Go over the moon for a full spread of European-Asian bites at a new restaurant in Chinatown offering an out-of-this-world experience.
At Eclipse, a casual fine dining joint which opened last week atop Chinatown’s Yue Hwa Building, diners can dig into a whole lot of meaty dishes and complex desserts in a lunar setting complete with gauzy light fixtures, mini moon lanterns and netting to evoke the moon’s surface.
Its mission is to cater to a broader audience than richer and older folks and also be “less intimidating” for foodies wishing to upgrade to fine dining, said chef and owner Samuel Quan, who climbed his way up through prestigious restaurants such as the two Michelin-starred Les Amis and three-starred Joel Robuchon in Singapore, as well as Spain’s Aponiente.
The restaurant hopes to achieve this with a design concept that is aesthetically pleasing and starts at a lower price point of S$52 for a three-course meal, though bellies might not be as filled. The photo-worthy spot also has a private room with a sofa lounge and an outdoor seating area with a lawn.
Asked about his fascination with space, Quan said it could be because he’s “always dreaming.” He even has lightings set up in his horoscope’s constellation just under the bar counters.
Lunch sets start at S$52 for a course of three, or pay a bit more and get another appetizer. Choose from a spread of appetizers such as Slow Cooked Salmon, Sweet Corn Soup or Pan Fried Foie Gras, and mains such as the Iberico Pork Collar or the Fisherman’s Pao Fan and the Braised Beef Cheek. It ends with the ‘Orh Nee’ Mille Feuille with coconut ice cream and taro mousse as dessert.
Or have a bit of everything in the five-course tasting menu for S$168. Try the Hamachi that comes with raw yellowtail fish, pickled ginger flower and pear, served on a plate of bubbling dry ice, Pumpkin Laksa Soup with seafood tortellini, puff rice and Laksa leaves.
Move on to the Chicken in spice mousse, green curry and an asian slaw, and the Duo Beef that has Hoisin glazed short ribs, Wagyu meat and crispy potato. Cleanse your palate with the Roselle Fizzy Grapes and end with the ‘Orh Nee’ Mille Feuille and the Petit Four.
Otherwise, go straight for the dinner spread with many more options for all kinds of meats such as the Local Farmed Barramundi (S$36) that comes with potato clam puree, black vinegar and chili oil and fennel; Lamb Rack (S$45) with balsamic jus, grilled pumpkin, and purple cabbage slaw.
If that isn’t enough, munch on their bar snacks with more meat like the Citrus Roast Duck (S$15) in Nonya Pie Tee shell, Asian Salmon Tartare (S$16) with sweet Melinjo, and the Mushroom Croquettes (S$12) with truffle aioli.
For the sweet tooths, desserts include the Berry Island (S$23), a raspberry and sansho mousse, almond praline and Acai sherbet; and the Dulcey Espresso (S$23) of Dulcey mousse, acacia honey and burnt white chocolate ice cream.
Drinks are in the control of Thai bartender Pranisa “Niza” Treechanasin, who once headed the Stella Bar at Bangkok’s Capella Hotel. The cocktail selection includes the New Fashioned (S$25) made with Maker’s Mark, Martini Rosso and maple syrup and the Eastern Bellini (S$22) made with Grand Marnier, Prosecco, peach puree, orange juice, and Grenadine.
Photo: Carolyn Teo/Coconuts
FIND IT
Eclipse
70 Eu Tong Sen Street, #06-01 of Yue Hwa Building
Open for lunch 12pm to 230pm, dinner 6pm to 10:30pm from Tuesday to Sunday; closed Monday
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