OK fine! i finally got to dine at Carousel after failing to make a reservation beforehand for 2whole times!!! This time round, i made my reservation 1week in advance and finally, on my 3rd attempt for reservation, i managed to secure 1.
the Entrance.
Carousel is located next to the entrance of Plaza Royal, a 5-stars hotel which is opposite of Far East Plaza and Beside DFS Galleria. Lunch was at $35+++ per pax, under 5 dines free, while child is priced at $20+++. OCBC credit got an additional 15% discount. Am unclear of other cards though, just ask?
When i got in, i was kinda amazed at the display of utensils, neat and tidy, with a hint of simple class. the table setting it self, was rather well done, am impressed with it, definitely.
The nicely displayed utensils.
The Carousel Dining has a Japanese Section, Seafood Section, Cold dishes section, Salad Sector, Bread and Cheese Section, Soups and Pastries section, Main dishes section, Western Food section, Chinese Food Section, Malay Section, Fruits and dessert section, the Chocolate Fountain and Ice-cream Section, Cakes Section, Fresh Juice Section.
Top it off, there's free Coffee or Tea available too.
This is their Fresh Juices Section. Juices are not complementary though, they charge by per glass of juice. basically, its everything in the restaurant is included in the buffet except for the fresh fruit juice.
The Fresh Fruit Juice Station.
The first eating station, when you enter, would be the Japanese Section where Green Tea Soba, Sashimi of Salmon, Tuna and Yellow Tail is served. There's also various sushi, makis, and you can request from the Chef, no problem. Various small Japanese appertizers are served, although they did not look too appertizing.
The Green Tea Soba ( I dont eat anything with Tea involved), as commented by my sis, was not nice. so skip that, leave your stomach available.
The Sashimi, in my opinion, was just average, its not like yucky, but not really too fantastic, especially its salmon sashimi which most singaporeans eat, and is perhaps the only raw type of fish some will consume, was not pretty. the salmon were sliced too thick, and the thing very wrong with them is that, because they expect each serving of the sashimi to be cleaned out quickly, they actually prepare the next plate, and does not refrigerates it anymore. so as long as the served plate of sashimi is gone, they replenish it almost immediately, but this means the sashimi in waiting is not cold enough when served proper. which is one of the contributing factor why their salmon sashimi was not pretty.
their yellow tail sashimi was great. succulent and fresh. only at times when the sashimi are wiped out fast by the buffet-ers, the replenished yellowtail tend too be a tad cold, a possible sign of not enough time allowed for thawing.(most sashimi are frozen and thawed since SG does not has open seas with good fishes). the yellow tail is nonetheless, recommended though. the tuna is average as with the rest of the tuna most singapore restaurants serve. true good tunas are too good and expensive to be served in a buffet. this tuna is slightly above average, considering average to be slightly dry and flaky tuna. this tuna is smooth and but a little wetter than dry.
The Sashimi. (i could not get a pic, when the new plate was served, right away if not i will be glared upon and stared at by many)
The Sushi Bar. (The Sushi seem great although they had the rice rolled in advance. the ingredients do look fresh enough and it seems that there is quite a variety of ingredients available, other than the usual salmon, tuna, ebi, inari, tomago, there's ika cuttlefish, and various others. i did not try sushi because i do not like sushi, but my uncle who i never see ate a sushi before, ate 3 whole plates of sushi. i guess it should be quite nice? :)
By the way, their service was really very good.
there seem to be up to 3-5 waiters/waitresses attached to the corner which held around 30-40 diners. and they are always up and about refilling your iced water, clearing your plates (even replacing for you span clean utensils) regularly. and they seem only too glad to assist you in your napkin, helping you to unfold and set it in front of you. and if you leave your seat with the napkin on the chair or over the back support or on the table, they will fold it proper and lay it on your left hand side.
And they rushed to get a baby seat for my 1year old cousin when we were first shown the way at the counter. got any questions? ask them, they look so delighted in providing you with answers. and mind you, i think they have got very VERY GOOD SERVICE ATTITUDE because on many occassions when me or others nearly bumped into them (holding many used plates) which is almost 10/10 our carelessness, they never fail to console and relief us of our guilt with a smile and a reminder to us to enjoy our meal. I think this is absolutely excellent! And they are always prepared to serve coffee and tea, included in the buffet price too. but well, i prefer my iced water with excellent service.
The behind the counter coffee making facilities.
and a glimpse of the style of decor.
Now, This entry does seem a bit too long, so i shall split it into 4parts as i always style my food reviews as. so click on the below links to continue. 4parts made me feel more organised and lesser risk that everything's gone should battery runs flat. and i believe it will allow you guys to pause midway, without having to search for the point you stopped next time round. so keep linked!
~ Carousel Buffet. Aw! Main dishes, cold. [Part 2 /4]
~ Hot! Hot! Hot Dishes on Carousel buffet [Part 3 /4]
~ Sweet Secrets. Desserts!!! Carousel [Part 4 /4]
