http://thechosenglutton.wordpress.com/2013/03/03/straits-cafe-rendezvous-grand-hotel/

Its Seafood Counter, disappointingly, fell short. Not only was its selection limited, its quality did not quite make up for it either. I thought the dishes were prepared clumsily, as item after item tasted bland and seemingly non-marinated. I found myself not re-visiting the counter I so adore.

Though some variety of greens in the Salad Counter, none of them was especially distinctive. Too many accompanying ingredients I say. It’d be more effective if it was made simpler and more direct. At least for diners like me, I’d know what I’m in for and have a more recognized taste.

Well good thing is, if you are a fan of Rojak, Chinese or Indian renditions alike, you can be assured that it’s a more than safe choice here at the buffet. Both are pretty pleasurable. Well for the former, you can have some fun whipping up your own Chinese Rojak with the usual suspects you have in a Chinese Rojak dish.

Though it looks like one, this Pork Knuckle wasn’t comparable to some I’ve had. It was a ‘tad bit too salty, and somehow it didn’t have the punch one would feel while devouring a Pork Knuckle, like for instance, one at Brotzeit. Just a slice for tasting would suffice.

On to the liquids in the buffet line. Curry enthusiasts, prepare your palate for it as there are three different flavors of curry. I’m not one, thus I skipped it, for the Double-boiled Soup instead. That, is possibly one of the best items of the entire buffet. It tasted genuinely authentic, and addictive too. And I’m positive it wasn’t the works of MSG, which makes it impressive. However, its counterpart, the supposedly awe-inspiring award-winning Laksa didn’t quite meet the mark. The noodles was too soft and delicate for my liking.

Right at one end of the line, meet the Sushi Counter. Even though it isn’t the most extensive selection of sushi as you can see, the treasure is what’s hidden underneath. Kept chilled below the counter are the Salmon and Tako Sashimi, and Oysters. The Salmon Sashimi was definitely not fresh. The Tako Sashimi tasted slightly better. Oysters was passable. To make the buffet worth it, you might want to slurp off more shucks of oysters.

The satisfying part of the buffet only started late into the buffet. The Dessert Counter. Complete with a Chocolate Fondue, I was a happy kid going around, contemplating on which dessert piece to fill my stomach with. The Chocolate Mousse was the best one of them all. No regrets with the calories, girls, I assure you.

A heaven to most locals, the chilled Durian Dessert Counter offers durian crepes, durian puffs, durian cake, and durian pengat. I say, save your stomach for THESE. The puff is my favorite. Wings will grow with a pop into your mouth.

Well, though this wasn’t the best buffet I’ve had, it is one of the more affordable hotel buffets. What can I complain about.

to read more, visit http://andmorefood.wordpress.com/2013/01/24/au-chocolat-town-take-1-2/
the second review here: http://andmorefood.wordpress.com/2013/01/25/au-chocolat-town-take-2/


anyway, we were recommended this place by our aunts after a family dinner at the marriott hotel buffet for having great oysters and a pretty good spread. the food includes local dishes like laksa (a curry-type coconutty noodle dish) and popiah (my favourite ever – but more on this stewed radish wrap later), to japanese sashimi and sushi and western grilled meats.
it’s a mix that’s sounds pretty eclectic but is common place in buffets across singapore, so nothing special there. I’ll tell you what’s good though: the large grilled prawns that get snatched up quickly; a serve-yourself claypot of stewed sweet-and-savoury radish for wrapping with toppings such as prawns and vegetable garnishes in a rice-flour-wrap, also known as popiah; and apparently the oysters are very good – shucked on the spot but only 4 per person at any time.

Straits Cafe is one of the restaurants that I have visited with lesser variety of buffet dishes available but definitely the quality of food is there. One can see how helpful and hardworking the chefs are in serving the customers with their requests. Main points of the cafe goes to fresh oysters, crayfish, seafood and the durian desserts. Quality of food was decent but quantity was disappointing as food runs out too quickly and there wasn't any refills for some dishes. Overall experience was average and maybe in order to get to try all the dishes one has to be greedy by grabbing it first before it runs out!
Photos can be seen in www.facebook.com/AFoodJourney