Feast Review: Halia Communal Dining Menu at Raffles Hotel, Singapore 189673

I had the pleasure to join in the company of some like-minded friends to break bread and share plates at the Halia at Raffles Hotel recently for their new Communal Feast ($260++ for 4 to 5 pax). The restaurant and chef had come up with the communal dining concept as a tribute to the Asian culture, where sharing food during meals is common, and also as a way to stand out from the notion that proper restaurants have to serve properly portioned individual servings. I find myself sharing food all the time as a food blogger even at the most proper of restaurants, so I like the fact that it is being catered for here at Halia. We had so much fun bonding over food, photography and more food!

Here's a look a the menu. There's really plenty of food to go around!

Apparently chef's philosophy is that he loves to see a table groaning under the weight of many many dishes, shared by everyone. Hence the idea.

We had a jug of the very Asian drink, barley, and started with some thick mushroom soup (DELISH!) served in a pot to go with soft fluffy bread (Halia's known for those!)

Next were the starters. Pick and choose what you like, and in this case I couldn't find fault in anything!

The famous chili crab sauce from their Chili Crab Spaghettini, now served as a dip for the toasted baguettes! THIS IS SHIOK max. Why have the crab when you can have the sauce?

Some baked kingfish collar, lightly flavoured with veggies, and so fresh.

And this, which is a modern and healthier take on the Chinese minced meat noodles. Instead of noodles, it comes with strips of finely shaved turnip and carrots! What innovation.

The steak, while spartan looking, is actually roasted with gunpowder, which explains the black exterior. Very interesting method that chef had wanted to try.

Lastly, some fun coconut popsicles, and one of the most delicious sticky toffee pudding I've had recently. I remember the desserts at the Halia Botanical Gardens to be of similar mind-blowing quality. Really, what a kicker to end of the feast!

MUST HAVE.

Here's the young and handsome chef explaining to us about his philosophy regarding food he makes, and experiments with.

Halia never fails to impress with their innovative approach to Asian cuisine in finding new ways to delight and tantalize, while keeping to the basic of very good food. It's definitely a top recommendation from me for anyone in the City Hall or Raffles Hotel area to visit Halia if you'll like to taste Singaporean flavors done in exciting and surprising manners. Go for lunch, brunch and then bring all your friends and family down for a communal feast in the evening!

The Halia at Raffles Hotel
1 Beach Road, #01-22/23 Raffles Hotel, Singapore 189673
+65 96391148
Mon – Fri: 11.30am to 10pm, Sat, Sun, PH: 11am to 10pm
The Communal Dinner is available daily from 6 to 10.30pm and priced at $260++ for 4 pax, inclusive of a communal jug of lemongrass or iced tea.

Thanks to FoodNewsPR and Halia for the invite!