Sol & Luna @ CapitaSpring - A New Latin-European Bistro Nestled In Lush Greenery

Sol & Luna is the latest concept by 1-Group perched 100 metres up on Singapore's latest 51-storey skyscraper CapitaSpring. It is a Latin-European bistro nestled in the building's green oasis, a unique sanctuary-in-the-sky of lush greenery.

Fried Soft Shell Prawn 4.2/5

We began our dinner at Sol & Luna with the Fried Soft Shell Prawn ($16) served with lime aioli and parsley. There is no need to de-shell the prawns. It can be eaten together with the crispy shell. An addictive snack to kick start the dinner, especially with a few glasses of drinks.

Grilled Tomino Cheese 3.5/5

You may like the Grilled Tomino Cheese ($22) wrapped with parma ham if you are a cheese lover. You can also taste a hint of sweetness from the acacia honey, coupled with a peppery kick from the black pepper. To enjoy the gooey grilled tomino cheese, you can spread it on the crostini.

Prawn & Octopus Nicoise Salad 4/5

The Prawn & Octopus Nicoise Salad ($25) will delight the carnivores as the meats are more than the greens. You can find prawn, octopus, quail eggs, haricot beans, Rescoldo potatoes, olive and Spanish anchovy on the plate.

White Gazpacho 3.5/5

Next, we have the White Gazpacho ($19) with grape segments, marcona almonds, grilled half avocado and mixed seeds, drizzled with a few drops of basil oil. I find it quite bare with just half an avocado floating in the middle of the white gazpacho in terms of presentation. While the cold soup is tasty, complemented by the various textural bites of the ingredients, I thought the cold soup was not chill enough.

Grilled Australian Shark Bay 4/5

This is our third prawn dish for the night, Grilled Australian Shark Bay ($25). There is nothing fancy, just simple cooking to appreciate the sweetness of the tiger prawns, topped with corn and tomato salsa.

Truffle Risotto 4.2/5

One of the crowd's favourites is the Truffle Risotto ($25), cooked to a delightful creaminess packed with beautiful flavours from the grana padano truffle and mushroom paste. Customers have the option to add fresh seasonal truffles, subject to market price.

Wood-Fired Sardine 4.2/5

The dish that surprised me was the Wood-fired Sardine ($19). Shaped like a sausage, it is actually a concoction of sardine, mussel, herb and pine nuts wrapped with parma ham, paired with butternut puree. There is something familiar with the wood-fired sardine that I can't pinpoint. It just grows on me to go back for more.

Baked Veal Shank Pie 3.5/5

Good for sharing is the Baked Veal Shank Pie ($28). Tearing the puff pastry apart reveals a bowl of chunky veal, carrot, onion, and potato in delicious veal jus. Though I find the veal shank was a bit tough for my liking, the rest are well executed.

Escalivada 3/5

As for the Escalivada ($14), I do not know how to appreciate the mushy texture of the ragout of eggplant paired with capsicum, pearl onions, Spanish anchovies and hazelnut oil. However, the taste profile is indeed delicious.

12 Hours Slow Cooked Welsh Lamb 3.5/5

The 12 Hours Slow Cooked Welsh Lamb ($28) is cooked to fork tender, paired excellently with the bordelaise sauce, broccolini and garlic crumbs. 

Sol & Luna Tiramisu 3/5

For dessert, we tried the Sol & Luna Tiramisu ($16) and Tarte Tatin with Creme Anglaise Sauce ($13). The tiramisu is light-handed compared to other versions I have.

Tarte Tatin with Creme Anglaise Sauce 4/5

My preference goes for the Tarte Tatin with Creme Anglaise Sauce. Pour the creme anglaise sauce over the caramelised apple layer resting on the puffy pastry for a sweet ending to a satisfying dinner.

