I love Szechuan cuisine for its bold, spicy flavors, so I was curious about Shisen Hanten’s Japanese take on the beloved Chinese fare. And I’m happy to say I wasn’t disappointed!

Shisen Hanten immediately earned brownie points for its interiors. The golds and reds scream Chinese and give off an upscale, elegant vibe. 

Meanwhile, the muted seat colors balance the expensive look, making the resto feel both classy and homey.

As for the food, let’s say that I was mostly impressed with Chef Kentaro’s attempt to create an adventurous Szechwan lineup. 

He retained the ingredient freshness, composition, and presentation but added the nuanced layer of Japanese cooking. This addition is a welcome twist in my book.

The definite hits for me were the Mapo tofu and the spicy noodle soup—both were rich and invigorating. They were also spicy enough to keep me wanting more. 

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That said, people who prefer tongue-searing spiciness might end up disappointed (like my companion who eats chillis for breakfast), as Shisen Hanten’s dishes could be mild for their standards. 

I also think the restaurant’s pork dishes need some work. I ordered barbecued pork, which was a letdown, as it was chewy.

But overall, the food was excellent. I also think the pleasant experience was thanks to the resto’s helpful, knowledgeable, and refined wait staff. 

Most importantly, we got unlimited tea. What’s not to love, right?

Merci Marcel serves basic French breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but the vibe of the place and the food quality are anything but basic.

We loved the abundant sunlight pouring into the restaurant’s large windows and the overlooking greenery. 

Inside, the vibrant plants, Boho-chic furniture, and the scent of coffee made for a perfect fusion between a laid-back vibe and French elegance.

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Meanwhile, the food was simple yet impressive in its taste and portions. We all agreed that the Ravoiles de Royans’ al dente goodness and rich, cheesy texture was the star of the meal.  

We also ordered Tarte Flambeé, which took a long time to cook. But the wait was worth it—the crusty texture and smoked duck breast toppings were addictive.

We capped our dinner with a heavenly Creme Brûlée. It was a delight, as the restaurant served us a generous portion!

But while the food is excellent, getting a seat in Merci Marcel isn’t equally pleasant, as the resto is often full. Some customers we talked to said they had to queue for 10 minutes minimum during peak hours.

Customers who did manage to get a table said the restaurant is ideal for catching up thanks to the comfy seats and comforting food. 

Their tip, however, is that you insist on a table near the windows, far from the entrance, to get a semblance of privacy.

Les Amis’ three Michelin stars speak for the restaurant’s stellar standards, which one of our teammates, Ron (and his wife), experienced first-hand when they dined here for their wedding anniversary.

The couple said their four-course dinner was exceptional. They shared that the waiting staff was efficient when attending to them.

They also enjoyed the thorough and entertaining way the servers explained each dish.

As for the food, Ron said that Les Amis knocked it off the park with its melt-in-the-mouth Wagyu beef and savory duck breast. 

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The presentation was a feast for the eyes, too, and he said it took all he had to stop himself from taking too many pictures (because doing so would spoil the romantic dinner!).

One gripe he had with Les Amis, however, was that it was a challenge to book a seat. He mused that it’s impressive how the restaurant is always in-demand despite the astronomical prices. 

Luckily, he scored a dinner slot close to their anniversary date.

We think Les Amis’ classic French haute fare could use an update, though. 

Some patrons we interviewed commented that the restaurant’s service quality remains as is (which they appreciate), but they hope the menu will offer something new soon.

Crystal Jade Golden Palace’s array of tasty Chinese dishes made for sharing is one reason why patrons bringing their families for a meal love this restaurant so much.

I took my family here for lunch a couple of times already, and my young siblings always order dim sum (they said they could eat the dish forever). 

The last time we went, we tried the pricey sauteed carrot cake with XO sauce. It dealt quite the damage on my wallet, but the dim sum’s savory sauce and crunchy-outside-soft-inside texture were worth it.

Food for sharing here delighted my folks, too. The suckling pig roll with black truffle rice and Peking duck were instant hits (my mom said she would visit again just for these two dishes)! 

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However, know that like the resto’s dim sum, Crystal Jade’s shared dishes can be slightly on the expensive side. 

But I doubt the lunch will cost an arm and leg if you go with the family and agree to share the bill (at least that’s what I did with my older brother).

We recommend you book your table way ahead of time, though, as Crystal Jade is packed often.

Also, the place can be a bit noisy at times, especially when families have young kids in tow.

And due to the volume of diners, I observed that the restaurant has a pervading rushed atmosphere, which can distract some people.

Joie’s fine-and-casual dining setup is good for my wallet and taste buds. 

Unlike in posh restaurants, I can afford to return to Joie repeatedly. And unlike in casual dining spots, the food here is of higher quality.

Moreover, the restaurant is vegetarian-friendly, so I can bring some friends without worrying about their dietary preferences. 

The first time I dined in the restaurant, I was awed by the look of the place. I couldn’t get enough of the skyline views, the floor-to-ceiling windows, and the homey furniture. 

As for the food, the meatless Japanese-European fare caught me by surprise, so I had to take my sweet time getting used to the new sensations. 

The Western, bold flavors were still there, but the Japanese subtlety was equally noticeable. 

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That said, the playful, experimental dishes weren’t unpleasant. In fact, the chef did a splendid job with the hearty mushroom and truffle soup (my companions raved about the dish non-stop after our meal).

As for the mains, we all loved the Grilled Summer Mushroom Steak for its gorgeous plating and distinct taste. 

Overall, the creative plating did the heavy lifting (our eyes were full!). The rest of the food was standard fare, which is a bit of a bummer considering Joie’s price point.

And while we are fans of eye-catching plates, we think some may find the elaborate presentation too gimmicky for their taste.

Also, the portions here are not for big eaters. The serving size is only slightly bigger than other restaurants’ tasting menus.

Your choices may also be limited, as Joie doesn’t offer a la carte menus.