Afternoon Tea at The Halia, Singapore Botanic Gardens

The Halia at Singapore Botanic Gardens
Venue: 1 Cluny Road, Ginger Garden (enter via Tyersall Avenue) Singapore Botanic Gardens, Singapore 259569
Contact: +65 8444 1148 (Reservations not accepted for brunch and tea)
Opening Hours:  Lunch – Mondays to Fridays, 12 noon to 4pm
                        Brunch – Saturdays, Sundays & PHs, 10am to 4pm
                        Tea – Saturdays, Sundays and PHs, 3pm to 5pm
                        Dinner – Daily, 630pm to 11pm (last seating at 10pm)
Website: www.thehalia.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HaliaSingaporeBotanicGardens


- The Shop
Halia (Malay word for ginger) restaurant is a modern European restaurant tucked away in the lush foliage of the Ginger Garden at the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

Upping the ante at The Halia is its new Executive Chef, Peter Rollinson. Trained in modern European cuisine, Peter enjoys the flexibility of infusing his personal influences and different ingredients in his creations. He aims to take the award-winning restaurant to greater heights with an upcoming refreshed menu. Slated to launch in the second quarter of 2013, the menu will continue to focus on contemporary European cuisine with light Asian touches. “I am looking forward to experimenting with the plethora of ingredients I have discovered here. This new menu will be inspired by my many different trips in amazing Asia, and I hope our diners will enjoy the little familiar surprises,” he says.

The new dishes feature a novel philosophy of marrying the best produce from around the world with Asian ingredients using European culinary techniques.

If dining amid by the lush greenery is something you enjoy, then you should take the alfresco seat with squirrels as companion. The place exudes old charm with wooden furniture and low lighting. The ambiance is perfect for a date and evening dining.



While the rest who need air-conditioning can dine in their unobtrusive dining room with full height glass windows, beckoning the greenery indoors, whilst still comfortably ensconced in cool surroundings.




- The Food
Perk up afternoons and enjoy a tête-à-tête with friends over the Afternoon Tea Service where delectable savoury and sweet nibbles are presented on a classic two-tier tea stand. Available Saturday, Sunday & Public Holiday from 3.00pm to 5.00pm (last seating). $28++ per person per set.



Beverage Selection
The Afternoon Tea Service comes with your choice of premium Gryphon teas, freshly-brewed coffee or their signature Halia Infusion (ginger drink).

Halia Infusion (single serving) Hot / Iced

The ginger tea has a nice balance of spice flavor, soothing and aromatic. Sweetened with honey if you prefer a sweeter note.

The tea sets has a good mix of sweet and savoury treats, all with Halia’s signature decadent touch.

Sweet morsels

Clockwise from middle: Coconut panna cotta, mango, passionfruit and lychee, toasted coconut | Carrot cake with crème cheese icing and toasted walnut | New Opera (Chocolate sponge layered with raspberry buttercream) | Quince and almond cake with crème fraiche | Ginger flower macaroon | Freshly baked scone | Orange and ginger jam, chantilly cream.

What stood out from the sweet selection was the Freshly baked scone.


It was lofty with a lovely crisp crust, moist and soft on the inside with a rich buttery flavor. It was utterly delicious! Dip with the homemade jam or cream for a luxury finish.



The aforementioned cakes was nice and moist but too sweet for my liking. The alluring aroma of ginger flowers for Ginger Flower Macaroon was exotic yet adorned with sweet chocolate filling.




Savoury morsels

Clockwise from middle: Wagyu beef rendang samosa | House-cured salmon, pickled cucumber and toasted rye | Smoked trout parfait, cucumber, apple and lime | Gorgonzola and caramelised onion quiche | Poached chicken and smoked paprika finger sandwich |

Fennel custard with parmesan and almond was presented in an egg shell. A tad creamy and well balance in flavour.


I also likes the House-cured salmon, pickled cucumber and toasted rye and Smoked trout parfait, cucumber, apple and lime. Others, like the aforementioned Wagyu beef redang samosa and Poached chicken and smoked paprika finger sandwich didn't hit the mark - filling was too little and subtle in flavour.


- My Opinion
The Afternoon Tea Service set was decent, but definitely worth a visit for the price and lush greenery.

Prepare for a 15-30mins of slow walk if you are taking the Circle Line. It is nearer if you are coming from Orchard Road direction.

Thank you Cyndiana of Foodnews for the invite.