Overall, Sol & Luna is a beautiful restaurant on top of CapitaSpring. It brings together dishes from the Latin-European region - Italy, France, Portugal and Spain, reinvented with a twist and finesse. While there are hits and misses for the dishes, it is still worthy of a visit to immerse yourself in the green oasis.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Sol & Luna
CapitaSpring
88 Market Street
#17-01
Singapore 048948
Tel: +65 80314316
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Raffles MRT (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Breakfast
Daily: 7am - 1045am
Weekend Brunch
Sat & Sun: 10am - 230pm
High Tea
Daily: 230pm - 5pm
Lunch
Mon-Fri: 11am - 230pm
Dinner
Daily: 6pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Raffles MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Malacca Street. Walk down Malacca Street to Market Street. Cross the street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Trattoria La Vita @ North Canal Road - Homely Italian Cuisine with Japanese Flair

Located just a simple short walk away from Clarke Quay MRT Station, Trattoria La Vita at North Canal Road is a homely Japanese-run Italian restaurant. I learnt that the kitchen is also helmed by a Japanese chef, who was trained in Italy for 3 years. On the menu, you will find not just Italian flavours, but also dishes imbued with a touch of Japanese flair.

Salmon Gazpacho with Cucumber & Grapefruit 4.2/5

Tagliatelle Carbonara with Button Mushroom 3.8/5

Assortment of Desserts 3/5

If you are looking for a good value and quality executive lunch, do try its 3-course Lunch Set, nett priced at $25. A top-up of $5 will get you a glass of house red or white wine. The selections of appetisers and mains are above average I would say. Instead of the usual soups or salads, one of the choices available for starters is Salmon Gazpacho with Cucumber & Grapefruit. Citrusy and extremely piquant, it wowed me with its textural variations given by the different ingredients. For Main, I had Tagliatelle Carbonara with Button Mushroom that was quite delectable as well. The set lunch comes with a serving of Assortment of Desserts, which I was served with a portion of Tiramisu and Cannoli.

Pear Salad with Parma Ham & Homemade Ricotta 4.5/5

Parma Prosciutto with Melon (tasting portion) 4.5/5

Coming down to its ala carte menu, for starters, we had Pear Salad with Parma Ham & Homemade Ricotta ($16.90) and Parma Prosciutto with Melon ($24.90). The Pear Salad is served with a Raspberry Vinaigrette. Its flavour paired really well with the milky sweet ricotta, almost like the combination of berry and cream, and its acidity along with the sweet pears cut the richness of the Parma Ham. Even though Parma Prosciutto with Melon is a classic pairing, but over here, it also shines in terms of its presentation and the quality of ingredients used.

Spaghetti Hokkaido Scallop with Myogo Tobiko Wasabi 3/5

Tagliollini Scampi with Cherry Tomatoes 3.8/5

Under Pasta, there are 3 different categories - Japanese Taste, Italian Classic and Special Seafood. Japanese Taste Spaghetti Hokkaido Scallop with Myoga Tobiko Wasabi ($27.90) is quite unique with the addition of Myoga, Japanese Ginger flower. Because of its distinct flavours, it gave the pasta much of its characters. There were julienned Oba leaves inside as well, which boosted that herbaceous flavour. However, the scallops didn't quite elevate the dish as much as we would like them to. As for Seafood pasta, we had Tagliollini Scampi with Cherry Tomatoes ($27.90), I love how succulent the scampi were, as well as the combination of fresh basil and tart-sweet Cherry Tomato.

Pizza Bismarck 4.5/5

The dish that won our hearts is this Pizza Bismarck ($13.90). Made with Italian flour, the crust, despite it being thin and crispy, was flavorful even on its own. Loaded with chunky pork bacon, asparagus, and sweet onion slices, there was satisfaction in every bite. The egg sitting in the middle had its white set, but its yolk spread and mingled with the cheese and tomato sauce, making the pizza extra scrumptious.

Tenderloin 4/5

La Vita also prides itself on its Josper Grill steaks, which includes John Stone dry-aged beef. We went for Tenderloin (200g $59.90), served with grilled vegetables and potatoes. Ribeye is available as well if you prefer a stronger beefy flavour.

