Ms Skinnyfat

What was once The Forbidden City is now VLV Restaurant, a restaurant- club lounge- courtyard-riverside dining spot. Well let's just focus on their food shall we?  restaurant that focuses on traditional Cantonese flavours.  Executive Head Chef Martin Foo whips up modern plates that take reference from traditional Cantonese flavors in his menu, and the restaurant has launched three new Lunch Sets—‘Creations’ ($48/pax; min 2 pax), ‘Tasting’ ($98/4 pax; max 2 sets/grp), and ‘Signatures’ ($138/4 pax; max 2 sets/grp).

From the Signatures menu, the cold starter Aburi Kagoshima Kurobuta Roll did not impress (a little dry) as much as Calamari Rings. Do not scoff at fried food. With a crunchy batter and thick juicy rings of squid, how can I not fall in love with these golden rings?

The radioactive green Crab Meat Spinach Soup may put you off but it's rich and tasty, and definitely green. 

Steamed to the precise second, the Coral Trout Head & Belly had me going for second third helpings. Fresh and chunky white fish dressed in black garlic and black bean, and garnished with Chinese coriander may be typical of a Cantonese steamed fish, but the charm was the surprise silky sheets of beancurd skin beneath the fish!

Claypot Prawns cooked with ginger scallion and dried chili can be addictive with its intense flavours. The sweet spicy gravy from the prawns is absorbed by the chewy bed of glass noodles. What carbs? I’m still having seconds!

Using 45 days-old duck is the secret to VLV’s signature Roasted Crispy Duck. Expect tender and succulent meat in this one.

Thank goodness the flavours of kimchi in Kimchi Seafood Fried Rice was not what I had frightfully imagined. Instead, beautiful spices popped with every mouthful of fried rice with crispy shallots, onsen egg, succulent prawns and scallops.

The dessert, Roselle Flower Osmanthus Jelly, is presented like a piece of art (i love the calligraphy!). The light and refreshing dessert has a lovely sweetness and the touch of mint jazzed up the amazing jelly.

Psst. If there’s still tummy space, order the Orh Nee ($12/portion) from the ala carte menu. One word: Speechless.

VLV Singapore

3A River Valley Road #01-02 Singapore 179020

Tel: +65 6661 0197

Restaurant opens daily, 12-3pm (lunch) and 6-11pm (dinner).