored

2. What's up with the constant fast plate clearing system. The moment I put my fork down, they just come into to grab your plates like a SWAT Team. I got so annoyed that I had to tell 1 of the server to back off cos I am obviously still eating even thou I am taking off another small plate infront of me, doesn't mean I do not need my plate anymore

3. I expect most of them to ask if I am done with my food before clearing my plates. I can say 90% didn't even bother asking, they just assume

4. We had a reservation for 3 which means obviously if 1 of the seat isn't occupied, he or she must be on the way. Within 15min, we had 3 different waiter/waitresses coming up to our table asking if it's taken otherwise they'll clear the cutlery. I swear by the 4th I'd have lost my cool cos I told the 3rd waitress this is the 3rd time someone came up to us with the same question and it's seriously getting annoying. Shouldn't all of them check with each other if the table's been approach before instead of assuming again?? We are not dumb, if the other person's not coming anymore, we'd have automatically request for the removal of the extra stuff around the table after being approached the very 1st time seeing how desperate they want to clear it

Food wise, everything was fine except we were happy and thought for a moment the steam basket were dim sum but found rice rice and more rice and the only dim sum worthy was the Char Sui Soh which turn out unexpectly boring and tasteless

Most desserts look appertising but tasted far from it, once again, what feed the eyes may not feed your appetite.

GreenHouse @ Ritz Carlton is probably one of the most reviewed buffet serving restaurants around here @ HungryGoWhere. As I would agree with most of the reviewers here is my well thought out review not that of out of "heart" review that I would give to some restaurants. Also this would be a condensed review. I see that most of the dishes are already being raved here, so I would only highlight what I felt stood out alot.

First the Food And Beverages:
I shall mention the Beverages in a quickie first, included in my buffet was simple: Plain water; Coffee / Tea (@ the end) I liked that the Plain water had the Zig~ in it the coffee was fabulous with a nice biscuit. However, it disappoints me greatly that I paid (Averaged out after GST, Service Tax etc) S$89 per pax and I only got water and coffee. Even a cheap 10$ buffet would probably give u cordial @ least. As I mentioned earlier, my heart would be like: oh the restaurant wants you to taste every food with you cleared palette. But my head would say, no matter what give your consumers more options. Even if it means 1 less dish.

Food:
I went on a Saturday night so it was Lobster night:
The highs
- Free flowing of Lobsters (I had 1.5)

- Oysters (Pretty fresh but nothing spectacular, imagine this is on the high side)

- Singapore Styled Bee Hoon (Tasty and fragrant!)

- Delicious prawns with egg

- Sashimi, really fresh. I had salmon which was fantastic! I love my sashimi fresh W/O any sauce to taste the freshness & sweetness!! :)

- A wide variety of cakes etc I liked the fact that they continued to replenish the desserts towards the end of the night.

- Vanilla Ice Cream, Did you know Vanilla beans is considered a rarity in the world of ingredients? And guess what @ GreenHouse their Vanilla Ice Cream is served with it included! Not the fake advert nonsense that Beard Papa try to pass off (like 1 dot in a whole cream puff kind) but the Vanilla Ice Cream here has generous amounts of it. FANTASTIC! Probably my greatest highlight of the day.


Lows
- Roasted Duck & Meat (Poor Really POOR, Even some food courts serve better. Although the service was great by the chef, the cold meat is bad bad bad)

- Indian Curry (What curry!? Under seasoned. I don think they understand what true curry should taste like)

- Lobsters (I didn't put this is the wrong section, yes I put it @ the High but I meant the idea of free flowing lobsters was good; but the quality was left much to desire. Personally speaking I rather had 1 DAMN good lobster than average ones. To be honest I brain-washed myself that the lobsters would make it worth while.. It never did~)

- Tiramisu (If you are a avid reader of my reviews you would know I love Tiramisu, the real deal!! With RUM~ that is!, if you've been to GreenHse you would say Ian you should love this Tiramisu, but the truth of the fact is, it was more like a bowl of cream with AWFUL alot of run @ the bottom of the bowl! The sponge wasn't sponge it became a mash of rum and pastry this is what I call a disaster is made OVERKILL! Sad!)