Assorted Berries Tart with Pistachio Gelato 2.5/5

Creme Brulee 3/5

Great mains but the desserts here are all just alright. If you do need one, then go for Crème Brulee ($13.90). Mine was a little eggy, but it came with a nice tuile which went well with it. As for the Assorted Berries Tart with Pistachio Gelato ($16.90), the crust was underbaked, and the custard base was thick and cloying.

Trattoria La Vita has been rolling out quite a few promotions lately, including Ladies' Night every Wednesday from 6pm to 8pm. For any main dish purchased, there will be a complimentary free-flow sparkling wine and La Vito Keto Salad!

Photos and words by Si An. A girl who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Trattoria La Vita
35 North Canal Road
#01-01
Singapore 059291
Tel: +65 62261182
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Clarke Quay (NE Line), Raffles Place (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 1030pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Clarke Quay MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk towards the junction of North Canal Road and South Bridge Road. Cross the junction and continue on North Canal Road. Walk along the shophouses along North Canal Road. Look out for an alley and turn left into it. Look for the entrance to the building and take lift to level 2. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Raffles Place MRT station. Take Exit G. Walk towards North Canal Road. Continue on North Canal Road. Walk along the shophouses along North Canal Road. Look out for an alley and turn right into it. Look for the entrance to the building and take lift to level 2. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

The Lobby Lounge @ InterContinental Singapore - Launches New Classic Afternoon Tea: The Orchard

This season, InterContinental Singapore launches new classic afternoon tea: The Orchard at The Lobby Lounge, available from 1 April 2019 to 31 July 2019. In collaboration between Executive Pastry Chef Ben Goh and RaviFruit's Executive Pastry Chef Jean-Francois Devineau, diners get to indulge in the 13 exclusive creations specially crafted by the two chefs, inspired by fruits from around the world.

The variety of luscious savoury treats and sweets infused with seasonal fruit flavourings are showcased in elegant gold-rimmed cases and a two-tiered stand reminiscent of terrariums.

Sweets crafted by Chef Ben Goh include the Chocolate Cone with Strawberry Beetroot Cream, Mandarin Orange Crémeaux and Carrot Jelly, Apple Milk Chocolate Mousse with Rhubarb Compote, and Ruby Peace and Yuzu Praline.

Sweets crafted by RaviFruits' Executive Pastry Chef Jean Francois Devineau include the Mango, Passionfruit and Coconut Cream Verrine, Morello Cherry and Pistachio Tart, Cake Roll with Blueberry Compote and Raspberry Yoghurt, as well as Caramel Orange Scone & English Scones with homemade peach jam, strawberry jam and clotted cream.

Some of my favourites from the afternoon tea were the sweets which feature a combination of fruit and vegetable, such as the Mandarin Orange Crémeaux & Carrot Jelly, and Chocolate Cone with Strawberry Beetroot Cream. The Caramel Orange and English Scones are best enjoyed with the homemade fruit jams, clotted cream and a pot of tea/coffee.

The repertoire of fruity sweets extends into the savoury treats as well. Relish in the Andalusian Gazpacho, Smoked Chicken Mousse, Chestnuts and Walnuts Tart, Smoked Salmon Sandwich, Brie Cheese, Chives and Horseradish Cream, Prawn with Avocado and Grapefruit Emulsion, Tuna with Risotto and Coconut-lime Dressing, as well as the Ratatouille Quiche.

Begin with the Andalusian Gazpacho, which is a cool and refreshing starter

One of the highlights is the Tuna with Risotto which comes in a bite-sized risotto piece. The pearly grains of rice has a rich and creamy consistency, leaning on the softer side of al dente, while the coconut-lime dressing gave a lift in its flavours.

The Prawn with Avocado and Grapefruit Emulsion is an interesting combination with the fresh, juicy prawns, creamy avocado, and a subtle sweetness from the grapefruit emulsion. Complete the experience with unlimited servings of a la minute crepes and ice cream, or a flute of Taittinger Brut Champagne, perfect for an indulgent afternoon.

