Tony Johor Kaki Travels for Food · Heritage · Culture · History

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Dining Place by Chef Heman. Mandarin Gallery Orchard Road

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Lunch today was at the newly launched Dining Place by Chef Heman at level 4 of Mandarin Gallery at Singapore's Orchard Road.

(Dining Place has been completely revamped with new chef since Nov 2017 👈 click)

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The interior decor of Dining Place by Chef Heman is elegant in it's simplicity. It is refined yet welcoming. Most importantly, it is very comfortable. High ceilings, carpeted floors, padded chairs, beautiful tableware etc Chef Heman insisted that this fine restaurant is for "casual dining". This is a friendly, relaxing place to dine. You will still feel very relaxed after paying the bill 😄 (as the pricing is reasonable for Orchard Road).

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Intriguing pieces of abstract ceramic art adorned strategic spaces around the small restaurant.

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You see, Chef Heman is a multi-talented person. He is an accomplished ceramic artist trained by renowned Singapore sculptor Ng Eng Teng. Chef Heman is also a triathlete, known to his fans and friends as the "Iron Man Chef".

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Chef Heman is a multi-dimensional chef - his foundation is in Chinese cuisine, followed by a stint in the United Kingdom. Then, he was the JP-Pepperdine Group Executive Chef behind Jack's Place (a Western style family restaurant chain) where I first met him three years ago.

The menu at Dining Place by Chef Heman reflects all aspects of the gifted man. The dishes are East West fusion - grounded in Chinese tradition accented by Western touches influenced by Southeast Asian cuisine and presented with an artist's eye for beauty. Singapore style lah! 😄

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We started with a Royal Eight Treasures Premier Starter a la Carte selection of dim sum and tapas, setting the tone of our East West fusion lunch. (Dim sum and tapas are served all day.)

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First mains was the Signature Crispy Roast Pork with Spicy Balsamico Sauce, and Lychee Pearls. (Price SG$23.90++.)

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Dining Place's Signature Roasted Irish Fat Duck and Duck Jus.


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The crisp was slight and the ducky gaminess was not as musky as I like 😝 Which means most other people will like this lah 😄

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Tartlet with Guacamole (avocado mash), Spring Onion, Young Cucumber, Balsamic Reduction Glaze topped with Pan Fried Foie Gras.

The roast Irish duck and pan fried foie gras are served as a set at SG$52++ for half a bird.

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Duo of Hong Kong Kailan (deep fried and blanched) with Dry Scallop and Abalone (sliced) with Oyster Sauce. (Price SG$28.80++.)



Sweet and Sour Lychee Pork with Rojak salad (at the side). (Price SG$23.90++.) Made with hawthorn berries (san cha) instead of the usual ketchup.

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Chef Heman's Crispy Scales Coral Cod Fish with Hot Bean Sauce. (Price 19.90++.)

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Grilled Australian Wagyu Ribeye Steak with Beef Jus. (SG$38++.)

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Chef Heman's Garden of Escargot. Baked snails with rojak salad at the side. (SG$16.80++ for half dozen.)

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Chef Heman's Black Berry Bamboo Cup Rice. (Price SG$13.80++.)

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Beauty Collagen Soup with Crab Meat Ravioli. I like this soup. Nice round smooth body with collagen. Layers of well balanced gentle savoury sweet flavour. All natural, no MSG 👍 (Price SG$18.90++.) 

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Chef Heman has lots of French inspired pastries and sweet desserts up his sleeves 😋

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Chef Heman's interpretation of chendol - the iconic Indian sweet dessert made with pandan and rice "worms", coconut milk and palm sugar, well loved in Singapore and Malaysia. Still available from on-the-go tricycle stalls and very popular in Malaysia.

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We had a 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon from Chateau Montrose Bordeaux presented by restaurant manager Liana.

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👉 Chef Heman's Dining Place is a nice place at the heart of Singapore's main shopping belt to enjoy modern Singapore style East West fusion cuisine with the personal touches of one of Singapore's most celebrated and reputedly talented chefs.

Disclosure: Please note that this was an invited tasting.

(Dining Place has been completely revamped with new chef since Nov 2017 👈 click)

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Restaurant name: Dining Place by Chef Heman
Address: Level 4, Mandarin Gallery, 333A Orchard Road, 238897
GPS: 1°18'08.0"N 103°50'12.0"E | 1.302225, 103.836653
Hours: 11:00am to 10:00pm

Non Halal

Date visited: 27 July 2017

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