To celebrate 60 years of Singapore’s independence, our mums gathered at the newly revamped Violet Oon Singapore at ION Orchard to sample the recently launched Singapore High Tea ($68++ for two). Of course, to commemorate the occasion, the guests wore red and white.
Front row, from left: Vivian Low, Cordelia Low, Lucinda Zhou, and Kewei Tay
Back row, from left: Joanne, Priscilla Tan, Louisa, Hanni and Gidania
A Singaporean Icon
A truly Singaporean icon, the award-winning Chef Violet Oon is widely considered to be an authority on Asian cuisine. Of course, her specialty is Nyonya food, and the restaurants feature heirloom recipes infused with the diverse influences of Chinese, Indian and Malay kitchens. Since learning to cook at 16 years, Chef Violet has spent more than 50 years honing her culinary skills and opened her first eponymous outlet in Takashimaya and restaurant in Bukit Pasoh Road. Hence, it seemed only fitting to celebrate Singapore’s 60 years of independence at the Violet Oon Singapore ION Orchard, feasting on the Signature High Tea.
Violet Oon Singapore at ION Orchard at Level 4
Images credit: Violet Oon Singapore
The newly revamped Violet Oon Singapore at ION Orchard combines the elegance of an estate home with classic Peranakan charm. Hence, this creates a space friends and loved ones can catch up over hearty food, and thoughtfully crafted drinks. With 102-seats, the restaurant features three private dining rooms that can seat between six to 14 guests, and a main salon, and even a secret garden-inspired indoor veranda. Adjacent to the restaurant is the retail boutique showcasing culinary gifts and heritage flavours. Some examples include the VO Chilli Sauce, local jams and cookies.
Violet Oon Singapore at ION Orchard also has a refreshed all-day dining menu, with exclusive items like the signature Beef Hor Fun ($22). Here, tender slices of 150-day Angus beef and silky rice noodles are stir-fried over high heat. For a sweet treat, try the Kueh Platter ($15) to end your meal.
The High Tea Menu
Exclusively at Violet Oon Singapore, ION Orchard, the Singapore High Tea set is available from 3 to 5pm. Some signature dishes in this tea set include the delectable Dry Laksa, Kueh Pie Tee, Chilli Crab in a Crispy Shell, Coronation Chicken and Tahu Goreng. Complementing the spread are teas like Asian chamomile or the Nanyang Breakfast tea.
The High Tea also featured some highlights from their handmade kueh collection. These are lovingly handcrafted from Chef Violet’s treasure trove of traditional recipes. One such kueh is the scarlet Ang Ku Kueh, Bika Ambon, a honeycomb cake infused with coconut milk, lemongrass and pandan. Another is the Kueh Kochi, marbled blue-tinged dumpling encasing coconut and gula melaka.
Our Lovely Sponsors
Rounding off the tea, guests brought home goodies from our wonderful sponsors, featuring skincare, sun protection and yummy treats from Violet Oon.
Cheeky
Longtime friends, mums and outdoor enthusiasts Helen Yang and Rebecca Van Roo wanted strong reliable sun protection. Hence, they created Cheeky Active Sun Patches ($43), which fully blocks UV rays over the areas they cover. For example, your cheekbones, which can be more prone to burns, sun spots, and melasma. For extra protection, use a high-quality sunscreen on the face, then apply Cheeky patches. These single-use patches can also cover tattoos or provide post-laser areas with extra protection. Tested to have UPF 50+, UVA 99+ and UVB 99+ rating, the special UPF fabric blocks harmful sun ways. Additionally, the patches also contain beneficial skincare ingredients like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, centella asiatica and vitamin E.
Another upcoming product is the UV colour-changing compact ($10), which was engraved with each guest’s name. When the logo changes from pink to purple, time to take out the patches and sun protection!
Nodspark
In line with celebrating Singapore and its heritage, Nodspark launched a range of SG60-themed nail wraps. One such design embodies the timeless kebaya motif ($16.50). These nail wraps are scent-free, and gives you a quick salon-quality manicure with no drying time. They are also long-lasting, when layered with a gel top coat, and can be easily removed with a cuticle oil. Other Singapore-themed nail wraps include the Garden City or Heritage Delights.
Even little kids can get their own manicures – and match with mum – with the Kids/Petite collection. Great from children 3 to 7 years old, the odourless nail wraps feature designs like rainbows, flowers, stripes and squiggles.
SkinLab
For at home solutions, try the masks. These target sensitive skin, and reduce redness, or firms skin and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. In particular, the Microglow Brightening mask ($272.50) is made from Japanese spunlace, non-woven fibre tencel. Within the mask serum are VC-IP – a Vitamin C derivative – white tomato and lemon extract which provides a lasting, brightening and lightening effect. Additionally, the mask also lightens age spots and reduces the melanin present in acne scars and freckles.
Additionally, try the Nano Gold Exfoliator with Copper Peptides ($90), formulated with revitalising plant enzymes and gold antioxidant nanoparticles. Even better, it also contains copper tripeptide, which removes dead skin, brightens the complexion and enhances the skin’s elasticity. After continued use, your skin should be visibly firmer and rejuvenated.
Skin Inc
Skin Inc‘s world’s first skincare makeup – Serum Glow Filter ($82) – blends beauty and technology in a single bottle. Aiming to give you a real-life selfie filter, the concoction uses rare Gold Hibiscus Extract and Skin Inc’s best selling serums – niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. Even better, it uses Light Reflective Technology to tailor to your skin tone. With this, external light bounces off your skin, for a glowy, soft-focus effect. Other benefits include the appearance of more even skin texture, while minimising pores. These are also formulated without scent, parabens, and phthaltates, and the vegan formula has not been tested on animals.
TrichoLab
Violet Oon Singapore
Try the heritage-inspired cookies and other gifting options at the Gift Shop at Violet Oon Singapore ION Orchard. Decked out in elegant Perankan tile-inspired boxes, their cookies feature familiar flavours like Sugee, Gula Melaka Coconut Crunch, Spice Island Ginger and Cashew Nut cookies.
