MITZO RESTAURANT & BAR

Level 4, Grand Park Orchard, S(238857) T 6603-8855

Mitzo at Grand Park Orchard has been under the radar for some time now, but this doesn’t stop us from thoroughly enjoying its modern Cantonese creations.

Dim sum is always a joy here. The Premium Steamed Dim Sum Platter offers plump parcels of har gow crowned with caviar, pork and shrimp siew mai luxed up with baby abalone, and Mitzo’s version of xiao long bao filled with double-boiled duck soup instead of the typical pork stock. The menu also offers deep-fried and vegetarian platters.

Executive head chef Nicky Ng is undoubtedly a genius when it comes to roast meats. His succulent roast duck with perfectly crisp skin is served with truffle sauce, whose subtle taste doesn’t overwhelm the meat. The highlight for us, and we believe for most diners, is the char siew. The juicy barbecued meat has a beautifully caramelised crust with a light crunch from the sugar. We couldn’t get enough of the pork belly with crisp crackling too. Dab some sweet mustard before munching on the succulent meat.

Mitzo’s carb selection is rather extensive with a variety of fried and poached rice, and noodles ranging from udon and hand-pulled noodles to vermicelli. For something decadent, opt for fried rice with live lobster meat in XO sauce or braised live lobster with hand-pulled noodles.

The desserts show great creativity and visual flair. We marvel at the chilled pumpkin puree with sago and yam ice cream topped with a “mysterious” egg pudding – which is actually coconut pudding and mango jelly fashioned as an egg with a golden yolk. The aged red wine jelly with lychee sorbet is a refreshing end to a well-executed lunch.

Throughout the meal, we experience excellent service from the personable waitresses. They are pleasant, attentive, and conversant in English (unlike many other Chinese restaurants in town).

The dramatic setting with coloured glass panels may seem kitsch for some, but this is an ideal place for business lunches as the tables are set far apart enough to allow private conversations.

(below left) Feast on chef Nicky Ng’s modern Cantonese creations.

1880’s 22,000 sq ft space includes an all-day restaurant and bar. The Double at 1880 is a cafe by day and cocktail bar by night. (below right) Mitzo’s quiet ambience is ideal for business lunches away from the crowds.