The iconic Raffles Singapore hotel began a major refurbishment project in February 2017, closing to the public in December 2017 to complete the works, with a scheduled reopening in mid 2018.
This timeline has now been revised, with the new projected opening slated for early 2019.
In the meantime the hotel has unveiled details about the new culinary offerings that will debut with the hotel’s reopening, which include three celebrity chef dining concepts.
BBR by Alain Ducasse
The Bar & Billiard Room (BBR) will be given a new lease of life by acclaimed chef Alain Ducasse, who will debut a brand new Mediterranean sharing and grill concept. The European-focused BBR by Alain Ducasse will focus on sharing plates showcasing flavours from Portugal, Spain, Italy and France.
The restaurant will feature an open kitchen with charcoal grills and wood-fired pizza ovens as well as a lively bar and lounge that will serve a selection of spirits, cocktails, beers, wines and cocktails.
Ducasse said: “I could not dream of a better location than the landmark Raffles Singapore to bring the Ducasse restaurant experience for the first time to Singapore. My team and I look forward to adding another culinary destination for Singapore’s varied international clientele.”
La Dame de Pic
Housed in the dining room of the Main Building will be a new French restaurant from one of the world’s top female chefs – Anne-Sophie Pic, of the three-Michelin star Maison Pic in France.
Here, dishes will deliver Pic’s signature style of “aromatic complexity, combinations of flavours and tastes that evoke emotions,” alongside an extensive drinks menu curated to offer plenty of pairing opportunities with a particular focus on French wines.
“Making our debut in Asia at Raffles Singapore is a very natural choice for me”, said Pic. “Like Raffles, the Pic family’s culinary heritage spans more than a century. Just like this beautiful hotel, we are storytellers and constant seekers of excellence.”
yì by Jereme Leung
Helmed by one of the most influential chefs in modern Chinese cuisine, celebrity chef Jereme Leung returns home to Singapore with yì by Jereme Leung. The contemporary Chinese restaurant will be located on Level 3 of the newly restored Raffles Arcade.
From Cantonese classics to modern adaptations of ancient delicacies, Jereme will focus on single sourced and seasonal ingredients. The restaurant will offer a sophisticated and modern aesthetic, featuring a soft white palette amidst the colonial architecture.
Guests will also be able to explore an immersive multi-sensory dining experience in the Experience Room, where poetic dishes are curated to evoke all five senses. Intimate private dining rooms will also be available.
Leung said: “Opening yì by Jereme Leung at Raffles Singapore is an honour and I am excited to present my personal take on Chinese cuisine. These dishes reflect what I believe the future of Chinese cuisine should be 20 years from today. It is not fusion, not ‘East-meets-West’; rather, it is about capturing the essence of provincial ethnic Chinese cuisines. With careful focus being placed on healthy and seasonal food produce, it will create authentic taste profiles that are enhanced by modern culinary techniques.”
Another new entrant will be Butchers Block – a vibrant steakhouse with prime cuts of meat showcased in the glass-cased “The Vault”. Features will include an open kitchen format, personal recommendations from resident meat specialists and a wine library with more than 100 different labels.
The new dining concepts will join revamped versions of the signature restaurants that have become synonymous with the hotel’s century-old heritage, including North Indian cuisine in The Tiffin Room, Singapore Sling experience in the Long Bar, classic Raffles Afternoon Tea in The Lobby and sophisticated cocktails in the Writers Bar. In total there will be 10 dining outlets for guests to enjoy.
