Intro.

After a life changing two years (thanks, Covid), travel is back on the menu and one of the raison d’être’s for this blog has returned. During the shutdown of the entire airline industry, Singapore Airlines took the opportunity to renovate their SilverKris lounge in Changi as well tweak some of its food in its Book The Cook service.

In this relatively short blog review vs. my older ones, I’ll detail the updated lounge option and as well as pen my thoughts on the latest options from Book the Cook.

I hope you enjoy!

The New Singapore Airlines Business Class Lounge (Changi)

As you walk into the new lobby area of Singapore Airlines’ lounge area, you’re greeted with SIA’s new Batik motif, as well as an 8K animated screen beside the new entry way for the lounges. There are now dedicated entrances to First Class/The Private Room lounges on the left and Business class on the right (previously there was one entrance which splintered off).

As you enter the Business class lounge, it further splinters off to a bar area to the right, and the buffet area to the left. The bar area to the right is pretty much like any other bar, with a substantial drink selection and decor wise, is flanked by floor to ceiling windows overlooking the runway and taxi areas. As for the buffet area, I’m happy to report, that as of writing (July 2022), it’s back to a self-serve buffet so you can eat to your hearts content without the shame of a waitress delivering mountains of food and silently judging!

The renovated lounges mark the latest step in SIA’s journey in revamping its design language, which was arguable started with it’s New (now old) Business Class Seat (Shameless plug of my review here!). Gone is the heavy and dark oak wood accents invoking a gentleman’s club feel to a light and spacious area with clean modern lines design to relax and calm a passenger before a flight.

Overall, no real difference to the functionality of the lounges when compared to the pre-renovated ones. However that being said, the new furnishings and design make for a more a enjoyable and relaxing space before ones flight.

★★★★★
 Superb

★★★★☆
Good

★★★☆☆
Ordinary

★★☆☆☆
Disappointing

★☆☆☆☆
Horrible

Book the Cook (2022)

Lobster Thermidor

★★★★☆

Departing From Singapore

After such a prolonged absence from flying, despite wanting to work through the entire menu, I felt I had to try to resample SIA’s signature dish.

The dish has been modified slightly from it’s previous incarnation. Broadly similar, but the garnishing have changed. Gone are the saffron rice and asparagus, and in its place is spinach, brussel sprouts and potatoes. This is more inline with the other incarnations departing from other airports. I kinda wish they gave the claw meat though - I do wonder where that spare claw ends up?

Still a wonderful choice and highly recommended but I feel there’s less offered as I was still slightly hungry afterwards, but that’s probably just a ‘me’ thing (I have a voracious appetite) and you’ll probably be satisfied with this.

Grilled Angus Beef Burger

★☆☆☆☆

Departing From Singapore

A rather horrible choice. The beef was the mushy compacted type you’d expect to find in a Ramly burger. And whilst the mushroom and onion jam is nice, the burger juice disintegrated the lower bun far too quickly leading to a horrible mess. You’ll find a better burger either in Singapore or the destination you’re flying too. Flavour and texture wise, bland and forgettable.

Also, to add further insult to injury, the burger is accompanied with crisps and not fries/chips - a poor and dissatisfying substitute. Avoid this.

Grilled Monkfish

★★★★★

Departing From London

This was an unexpectedly delightful choice! Overall the dish was very tasty. Monkfish was tender, juicy and didn’t have that ‘fishy’ taste. It was lightly flavoured with the mushroom sauce and partnered well with the new potatoes which were maybe a tad too salty but were generally well seasoned. The edamame beans and cherry tomatoes rounded out the rest of the dish. It was also a rather sizeable portion so you will definitely get your fill!

A surprising and well cooked dish, highly recommended.

Braised Beef Short Ribs

★★★★★

Departing From London

I have had mixed results with beef on SIA’s Book the Cook, but this definitely lies on the ‘good’ end of that spectrum. The beef was succulent, tender, and fell apart very easily - it was a joy to eat. The beef felt it was infused with rosemary throughout, which i like. It was a good a counterpoint in flavour and taste to my earlier choice of Monkfish.

The sides were delicately seasoned and complimented the beef well. A fabulous choice that you should go for.

Outro.

Despite the seismic change Covid had on the airline industry, Singapore Airline’s business class has remained relatively unchanged from before the pandemic. Service wise, they are as attentive as ever, and whilst certain things (such as amenity packs) are upon request rather than given out in the beginning, which probably cuts down on a lot of waste, one won’t notice a change. Food wise, they have tweaked some of the servings but the overall offerings remain broadly similar.

Below is a gallery of the various courses served. As mentioned in my other Book the Cook reviews, given that these change so often, it’d be redundant to review them. However, they are still nice to look at, I think at least.

Thank you for reading.