LUCE by Davide Giacomelli @ InterContinental Singapore - New Italian Restaurant Taking A Bistronomic Approach

Taking over the defunct Ash & Elm at InterContinental Singapore is LUCE by Davide Giacomelli. This new Italian restaurant embodies the marrying of gastronomic Italian dining experience with a warm and inviting bistro ambience.

Before starting our dinner, we are served complimentary bread paired with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. There is also a pot of herb with crackers placed in it.

Bruschetta 4/5

The Bruschetta ($19) here is enormous. It is not those that you can finish in one or two bites. The bread spread with grated garlic is toasted until very crispy. It is then piled with parma ham, buffalo mozzarella, cherry tomato concasse, rocket leaves and basil.

Octopus Peperonata 4.2/5

A recommended dish on the menu is the Octopus Peperonata ($36), a Sicilian-style cooked octopus pan-roasted with ratatouille of red and yellow pepper, red onions and fresh tomatoes. We enjoyed how the lovely sauce complemented the firm yet tender octopus.

Tagliatelle Coda di Manzo 4.5/5

The Tagliatelle Coda di Manzo ($36) may look plain, but each slurp contains punchy flavours from the deboned oxtail and shaved cheese. Not forgetting the fresh homemade tagliatelle pasta.

Acquerello Lobster 4.5/5

A LUCE signature must be their Acquerello Lobster ($46). Each mouthful of the carnaroli rice is cooked in lobster stock packed with robust crustacean flavours. It also comes with half de-shelled boston lobster.

Fragola 4.5/5

Luce-misu 4.5/5

For dessert, we had the Fragola ($18) and Luce-misu ($18). The Fragola is a light, sweet strawberry yoghurt mousse, yuzu chocolate cream, strawberry coulis, and dulce crumble. The Luce-misu is an upgraded version of the classic tiramisu sitting on top of a chocolate cake. It is like having two desserts in one.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


LUCE by Davide Giacomelli
InterContinental Singapore
Level 1
80 Middle Road
Singapore 188966
Tel: +65 68251008
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Bugis (EW Line, DT Line)

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

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

Joyden Canton Kitchen @ Great World - Celebrates Brand New Opening With Summer Eel Fiesta

Partaking in the seasonal freshwater eels season, Joyden Canton Kitchen has launched a seasonal ‘Summer Eel Fiesta’ menu featuring live eels from now till 14 August. We visited its brand new outlet at Great World to taste of this well-loved summer food, alongside its popular Cantonese and locally-inspired signature dishes.

Harvested and flown in directly from Mainland China, the eels are cooked in four ways to bring the most out of their rich and unctuous meat.

Grilled Eel with Honey Glaze 4/5

We started with Grilled Eel with Honey Glaze ($39.80). First glazed with a homemade honey and maltose mixture and then grilled to a golden brown, the eel was delightful with a slightly crisped exterior with bits of caramelization. I do find the glaze a tad too sweet, though.

Braised Eel with BBQ Sauce in Claypot 4.5/5

Braised Eel with BBQ Sauce in Claypot ($36.80) is a crowd-pleaser with chunks of fatty eel, shiitake mushrooms, onions and bell peppers tossed in a smoky housemade BBQ sauce. The onions and bell peppers added a wonderful sweet crunch and an earthly flavour to the dish.

Wok-Tossed Eel with Chives Flower 4.5/5

In a similar vibe is the Wok-Tossed Eel with Chives Flower ($38.80). It is another mouthwatering dish to be savoured that is tossed with a special blend of fermented soybean paste.

Steamed Eel with Fragrant Soybean Crisps 4.5/5

Among the four renditions, the dish that stood out to me is this Steamed Eel with Fragrant Soybean Crisps ($40.80), featuring a steamed eel fillet in superior soy sauce topped with a layer of fragrant fried soybean crisps. I was pleasantly surprised by the subtlety of the fried soybean crisps. They provided just the right amount of umaminess to complement the eel while also playing up the texture of the dish. Half expecting it to be a little greasy, it was actually light and easy on the palate.

Chargrilled Mandarin Peel Pork Ribs 4/5

Fish Maw and Tiger Prawns with Glass Noodles in Homemade XO Sauce 3.5/5

Other wholesome dishes include Chargrilled Mandarin Peel Pork Ribs ($20) and Fish Maw and Tiger Prawns with Glass Noodles in Homemade XO Sauce ($22). The pork ribs shone with a distinct mandarin peel note in the glaze, giving the dish a citrusy lift. The latter was robust with proprietary XO sauce made with dried scallops, but it got slightly greasy with the fish maw.

‘Moonlight’ Rice Vermicelli with Egg White and Scallop 4/5

Joyden's Signature 'Moonlight' Rice Vermicelli with Egg White and Scallop will be the most ideal given its mild flavours for a more saucy preference to appreciate the eels. It marries the classic Chinese dish of 赛螃蟹 with sauteed egg whites and a local 'zichar' noodle dish. A bed of silk rice vermicelli with a touch of wok hei luxuriates in fluffy scrambled egg whites sweetened with crab meat and scallop.

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.


Joyden Canton Kitchen
Great World
1 Kim Seng Promenade
#01-141/142
Singapore 237994
Tel: +65 62192262
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Great World (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 1130am -330pm, 530pm - 9pm
Sat-Sun & PH: 11am - 930pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Great World MRT station. Take Exit 2. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]