MELT CAFÉ

Mandarin Oriental Singapore, Level 5, 5 Raffles Avenue, Marina Square, S(039797)

TEL: 6885 3500

The buffet restaurant sits on the fifth floor of the fan-shaped hotel. It’s a multilevel functional space with jazzy carpets, walls that look like textured bark that are enlivened by soft watercolour paintings of leaves and flowers, a few artfully placed orchids, glass panels and recessed spot lighting. The food variety is impressive, but there are a couple of standouts that you should focus on if you’re worried about stomach space. These include the outstanding seafood-on-ice counter, with super-fresh oysters, prawns, lobsters and mussels that come with unexpected accompaniments such as mint-coriander sauce. The sushi and sashimi counter has rich salmon belly among the fine tuna and salmon cuts and rolls. Save space for the small but thoughtful cheese selection and desserts, where the top pick among the many choices is the nutty, crunchy chocolate fondant cake. The wine selection is decent, while service is as expected from a five-star hotel.