Tuesday, June 3, 2025

Altro Zafferano @ Ocean Financial Centre - A Bright and Bold Refreshed Menu in Celebration of Southern Italian Flavours

ZafferanoMay25-27

Altro Zafferano, perched atop Ocean Financial Centre, returns with a refreshed dining concept centred on everyday social dining. Known for its refined Italian cuisine, the restaurant now embraces a more vibrant and approachable experience, bringing the warmth, boldness, and sun-soaked flavours of Southern Italy to the heart of Singapore's CBD. With a bright Mediterranean spirit and a reimagined menu, Altro Zafferano continues to impress with culinary finesse and soulful, honest cooking.

ZafferanoMay25-5
Pomodoro e Basilico 4/5

We started with the Pomodoro e Basilico ($15), a comforting focaccia that embodies the rustic charm of Italy. Made in-house with sourdough and baked until golden, the base is topped with sweet Neapolitan tomatoes, fresh basil, and a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil. The tomatoes are the star. They are plump, juicy, and bursting with natural sweetness, elevating this humble starter with their vibrant, sun-ripened flavour.

ZafferanoMay25-1
Insalata di Polpo e Patate 4.2/5

The Insalata di Polpo e Patate ($28) showcases a tender Mediterranean octopus paired with baby potatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and a medley of herbs like parsley, chervil, and chives. The light gremolata dressing lifts the dish with citrusy brightness and herbal freshness, tying all the components together into a well-balanced appetiser that awakens the palate.

ZafferanoMay25-9
Carpaccio di Manzo, Pecorino e Senape 4.2/5

The Carpaccio di Manzo ($26) features Australian grain-fed beef sliced and rolled with rocket leaves, pecorino cheese, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. Topped with finely chopped shallots and dressed in a whole grain mustard vinaigrette, each bite is a complex interplay of peppery greens, savoury cheese, tangy balsamic, and tender beef. It is a refined starter with great textural contrast and depth.

ZafferanoMay25-21
Fusilloni con Ragu alla Genovese 4.5/5

A standout from the pasta section, the Fusilloni con Ragu alla Genovese ($36) is rich, hearty, and comforting. The artisanal pasta from Southern Italy is coated in a slow-cooked Genovese ragu made from onions and Australian Wagyu beef, simmered in red wine for six hours. Finished with parmesan, bay leaf, thyme, and rosemary, this dish delivers soul-soothing depth and perfect al dente texture.

ZafferanoMay25-15
Rigatoni alla Gricia 4/5

Prepared tableside for a bit of flair, the Rigatoni alla Gricia ($36 per pax) is a decadent experience. The pasta is tossed inside a pecorino cheese wheel, soaking up all the rich, salty goodness, then topped with crispy guanciale and a bold pepper blend of Sichuan and black pepper. A luxurious treat especially for cheese lovers, balanced by the smoky-savoury punch of guanciale.

ZafferanoMay25-26
Tagliata di Manzo, Rucola e Balsamico 4.2/5

For mains, the Tagliata di Manzo ($68) is a masterclass in simplicity done right. The Black Angus grain-fed striploin is grilled over a Josper to seal in juices and flavour, seasoned with rosemary oil, thyme, and fennel seeds, and finished with a drizzle of Lambrusco balsamico. Served alongside fresh Italian rocket and cherry tomatoes, the dish is full-bodied, tender, and focused entirely on letting the quality of the beef shine.

ZafferanoMay25-33
Branzino all'Acqua Pazza 4.5/5

The Branzino all’Acqua Pazza ($58) was another highlight. The beautifully deboned Sardinian seabass, reassembled with the head and tail intact and baked in a delicate broth of vegetable stock, tomatoes, white wine, olives, and parsley. Finished with extra virgin olive oil and Amalfi lemon, the fish is moist and flaky, its flavours lifted by the bright citrus and briny broth. Elegant and satisfying.

