Chef Daniel's Kitchen - Rooftop Dining @ Iluma Bugis

Chef Daniel Koh is one celebrity chef you commonly see on national television and although there are quite a number of them, i have never made the effort to visit the restaurants they helm.

That was until my sisters decided to treat me for a birthday lunch at Chef Daniel's Kitchen - an outfit located on the rooftop of Iluma shopping centre, which is currently going through a major overhaul.

Not that i am complaining as the renovation is practically keeping most people away. And the complex is even throwing in a three-hour complimentary parking during weekdays so long you spend a minimum of S$10 at any of its tenants!

Coming back, i am not a sucker for fine dining and dislike the stiff decorum when eating should be a relaxed business. Having said that, i am no moron when it comes to free treats by loved ones.

Prawn Bisque

I would strongly recommend the 3-course set lunch (from S$23.80-28.80) which includes soup of the day (with bread of course), main entree, dessert of the day and an additional coffee/tea.

Soup of THAT day was prawn bisque; creamy with that unmistakable rich prawn stock. I wasn't disappointed but i have always enjoyed cream of mushroom better.

Ribeye Caesar Palace 

My entree as part of the 3-course set lunch. Usually, i need chilli sauce to go with my steak. However, it was not the case in Chef Daniel's Kitchen.

The medium ribeye tasted almost like the local satay except with a soft tenderness that left me no choice but to slowly savour the flavour - piece by piece. 

Just one feedback; the accompanied salad was way too salty and it is a great pity since it contained one of my favourite white button mushrooms! 

Steamed Chilean Seabass Fillet

Again, i have to reaffirm my aversion to ordering fish when i am dining outside! This dish is for my mom, who  loves to order fish even though she can easily cook it herself.

Nonetheless, this steamed sea bass with an Asian touch gave me the impression of cod fish; albeit of a rougher texture. Amidst the thousands of fish species, cod fish is top on my food list. Seabass shall now take the second spot. 

Stewed Spring Lamb Shank

When this was served, i thought the wrong dish was given. Shouldn't lamb shank have a big bone sticking out somewhere? 

That's when the beauty of consideration sets in - deboned version that makes it so convenient for diners and especially helps in lessening the frustration to get the meat off the bone! 

Swimming in a pool of stew that included red wine, the lamb meat was superbly tender with bites of squiggly tendons that totally hyped the dining experience. And that stuff on top of each "cake" was some kind of savoury, cheesy pastry.

Initially, i told my mom (with a confident tone) it was pineapple. 

=_=

=====

Location

201 Victoria Street, 

 #07-04/05/06, Iluma,

Opening Hours (Daily) 

11.30am to 3pm (Last order at 2.30pm)

6pm to 11pm (Last order at 10.30pm)

Reservation

Call 6509-9888

Price

Prawn Bisque - FOC with 3-course

Ribeye Caesar Palace - S$28.80 (part of 3-course)

Steamed Chilean Seabass Fillet - S$32.00

Stewed Spring Lamb Shank - S$30.00

[Subject to GST and Service Charge]

Additional Information

Despite an exorbitant price tag of S$8.00 a cup, the Chinese teas in Chef Daniel's Kitchen were totally worth every single cent. 

We had West Lake Dragon Well and Snow White Dragon Pearl - both of which were extremely fragrant and unlike the uninspiring tea you get elsewhere, left a gentle nice fragrance in your mouth.

For my dessert (crepes suzette), please click here.