This Mother’s Day, our mums celebrated the Peranakan heritage, culture and traditions at Violet Oon Singapore at Dempsey Hill. To match the vibes of the colonial building, peppered with Peranakan influences including the iconic tiles, our guests dressed up in their best Peranakan outfits, Little Nyonya-style.
Violet Oon at Dempsey
Right: A wall of framed photos and memorabilia, including Violet Oon as an opera singer, and pages from her first cookbook. Images courtesy of Desleen Yeo
Within the lush surrounds of a historic enclave, guests dined at the newest destination at Violet Oon Singapore at Dempsey Hill. This dining establishment celebrates Singapore’s rich culinary heritage in a colonial building that has been carefully and beautifully restored. Savour heirloom Peranakan recipes and treasured household favourites in the dining room. Alternatively, host intimate gatherings in one of three private dining rooms — the largest seats 20.
Snippets of Violet Oon's History
On the walls of this dining room is a wealth of history, from Violet’s days as an opera singer to her first recipe book. Wanting to preserve the recipes she had grown up with, in light of her grandaunts’ advancing age, she meticulously wrote down every single Peranakan recipe at 16 years old, six decades ago. These are the dishes Su Lyn grew up eating, and they are still served in Violet Oon’s restaurants today.
New Menu Offerings
Amid a luncheon filled with laughter and heartfelt conversations, guests tried the Dempsey restaurant’s five new traditional Peranakan dishes, such as the Kerabu Kechang Botol, and the Daging Panggang Sambal Hijau. The former features a salad of winged beans tossed in a tangy sambal belacan, paired with dried shrimp and toasted coconut. Next, the Daging Panggang Sambal Hijau is black Angus ribeye tossed with green sambal and crispy garlic chips. Of course, guests also tried some classic favourites like kueh pie tee and dried laksa.
Also at Violet Oon Dempsey are four new drinks. Of these, three are cocktails, such as the Ong Lai, a clarified milk punch with rum and cognac. Otherwise, try the Rindu Roselle, a twist on the classic New York Sour. Their version is instead made with tart Sarawak roselle and red wine. An alcohol-free alternative is the Swee Chilli, housemade ginger ale with pandan, lime, banana and for a spicy kick, a dash of their signature chilli sauce.
Guests had a great time catching up with old friends and also making new friends, using the luncheon to fill up their social cup, while also exchanging their experiences in motherhood, careers and their lives.
Sponsors
Curious Creatures
LUMI Beauty
LUMI Beauty, founded by Chryseis Tan, features a skincare range with effective, botanical products and beauty tools to help you glow from within. One such product is the NMN Rise & Shine (about $78), which comprises ingredients like NMN, and Oryza™ Caprino, Japan Pagoda Tree and Roxburgh Rose extracts. These contain anti-photoageing properties and help boost your energy. For instance, the Oryza™ Caprino Extract, is rich in ergothioneine, antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties, to help minimise the appearance of hyperpigmentation. Similarly, the Japan Pagoda tree extract works as a natural sunblock to absorb UVA rays. Finally, the Roxburgh Rose extract has high levels of vitamin C, and supplements Super Dimutase into the body. At the same time, it fights free radicals caused by external environmental stressors.
Our Second Nature
With its intricate hand-beaded detailing and linen fabric, the Beaded Trinket Bag ($35) from Our Second Nature in cream tweed perfectly accompanies any Peranakan outfit. Crafted from tweed fabric, the bag can carry all trinkets and treasures – within were the Skin Inc serum and candle, and the SOVA Silk headband.
Skin Inc
Newly revamped, Skin Inc‘s My Daily Dose Vitamins ABC+ Serum ($169) helps hydrate and refine skin texture, while appearing clearer, with reduced lines and wrinkles. Within the serum are powerhouse vitamins. For example, Vitamin A in Retinyl Palmitate aids in stimulating natural skin renewal, while improving tone. Hence, it also reduces the appearance of fine lines, fatigue and dark circles. Next, Vitamin B3+ and Vitamin C work together to target pigmentation, strengthen the skin barrier and brighten the skin. Even better, its formulation is gentle and effective. All these are delivered by the new Japanese seaweed Proprietary Encapsulation Technology. These shield the actives from light and oxidation, for maximum potency, leaving skin feeling soothed, balanced and hydrated.
SOVA Silk
Suitable for all hair types and textures, have a great hair day every day with SOVA Silk‘s headbands ($42). Made from 100 per cent 22-momme 6A mulberry silk, the headband protects your hair from damage and any creases. It also features a twist design and silk-covered gather elastic.
Relevant Reads: Mother’s Day Celebrations at Montigo Resorts, Nongsa for Pickleball and Wellness Retreat
