One of the Better Buffets Around

Generally, the meat dishes at Carousel are done very well. If you are dieting or want to focus on the good stuff only, just head straight to the mains and carving stations at the back. And save some space for the desserts too.

1) Braised Beef with Carrots and Truffle: Must -try

2) Black Pepper Encrusted Duck.: Very good

3) Aglio Olio Spaghetti was cooked upon order and perfectly al dente. Simple and delicious.

4) Chilled Seafood Section with Maine Lobster Claws, Boiled Prawns, Crayfish, Scallops, Mussels and Crabs. These are fresh enough

5) Poached Egg with Smoked Salmon and Ham. I loved the runny, perfectly poached egg

6) Kebab was amazing, full-bodied and nicely spiced through.

7) Sausages were also very good, textured and salty

Read more about it at http://thehungrybunnie.blogspot.com

I was surprised that there were quite a few negative comments about Carousel. I've been a loyal customer for almost a decade (no exaggeration i swear) which we usually have our hi-tea once a few mths. When I first went there after it was being renovated, I had a pleasant surprise. Comfortable seating arrangement (nt too close to the next table as compared to Cafe Vienna times) and it was well-lit.

Service
The service has always been up to standard. The bills do come a little too early but paying takes only half a minute isn't it? They are friendly and understanding if you request for payment only later. At the food stations, they keep themselves busy with the preparation and may nt take the initiative to help but i think that's alright cos i won't feel comfortable if they stare at me while I am scooping up some food. At least when you really need help, they do offer. =)

Food
The sashimi has never let me down but the sushi is still quite limited. The main dishes are also quite satisfying. The chicken kebab is nice but if you find it too dry you should add some mayo to it. The croissants and pizza are a disappointment. However the other dishes and desserts can cover up the shortcomings. The desserts are great and there's a wide variety too. I admit it may be quite boring to see exactly the same menu everytime i visit for hi-tea, if only they have alternating menu for different months or sth.

Overall, it is still nice to sit for a couple of hours with your family and friends.There's two rooms for groups and the arrangement of the tables are groups-friendly. However, reservation is strongly encouraged to be made cos there will be many many people in the queue trying their luck to get a place without reservations. And even if you've made your reservations, you still have to queue up with others if you reach early. If you went without reservations, you will have to wait till 4pm before you have a chance.

For hi-tea on weekdays, it's only $25 per person and on weekends, a couple dollars more. Given this price, it is really worth checking out. There's isn't many hotels offering under $30 with this service and food standard.

I had dinner at Carousel three times and they never fail to delight me with their impressive spread of local and international delights.

I had never have problems with their service. :)

Food to try: Their raw spread eg Sashimi, Prawns (oops.. they dont have oyster though)

Their beef is not bad too. Chicken rice, so-so. Indian food is also above average.

But my greatest love is ......
Their desserts that are served in small glasses which is great cos then we can get to taste every single one of them! And, they have chocolate fondue too.

If there are more than 20 guests, you can try booking the special dining corner all to yourself!

I went to Carousel for Tea ($32 per person, 15% discount with DBS) and had a culture shock. Firstly, there were hoards and hoards of people (mostly middle aged women) who were waiting outside before 3pm. I didn't expect so many people to be going for buffet. There is a que to get in, but we got our table pretty fast - if you ever come here you MUST make a booking...

The food is just cheap hawker fair - local food which I don't think is very good. The only thing worth eating was the sashimi (salmon and snapper?) but even those were of a lousy cut - the ends of the fish, the non fatty part - looks like the parts that they cube up to make chirashi don!

The spread was good - that are available include chicken kebab (nothing to shout about - pretty dry and tough), pizza (very fat pizza base and little toppings, chicken wings, fried carrot cake, mee goreng, nasi lemak and other hawker fare. There was also a popiah station (which sucks, the turnip/carrot filling tasted very bad) and a dim sum (siew mai, chee cheong fun, pao) station. There was a rojak station, as well as a kaya toast station for people who fancy DIY.

Desserts were not bad - there was a chocolate fountain, ice kachang station, ice cream, various kuehs and cakes and muffins. I particularly liked the chocolate mousse. Probably the only thing worth eating.

Overall, I think that the buffet is overrated - the food is just cheap hawker food, nothing worth eating. $32 bucks will get me more than enough hawker food, and better quality too.