The iconic Raffles Singapore, one of the few remaining nineteenth century hotels in the world (it dates back to 1887), is all about heritage and charm. After it was declared a national monument by the government in 1987, the building went through complete restoration works in 1989, reopening in 1991 more majestic than before.
Last year, the hotel embarked on another journey of restoration, and it’s expected to open in the first quarter of 2019. Meanwhile, the team has been working behind the scenes to revamp some of its classic concepts and bring in new celebrity chef restaurants. Here’s a preview of what to expect when its doors open once again next year.
BBR by Alain Ducasse
The Bar & Billiard Room (BBR) gets a fresh makeover with chef Alain Ducasse at the helm, introducing his first Mediterranean sharing and grill concept. The restaurant may be 122 years old, initially getting its start as a club during British colonial rule, but it’ll be just as vibrant as ever, with an open kitchen featuring charcoal grills and wood-fired pizza ovens in the lively lounge space. Also look forward to the return of the much-loved Raffles Sunday Brunch here.
La Dame de Pic
Anne-Sophie Pic is one of the world’s best female chefs with three Michelin stars to her name, and she’s making her Asia debut at Raffles Singapore with La Dame de Pic. Nestled at the hotel’s dining room in the main building, the chic space will be decked out in pastel hues with leather and wood elements, and the menu will offer drink pairings for diners to taste the best of both worlds with a list of wine, whisky, sake, tea, coffee, and more.
yì by Jereme Leung
Touted as one of the most influential names in the modern Chinese culinary scene, Jereme Leung returns to Singapore with a concept on the third level of the newly-restored Raffles Arcade. With the use of single sourced and seasonal ingredients, the menu will offer Cantonese classics and contemporary renditions of China’s ancient delicacies.
Besides these three bigwigs, the hotel’s Raffles Arcade will also be home to a new steakhouse called Butcher’s Block, which will host a “vault” showcasing choice cuts of single sourced meats, as well as an open kitchen for guests to watch the chefs in action.
As for the familiar names that are undergoing a revamp, expect a restored Long Bar counter at the bar where the Singapore Sling was created, as well as reinstated wooden floorboars in the Tiffin Room as a nod back to details of the early 1990s.
Meanwhile, the grand lobby is where you’ll now find the Raffles Afternoon Tea experience, and the Writers Bar will be expanded to a full concept with craft cocktails, wines, and spirits in a luxuriously furnished space. Alternatively, you can swing by Raffles Courtyard for a drink at the all-day bar and lounge, or grab some pastries and a cup of coffee at Ah Teng’s Cafe, the new takeaway bakery.
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