Exploring Culinary Delights at Raffles Hotel Singapore

By Susan Williams

Nestled in the heart of Singapore's bustling cityscape is the legendary Raffles Hotel, an emblem of timeless luxury and historical charm. We are all familiar with the hotel as a destination for Instagrammable rooms and courtyards. Yet, beyond its iconic architecture and lavish interiors lies an exceptional array of food and beverage options that make Raffles Hotel a destination for more than a slumber.

Opened in 1887, Raffles Hotel is one of the last 19thcentury hotels still operating today. As one of the first buildings in Singapore to have electricity, its lights beckoned those sailing past, as the hotel used to stand on the waterfront before modern land reclamation. It has undergone several renovations, most recently in 2017, closing for two years and reopening just before the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. These renovations have updated the hotel while keeping it true to its colonial roots and maintaining its iconic charm.

Come along as we take a leisurely stroll through a selection of the food and beverage offerings at Raffles Hotel.

Tiffin Room: An Excursion into North Indian Cuisine

Tiffin Room, a longstanding establishment since 1892, invites you to savor the vibrant North Indian cuisine, combining colonial charm with delightful Indian dishes. The restaurant offers a range of options, from aromatic biryanis to flavorful curries and fresh naans, blending tradition and modernity for a memorable dining experience reminiscent of the streets of India. Adding to the charm, dishes are served in tiffin boxes, the traditional lunch box of India.

Raffles Courtyard: A Relaxing Oasis

Raffles Courtyard makes you forget that you are still in the middle of the city. The outdoor restaurant resembles a Mediterranean garden, providing a tranquil escape from the urban hustle. Serving Southeast Asian bites and offering daily happy hour specials, the relaxed setting makes Raffles Courtyard an ideal choice for leisurely evenings after work or casual gatherings with friends.

A Tale of Two Bars: Long Bar and Writers Bar

Raffles Hotel offers two distinct yet equally enchanting bar experiences. Long Bar, steeped in history, entices with its colonial charm and iconic creation, the Singapore Sling, amidst a tropical setting that whisks you back in time. Don't forget about the peanuts, whose shells line the floors! On the other hand, Writers Bar pays homage to literary legends, inviting guests to immerse themselves in a cozy and sophisticated ambiance adorned with books and memorabilia. The quieter atmosphere of Writers Bar lends itself to working on your next book over a drink or enjoying a quiet date with your beau. Whether you're indulging in the classic allure of Long Bar or toasting to literary excellence at Writers Bar, both destinations offer unique spaces to relax, unwind, and create lasting memories.

Bar & Billiard Room: Indulgence Beckons

Originally established in 1896 as a recreational haven, the Bar & Billiard Room (BBR) has undergone a remarkable transformation since its inception. BBR is not merely renowned as a space for leisure but also for its captivating connection to Singapore's past, notably being the refuge of the last tiger to roam the island. Legend has it that the tiger, having escaped from a circus, found shelter beneath the elevated BBR. Today, the BBR is a luminous and contemporary space, seamlessly interweaving modern design with its timeless architectural heritage. Under the creative helm of Chef de Cuisine Natalino Ambra, BBR has evolved into a culinary haven, treating guests to a delightful journey through Italian gastronomy.

BBR offers an enticing array of dining experiences, from delectable set lunches to aperitivo and à la carte menus. The pinnacle, however, is the BBR Tentazioni Experience. Translating to "temptation" in Italian, the seven-dish extravaganza more than lives up to its name, tempting you to finish every last morsel. Having had the pleasure of experiencing the Tentazioni recently, I can certainly attest to its irresistible appeal.

Starting with an enticing amuse-bouche of tuna tartare accompanied by artichoke puree, the journey was set to awaken our taste buds for the culinary pleasures that awaited us. Served family-style, the meal began with the freshest burrata paired with delightfully flavorful tomatoes, punctuated by the subtle sweetness of charred peach slices. Our journey continued with octopus with cannellini beans and pancetta, as well as a slightly spicy, slightly citrusy beef carpaccio. Temptation could not be denied.

We moved on to a pasta course, where we delighted in perfectly al dente casarecce pasta with chunks of succulent Maine lobster in an orangescented bisque. The pasta was followed by a tender beef tenderloin, served with roasted cauliflower and au jus. We were further tempted with dessert when we thought we couldn't eat another bite. The vibrant strawberry sorbet paired with poached rhubarb carried me back to childhood, evoking memories of my grandmother's strawberry rhubarb pie—a fleeting springtime delight. A homemade version of a Ferrero Rocher, paired with hazelnut gelato, rounded out the Tentazioni Experience, leaving us stuffed and ready for a nap!

Although the Tentazioni Experience isn't an everyday affair, it offers a fantastic showcase of Chef Natalino's culinary brilliance, leaving you longing to revisit.

Whether you stay overnight at Raffles Hotel, enjoy drinks at its bars or courtyard, or relish a fine lunch or dinner, you'll surely be charmed by this urban gem's rich history and inviting ambiance.

AAS MEMBER BENEFITS: RAFFLES HOTEL SINGAPORE

Did you know that AAS members enjoy member benefits at Raffles Hotel Singapore? Paid members may receive a corporate privilege room rate, as well as 15% off at Raffles restaurants and 15% off regularly priced items at the Raffles Boutique and Floral Boutique. Members also enjoy 20% off of treatments at Raffles Spa, Mondays through Fridays.