MELT Adds BBQ to Buffet!

I've always thought of MELT as a buffet place that's hard to top. It's got so much variety, I couldn't ask for more. Well, I think they just outdid themselves. They've added specialty barbeque items to their dinner buffet Thursdays to Saturdays, and to their magnificent Sunday brunch. There is now an outdoor spit-roast oven and grill, along with the newly refurbished terrace now offering seats in a lush garden setting. And speaking of BBQ, Happy Fourth of July to those celebrating! 

Let's check out the new items first. The best item we tried - probably the tenderloin filet steak. How beautifully done! They also have homemade sausages, fat and juicy. But meat is not the only thing on the barbeque. There are grilled portobello mushrooms with truffle oil, aubergines with pesto, beef tomatoes with basil oil, and sliced onions.




For seafood, you must try the grilled slipper lobster. So sweet, warm and tender...I don't think I want to eat the chilled version anymore! There's grilled mackerel too. It's not my favourite fish, but they did a pretty good job with it.



Roast suckling pig from the spit-roast oven. This is the French style, I presume. The flesh is tender and moist, but somehow I could not get over the strong "milk-fed" gamey taste. Much prefer Chinese-style suckling pig.

The spit-roast rotates items on a daily basis. They have spring chicken available all three days, but the daily specials will be pork knuckles, suckling pig and baby spareribs or rack of lamb. (Note to self: must find out which day pork knuckles are on!)




The new Chef de Cuisine, Jason Tan, also included satay on the menu. Good meaty sticks, served with pineapple, cucumber and onions.




I was glad to see the regular roast meats are still there, in addition to the BBQ.

As for the rest of the original buffet items - there is really just so much, I had trouble whittling down my 200+ photos to just these highlights.



One of my favourite stations is the French farm cheeses. For the dinner buffet, the cheese board is a scaled down version, compared to the Sunday brunch one.



My cheese platter. Yes, I tried everything! My favourite is the Coulommier from Seine-et-Marne, but it is not for everyone. This may be a Brie, but it's one with character - it tastes more like Camembert!



This is new! And I am glad to see it! Parma ham, so delicious.




I finally got to try the fresh seafood array this time (previous trip too busy taking photos!). Take your pick from generously replenished snow crab, Canadian lobster, tiger prawns, oysters, scallops, and other treats. UMAI!!!



Smoked salmon too!



Cha soba, soba and somen, with pickles and condiments. The Japanese station has the usual sushi and sashimi.



Lots of appetisers and salads, both Asian and International. Here are some anti pasti - artichoke, red bell peppers, aubergines and olives. There is also duck rillete, smoked duck breast, liver pate, jellied seafood terrine, salami and cold cuts.



MELT serves some gorgeous Indian fare too. Northern Indian delights and tandoori fresh from the clay oven.



The Indian fare alone could fill you up good and proper!



The European mains are more than decent too. Roasted duck breast, osso bucco, grilled salmon, just to name a few.

The Asian mains are mostly Thai-inspired, with a couple of signature items from Cherry Garden upstairs.



Get your vegetables here. My ever favourite sauteed haricot verts.



There is so much here, it's impossible to try everything, but I really liked the seafood in cream paired with the beautiful rice (top right corner). Cream and carbo - comfort food personnified.



And now for dessert.



MELT has enough desserts for a separate buffet on its own! Their Sunday brunch has even more goodies, actually. I miss the rose ispahan and white macarons, but at least the ultra-decadent Manjari chocolate cake is still here.



My all-time favourite is still their excellent homemade ice-cream and a la minute crispy waffles. Add on lashings of Nutella, caramel, crispy chocolate beads, thick fruit preserves and whipped cream. Whatever toppings you like. And indulge in a child-like smile.

My heartfelt thanks to Kelly Tan and Chef Eric Teo of the Mandarin Oriental once again for this invitation. Aromacookery and I had a wonderful time dining here with our partners, and we were the last to leave!


Prices for Buffets with Sizzling BBQ

• Thu – Sat Dinner Buffet $78++ (Sizzling BBQ Selection)
• Sunday Brunch Buffet $98++ and S$138 inclusive of unlimited flow of Champagne, cocktails, beer and cocktails (check it out here)

MELT - THE WORLD CAFE
5 Raffles Avenue
4F The Oriental Singapore
Tel: +65 6885 3082