ZafferanoMay25-43
Tiramisu 4.5/5

We ended on a high note with the Tiramisu ($24). This refined rendition layers mascarpone cream with gluten-free Savoiardi biscuits, soaked in espresso, orange peel, and a touch of Cointreau, then dusted with cocoa. The dessert is smooth and light, offering just the right balance of bitterness and sweetness, a sophisticated and well-balanced end to the meal.

With its reimagined focus on approachable yet elevated Southern Italian cuisine, Altro Zafferano offers a vibrant dining experience that blends tradition with creativity. Whether you’re here for a business lunch, romantic dinner, or a weekend indulgence, the restaurant’s new menu invites you to savour Italy’s bold flavours in the heart of Singapore.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Altro Zafferano
Ocean Financial Centre
Level 43
10 Collyer Quay
Singapore 049315
Tel: +65 65091488
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Nearest MRT: Raffles Place (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm)
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Raffles Place. Take Exit C. Walk to Ocean Financial Centre which is on the left. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Monday, June 2, 2025

White Restaurant @ Suntec City - Teams Up with Malaysia's Souper Tang For A Special Parents' Day Set

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White Restaurant, the homegrown brand renowned for its 'Original Sembawang White Beehoon', partners with Malaysia's Souper Tang for a heartwarming Parents' Day collaboration. Known for their award-winning nourishing soups, Souper Tang has curated 11 of their specialities for this exclusive menu, available à la carte and as part of a set across all White Restaurant outlets in Singapore from 29 April to 30 June 2025.

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Collagen Ginseng Chicken Soup 4/5

The Special Parents' Day Set ($98) begins with one of Souper Tang's signature broths, Collagen Ginseng Chicken Soup. Fortified with collagen powder and ingredients like whole ginseng strips, fish maw, cordyceps flowers, dried scallops, goji berries, braised shiitake mushrooms, and a large chicken drumstick, the soup boasted a deep, comforting flavour. I particularly enjoyed how the chicken was thoroughly infused with the essence of ginseng. That said, considering it's meant to be a collagen soup, its light consistency didn't quite deliver the expected richness I typically associated with collagen broths.

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Abalone Sauce Pork Tendon with Multi-Grains 4/5

Next came the Abalone Sauce Pork Tendon with Multi-Grains, a dish brimming with protein and nutrients. Served piping hot, the pork tendons were simmered in a rich, umami-packed abalone sauce and accompanied by fried tofu. The tendons were soft and tender, delightfully chewy without any gaminess. Pork slices were also added to provide extra flavour and bite.

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Imperial Seafood Pot 2.5/5

Continuing the collagen-rich theme, the set includes Souper Tang's Imperial Seafood Pot with White Fungus, featuring scallops, sea cucumber, fish maw, tilapia fillet, mini shiitake mushrooms, and sweet peas. While the dish was packed with a plethora of ingredients and generally flavourful, the overall experience was slightly underwhelming, particularly the sea cucumber, which was unpleasantly rubbery and bland.

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Fragrant Pu Er & Goji French Beans 4.5/5

My favourite dish of the set turned out to be the Fragrant Pu Er & Goji French Beans. Stir-fried with minced meat, olive vegetables, and a splash of Shaoxing wine, the French beans were crisp, umami-laden, and utterly moreish. The addition of smoky black Pu Er tea and black goji berries not only elevated the dish's nutritional profile but also added depth and aroma.

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Supreme Seafood White Beehoon 4.5/5

The Special Parents' Day Set comes with free-flow white rice, but you can top up $20 to upgrade to White Restaurant's Supreme Seafood White Beehoon, their beloved signature dish enhanced with premium seafood such as asari clams, prawns, and fish slices. All dishes from the Parents' Day Set Menu are also available à la carte.

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.



White Restaurant
Suntec City
3 Temasek Boulevard
#B1-131
Singapore 038983
Tel: +65 80122678
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Nearest MRT: Promenade (CC, DT Line), Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 930pm

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

2) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]