When it comes to food, I don't expect the royal treatment, but when I get it, I know I'm in for a treat. HOOKED warns you not to salivate (alright, at least not too much) over what you are going to see next, because with the imperial service, comes a majestic price too.
Standing at the entrance to the newly opened Chinese fine dining restaurant Huang Ting, located at The Central, Clarke Quay, I had to take a step back and compose myself. At first sight, its black and white interior exudes a highly sophisticated and classy charm, which can be rather intimidating to a financially inactive undergraduate like myself.
However, all thoughts of inferiority were dispelled the moment we were being led to our seats, as the servers carefully attended to our needs. If the impeccable service were not enough to elevate our status, the food sure did ascend us to heaven.
 According to Ms Emily Kwok, Director of Huang Jia (which opened a month earlier at Kallang Leisure Park) and Huang Ting, the latter's location within the Central Business District implies that their target patrons are more geared towards corporate personnel, as well as catering for company functions.
Yet this does not mean that it doesn't have a place for poor students like us. In order to craft a menu more suitable for our peers, we have refrained ourselves from ordering the more pricey set meals, which range from S$38++ to S$58++, and specifically chosen a wide array of the more affordable dimsum dishes (S$3.80 - S$4.80 per serving) to slowly savour its taste.
Before our dishes arrived, a sweet-tasting complimentary mocktail and a slightly spicy top-shell appetizer were served. When queried about their ingredients, Ms Kwok explained that the dish offered as an appetizer, as well as the recipe for the mocktail, are not permanent fixtures, and change according to the season.
No matter, since our real focus is on the dimsum. Six baskets of dimsum were sampled, including Steamed Fresh Prawn Dumpling 白云鲜虾饺 (S$4.80 - 4 pieces per serving), Steamed Scallop Dumpling with Pea Shoots 豆苗带子饺 (S$4.80 - 3 pieces per serving), Baked Custard Egg Tarts 香叶烘蛋挞 (S$3.80 - 4 pieces per serving), Crispy Prawn Dumpling with Mayonnaise 沙律明虾角 (S$4.80 - 3 pieces per serving), Steamed Rice Roll with Fresh Scallops 带子蒸肠粉 (S$4.80 per serving) and Crispy Prawn Roll with Banana 香蕉柳丝卷 (S$3.80 - 3 pieces per serving).
While all were scrumptious and delectable, the ones that left a lasting impression on our taste buds would have to be the Steamed Scallop Dumpling with Pea Shoots 豆苗带子饺 (S$4.80 - 3 pieces per serving) and Baked Custard Egg Tarts 香叶烘蛋挞 (S$3.80 - 4 pieces per serving).
The former, topped with crunchy fish roe and fresh scallop, wrapping the juicy pea shoots with a thin piece of dumpling skin, is a light tasting dish, which makes a refreshing change from the usual meat-heavy filling in dimsum dishes.
The egg tarts, on the other hand, have a wonderfully flaky crust, filled with smooth, rich egg custard that surprisingly does not taste sickeningly sweet, but so densely succulent you can literally slurp it up at one go.
If you don't find these mini dishes satisfying enough, you must (if you can) try their signature dish - Imperial Special Roasted Crispy Chicken 御皇吊烧鸡 (S$16 - half) - which is meticulously prepared to ensure its skin is crisp, while the meat remains tender and juicy.
Another favourite is the Fried Rice with Fresh Crab Meat, Egg White and Dried Scallops 脆贝水晶蟹肉炒饭 (S$24 per serving). The key to a plate of tasty fried rice lies in the freshness of its ingredients and Huang Ting certainly does not disappoint. Even before sending a spoonful into my mouth, the fragrance emanating from the dish was so tantalising that despite having a full stomach, I knew there was no way I could give up the opportunity to try it.
And what better way to end a hearty meal than with a delicious, light-tasting dessert - Cream of Pumpkin with Ice-cream 雪糕金瓜露 (S$6 per person)? While the pumpkin paste itself may taste a little bland, the addition of a scoop of vanilla ice cream into the mixture helps to enhance the taste of the dessert, adding a tinge of sweetness into it.
Yes, the total cost of dining in such a fancy restaurant may be a little steep for undergraduates like us, but who says we need to pay for ourselves? Bring your family along to Huang Ting for a sumptuous dimsum breakfast, as the restaurant has large, round tables catering such needs. Boys, if you want to impress your in-laws, you know where to go!
Bear in mind that you are not just paying for the gratifying meal, polished décor, immaculate service, soothing ambience and the lovely view overlooking the Singapore River, but also a heart-warming dining experience with your loved ones.
Now, that's priceless. hooked
Huang Ting
6 Eu Tong Sen Street, The Central #04-63.
Tel: 6410-9750
www.huang.com.sg
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