Lamb rack
Cover Lamb rack

The inimitable French chef returns to the Singapore F&B scene with a refreshed Italian dining concept

Legendary French chef Alain Ducasse’s restaurant empire spans many cuisines, from French, Mediterranean, Moroccan-Indian to Italian. We first got a taste of his Mediterranean specialities in Singapore when he opened BBR by Alain Ducasse at Raffles Singapore in 2019, only for it to close its doors for good the following year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

All is not in vain though, as Ducasse makes a grand comeback in our local F&B scene with the opening of Osteria BBR by Alain Ducasse on July 23. The new Italian dining outfit takes over the historic Bar & Billiard Room space and was inspired by Italian Riviera, one of Ducasse's many concepts that took cues from his discoveries and gourmet memories within the region.

Related: Secrets of a Superchef: Alain Ducasse on Pursuing Perfection

Tatler Asia
Chef de cuisine Francesco Soletti
Above Chef de cuisine Francesco Soletti

To provide the most authentic osteria experience outside Europe, the kitchen is helmed by Ducasse protégé and chef de cuisine Francesco Soletti, who brings over a decade of experience honed at Michelin-starred establishments including three-starred Le Louis XV - Alain Ducasse à l'Hôtel de Paris Restaurant. Working closely with Ducasse and tapping into his own Italian heritage, Soletti offers a repertoire of inspired Italian specialities composed of antipasti, freshly-cooked pastas, seafood, grilled meats and wood-fired pizzas.

Reservations start from today (July 1) and if you want to go straight for the specialities, the Menu Tentazioni is a curation of seven signature creations. There’s an a la carte menu, too, in case you want to build your own feast. Recommended items include an elevated version of risotto, featuring sea urchin, tomato water and Provolone del Monaco cheese, as well as marinated sea bream perfumed with Amalfi lemons.

 

'gallery right' 'gallery right'
'gallery right' 'gallery right'
Photo 1 of 6 Crazy water sea bass
Photo 2 of 6 Eliche di gragnano pasta
Photo 3 of 6 Sea urchin risotto
Photo 4 of 6 Lamb rack
Photo 5 of 6 Alba Rossa
Photo 6 of 6 House-aged Negroni

From the pasta section, you have the indulgent Eliche di Gragnano, decorated with succulent Maine lobster, citrus and roasted eggplant, and over at the grilled wood-fired specialities, the deliciously cooked lamb rack is drizzled with lamb jus and served with artichoke and goat’s cheese.

Aperitivo is a big part of Italian dining, which is why the osteria has a cosy indoor bar and al fresco patio to enjoy a medley of cocktails. Alba Rossa, a creative take on the classic Aperol Spritz, is perfect for Singapore’s hot and humid weather, while Tempesta Sicilian and house-aged negroni are best had towards the end of the evening.

And if you still have stomach space to spare, order a few bar bites to share such as deep-fried prawns and calamari rings accompanied by tasty sorrel dip, Pizza Fritta Motanara topped with slow-cooked tomato, buffalo mozzarella, 36-month aged parmesan and basil.

While bookings have started today, we will have to wait for a few weeks before we can dine at Osteria BBR. But considering the authentic osteria experience and the plethora of Italian dishes and drinks, it's safe to assume that this will be another welcome addition to our island’s buzzy dining scene.


Osteria BBR by Alain Ducasse | Raffles Hotel Singapore, 1 Beach Road, S(189673) | Book here

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