[dropcap size=small]W[/dropcap]e understand the challenge of business lunches: you need speed; you need consistent, familiar flavours that won’t be a shock to any party’s palate; and you have nary time for flipping through those dauntingly expansive menus. So, few business diners at Cantonese restaurants stray far from the formulaic trinity of a barbecued meat platter, double-boiled soups and wasabi prawns. While popular classics are competently executed at Cherry Garden, a little bit of adventurous ordering brings delicious rewards.

Unique dim sum items like these flaky dumplings filled with succulent escargot are served for lunch at Mandarin Oriental’s elegant Cherry Garden.

Take the unlikely dim sum item of escargot dumpling: bite-sized parcels of pastry each encasing a meaty, perfectly seasoned nugget. The delicate brittleness of the flaky pastry contrasts wonderfully with the succulence of the escargot, making this addictive item a showcase of technical sophistication and ingenuity. A handful of rustic dishes also impressed, thanks to precise execution and the use of high-quality ingredients, such as the kurobuta pork rice in a warm superior broth. The dish has comforting qualities of home-cooked soul food. Yet the rich umami flavour in the almost-milky broth and the natural sweetness  of the slivers of premium pork elevate it from the usual muifan (rice in gravy), making it a luxurious treat.

What leaves an impression is the finesse of the service. Special requests are readily accommodated, such as an order of a quarter of a roast duck, when the menu only offers it as half and whole birds. And, when we asked to try the kurobuta rice dish after a long and large meal, our server took the initiative to make it a special order of a mini portion, which divided out perfectly for two. The genuine hospitality crowns the dining experience at Cherry Garden, and makes it a restaurant we’ll be eager to return to. Setting-wise, the restaurant offers a serene and elegant oriental setting, which is suitable for business lunches or special family dinners.


CHERRY GARDEN
Level 5 Mandarin Oriental Singapore, S(039797)
T 6885-3500

The full list of Singapore’s Best at
G Restaurant Awards 2017.

All tastings conducted incognito with esteemed members of G’s Food Panel.