Summer Season’s Best – Part II

By Anton D. Javier

24 April 2023

It’s time to get excited over the return of a decades-old classic, a restaurant that specialises in unique cuts of beef, irresistible pizzas, and more.

IL CIELO

Once known for its Italian-Japanese fine dining fare, il Cielo has finally shed its formal roots and adopted a more laid back approach to food, which perfectly matches its rooftop, pool-side location. Today, the kitchen is helmed by Chef Marco Fregnan who has introduced a strong lineup of Italian comfort food options to the menu.

The classic Fritto Misto is a good dish to start with, where a mini mountain of lightly fried seafood and vegetables are served alongside lemon aioli. As for pastas, we recommend the classic Cacio e Pepe, as well as the signature Granchio & Asparagi with black ink angel hair, crab meat ragout, green asparagus, and cherry tomatoes. A visit to il Cielo won’t be complete without trying their excellent pizzas, so opt for the Prosciutto Parma with fior di latte, mozzarella, 20-months Parma ham, arugula, and parmesan cheese, as well as the ultra-indulgent 6 Cheeses, where fior di latte, mozzarella, scamorza, taleggio, parmesan, and gorgonzola ooze and wobble on a ricotta cheese base.

Visit il Cielo at Level 24, voco Orchard Singapore, 581 Orchard Road, Tel: 6730 3395

WHITE MARBLE

Veteran Chef Otto Weibel recently unveiled White Marble at Orchard Rendezvous Hotel, which serves as his love letter to the Mediterranean. At this expansive restaurant, diners are treated to the flavors of the region’s sea and land, where produce, meats, and spices seem to be slightly more vibrant.

The best introduction to the menu would be the Mezze Plate, where a lively mix of tabbouleh, fattouche, eggplant moutabbal, hummus, and chicken skewers are waiting to be mopped up by warm, fluffy pitas. The Roasted Butternut Squash, which is lightly spiced and piled atop tangy yogurt, is vibrant and addictive, while the rich Chicken Leg Bone-in Tagine is a celebration of bright, assertive flavors thanks to a rich sauce that’s comprised of preserved lemon, dates, olives, capers, and tomatoes. And what is a Mediterranean meal without smoky skewers, where must-tries at White Marble include the Seafood and Australian Lamb, served alongside sauces like lemon garlic cream, aioli, and salbitxada, a Catalan-style tomato sauce.