This year marks the 25th anniversary of Crystal Jade, a chain of Chinese restaurants founded in Singapore. It is doubly significant as Crystal Jade Golden Palace (290 Orchard Road, Singapore), one of the chain’s 21 dining concepts, was awarded a Michelin star in an awards ceremony and gala dinner at Resorts World Sentosa last July 21.
The restaurant was one of 21 Singapore restaurants that have been given one Michelin star for “high quality cooking, worth a stop.”
Only one Singaporean restaurant, Joël Robuchon, was awarded three Michelin stars (“exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey”) while six received two stars (“excellent cuisine, worth a detour”).
New dishes
In the Philippines, Crystal Jade Dining In at Bonifacio High Street Central is also celebrating the anniversary and the accolade with new dishes, including Deep Fried Spare Ribs with Vinegar, Braised Beancurd Kung Pao style, and Mango Mousse with Red Beans.
The restaurant is the only Crystal Jade branch in the country and, in the three years since it opened, has gained a reputation for consistently good Cantonese fare like Peking duck, roast suckling pig, lobster in superior broth, and live garoupa served two ways.
Its versions of xiao long bao (soupy dumplings) and baked prawns with salted egg yolk have also become favorites of regulars.
“We get a lot of families and small groups that often already know what they want to order,” said restaurant manager Aida Velasco. “They don’t even have to look through the menu.”
To celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, the restaurant offers mooncakes packed in a gift box with a special dice game.
The setup at Crystal Jade Dining In is similar to that found in other Chinese restaurants with tables for 10. There is a second level with more tables and several function rooms.
Founded in Singapore in 1991, Crystal Jade Culinary Concept Holdings has over 120 outlets in 21 major cities in Asia-Pacific and the United States. In 2014, L Capital Asia, the private equity arm of LVMH Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy, officiated a 90-percent stake buy-in at Crystal Jade.
Crystal Jade Dining In, Bonifacio High Street Central, BGC, Taguig; Call 8085233.