I was overwhelmed with work when I arrived in the office on Tuesday’s morning. By noon, I was so exhausted that I decided to motivate myself by giving myself a treat. It was one of those whimsical moments when I wanted a good meal and yet not willing to spend a lot on it. That was when the thought of trying Halia at Raffles Hotel, Singapore, came to my mind.

Halia offers a very good value 3-course set lunch menu at $25++. For the starter, one has the choice of having the Soup of the Day or Beetroot and Feta Cheese Salad with Rice Chips and Balsamic. I took the Soup of the Day which was the Tomato Soup. The soup has a nice creamy consistency and tangy taste. The soup flavour is further enhanced by the herb oil.

For the main course, I went with the Seared Tuna on Baguette, Tahini Mayo, Red Onion and Potato Fries. I’m not a big fan of seafood and vegetable but surprisingly, I actually enjoyed the tuna baguette. The fish is so fresh that it melts in my mouth. And with the generous topping of cucumber and lettuce, the sandwich is nothing but wholesome goodness. The chunky fries are thick and lightly salted. The other option for the main course is Bacon Cream Pasta, 62.5°C Poached Egg and Spinach. Alternatively, you can add another $12 for Beef Tenderloin. After the main course, I was rather full already.

The final course is the dessert with coffee or tea. The Marble Chocolate Tart with Nuts, Chocolate Soil and Espresso Ice Cream is heavenly. For someone who has sweet tooth, the dessert really completes the entire meal. The sweet taste of the tart and the bitter coffee taste from the espresso ice cream complement each other well. The chocolate soil, which is made of chocolate cookie crumbs, is a nice touch. The other option for dessert is the Sticky Toffee Pudding with Butterscotch Sauce, Sea Salt and Vanilla Ice Cream.

The service at Halia is generally good. The waiter was attentive and quick to top up your water glass. Halia’s Express Set Lunch menu is affordable and suitable for business executives who want a quick business lunch. It’s fuzz-free and unpretentious. Now, I’ve found another great lunch location when I feel like pampering myself and some me-time.

Halia at Raffles Hotel
1 Beach Road, #01-22/23, Raffles Hotel?, Singapore 189673