Well preserved and polished in its décor, 20 year old Szechuan Court is a restaurant well rooted in tradition. Nestled away from the prying eyes of the shopping crowd, this Chinese restaurant peeps out at the mall from the quiet corner of the pristine Raffles the Plaza Hotel. Upon walking past this reticent corridor, passersby will most definitely be drawn in by the smells that waft from the kitchen, most definitely offering a tempting hint of the sumptuous feast that one will be savouring within.

• The Vibe
  One must step through its rustic elm doors to appreciate its oriental charm and aristocratic elegance. But do not mistake this place to be one of stuffy dining and hushed conversations, for the vibrant crowd in Szechuan Court are definitely people who are there to dine in a dignified yet spirited fashion. For a more intimate experience, opt for the lush booth seats that come attached with fuchsia drapes to award some privacy to your little dinner party. Corporate groups and private functions can also be hosted in their private rooms that will afford a desirable level of exclusivity.

• The Food
  Usher in your meal with the richly aromatic pumpkin cream soup ($15 per person) that comes with chunky bits of crunchy prawns and water chestnuts, altogether served in a prettily carved pumpkin. With your palate suitably primed, it is time to kick start the rest of your meal in true Chinese custom by ordering a plethora of dishes to accompany your bowl of fragrant jasmine rice.

  Must try items include the wasabi-infused mayonnaise prawns ($28 for small) and steamed cod fish with garlic ($18 per piece). The mélange of tastes and textures that these two dishes assure that spice is not necessarily always needed to make food taste good. Particularly, the exquisite tastes of the wasabi prawns stood out as its creaminess enrobes your tongue, leaving a sweet aftertaste behind. However, those who simply must have their dose of spices will be pleased with the highly delectable deep fried home-made cereal egg beancurd ($14 for small) that blends silky smooth egg beancurd with a generous accompaniment of spicy and crispy oat flakes.

  Conclude your meal with the nourishing double boiled Hashma tonic with lotus seeds and red dates ($10 per persona) or chilled herbal jelly ($5 per person) that are known for their health properties, and are savoured by many Chinese people over many generations.

• The Service
  Do ensure that you are familiar with the Chinese language or you might have some difficulty communicating with the staff here at Szechuan Court . However, if you look past the potential language barrier, the service here is excellent. The serving staff are well groomed and professional, and are also very well-informed in the area of recommendations.

The SD Food Advisor's take on Szechuan Court
Having retained its clientele for these 20 years, one should think twice about doubting the culinary standards of the chefs of this restaurant. And indeed, the quality of the dishes prepared expertly by them in a contemporary style does explain the loyalty of the patrons extensively. Oddly enough, if you are looking for the spicy and numbing sensations that are synonymous with the Szechuan cuisine, you will not find it amongst the recommendations.