Feast for the eyes

feature by denise kok | main photo courtesy of zafferano

Feasts for the eyes discover new perspectives

the swankiest restaurants and bars in town command more than just a look at the dining menu. move beyond the page and discover a meticulously crafted world where the beauty really lies in the details.

In the same way some might uncover new perspectives from rereading Antoine de SaintExupéry’s The Little Prince, I discover fresh narratives each time I watch American Psycho. Elaborate murders and power suits aside, the movie references a stable of dining venues that read as a checklist of the most exclusive restaurants in 1980s New York. Besides Dorsia, the mythological restaurant that the characters desperately try to score reservations for, many of the restaurants actually exist. If you dive into the screenplay, you’ll find that scriptwriters Marry Harron and Guinevere Turner leave no stone unturned when it comes to the miseen-scène. For instance, a description of Espace restaurant is as vivid as it is unsettling: “A cavernous garage, harshly spot-lit, decorated in self-conscious brutalist chic. Iron girders, walls of waxed plaster featuring exposed rusted pipes, a huge Schnabel smashed-plate painting on one wall.”

Inspired, I sat down with the creative tour de force behind Singapore's latest multi-layered dining destinations, which appear to be trending. Stepping into such restaurants is almost like walking into a casino. It is difficult to leave, and you can’t blame yourself. You can begin with cocktails at the lounge, move on to a meal at the dining area, and round up the night with more drinks at the bar ­— all without having to leave the space.

Award-winning American design and concept firm AvroKO gave us the low down on the stunning interiors of Catalunya, while Joris Angevaare, Design Director of designphase dba, walked us through the intricate details that go into the environs of Zafferano and The Exchange.

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CATALUNYA The Fullerton Pavilion, 82 Collyer Quay. Tel: 6534 0188

Catalunya, with its striking glass-domed structure, is the latest diamond to grace the chic waterfront of Marina Bay. A prime perch on the waterfront, sheathed with floor to ceiling glass panels, paints a sweeping view of the bay rivaled by none. It doesn’t hurt that the restaurant and bar is headed by some of the biggest names in the culinary world. Executive Chef Alain Devahive Tolosa, formerly of elBulli, leads the food front with a mix of contemporary and traditional Spanish cuisine while mixologist Dario Nocentini shakes up some of the most inventive cocktails in the city. photos courtesy of catalunya singapore

roundabout | The circular nature of the structure proved to be the biggest challenge for the team. When working with walls that curved in, provisions had to be made to resolve wall and connection details. In addition, the team had to work creatively to maximise the seating areas in the restaurant.

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rooted in nature | Mirroring the earthy and honest Spanish fare of the kitchen, the restaurant’s interior draws from a spectrum of natural materials. Large end grain tabletops, reclaimed wood floors, and deep grey slates pay a courtly homage to nature.

whetting appetites | The wall lining the lounge area swells with market produce and other organics. Their collective presence evokes the same sense of bounty that resonates throughout the bustling La Boqueria Market in Barcelona.

These elements come together to ignite the sense of a freshly wrung gastronomic adventure.

tiled wonder | White ceramic mosaic tiles are installed by hand. A subtle nod to Gaudi, the tiles also evoke a certain Spanish sensibility. Individual tiles catch the light and dance as one moves through the space.

let there be light | A stunning two-tonne centrepiece of glass and brass hovers dramatically over the bar and playground of Catalunya’s resident mixologist Dario Nocentini. Intended as a feature to anchor the space, the light-piece emits a soft amber glow ­— a calming juxtaposition to the suave blues of the surrounding bay.

tack work | Thousands of brass furniture tacks, imported from the US, dot Catalunya’s luxurious leatherclad walls. “The very same tacks are integrated into the menus and inserted into the spines of the folders for a consistent feel and approach between the physical space, and what a diner touches and feels at the table,” the team at AvroKO explains.

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ZAFFERANO

Level 43 Ocean Financial Centre, 10 Collyer Quay. Tel: 6509 1488.

Sitting on the 43rd floor, this gorgeous establishment is without doubt the penthouse of the Ocean Financial Centre.