- Sadly I had to put this in the Caramalised Banana. Its freshly prepared by a chef @ the Ice Cream section. However, the orange sauce never really worked for me. Although I realy think that the chef provided me with a great service, smiles and all, the dish failed to impress me.

- Lack cut fruits.



All in all, the F&B is a text book kind of good. The idea I am trying to put accross here is this. Having paid S89/- per person, one would assume every detail of the meal to be fantastic, perfect. Its more than superlatives can describe. We want that experience that would leave us in Wow! Some memory that down the road, a year maybe 2, that you can recall how fantastic it is. But honestly speaking had the service sucked, I would probably be condemning this review to the pits of hell. The food was ok for a normal standard but it doesn't wow me. (6/10)

Furthermore, the ambience was nothing to scream about. Being a 6 star hotel and all, its not like I am having a great view into the Bay or something. I admit it was cosy and warmth but not uniquely GreenHouse. It doesn't say much originality in my opinion. (6/10)

Value in this instance take a huge dive. @ 178 for the evening, I doubt I will ever go back. I would take my money and try out other buffets some other time. But than again, having the consistency of great tasting food in the buffet is tough, so I shant be too cruel here (6/10)

Service is fantastic as I mentioned earlier. But a small group of the staff don necessary want to be helpful and all. (8/10)

As the saying goes "you get for what you pay for". A meal at the greenhouse is the epitome of this saying - good food, nice ambience, attentive service all for top dollar.

There was a wide spread of fresh seafood that night. The sashimi is impeccable, and was so fresh that one might think they were flown it that day. My wife who does not take oysters remarked that the oysters were so fresh since it did not reeked of the smell that were present in other buffet restaurants. The oysters came with a spread of sauces to go with it. There were other fresh seafood on ice, but the winner of the night has to from the crayfish and lobster section. The chef did a excellent job with the panfried crayfish, and the fresh lobster tasted nice with and without the cream sauce.

Unfortunately, I have a small apetite and I couldn't really eat very much of the cooked dishes, which looked very nice (hint: try to come early at 6.30pm or before 7pm), and therefore had to move on to the desserts.

The chocolate cake was the best of the night, with the right balance of richness and sweetness. As I tried the tiramisu quite late into the evening, I was left wondering if the sponge component soaked up too much of the alcohol as the alcohol taste overpowered the taste of the cheese. There was also a wide spread of self made ice creams and sorbets with some local flavours like coconut, which completed the meal.

There was a quartet playing about 3 sessions of music throughout the night. Service wise, they were very prompt and attentive in the earlier part of the night when there were less diners around. We made a reservation for the seafood buffet for 3 adults and a child. Upon arriving, the table was laid out for us nicely, with the children's high chair and child utensils. The service was nicely thought out, as the table was located near the buffet area so that we could have a close watch my child while taking food. But still, one thing I took away was their smiles.

Last but not least, there is a 10% discount if you are using DBS/POSB credit cards, but 15% discount if you are having UOB Platinum or HSBC credit cards. For me, I would definitely go there again, either for special occasions, or when I am feeling loaded again.

Really nice buffet. We were there on a Sat evening some time last year. It is the best buffet that I have ever had. Though expensive, but considering the free-flow of lobsters ( I could only down 1 and a half), sashimi, softshell crab and oysters, I would say it is worth it. It is not just the type of food they serve that makes it worthwhile, but the quality as well. The best lobster in a buffet i have ever had. The lobsters were cooked there on the spot. with light music playing in the background and very spacious arrangement of the tables and chairs, this makes for a nice evening meal out. Highly recommended. I only hope that the standards have not fallen.
I do intend to return in the coming month, I hope the food/atmosphere is even better!

Greenhouse at Ritz..first created waves for the extensive range of 80 types of oysters at a Sunday Champagne Brunch years back..it was a feature on television then. I still remember dreaming of going there just for a meal someday, would be ideal.

I'd never make a pass at a good offer, so imagine the thrill when there was a 1-for-1 at Greenhouse, I leapt at the offer, literally. With a marketing blitz uncannily similar to Shangrila's, Greenhouse was fully booked, lunch slots were filled up even faster.