Classic Afternoon Tea: The Orchard is available at The Lobby Lounge from 1st April 2019 to 31st July 2019, from 2pm to 5pm daily. The set is priced at:$78++ for two guests, inclusive of a fine selection of loose-leaf teas and coffee, $108++ for two guests, inclusive of two flutes of Taittinger Brut Champagne, and a fine selection of loose-leaf teas and coffee. For reservations, please visit TheLobbyLounge.sg, email InterContinental.Dining@ihg.com, or call +65 6825 1008. >

Photos and words by Crystal. A girl who likes to eat, photograph, and write about food, and dreams about travelling around the world one day. Note: This is an invited tasting.


The Lobby Lounge
InterContinental Singapore
Level 1
80 Middle Road
Singapore 188966
Tel: +65 68251008
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Bugis (EW Line, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 2pm - 5pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Bugis MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

FOC PIM PAM @ Orchard Road - Reignite My Love For Spanish Cuisine

Stepping into FOC PIM PAM at Orchard Road, located just beside Orchard Hotel, it reminds me of the numerous Spanish bodegas that is found along the streets of Spain. The revamped restaurant now features a Tapas Bar, Main Dining Room, Private Room, Bar and Terrace.

Cherry Gazpacho 4.8/5

We started at the Tapas Bar for some drinks and tapas. The Cherry Gazpacho ($6 tapas menu) is a welcoming starter that is served chilled. The cherry gazpacho soup is poured into a bowl which sits a smoked olive oil ice cream. It is a very refreshing combination that will whets one appetite.

Bread with Tomatoes 4.2/5

The Bread with Tomatoes ($6 tapas menu) brought back memories of my recent trip to Spain. I had this almost everyday for breakfast when I was in Spain. I am glad to know that FOC PIM PAM is serving it. The homemade toasted cristal bread is spread with grated tomatoes and drizzled with olive oil. I can also taste a hint of sea salt that perks up the flavour.

Iberico Cold Cuts Platter 4.2/5

Perfect to go with a drink or two is the Iberico Cold Cuts Platter ($13 half/ $24 full tapas menu). Our platter consists of Pork Loin 'Lomo', 'Salchichon' sausage, Chorizo and bread sticks.

FOC Tomato Tartare 4.5/5

You can call the FOC Tomato Tartare ($19) a vegetarian tartare as it consists of a medley of confit tomatoes, chopped Morrocan caper berries, mustard mayonnaise, pickles, shallots and salt. It is then topped with a tomato ice cream. Having it alone can be quite sourish. So it is recommend to go with the tomato ice cream for a more balanced appreciation.

FOC Pig Tripe Stew 4/5

A hearty and comforting dish on the menu is the FOC Pig Tripe Stew ($12). The beef tripe, pig ears, trotters, cheek, head skin and pork belly are chopped into small pieces, and cooked with white wine and sofrito. Chorizo and chickpeas are also added. This is served together with housemade sun-dried tomato and sweet paprika foccacia.

Espinaler Premium Cockles 4/5

Espinaler Cuttle Fish in Olive Oil 4.2/5

An unusual item on the menu is canned food. FOC has imported premium canned food such as the Espinaler Premium Cockles ($28 115g) and  Espinaler Cuttle Fish in Olive Oil ($15.50 115g). It felts a bit weird to be served canned food in a restaurant and furthermore the price is not cheap. I am not sure whether this will work in Singapore. Saying that, the preserved cockles and cuttle fish turns out pretty tasty.

Los Peperetes Goose Barnacles 4/5

Currently not on the menu is the Los Peperetes Goose Barnacles. I have not seen or tasted goose barnacles, so I was curious and not sure what to expect. The texture felt a bit like top shell or escargot.

Leek Salad & White Asparagus Salad 3.5/5

The Leek and White Asparagus Salad ($16) comes naked as the skin of the leek and asparagus are removed, retaining the soft and juicy interior. It is dressed in a butter soy cream and topped with some rocket greens and toasted almond flakes. I enjoyed the accompanying Spanish anchoives that provide the needed acidity to the dish.

