Kopi talk Lunch at Tiffany?

Thanks Gabriel in Philippine hardly any Singapore Restaurant and cafe
Being a Singaporean (i.e. biologically predisposed to loving food), I’ve always liked the ideas of international buffets. After all, what’s not to like? Different styles of cuisines to ensure there’s something for everyone, loads of different dishes and, most importantly, a free flow of said dishes. The only prices with such buffets (especially the ones located in hotels) are their astronomical prices.

Thus, when I found out that Tiffany Café & Restaurant at Furama Hotel was having a one-for-one lunch buffet (another type of food phenomena ubiquitous to the Singaporean food culture) for UOB card holders, I quickly grabbed a few friends to head down for a try. Although the online reviews had been pretty damning, nothing could stand in the way between me and cheap, buffet fare.

I have to say, though, that when I first stepped in and had a go-round to take a look at the food, I feared the reviews were spot-on. Not only was the range very limited (I had thought that there was another entire section somewhere and got a shock when I was realized that was it), the selection seemed geared towards local standards like chicken rice and char kway teow (a.k.a. cheap food) and even buffet standards like the salmon sashimi looked anemic. Thankfully, it was apparently one of those proverbial books that could not be judged by its cover.

Although most of the food looked mediocre, if not downright unappetizing, the quality was actually pretty decent. The sashimi dishes in particular were surprisingly tasty. The salmon sashimi packed a solid bite and a strong but not overwhelming taste while the smoked salmon was just nicely done, with a fantastic texture and taste. The apple salad, too, was fantastic, with a complimentary blend of mild sweetness and tangy sourness.

The local delights (labeled as “Chef’s Specialties") were pretty good too. The chicken rice was fragrant, with chicken done just right, and the laksa packed a wallop of coconut goodness. The kebabs, too, was chewy and not overcooked.

The most surprising, and best, part of the meal had to be the desserts. Although the dessert section was pretty small, only comprising a table and a counter, almost every single one we tried was tantalizing. Some of the mini-cups filled with all sorts of berry-flavoured desserts were a tad weird-tasting, the fondue had a thick and sweet chocolate base, the chocolate mousse was a tasty concoction of light, frothy chocolate cream and the bread pudding was strong and sweet.

The two standouts, though, were definitely the durian pengat and the cream puffs. The durian pengat, apparently some sort of durian paste, was fantastically strong-tasting, packed full of durian bits and chocolate chips (which went surprisingly well with the dish) and we kept going back for seconds. The cream puffs were just the right amount of soft on the outside (without being soggy) and the cold custard on the inside was, to put it mildly, intense.
Overall, I have to say that, while the selection offered by the restaurant is definitely smaller than most international buffets, the dishes offered are cheap and many could be found in hawker centres and the buffet is definitely not worth the full price, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food and, at S$20 a head after counting in the UOB promotion, was pretty worth it, if just for the salmon and desserts alone.
Definitely not for those without a UOB credit card or on a budget, but worth a try for those looking for decent food in the area.
Rating: 3.75 out of 5 stars
Tiffany Café & Restaurant
60 Eu Tong Sen Street
2/F Furama City Centre
Tel: +65 6531 5366