TRIPLE THREE

Mandarin Orchard Singapore, Level 5, 333 Orchard Road, S(238867)

TEL: 6831 6288/71 This sprawling restaurant with numerous seating sections feels a little like a lobby lounge in its ambience—which isn’t surprising, since it’s located right by the hotel’s check-in counter. Interiors have rich carpeting, woven nylon chairs and solid, cut-out wood screens between the various areas. In comparison to the ample seating, the buffet offers a somewhat limited spread, with two short rows carrying an assortment of cuisines—japanese, Indian, a pasta station, seafood and cuts of cooked meat. Among the standout dishes are the crispy, light tempura (prawn, mushrooms, carrots), the tender rib-eye and the honeybaked ham, as well as a decent spread of cheese. For a buffet restaurant, the wine and drinks list is fairly extensive, with a good selection of bottles from the old and new world, and a sommelier on hand to unearth the best pairings. Service is extremely efficient and polite, and the staff are quick to clear plates subtly and quietly.