Prawns 'Al Ajillo' 3.8/5

The prawns from the Prawns 'Al Ajillo' ($22 main menu) are big and juicy with a nice charred aroma, served on a bed of potato foam. However I find the garlic was a bit burnt, giving an unpleasant bitter finishing.

Fresh Burrata 4.2/5

I applauded the extra effort in serving the Fresh Burrata ($22) with a picadillo of chopped sun-dried tomatoes, preserved piparra peppers, mint, pine nuts and extra virgin olive oil. It gives the creamy Italian burrata a more complex dimension with the extra boost in flavours and textures.

PIM PAM Croquetas 4.2/5

Another staple dish in Spanish cuisine is their croquetas. At FOC, there are 4 choices of the PIM PAM Croquetas ($10-$12 for 4pc main menu). The choices are ham, mushroom, crab, spinach & pine nuts. The croquetas are coated with panko bread crumb, deep fried to golden brown and topped with bechamel sauce. Soft inside and crispy on the outside, this is actually quite addictive.

Potato Bravas 4.5/5

You probably cannot tell from the picture but the Potato Bravas ($10 main menu) is made from layers of thin potato sheet that has been sliced using a pasta machine. On the top of it is aioli, salsa brava and chopped chives. You will not regret having a few of this deep fried potato millefeuille. Its not life changing but definitely worth skipping the diet plan.

Iberico Secreto Pork & Mushroom Paella 4.5/5

I am not a big fan of paella but I really enjoy the Iberico Secreto Pork & Mushroom Paella ($33). The bomba rice still retains an al dente bite which has soaked up the flavoursome chicken and pig trotters stock. It also comes with a few slices of tender iberico secreto pork, seasonal mushrooms such as ceps, oyster and button mushrooms.

Suckling Pig 4.5/5

Making a spectacular entry is the Suckling Pig ($130 half 2.5kg) which is good for up to 4 pax. The 3-6 weeks old suckling pig comes from Segovia.  It is sous vide for 10 hours before roasting in a convection oven for 30 minutes. The result is a layer of crispy skin over the soft and juicy meat. It is so soft that the server can cut it using a plate. I know some people do not like the Spanish suckling pig for the acquire milky taste but I did not trace it here.

Chocolate Forest 4/5

We tried a number of desserts on the menu such as the White Chocolate Coated Churros, Spanish Torrija, Chocolate Forest and Lemon Lemoncello. My favourite is the Chocolate Forest and Lemon Lemoncello. The Chocolate Forest ($16) is an appreciation of the different textures of chocolate in the form of cream, soil and leaf. The interesting part is in comes with a pipette of Arbequina extra virgin olive oil, that is supposed to be squeezed onto the dessert. My first time having chocolate paired with olive oil.

Lemon Lemoncello 4.2/5

The Lemon Lemoncello ($12) is a very pretty dessert. The combination of sweet and sour from the meringue and limoncello sorbet works harmoniously on the palate.

I have visited several Spanish restaurants in Singapore but non has really quite impressed me so far. This has changed after visiting FOC PIM PAM. Not sure whether it is due to my recent trip to Spain and I can connect better with the cuisine. If anyone asked me for Spanish food recommendation, I would recommend FOC PIM PAM for now.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


FOC PIM PAM
442 Orchard Road
#01-29
Singapore 238879
Tel: +65 61004242
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 12pm - 3pm, 5pm - 11pm
Fri-Sat: 12pm - 3pm, 5pm - 1am
Sun: 12pm - 3pm, 5pm - 11pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit E. Walk towards Wheelock Place via ION. Exit Wheelock Place and turn left towards Liat Tower. Cross the road at the traffic light junction and turn left towards Palais Renaissance. Continue walking down Orchard Road and turn right onto Orange Grove Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk towards Shaw House via underpass. At the road level, walk along Orchard Road towards Palais Renaissance. Continue walking down Orchard Road and turn right onto Orange Grove Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]