Let’s check out Westin seasonal tastes today with a buffet dine-in. The establishment is tucked on the upper top floor of Asia square tower. Well, one of the two towers at least. The restaurant serves an international selection in a buffet setting which offers great views of the Marina bay.
A tale of two towers
On getting there, do note that entry to the restaurant is via a dedicated entrance for the hotel. Though the Westin shares the same tower 2 in Asia towers, entry to the hotel and restaurant is separate from that of the two Asia square tower office entrances. Notably, Westin’s own entrance is at the extreme corner of the building from the front car drop off point.
Greeting you at the entrance on the 32nd floor of Asia square tower 2 is a rather posh-looking bar and lounge. It is also the hotel’s second lobby and longue area by the lift lobby. Furthermore, it is a pretty nice place to chill out here with drinks and comfy sofas. Also, it offers panoramic ceiling to floor glass windows of the marina south area.
Moreover, notable landmarks viewable up here include the Marina One building with it expansive inner core. You can see it from the Westin as well as the Marina international cruise center, Tanjong Pagar container port and the Marine coastal expressway. A partial view of the Marina bay and Sands are also visible.
A buffet in the business district
Back to the buffet. The buffet on offer here by Westin is an international one. It comprises of selections of western grill, Asian cooked food and noodles, Indian, Italian pasta, as well as a Japanese sushi and fresh seafood corner. Topping it up is an extensive desert island, a salad and bread bar. The buffet spread is rather comprehensive indeed.
Moreover, food selections here are laid out in a logical fashion. Self-serve food counter reside on the inner side of the restaurant. The outer areas are seating areas offers the panoramic views of the marina bay area.
By the entrance of the restaurant sits a massive wine rack and a salad bar where you can mix it up with the bowl selections here. Interestingly, there is also a bread oven here where you can help yourself too to a choice of fresh bread, cutting board and bread knife included.
The main buffet area starts with a salad and bread section by the entrance. Followed by the ice bed for the seafood section. Moreover, Sushi and fresh seafood makes up the seafood selection. Choices are not extensive, but effective and to the point.
Seafood and Sushi, curated but small
For seafood, you get a curated selection the best cuts of crab- large claws, as well as mini lobster crayfish, mussels and cooked fresh prawns.
The choices are generally good and even rivalling those offered by Beach Road kitchen, though Beach road does offers fresh oysters, which the Westin does not. Seafood is also promptly replenished and are fresh.
Also, the Sushi section offers a platters of salmon sashimi and a selection of sushi and maki items. Also, thankfully, the sushi is replenished really often and is not bad in quality. A gripe is the lack of Sashimi Tuna though.
Try their great roast meats
Notably, the thing to go for here are their roasts. You have a choice of roasted ham, served with greens and beef medium done. The meats are juicy and paired well with their sauces. You can choose to have a pre-cut piece or one freshly cut to your liking by the counter staff. They go well with the roasted potatoes and if you fancy, brussel sprouts.
Furthermore, despite the good quality of meats and variety here at Westin, they quite can’t beat the roast quality offered at the Carvery in Alexandra, which have more attention to taste and a larger selection of sauces and even pork knuckles on the menu.
However, to make up for this, Westin offers additional choices roast chicken and duck. They are paired well with accompanying sauces on the side or as chicken rice, local delight.
Underwhelming Asian selection
Moreover, there is a small Asian cooked food section comprising of stewed vegetables, deep fried fish dishes, a small Dim sum selection and chilli crab. It is a pretty minor section. Additionally, you have a choice of clear fish ball noodles or laska noodles.
Interestingly, usually in most buffets, you only get a choice of on-demand freshly cooked pasta or noodles, seldom both. A chef will prepare your pasta or noodles to your noodle and ingredient preferences. Also, the soup section also resides here by the noodle section, but there are no other Italian choices like Pizza or lasagna.
Notably, the Indian food section was the most underwhelming of the bunch. There is a small biryani rice pot and a tiny selection of curries and lentil. However, there are no roti prate as found on at our visit to the Line or Asian market café.
Additionally, an area probably much unnoticed here is a small drinks section. Here you find a couple of glass dispenser receptacles with labelled drinks within. I was surprised you can find freshly made iced lemon tea, on top of usual soda options, like coke and sprite.
Extensive dessert selections
In addition, Seasonal Taste’s desserts are one of the most impressive parts of the buffet. The section is large enough to warrant itself an island dedicated to dessert selections of cakes, quay, dessert cups, ice cream and fruits.
Additionally, there is a mix of western and local dessert offerings. Selections starts from a tall strawberry fondue sits by the fruit platters, to platter-full of quay lapis. Also, ice cream sections are scooped courtesy of staff behind the counter.
Relatively limited selection for the price
Moreover, a buffet is not exactly cheap. Notably, it can cost upwards of $98++ per person on weekends, not including 10% service charge and 7% GST. Hence, this puts Seasonal Tastes up on the price table against the likes of Shangri-la’s Line and Marina Bay Sand’s Rise. The competition actually offers a far larger food selection, with a more extensive drink bar offerings, European and Asian selections. Though Seasonal Tastes food quality is great, I find it quite expensive for the smaller variety, especially for the lack of fresh Oysters and Tuna Sashimi, even on the more expensive peak weekend dine-in.
Dine only with 1-1 deals
Notably, Seasonal Tastes Westin do regularly run partnership promotions with banks offering pretty good 1 for 1 deals for their dinner or lunch buffets. Also, the banks can pretty aggressive with deals here at Seasonal tastes. So far I had seen UOB, OCBC and DBS having offers with the restaurant to date on my dining experience here. Throw in a 1-1 or 50% offer and you can see yourself seeing it hovering at about $58 per person. Now that is really good value I would strongly recommend. Moreover, some banks do accept debit cards to qualify for the 1-1 deal.
Also, I am also pleased to report that food quality from my multiple visits are largely consistent. Service is great too. However, do note that the lunch food spread are not as extensive as what you typically get on dinner buffet here. Nonetheless, it pays to check for deals to stretch your dollar further.
All in all, I enjoyed myself each time I dined here at Seasonal Tastes Westin. However, their offerings are tad a jack of all trades, with none of the cuisines greatly standing out, especially their lackluster Asian food variety. But I would recommend the restaurant for their great selection of roasts, commendable consistency for quality, and an extensive dessert section to boot. Everything else, and at a rather pricey entry price point, I would call the dining experience tad like a “expensive sampler”.
Verdict:
Must Go! | Actually pretty Good | Worth Trying | Shortlist Optionally | Should Avoid
Seasonal Tastes Westin Locality Map
12 Marina Square View
The Westin Hotel Singapore,
Level 32, Asia Square Tower 2
Singapore 018961
Opens daily: 6:30am – 10:00pm
[…] their crab is offered mainly whole, unlike other restaurants like Seasons tastes at the Westin and Beach road kitchen offering the best claw parts, which is easier on the hands. Also, I found […]