{Wordless Wednesdays}: Kopi Tiam @ Swissotel

The Fish Head Curry ($55)

Top left (clockwise): Satay (chicken, beef and lamb)($16), Fried Carrot Cake ($17), Hainanese Chicken Rice ($18), Rojak ($16)

Signature Kopi Tiam Laksa ($20)

Beef Rendang ($20)

Top left (clockwise): Wok Fried Beef with shaoxing wine and soya sauce ($22), Braised Hokkien Mee Singapore Style ($18), Kopi Tiam Laksa ($20), Fried Oyster Omelette ($22)

Bubur Cha Cha ($8)

There's something about 'authentic' local fare served up in hotels, tagged with inflated price tags that really makes me feel slightly uncomfortable. Speaking of preservation of cultures and cooking techniques, I have my hesitations. Still, given that its an invited media session, let's not be so quick to jump the gun.

Some stellar dishes that night include the Fish Head Curry, Rojak, Beef Rendang and the Wok Fried Beef with Shaoxing wine and soya sauce -  the command of sauces and contrast of textures and flavors, truly commendable. While the most disappointing dish of the lot, hands-down had to be the Hokkien Mee - a soupy, gloopy wet mess with little extraction of prawn flavor in its wake. Avoid like a plague.

So, in the case you have to make a quick stop over for local food with visiting guests from overseas and want to avoid the triple threat of heat, haze and humidity outside, then the recommended dishes would be your best bets.

Kopi Tiam (Swissotel)

2 Stamford Road

Level 2 Swissotel The Stamford

w: www.swissotelkopitiam.com.sg/

Operating Hours:

Mon - Fri: 7-10 30am, 11 30am - 2 30pm, 6pm - 10 30pm

Sat - Sun: 7 30 - 11 am, 12 - 2 30pm, 6 - 10 30pm