Today, met up with buddies at Imperial Treasures Steamboat @ 111 Somerset for lunch. This was my first dining out since Circuit Breaker* was imposed on 7 Apr 2020.
*Circuit Breaker was a set of social distancing measures the government implemented on 7 Apr 2020 to stem the spread of COVID-19 pandemic infections. CB entered phase 2 on 18 Jun 2020 with some measures eased including dining in allowed at restaurants (with necessary precautions).
The interior of Imperial Treasure was neat and simple with a touch of minimalist, utilitarian, understated class. The heavy well padded chairs were very comfortable. The steamboat pots were heated by smokeless, flameless tabletop induction stoves embedded flush in the tables. I like this set up.
Imperial Treasures is a popular steamboat restaurant. Nearly a month since Circuit Breaker phase 2, business was only just picking up slowly.
Three of us, we had this $68++ lunch set for two, plus a few add on dishes.
The set came in a lacquer serving tray with live prawns, Soon Hock fish, squid, chicken thigh, pork balls, fish balls, shrimp dumpling, dried beancurd stuffed with Hong Kong dace fish paste, Enoki mushroom, Shitake mushroom, sweet corn, cabbage, etc.
Everything was of good quality and very fresh.
Fried fish skin and fried beancurd skin in the set.
The set came with free "free flow" of good quality slender egg noodles.
Like most people, we opted for a yuan yang pot of spicy mala and chicken stock. The rich chicken stock had smooth milky full body with sweet savoury taste.
For the spicy section, the same rich chicken stock was spiced up with house blended hot and aromatic spice paste. The spicy stock was richly aromatic and spicy hot but without the mala mouth numbing sensation. I like Imperial Treasures' spicy paste's gentle mala level.
In the past at Imperial Treasures, we helped ourselves with their extensive sauce and dip tray but during Circuit Breaker, the staff blended the sauce for us based on our preferences. Actually, I prefer it this way (though I know some people will miss the fun of mix-it-yourself dips).
Additional order of USA Kurobuta pork belly slices.
Australian beef brisket slices.
Good quality stock and fresh ingredients, everything tasted great - I can taste the natural sweet flavours of the beef, pork, fish and prawns complemented with a mild overlay of sweet savouriness or aromatic spiciness.
Pan fried lotus root and pork patty. Savoury sweetness in the tender ground pork patty with bits of soft-tender sweet lotus root.
Sautéed beef with julienned ginger and spring onion. Tender-soft beef slices smothered in a salty savoury sauce infused with ginger and spring onion tastes. The sauce was a touch heavy handed, slightly overpowering the beefiness in the tender juicy meat.
I like crispy crackly fried fish skin.
Service was immaculate. The staff, all with masks on, were friendly, attentive, sincere and responsive. They helped us with the cooking, offered to shell our prawns, and poured tea, keeping our cups full all the time while we enjoyed chatting over fragrant tea and delicious food.
Prices are slightly premium at Imperial Treasures Steamboat but I feel it was value for money as the service, quality of ingredients and tastes of dishes were all excellent.
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When I want a no frills, no gimmicks, steamboat with good quality ingredients, nice environment, convenient location, and top notch service, Imperial Treasures Steamboat is among those at the top of my mind.
Restaurant name: Imperial Treasures Steamboat @ 111 Somerset
Address: 111 Somerset Rd, #02-14, TripleOne Somerset, Singapore 238164 (steps from Somerset MRT station)
Tel: +6562353882
Hours: Lunch 11:00am – 3:00pm Dinner 6:00pm – 11:00pm
Non Halal
Date: 9 July 2020
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