Miss being able to catch the iconic cherry blossoms in bloom in Japan? Apart from catching them at Gardens by the Bay’s annual sakura showcase, you can also check out these dining spots where the celebrated Spring blossom gets the spotlight with these dreamy sakura-themed food, desserts and drinks.
From Mar 14, you can spend a leisurely afternoon tucking into a spread of tempting bites centred around the ethereal sakura over at Conrad Centennial Singapore’s Lobby Lounge.
Your afternoon begins with a complimentary “Sakura Blossom” welcome beverage. Then, to welcome the Spring season, the hotel is presenting a tiered stand of pretty sweet and savoury treats that include savoury bites like Sakura Brioche Skagen (shrimp toast) with tobiko, a Sakura Cream Cheese with Smashed Avocado Toast, and a Sakura Chicken on Tomato Bread Boursin with sakura-infused chutney.
And after you’re done polishing those off, you can satiate your sweet tooth with the likes of a puff with cherry blossom jelly, a sakura tart with wild strawberry compote, and a red velvet sakura mousse with raspberry jam. There are also the obligatory scones, accompanied by homemade strawberry jam and clotted cream. Served free-flow, there’s a selection of Ronnefeldt tea or Brazilian coffee to sip on while you while the afternoon away.
From Mar 14 to May 2, 2022. Two seatings available daily (1pm to 3pm, and 3.30pm to 530pm). $45++ per person on weekdays, and $49++ per person on weekends, inclusive of unlimited Ronnefeldt Tea or Brazilian Coffee. Additional $20++ per person for unlimited Prosecco (two hours only). Available for takeaway or delivery, from $96.30 nett per set (for two persons).
Conrad Centennial Singapore is at 2 Temasek Blvd, Singapore 038982. Visit its website for reservations or more information.
Flipper’s Singapore’s wobbly souffle pancakes now come in a limited-edition Sakura Kiseki edition ($26.80). Each order gets you five pretty pink and fluffy souffle pancakes flanking a centre of homemade mochi-wrapped vanilla ice cream. Ruby chocolate cream and preserved sakura blooms, Chitose strawberries, ruby chocolate, and a sprinkling of strawberry powder finish the delectable plate.
That’s not all. You can accompany your pancakes with a slew of cherry blossom-themed beverages too, from the Iced Sakura Milk ($7.90) to the Hot Sakura Matcha ($7.20) and the Sakura Soda ($8.20).
Flipper’s Singapore is at Bugis Junction, #01-97, Singapore 188966.
If you’re heading down to upscale Japanese restaurant & sushi bar Koma for dinner, make room for its seasonal Sakura Alaska dessert ($38++) that ushers in the Springtime. The spectacular creation comes in various hues of pink includes a flavourful blend of berry sakura sorbet, vanilla bombe, almond biscuits, and white chocolate crunchy rice.
Available from March 12 to 31, 2022, for dinner only. Koma is at #B1-67, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 2 Bayfront Ave, Singapore 018972. Visit its website for reservations or more information.
As part of its Spring Easter Collection for the year, chocolate maker Godiva has unveiled a Sakura Strawberry White Chocolate Praline ($4.50 per piece) which evokes a dreamy pink cherry blossom and is specially created by the brand’s chef chocolatier Jean Apostolou.
Get a box of it as a gift, or mix it up with the rest of the limited-edition Spring Easter chocolates, including the Poussin Praline Croustillant White Chocolate, Poussin Lemon Dark Chocolate and Poussin Milk Chocolate, all in the fun shape of a poussin (chick), all priced at $4.50 per piece.
Available from Mar 17, 2022 at Godiva’s Bugis Junction, ION Orchard, Raffles City, Suntec City and Takashimaya S.C outlets, as well as onlineas well as online.
The experience starts at the Grand Lobby, where a beautiful sakura tree has been installed so you can capture Instagram-worthy moments.
Then it continues when you order a set of the Sakura afternoon tea, presented with an elegant tiered stand. Savouries nod to the flavours of Japan, with options like Beef Sando with Katsu Béchamel; Japanese Omelette with Ikura, starring a classic Japanese folded omelette topped with salmon roe; and the Surimi Sandwich Mayo and Tobiko Egg.
For sweets, you’ll get the likes of Sakura Strawberry Verrine, Red Bean Sakura Ice Cream Monaka and a soft Sakura Roll Cake. You can also opt for a choice of Mariage Frères tea or a Raffles custom-blended coffee.
$98++ per guest, available from now till May 15, 2022, 1pm to 5pm (Mon to Thurs) and 12pm to 6pm (Fri to Sun). Reservations for the Sakura Afternoon Tea experience must be made a day in advance. Raffles Hotel is at 1 Beach Road, Singapore 189673. Visit its website for reservations or more information.
Sakura Afternoon Tea will be unavailable from 11 t0 17 April, during which Easter Afternoon Tea will be offered.
This article originally appeared in Singapore Women's Weekly