It's got all the makings of a suave bachelor pad: a well-stocked bar, fine selection of wines, Italian fare crafted by Head Chef Roberto De Franco, and even a state-of-the-art audio system managed by a resident DJ. The interior, as we discovered, keeps pace with a cool measure too.

verisimilitude | A 60-foot long Rosa Peralba marble wall forms a dramatic backdrop for the antipasti bar. The marble, sourced from Italy, reflects the beautiful swirl of fat and meat that one might find in the profile of Parma ham. Exuding a warm, red glow, this feature wall couldn’t be more fitting for a space that serves up a scintillating array of cured meats.

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private dining | If you’re looking to go incognito, you’ll want to make your reservations for the private dining room.

Accessible by a private entrance from the lift lobby, the elegantly appointed space fuses contemporary Italian design with a touch of classical elements. Besides enjoying utmost privacy, you’ll revel in an elegantly appointed space that impresses with every detail — right down to customdesigned carpets.

tasting the land | One of the first spaces that diners encounter upon entering the restaurant is the wine lounge. Anchored by a high table closed in by a curved wine dispensary, the space allows diners to tip back their vino in an informal way. Here, more than 40 Italian wines can be had by the glass. Opt for a tasting portion, half glass, or if you so please — a full top up.

la dolce vita | Drawing upon all things Italian as a point of departure, the design team headed by Joris Angevaare, Design Director of designphase dba, worked the space to showcase a contemporary interpretation of what might exist in Italy.

a dash of spice | In a literal remake of the restaurant’s name — Zafferano is Italian for saffron — an elaborate metallic structure resembling a handful of saffron stakes claim to the heartbeat of the space. This striking, auburn sculpture was custom-made in Singapore. The design team worked with a welder to create the piece, which lies suspended above the bar area.

beyond the looking glass | The lighting scheme is designed to minimise reflections on the glass windows and keep the spotlight on the view. Lights are strategically directed over areas where food and drink are served, keeping the space snugly lit without trapping diners indoors with their own reflections.

eye on the horizon | A raised floor area allows diners to fully take in the 270-degree views encircling the restaurant. Glass windows have also been kept as open as possible to take advantage of the view, which doesn’t only encompass Marina Bay, but also portions of the Singapore Grand Prix circuit.

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The Exchange #01-05 Asia Square Tower One, 8 Marina View. Tel: 6636 1200.

The Exchange is exactly the kind of space Patrick Bateman and friends would approve of and it is not just the Australasian menu or Chesterfield sofas that add layers to the moneyed charm of this joint. While a favourite watering hole of thirsty bankers, traders and lawyers, The Exchange doesn’t intimidate like an Armani power suit. Instead, it exudes a playful mix of traditional and modern design elements, keeping the vibe somewhat informal. photos courtesy of fearghal hendron for designphase dba

slice of soho | Those who enjoy culinary theatrics will want to opt for a table facing the kitchen, made visible by steel-framed glass windows modeled after midcentury facades found in Soho, New York.

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pixel play | When you walk into the brasserie, don’t forget to look underfoot. Turning a traditional Persian carpet on its head, the dining zone is clad with an army of tiny tiles that mirror the ornate patterns of a Persian carpet.

Besides giving the carpet the mosaic treatment, colours have also been stripped and reinterpreted into six shades of grey.

looking up | Referencing moulded ceilings commonly found in historic stately buildings, The Exchange’s own elaborate moulded ceilings give a shade of storied character to the place. Adapted to fit the contemporary vibe of the space, one section of the ceiling is fashioned from walnut veneer while the other is finished in concrete and cement plaster.

fiscal touches | As a tip of the hat to their clientele, images of a stock exchange line the walls of The Exchange. Taking the fiscal theme even further are large-screen television sets tuned to Bloomberg. You’ll be wise to hedge your liquid portfolio with a dram or two.

top tipple | Rooting the swish space is a solid 12 by six metre island bar fashioned from white grade ‘A’ statuario marble from Italy. The bar acts as a neat separation of the dining zone from the lounge area.

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