Weekendin Singapore Feb '14 | Issue 11 | Page 34

intheTASTE intheTASTE intheTASTE Morton’s The Steakhouse Nestled within the enclave of hotels, lies a gem of an all-American steakhouse. While there may be a myriad of similar grills within the area, this one would certainly leave you with an impression so strong, you literally heft it back home in you. Located on the fourth level of Mandarin Oriental Singapore, Morton’s Steakhouse Singapore has been in business for many years now and has remained as one of the most revered steakhouse in Singapore. The steaks served are cooked to perfection. Morton’s Bar and the main diner are at different locations, providing an opportunity to walk up an appetite before the dinner. A wonderful predinner nip would be to head down to the bar that is right above the main diner, for their classic Appletini and Lychee Martini. If you are a bit more adventurous, the highly recommended is the Chocotini. Presented as an opaque creamy milk drink, the Chocotini has melted chocolate swirled into the bottom of the glass, with not the usual one but three ounces of spirit added into the simple yet lethal concoction. If alcohol is not your cup of tea, there are other non-alcoholic drinks that the house serves too. To top the experience off, the house serves a free flow of filet mignon sandwiches that pairs perfectly well with any drink from the menu. A short walk down from the bar lands you in the restaurant. In it, a soft warm ambience coupled with dimmed chandeliers that line the ceiling, welcomes diners into the hall. An open concept kitchen that is situated at the far right of the diner oversees the expanse of the restaurant. The first dish of the evening was the Baked Seafood Platter that consisted of Jumbo Shrimp Alexander, Jumbo Lump Crab Cake, Broiled Sea Scallops and Oysters Rockerfeller. The chef tenderly prepared each item in the dish and the definite highlight of the dish had to be the Broiled Sea Scallops. They were prepared carefully so as not to overcook the delicate shellfish. The seafood paired well with the accompanying dips, however, they were equally good eaten alone. Providing an exceptional taste, the lobster bisque is prepared with an explosive mix of blended lobster shells and other fine ingredients. The creamy texture of it makes it very easy on the palate, leaving you craving for more. Morton’s Steakhouse only uses a fine selection of prime cut beef from the United States (USDA) and Australia (Black Angus). The restaurant spares no expense by selecting only the prime grade for their beef selections. The result of such would mean that the marbling of the fats in the meat is high, making it extremely tender. All of Morton’s steaks are wet marinated in a vacuumed sealed bag for sixty days before serving, allowing for penetration of the seasoning and high moisture retention in the meat. Weekendin 34 The Centre Cut Filet Mignon, taken from the smaller end of the tenderloin, is the most tender cut of the beef and also the most desired especially among the ladies. Succulent as it is, medium-rare doneness is highly recommended for it. The Centre Cut Prime Ribeye and their Signature Cut Prime New York Strip were equally good too. The surface of the steak is decorated with charred lines from the grill it came from and the juiciness from every bite is evident as a light smoky initial taste brings out the beefy flavour of the steak. Unlike the Filet Mignon, the consistency of the meat is dependent on the amount of surrounding fats, therefore every slice brings a different texture. While there were other preparations available for the steak like Cajun and Five Peppercorn Rubbed, the lightly salted version was exceptional. Before placing the dessert order, the server brings you a silver serving tray with a selection of fresh desserts prepared daily to choose from. The best were selected and we were presented with Creme Brulee, New York Cheese Cake and of course, the one and only, Morton’s Legendary Hot Chocolate Cake. Paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and raspberries, this sweet yet sinful cake was simply delicious. This decadent dish is suitable for singular or group consumption but the former is recommended as the irresistibile thick molten chocolate that flows out when you cut the cake is too much to give up. Creme Brulee is also another highly anticipated dish with the layer of sugar on top carefully caramelised with a mini-blowtorch to a thick crunchy layer, sealing the pale coloured light creme beneath. The crème brulee is very smooth and light on the palate as it melts in the mouth leaving a sweet yet supple aftertaste. As much as the food goes, the ambience and the staff at Morton’s never fail to disappoint. It is definitely a place where memories are created and the palate pleased. Morton’s Steakhouse Singapore is a place to visit at least once in your lifetime. Morton’s The Steakhouse Mandarin Oriental Singapore | Fourth Storey | 5 Raffles Avenue | Singapore 039797 | T 6339 3740 | www.mortons.com 35 Weekendin