Greenhouse resembles one with the lush greenery at arm's length.

Assorted Sushi (California Rolls, Ebi Maki, Salmon Maki)

The rice was hard and the ebi tempura was already cold, could have been left out for awhile. The salmon maki with a thick long sliver of salmon was better though.

Agedashi Tofu

The tofu was hard and tasted "old", more like beancurd than tofu.

Chawanmushi

One of the hot items that got snatched up the moment they were placed in the steamer. The chawanmushi's silken soft!

Cured meats (Coriander Seed Sail Cured Marinated Salmon with Pickled Melon, Raw Scallop served with lime and Olive Oil, Beef Cappucio)

I was impressed with the range of cured meats up for selection. Thinly sliced and well marinated, my favourite has to be the raw scallops, sweet and wobbly! The freshness of the scallops permeates with every bite, I couldn't help but head for seconds!

Seafood (Oysters, Mussels, Shellfish, Crab)

Gorgeous display of seafood. It's always amusing to watch chefs embed the shells gingerly. The shucking of oysters and placing them on the ice bed take place simultaneously. Seafood's very fresh once again, the sweetness and firmness of the flesh is any seafood lover's dream.

Soups (Crabmeat soup, Wild Mushroom Soup)

Only made an attempt on the wild mushroom, lacked a certain punch to the thin soup, would have been better if flavour was stronger or the consistency thicker.


Salad Bar (Caesar/Thai Beef Vermicilli/Ngoh Hiang)

The Thai Beef Vermicilli was on the sweet side, beef slices were tender. Ngoh Hiang was also a tad sweet.

Sashimi (Salmon, Tuna, Octopus, Yellowtail)
Beelines form for this counter and the chef's hands did not stop moving throughout the buffet. Main grouse, the sashimi was not properly cleansed of bones/fins, felt like slipshod job done but otherwise the sashimi was fresh.

Soft Shell Crab Tempura

Crisp tempura with meaty soft shell crab, puts the Japanese restaurants to shame!



Roasted Meats (烧肉, 叉烧)

Both meats were on the sweet side.



Baked Crayfish with Cream Sauce

Worthy of my polishing three of these crustaceans meat and cream within three huge slurps. The meat was slightly soft but otherwise good.


Naan (Mint Chutney, Yogurt)

Chewy naan that tasted good on its own, I didn't dare to venture with the yogurt nor the chutney.

Fried Items (Samosa/Calamari Rings)

Crispy samosas plumped with mashed potato.

Curries (Butter Chicken/Lamb Curry/Vegetable Korma)

The Butter chicken was too sweet, lamb and vegetable was average.

Crackers (Pompadom/Prawn Cracker)

Well fried these are without a trace of oil.

Vegetarian (Buttered Corn/Baked Pumpkin/Chickpeas with Tofu)

I adore this section too! Vegetables baked so well, I loved the pumpkin. Cubes of honeyed pumpkin never tasted this good.

Wok Fried King Prawn with Sambal Chilli and Basil

My favourite of the lot, the prawns are fresh, succulent and very tasty.

Sing Chow BeeHoon/Rice

The Beehoon came with prawns and char siew, this dish ended up surprisingly sweet.

Braised Beef

Tough beef chunks in tasty sauce.

Lamb Chop

I found the lamb hard to eat, could have been the way it was cooked, the meat was not easily teased apart.

Pork

The pork patties were soft, tasted more chicken than pork.

Teriyaki Chicken

The chicken lacked bite and seemed honeyed more than teriyaki.

Mixed Vegetables (Lo Han Chye)

Did not try.

Snapper

Meat was firm, tasty!

Braised Herb Duck

Another tasty find, the meat was chewy and herbs well infused into the meat.

Black Pepper Crab

I risked getting my fingers all dirty and messy just for the black pepper crab! The meaty claws left me slurping loudly.


Breadsticks/Vegetables with Dips (Blue Cheese/ Red Pepper/ Green Pepper)

The first time ever, I chomped on plump raw mushrooms. The dips are delicious, especially blue cheese which is both stinky and thick.

