PUBLISHED December 2nd, 2011 04:32 pm | UPDATED February 28th, 2021 06:49 am
I don’t really fancy buffets because the quality of food usually isn’t up to mark and I tend to overeat. But 10@Claymore is really something. This is the second time in 2 months I’ve been back at here. The first was for my brother’s birthday, and this time – it was for mine.
Hidden in little-known Pan Pacific Orchard, there were not many diners with us. Maybe its because it is still relatively new and under the radar, and so has not yet been marred by the evils of commercialization. The ambience is cozy and tranquil – with just the right amount of classiness that doesn’t feel overly pretentious.
Their Sunday dinner buffet offers a small but satisfying spread that concentrates on dishing up quality over quantity. You can find your regular sashimi – salmon, tuna and octopus. Salmon is very fresh, almost rivaling that of Japanese buffets. Didn’t care very much for the other two, which were a tad chewy. Other cold selections include fresh prawns, mussels and giant lobster claws/bodies. The giant lobster bodies were snapped up almost instantly as soon as they were refilled. The beautiful red shells boasted sweet succulent lobster flesh beneath. I am pretty particular about my seafood, and these were really good.
They also had a live oyster shucking station, but oysters ain’t really my kinda thing. Mom and Pop were happily slurping up their money’s worth though.
There was the usual salad/condiment section which offered a variety of greens; the bread section; mushroom soup (which was not bad but didn’t want to waste space); and……..of course…..the CHEESE section. Ah the love of my life. A must have in all buffets I’d say. There were 8 kinds, enough to pacify, but no harm in having more variety.
Their hot dishes, from the 2 experiences, are quite mediocre. Mostly consisting of vege/carby/Chinese dishes – I usually just skip this. Unless of course there is something good on offer that day, like the lamb chops during the second trip – which were surprisingly tasty and tender.
But the main attraction of 10@Claymore’s buffet is their Plates of Pleasure. These are tiny portioned ala carte plates that can be ordered in unlimited quantities. These are available only during dinner and Sunday brunch, and the dishes are changed regularly.
One of the best dishes of the night. Cooked to perfection, it literally put the tender in tender-loin. Yielding to the gentle sawing of my knife, it was a joy to eat. Paired with the surprisingly addictive red onion jam, it was a match made in heaven.
The Kangaroo was a little tough – I think maybe its because Kangaroo meat is tough anyway. But braised in rich tomato stew, it was flavorful enough for me to order thirds. Okay.. maybe I was just a sucker for the delish pumpkin and beetroot mash that it came with.
The other 3 plates, however, were nothing much to shout about. Not like they were bad – but unagi is just unagi, you can get way better chilli crab elsewhere, and the snapper’s flavour combi didn’t really appeal to me. The fish was also overcooked, leaving it dry and unappetizing.
They had a pretty sizeable range of desserts. There was also a live crepe station where you can choose any topping you like. The durian filling was the most popular at our table. But I’m not a dessert person, so I always skip the desserts.
But that being said, their rum and raisin ice cream is TODIEFOR. Seriously. I kid you not. I never eat ice cream, ever. But I ate 3 bowls of it. Plus free flow of toppings (nuts nuts nuts) – simply divine.
Not only is 10@Claymore serving up food that is of quality, the level of service is also impeccable. Servers are polite and efficient, clearing plates and refilling water with an occasional ‘how is the food, ma’am?’ And I could not sing enough praises for the manager – who took extra effort to make my birthday special. He even brought a birthday cake (even though I don’t eat cake, it was sweet of him) and sang a birthday song for me. More of hollered actually – I could swear the whole hotel heard it.
Great food, great service, great ambience. For $52++/pax, and a 3+1 promotion from Citibank/UOB, this is one buffet that offers value for money.
I’ll definitely be back.
Written by M.