Weekend dim sum brunch at Jade (Fullerton Hotel)

Early last month, I received a Fullerton newsletter promoting Jade's weekend dim sum brunch. See right for photo (click to see bigger version).

This is the dim sum brunch that I always hear is solidly booked for weeks. Wow, does this mean I can finally get seats now? That was both good and not so good at the same time. Good because I can finally try the well-raved dim sum buffet, but not so good because falling demand usually has its reasons.

Well, I thought Jade would have a certain standard to uphold, and I was just too curious. Anyway, it seemed a steal at only S$28++ per person (for the 11.30am - 1.15pm sitting) or S$33++ (for the 1.45pm - 3.30pm sitting).



I guess those who go for buffets deserve what they get. Copious quantities but debatable quality. Even with tempered expectations, the meal turned out to be decent but not dashing. What really tested our patience was the slow service. It was hard to get the servers' attention (I put up my hand and counted a full 15 seconds once, before I got someone), and food came really slowly. I'm easy-going enough to accept that, but it was tough managing two hungry and fidgety toddlers.




Well, there were some highlights. Most of the dim sum is competent, and some even with a touch of luxury.

Deep-fried taro paste wrapped with truffle and mushroom (wu kok). This worked pretty well, with a strong enough hint of truffle in the filling.




But certain standard items like the crystal prawn dumpling was surprisingly average. Floury skin and middling prawns (not really crystal-style).




Steamed Xiao Long Bao with Foie Gras. Yes, you can taste the foie gras - it is not overwhelming, but just enough to lend flavour. We had seconds.




Steamed custard buns - the salted egg yolk custard was tasty, just not "flowy" or liquid enough.




More luxury in the form of steamed abalone siew mai. I'm not fond of abalones, so this was lost on me.




There were some interesting appetisers and mains with the brunch. Crispy honey vinaigrette sliced sea bass - deep-fried fish laced with a delicious tangy sauce.




Stewed beef brisket with bean sauce. The tenderly thin slices are quite addictive. Gone in a flash.




Deep-fried golden cheese dumpling - lauded as a signature item, but mozzarella itself is not too flavourful, and there wasn't much seasoning. Cute pear-like presentation, with chewy glutinous rice flour skin like ham sui kok's.




Roasted pork belly with five spice and sea salt. I think you can see it's a little dried up. Probably pre-prepared on plates in the kitchen, but if so, why did it still take so long to come out?




Deep-fried prawn coated with wasabi mayonnaise. Prawns fried a little too dry, and the wasabi mayo is more like a sweet, gooey fruit salsa.




Crispy bean curd with chili fragrant salt. Got this for the kids, which they normally like, but somehow would not touch here. Guess the other stuff is more tempting than tofu!




Steamed beef ball with sun-dried orange peel. Not my favourite item, but hubby seemed to think it unusual.




Steamed scallop dumpling with minced vegetables. It's always good to have some serving of vegetables, but this tasted a little strange. I think it had crushed peanuts in it.




Crispy chicken with dried chili and spiced fragrant salt. Crispy, salty and crunchy. Beer snack!




Sauteed pork ribs in coffee flavour.




Braised pork knuckle with red vinasse - the Fuzhou love marinating meats using red wine lees. I don't normally like this sort of preparation, but this one was very well-executed.




Baked Barbeque Pork Pie or char siew sou. Again, competently done, but by now I was too full to really savour it much.




The menu includes lot of carbo choices, should you not be satiated yet by all the freeflow dimsum. Wok-fried egg noodles with shredded chicken in superior soy sauce - simple but oddly satisfying. The kids loved this.




Dessert is really simple, only a few selections, both hot and cold. The Mango Sago with Honeydew and Ice cream looks messy but is quite delicious.



Warm 8 Treasure Cheng Tng - not to everyone's taste, but I liked this one for its clear and comforting herbal flavours.



There are about 50 items on the menu, including a single serve of sharks fin soup, and other soups. Not everything is stellar, and the service seriously needs improvement. But honestly, you can't argue with the price for a spread like this, and at a place like this.

JADE
Level 1 Fullerton Hotel
1 Fullerton Square
Singapore 049178
Tel: +65 6877-8188

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