Not to be mistaken as a French-Chinese fusion concept, Racines at Sofitel Singapore City Centre serves both French and refined local Chinese cuisine—there are two separate menus, with separate cooking stations. This Lunar New Year period, their Chinese menu takes centerstage as Master Chef Andrew Chong dishes out some of the best festive dishes I’ve tasted this season.

Top of the must-try list from the establishment's first-ever CNY menu is their brilliant Pen Cai. What's special about Sofitel's Seafood Abalone Treasure Pot with Braised Cabbage and Black Moss is their use of roasted Kurobuta pork, roasted French duck breast, pan-seared Hokkaido scallops (instead of braised), and addition of truffles for an extra touch of luxe—all at an absolute steal of only $198.

Other standouts include Sofitel’s Signature Eight Treasures Yusheng ($188), a light yet textured mix of ingredients—baby abalone, fried fish skin, crispy silver fish, lobster roulade, homemade cured salmon, hamachi, jellyfish and ikura—pulled together with a bright and zingy Yuzu dressing.

Our table of diners were also very impressed with the Tamari-glazed Baked Black Cod Fillet, Edamame and Seasonal Greens on a bed of rich braised sauce and the excellent Slow-cooked French Corn-fed Chicken—flavourful, tender chicken topped with a very tasty, comforting scallion relish and oyster sauce.

Racines’ Lunar New Year set menus start from $68 per person, which is also one of the most affordable amongst luxury hotels, and is available from 1 February to 2 March 2018. Enjoy 10% off for reunion menus and takeaways booked before 7 February 2018.

If you’re game, try also the warm 'Red Blossom’ Cocktail ($14), concocted by Head Mixologist Michael Mendoza from the adjacent bar, featuring traditional ingredients like wolfberries, red dates, Chinese and American ginseng.

This was an invited media tasting session, though all views expressed are my own.

Racines
Address: Level 5, Sofitel Singapore City Centre, 9 Wallich Street, Singapore 078885
Tel: +65 6428 5000