[Review] Uncovering a Hidden Omakase by Michelin-trained Chef Elson Lee at Grand Copthorne Waterfront

Most diners associate the Grand Copthorne Waterfront in Singapore with its extensive and popular quality buffet spreads. We have always enjoyed dining at their buffet and honestly had no idea they offered such an exclusive setup. Tucked away on the ground floor by the picturesque Singapore River is an intimate culinary secret waiting to be discovered.

This recent addition to The Lobby Lounge delivers an exquisite sequence of flavours meticulously designed by Michelin trained Chef Elson Lee.

Chef Elson Lee

Boasting 28 years of culinary experience, we found Chef Elson to be exceptionally friendly and engaging when we went down for a dinner tasting earlier this month. Throughout our meal, he eagerly shared his passion for his craft as well as his culinary journey to get to where he is now.

The menu offers two beautifully composed journeys named Ten 天 (S$98++) and Ku 空(S$138++). If you can read Kanji, the two characters 天空 collectively refer to Sky.

We were treated to the Ten seven course menu, with some seasonal tweaks and modifications from Chef Elson.

We started off the meal with a serving of a chilled, sake-like drink featuring Okinawan smoked salmon roe; an interesting way to start our omakase experience.

Next came a beautifully plated dish featuring cured salmon, served together with sea snail, presenting two different textures and flavour profiles that blend harmoniously.

The Sashimi Kombu Jime followed, featuring a selection of seasonal, freshly sliced raw seafood, curated by Chef Elson. It was joy watching Chef Elson’s skillful knife work as he expertly slice through the raw seafood to present them forward at their best.

Here, a special seaweed is used that has beauty properties, showcasing the attention to details, right to the garnishes.

Warm comfort arrived next in the form of Chef Elson’s signature Chawanmushi Hotate Ankake. Unlike traditional egg custard recipes, this version is made entirely from egg whites. This meticulous technique resulted in an incredibly soft and silky texture that is more like a soup than custard, complemented well by the hidden scallop at the bottom.

Next, the Shiso Somen provided a wonderfully refreshing interlude. Served chilled, the noodles were accompanied by bright ikura that had been steeped in sake, offering a satisfying, boozy pop of flavour with every bite.

This was followed by a marinated eggplant dish, served together with Chef Elson’s cured fish tofu paste, made with 7 different kinds of crabs and fishes.

Chef Elson revealed that the premium fish paste was carefully cured for seven days, dramatically enhancing its natural umami. When you bite into the paste, there is a immediate explosion of seafood flavours that leaves you pondering how many seafood items you just savoured all at once.

Next came an assortment of pickled items, carefully prepared by Chef Elson himself. These were served together with a skillfully hand-crafted tamago that was made and served from scratch during dinner itself.

A comforting serving of Chef Elson’s homemade miso soup followed, cleansing the palate for the next highlight.

The meal culminated in a masterful selection of five Nigiri pieces, prepared fresh by Chef Elson on the spot.

The chef pairs his carefully aged fish with house blended Niigata rice. To elevate the sushi, the rice was seasoned with a proprietary mix of red and white vinegar that the chef proudly ferments himself.

To conclude our elegant dining experience, the Dessert of the Day featured a unique charcoal infused fish shape jelly. Chef Elson explained that the dish was infused with charcoal smoke for 18 hours to achieve a profound and lingering depth of flavour.

This playful yet sophisticated sweet treat perfectly encapsulated the creativity of the entire evening. If you are interested to try out Chef Elson’s hidden omakase, booking is required at least three days in advance to secure your seats. The omakase is available for both lunch and dinner and each seating is designed to accommodate up to 6 guests comfortably.

For booking of two of more, you enjoy a 10% discount off your total bill. MyMillennium members enjoy 20% off when dining in a group of 4 or more.

More details are available via the official website.

Address:
Ground Floor, Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore
392 Havelock Road
Singapore 169663

Opening Hours:
Lunch 12.00PM to 3.00PM
Dinner 6.00PM to 9.00PM

Contact:
+65 8168 1553

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