Four Seasons Restaurant at Capitol Piazza

Four Seasons Restaurant (文兴酒家） at Capitol Piazza is the Singapore branch of its famous original Four Seasons Restaurant at Bayswater, London.  I visited their original restaurant in London in May this year.  Greatly impressed by their roast duck, fat, juicy and delicious!  You can read my review here.  So when I heard that they already opened a branch here in Singapore, I was delighted and decided to pay them a visit immediately!

The restaurant at Capitol Piazza is a steep contrast to its humble London origin.  A polished restaurant front, with glittering interior.

When you come to Four Seasons, you can't not to order their signature roast duck.

Four Seasons Signature Roast Duck portion, $22.00

Any difference between the Singapore version and London version of the roast duck?  London version uses English ducks which have a lot more fat, hence more juicy and fragrant.  Singapore version uses Holland ducks which have less fat, more lean meat. It is supposed to be a healthier version catering to the health-conscious Singaporeans.  London version has the duck deeply soaked in the herbal sauce, the skin becomes completely soft, acting like a sponge absorbing all the herbal sauce, Singapore version the skin still retains a sense of crispiness, the meat is more firm, and has a wooden fragrance.  

I find both versions are good for me, although personal preference is their London version.  That fat is just too mouth-watering.

Other than the roast duck, we also ordered a plate of purple potato buns, and steamed sea bass.  I found both are of acceptable standard, but nothing to rave about.

Purple Potato Buns, $4.80

Steamed Sea Bass, $38.00

If you are thinking of visiting this restaurant, I recommend you just order their signature roast duck, and dim sum.  These two are quite reasonably priced, while the rest of the dishes are very much priced on the high end.  For example, a plate of vegetables will set you back by $22.00.  Just your normal vegetables, not something fancy.

Four Seasons Restaurant London

Before I went to London, I had heard that London is famous for roast ducks.  Four Seasons Restaurant, a Chinese restaurant located at Bayswater, London, is one of the most famous for its roast ducks.

First thing first, this Four Seasons is not THAT Four Seasons chain of luxury hotels.  It is an ordinary-looking Chinese restaurant, with a Chinese name of Wenxing 文兴酒家.  When I first saw the Four Seasons name, I thought it would be very expensive, but luckily it is not the case at all.

If you take the tube in London, get off at Bayswater metro station.  Once you come out of the station, you will be on Queensway.  Turn left and walk along Queensway for about 50 meters, you will see the restaurant.

Four Seasons Restaurant at Bayswater, London

We arrived there early, at around 5.30-6.00pm.  The place was already buzzing with business.  The patrons are varied.  Chinese British, Chinese-speaking Chinese, Chinese from South East Asia, and some Caucasians.  Quite a mixed crowd.

Fat Fat Roast Duck

We ordered their famous roast duck.  When it came, it was a bit unexpected.  When we talk about roast duck, we will think of Beijing Roast Duck, with that signature crispy skin.  The roast duck here is very different.  The skin is not crispy, and the meat is not dry.  Instead, it is immersed in a special herbal sauce which gives it additional fragrance, and the skin and meat juicy.  Unlike Beijing Duck, which you mostly only consume the skin, you can eat both the skin and the meat for London Roast Duck.

The duck they use is a local breed.  As England's weather can be quite harsh and cold, the ducks tend to accumulate a thick layer of fat, as a storage of energy as well as a layer of protection from the cold weather.

My friend picked up a piece of duck meat with chopsticks, and you could see that fat trembling. Wow... you can imagine when you put that piece of duck meat in your mouth...Good heavens!  It melt in your mouth, the fragrance lingering around.  This is THE BEST roast duck that I have ever had. Ok, it is not very healthy, with so much fat, but I must give the thumbs up to the master who produced such a nice dish.

Give it a try when you are in London next time!