Bakery (Olive Bread, Cheese Twists, Bread loaves)
Credit has to be given to Greenhouse for the wide variety of breads, although they were exposed the whole night, the bread still remained soft and moist. A variety of bread textures were available, crunchy cheese sticks, soft olive bread or chewy bread loaves. I lost the carbo battle here. I randomly found a bottle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar and that, was spectacular.

Cheese Selection with Fruit/Crackers

Another place that I dropped my guard and went nuts over the cheese. No signs were provided but molten cheese, brie...I sniffed a blue cheese wedge.


Soups (Bubur Cha Cha/Cheng Tng/Barley)

The bubur cha cha was watered down but I liked it, the coconut in the usual BBCC is way too thick for my liking.

Cheng Tng had orange peel in it which I did not take to very well.

Barley was the blandest of the lot.

Strawberry Tower

Nobody dared to touch the tower until the crepe chef started plucking strawberries off.

Chocolate Fondue

Made a pass as usual.

Sugar Cookies (Sugar/Chocolate)

Squares of delight, the cookies are crunchy and crumbly.

Dessert Shooters (Lychee/Strawberry Panna Cotta/Chocolate Mousse/Mango Mousse/Burnt creme with Raspberry Mousse)

Dessert shooters usually disappoint because of a lack of distinct taste or basically tasted blah. The same goes for the shooter platter up for tasting..not a huge fan of mousse to begin with so I was unimpressed by any, the panna cotta was more curd like than cream.

Mango Mousse Cake

Ranked 47th on Top 50 Yummiest Cakes, I was looking forward to it the most. Pity the cakes were snapped up so quickly and I could only savour a slice! They replaced it with the chocolate brownie thereafter.

It's got layers of mango mousse, sponge cake mango slices and topped off with mango balls. The mango taste is not overbearing, in fact I'd say this is one of the tastiest mango mousse cake I've eaten. The spongecake is not soggy with mousse, it's one well balanced cake.

Creme Brulee

Creamy and uber smooth creme brulee!

Mixed Berry Tart

The tart had a terribly sour finish, I left it at one mouthful.

Berry Cheesecake

The unpleasant sour continues.

Layered Custard Cake

Did not taste very nice.

Chocolate Cake/Chocolate Brownie

The toblerone dome shaped brownie was deemed "bad", chocolate cake was much better. It's made of solid chocolate with little cake.

Crepe with strawberries and custard (Live Station)

The crepes were too rubbery and thick. The strawberries and custard were delicious though.

Ice-cream (Strawberry gelato/Vanilla Bean/Chocolate Chip/Pistachio/Maple and Walnut/Caramel)

Icecream that's worth seconds, thirds and forths! Pistachio was too heavy on the nut taste, vanilla bean extra fragrant, strawberry gelato's creamy and maple walnut's super yummy! There are maple honey pebbles within.

Fruits (Lychee/Guava/Apple/Pear/Pineapple/Grapes/Grapefruit)

Greenhouse is one of those buffets that offers the widest range of fruits, great finish to end off a heavy meal.

Kuehs (Ang Ku Kueh/Kueh Dadar/Yam Kueh)

The Ang Ku Kueh skin was too sticky, the peanut filling was quite lumpy as well. The Yam kueh fared better, the dense yam layer was pure and thick.

Thai desserts (Look Choob (Green Bean Miniature Fruit)/Agar)
The agar agar was a disaster. Look Choob's delicious, the green bean paste was done really well.

Ritz Carlton's service level has long been lauded as case studies in texts, they pay attention to the finer details that enhance service to a different notch altogether.

#1 A bowl of water with a wedge of lemon is placed on every table.
#2 An orchestra plays famous melodies whilst the restaurant bustles with activity.
#3 Plates get cleared so very often.
#4 Food gets replenished quite quickly.

Quality of food is there, I thought they would compromise on the quality given the 1-for-1 ongoing promotion but I left pleasantly impressed.

http://thefoodchapter.blogspot.com/2009/07/greenhouse-cafe-ritz-carlton-hotel.html