Daniel Park

Electrical engineer turned globetrotting singer, songwriter, guitarist, pop violinist and musician, in residence at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore

“I usually eat out, but sometimes, I just want to cook. It’s like another creative outlet, like creating music – you have to put all the elements together to get it right and sometimes, you mess up, so you have to practise and try again”

Where’s the Beef?

“Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen at Caesars Palace Las Vegas Hotel and Casino – I met some new friends after a show and they invited me to dinner. Oh my god, the beef Wellington was awesome. I don’t know how the chefs do it – it’s a miracle of science. How do they get the dough so perfect and the beef so tender? It’s witchcraft right there.”

Green Fairy

“I used to perform at Aria Resort & Casino in Las Vegas,” says Park, whose most recent residency was at Bellagio Las Vegas. “In the restaurant Sage, there’s the absinthe cart from which absinthes are served – one of the serving methods involves a cold-water spout and a sugar cube. Absinthe isn’t what I usually go for, but it

was a cool experience. I’ll try anything once!”

Tea at Chihuly Lounge

Park, who does two afternoon sets on Sundays at Colony and three late-night sets per night from Tuesday to Saturday at Chihuly Lounge, sat down with us for the latter’s new 8-Course Festive Afternoon Tea (available weekdays from noon to 5pm, until January 4, 2019). “I really like the pistachio-and-cranberry scone. The nuts bring that crunch and the scone is the right texture; it’s soft on the inside. A lot of scones can be dry, but this one isn’t. The smoked turkey, cucumber and cheese sandwich is definitely interesting – with cucumber on the outside, it tones and cools the palate before the cheese and ham flavours hit. And for the smoked salmon, egg mayonnaise and salmon roe on brioche bun, the salmon roe gives an extra bite of saltiness when it pops.”

Home Town

Glory

“If I had to sing for my dinner – which I have done actually! – I’d do it at my friend Natalie Young’s restaurant Eat, in downtown Las Vegas. I would sit with her in front of her restaurant and sing songs to patrons while they wait for a seat inside. The food isn’t the fanciest, but it’s so good, there’s always a line. As for the song, I’d pick Hotel

California because everyone in line would sing along.”