New spaces, menus, and even a new chef at these tried and tested favorites.
ALTRO ZAFFERANO
Ten years since opening at the 43rd storey of Ocean Financial Centre, Zafferano has been the go-to spot for fine Italian fare and breathtaking Singapore views. After a decade of wowing diners, the dining destination went through a speedy 45-day renovation, resulting in updated interiors, an impressive 12m-long open kitchen, and private dining areas. In addition to the space, Executive Chef Andrea De Paola also took this opportunity to present a finely crafted menu that’s waiting to be discovered.
Now known as Altro Zafferano, or “the other Zafferano”, the restaurant enters a new chapter with an impressive seafood-rich menu that features contemporary interpretations of Southern Italian classics. New menu highlights include the Wild Red Bream Crudo with Tomato, Basil, and Frisella bread – a light, moreish dish comprised of tender twirls of fresh red bream, mozzarella cream, basil emulsion, nuggets of crisp frisella bread, and a tart tomato emulsion. Of the several pasta dishes, top marks go to the House-made Tagliolini with Langoustine Carpaccio, Amalfi Lemon Garum, and Sea Grapes. Every twirl and mouthful of the delicate pasta dish promises bright, fresh flavors.
Meanwhile, the Silver Cod with Peperone Crusco and Mussels Velouté is a must when it comes to mains. The elegantly plated dish packs a punch with delicate, smokey flavors that’s complemented by sweet peppers done in three different ways.
For a cool, fresh finish to the meal, we recommend the Amalfi Lemon with Pink Pepper and Limoncello, which features soft sponge, confit lemon, white chocolate, pink pepper cream, and limoncello granita.
SHANG PALACE
All eyes are on Shangri-La Singapore’s Shang Palace with the arrival of new Executive Chinese Chef, Daniel Cheung. Coming fresh from a five-year tenure at Shang Palace Kowloon, Chef Cheung brings with him close to four decades of top-level Cantonese cooking. Shang Palace’s loyal clientele will be especially excited because Chef Cheung’s menu is comprised of time-honored classics infused with modernity, meticulous presentation, and bold flavors.
Must-tries from Chef Cheung’s menu include the Applewood Smoked Bean Curd Rolls with shiitake mushroom, carrot, and green mustard – a vegetarian-friendly started that combines fresh ingredients and impeccable technique. Then there’s the ultra-luxurious Boneless Quail filled with bird’s nest in supreme broth that’s cooked for eight hours using chicken, pork, and Jinhua ham. A surprising addition to the menu is the Stewed Shrimp Pomelo Peel, which is a laborious dish that transforms the texture of pomelo peel into an almost yam-like texture and combined with a briny sauce made with soup stock, oyster sauce, sugar, and shrimp roe.
Other signature dishes that highlight Chef Cheung’s flavor-forward techniques include the Baked Live Prawns with Garlic and Sarawak White Pepper, a fragrant dish that juxtaposes the seafood’s inherent sweetness and subtle bite of the peppercorns. And while a little too saucy for our liking, the Fried Rice with Kagoshima Wagyu Beef is an elevated take on the wok hei-rich dish, which is stuffed in a warm, hollowed tomato and finished with a classic sweet and sour sauce.
DOLCETTO
What was once a quiet corner bakery and café known for its breads and pastries, Dolcetto has finally come into its own and has expanded into a multi-concept gourmet destination for all things Italian. Following a four-month renovation, the expanded Dolcetto is now a 100-seater space, boasting an artisanal pasticceria and all-day mercatino, offering an irresistible array of Italian food and drinks.
Today, Dolcetto is a one-stop spot for regional and seasonal Italian pastries, which include fluffy bomboloni, traditional focaccia breads, decadent cakes, and tarts – all freshly made by the hotel’s pastry team. In addition to these specialty bakes, the menu also offers a selection of gourmet sandwiches, quiches, and ready-to-eat mains for those looking for more substantial lunch options. If you decide to linger on until dinner, you can opt for antipasti, handcrafted pizzetta, pastas, and sharing plates – perfectly washed down with cocktails, beer, and various Italian wines.
For those with a sweet tooth, the new Dolcetto is a confectionary wonderland, with a dizzying display of freshly made gelato, artisanal pralines, candies, and chocolates. Bring a taste of Italy home too with the wide range of specialty foods and merchandise, which include cheeses, pasta and pasta sauces, balsamic vinegars, olive oils, and wines.
