First established in Singapore in 2008, TWG Tea is a prestigious brand that is dedicated to delivering and maintaining products of high quality. It is not an abbreviation for Twinings and should not be confused as such; it stands for "The Wellness Group". Popular among connoisseurs of the beverage, it has opened outlets in over 10 countries.
With spacious and elegant surroundings, and smartly dressed waiters to attend to your every order, dining at TWG is never a modest affair. One can expect to sink their teeth into a staggeringly large variety of tea-married foods and flavored teas. To top it off, the food menu differs from outlet to outlet.
Two outlets exist at Marina Bay Sands: the Tea Garden (pictured above), with its posh setting of flowers and calm water, and Tea On The Bridge, which is on a raised platform spanning the mall's Venetian-inspired canal and gives a bird's eye view of the Sampans passing below.
They have so many types of teas (over 120 choices!) it won't be practical to describe them here; you'll have to find out for yourself through trial and error. I did take a cup of their Golden Rose tea ($13); it was nicely scented with a fruity tone. I must confess I'm one of those who like to sweeten their tea through artificial means - good thing each table has a sugar bowl!
The Wagyu Steak ($35) takes the form of a juicy, tender wedge of beef, basted with Polo Club tea-infused sauce to make it moist and hearty, and accompanied with a salad and truffle fries in a crispy crepe basket. The fries were not thick enough and on the floppy side, which marred what could have otherwise been a wholly yummy experience.
I wasn't particularly fond of the Lobster Timbale ($28). Sure, it contained a fascinating mix of lobster meat and avocado bits entwined in a creamy embrace, and the quality of the ingredients was undeniable, but it was lacking that special touch.
The Apricot Cod ($28) sounded straightforward enough - pan-seared cod fillet served with a helping of tea-flavored potato puree (note: it used to be Matcha tea, but now has been replaced by Pink Garden tea) and Apricot tea cream sauce. When my dish arrived, I puzzled over two stalks of what looked like asparagus, wondering why it wasn't mentioned in the menu. Turns out they were actually rolled up potato puree dyed green by the tea! Surprise!
Appearance notwithstanding, I loved the potato puree which was a refreshing twist to the usual version. The cod was fresh and well done, its flavor further complimented by the cream sauce and spices used.
The Herb Crusted Salmon ($28) is one of the better versions I've tasted. A cheesy garlic mixture is smeared onto the salmon, skin side up, to allow the flavor to seep into the fish. The hot flesh flakes easily when speared with a fork. Combined with tea-soaked vegetables and hard-boiled carrots, and circled with chocolate sauce, every single bite was exquisite.
Their desserts are equally sophisticated. The Tarte Tatin ($12) consists of a slice of upside-down stewed apple tart paired with vanilla bourbon tea ice cream. Pulling the tart apart piece by piece reveals the sticky innards, acidity mingling with its sweetness. While the slice isn't very big, its mashed up composition feels heavily excessive after a few bites and it took effort to finish it. The ice cream compensates for this lapse - its vanilla flavor shines through, with a taste vaguely reminiscent of red bean.
The ordinarily named Creme Brulee ($12) was anything but. Fired to a dark yellowish-brown, the hardened sugary surface cracks suitably under light pressure and the eggy pudding beneath is delectable.
Ice cream could be ordered in one ($5), two ($9) or three ($13) scoops. My cousin's favorite is the Earl Grey Fortune because of its rich, milky taste.
One thing their dishes had in common was how filling they all were, despite the minuscule-looking portions. You'll certainly be satisfied at TWG Tea!
Halal Certified: No
The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
2 Bayfront Avenue, B2-89/89A
Singapore 018972
Website: http://www.twgtea.com/
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