Taking over the three-story shophouse that used to house two-Michelin-star Restaurant André is the simply-named Zén. It’s overseen by Swedish chef Bjorn Frantzen (he’ll fly to Singapore to supervise the cooking here every few months), also behind Stockholm’s three-Michelin-starred Restaurant Frantzen. Chef Frantzen has partnered restaurant group Unlisted Collection (which used to own André). Interestingly, chef Andre Chiang himself, who's now mostly based in Taiwan, has a share in this eatery but will not be involved in the kitchen. The 24-seater will serve Nordic cuisine with Asian influences,via nine-course tasting menus (starting from $450 per guest). Expect dishes like the grand-sounding French Toast “Grande Tradition 2008” and Consommé a´la Truffe (lush truffle laden-toast of sorts, pictured).
We're told the restaurant will look completely different from its previous incarnation as André. Zen’s operations in the opening period will be overseen by Restaurant Frantzen’s Swedish executive chef Marcus Jernmark, who will serve alongside head chef Tristin Farmer (the Englishman will be based in the SG restaurant for three months), who has worked at Maze by Gordon Ramsay in London. 41 Bukit Pasoh Rd, S089855. Call 9236-6368 for reservations. www.restaurantzen.com.
Tucked away on Swissôtel The Stamford’s 70th floor, two-month-old Skai is a contemporary grill that took over the iconic Equinox. So basically, steaks with a panoramic view (fab for dates). The menu boasts about 10 types of beef, including cuts from Japan, America and Australia cooked in a Josper Charcoal Oven. There’s plenty of seafood, too, such as the Loch Fyne Smoked Salmon Fillet ($64). Start with small plates such as the Seared Foie Gras ($32) which comes with Fuji Apple, Green Tea Granola and Choya, before tearing into a A5 Saga Wagyu steak ($179 for 160g). End off with a Caramelised Soy Bean Cheesecake ($22), paired with Miso Fudge, Citrus Jelly and Lemon Sorbet. Thirsty? The restaurant's bar serves unique cocktails like a Jackfruit Highball ($25). Pro tip: lunch is cheaper here, it starts at $39 for two courses.Level 70, Swissôtel The Stamford, 2 Stamford Rd, S178882. Tel: 6837-3322. www.facebook.com/pg/SKAI.SG
End off with a Caramelised Soy Bean Cheesecake ($22), paired with Miso Fudge, Citrus Jelly and Lemon Sorbet. Thirsty? The restaurant's bar serves unique cocktails like a Jackfruit Highball ($25). Pro tip: lunch is cheaper here, it starts at $39 for two courses.Level 70, Swissôtel The Stamford, 2 Stamford Rd, S178882. Tel: 6837-3322. www.facebook.com/pg/SKAI.SG
Okay, this place isn’t super atas. But famed French chef Alain Ducasse, whose empire of lavish restaurants around the world boasts a total of 21 Michelin stars, is behind it. He will be opening a casual 235-seat restaurant and bar serving Mediterranean food at Raffles Hotel. Incidentally, the 131-year-old hotel is currently closed for refurbishment. BBR by Alain Ducasse will reside in the hotel’s iconic Bar & Billiard Room. There'll be a bar, lounge and an open kitchen. Food-wise, expect Mediterranean cuisine with a focus on charcoal grilled meats (like chicken, pictured) and sharing plates, along with wood fire-cooked pizzas. According to the hotel's PR rep, this will be Alain’s first attempt at a more casual concept as opposed to his usual swankier establishments. Fun.Bar & Billiard Room, Raffles Hotel, 1 Beach Rd, S189673.
French chef Anne-Sophie Pic is one of the world’s top female chefs — her restaurant Maison Pic in southeast France boasts three Michelin stars. La Dame de Pic will be her first eatery in Asia. The French fine-diner (expect to pay a couple of hundred bucks here) will also be at the Raffles Hotel. The menu offers a taste of elegant southeastern French cooking, with a focus on the dishes found in Valence. Details on the the actual dishes are scant for now, but looking at the offerings at La Dame de Pic's branch in London, one can look forward to dishes cooked with quality produce like Wild Sea Bass and Organic Welsh Lamb. The 50-seater’s interior will feature “a graceful and soft palette that is reminiscent of Anne-Sophie”.Main building, Raffles Hotel, 1 Beach Rd, S189673.
The former executive chef of Jiang Nan Chun at Four Seasons Singapore is behind yi by Jereme Leung, a 120-seat contemporary Chinese fine-dining restaurant serving classic Cantonese dishes and new renditions of ancient Chinese dishes. Hong Kong-born Leung has appeared as a judge on MasterChef China and has a restaurant consultancy business in China. Yì, which stands for art in Chinese, will be housed at the soon-to-be-newly restored Raffles Arcade within Raffles Hotel.
Level 3, Raffles Arcade, Raffles Hotel, 1 Beach Rd, S189673.
Taking over the premises of the short-lived mod Australian restaurant Blackwattle is Basque Kitchen, a collaboration between Unlisted Collection and Aitor Jeronimo (pictured), the former head chef of one-Michelin-star Iggy’s. Here, the Spanish-Australian chef serves Basque cuisine via tasting menus ($115 for a 7-course dinner; $45 for 4-course lunch). Dishes include the chef’s contemporary versions of classic Basque dishes like Marmitako, a tuna and potato stew. There’s also the Txuleta, Angus prime rib grilled Basque-style. The restaurant also houses an extensive wine list, from famous brands like Peter Sisseck to boutique collections from Spain and other regions.
97 Amoy St, S069917. Tel: 6224-2232. Open daily except Sun. Mon to Fri 11.30am to 2.30pm; 6.30pm to 11pm. Sat 6.30pm to 11.30pm. www.basquekitchenbyaitor.com/
