Delightful restaurant and bar serving authentic Italian cuisine & refreshing cocktails in the courtyard of iconic Singapore hotel
May 31st, 2013
Among Singapore’s plethora of five-star hotel dining venues, a refreshingly relaxed and charming option was launched earlier this year at the “grande dame” of Singapore’s luxury hotels- Raffles Hotel Singapore. Introducing a fresh cuisine concept at the wonderful outdoor space occupied by the Raffles Courtyard restaurant, Deputy Executive Chef Nicola Canuti has drawn on his Italian upbringing to create a menu of reassuringly familiar, home-style Italian dishes. Perfectly matched to the laid-back refinement and tranquility of the inner courtyard space, the compact menu offers diners uncomplicated selections of insalate, pasta and pizze, with classic gelato to finish. Sharing the Courtyard space, the Gazebo Bar is an outdoor oasis of exquisite cocktails and refreshing beverages. World famous as the home of the Singapore Sling, the perfect setting to imbibe this iconic cocktail is the balmy tropical garden ambiance of the Raffles Courtyard and Gazebo Bar.
Prepared from a concise assemblage of just six pastas and six pizzas, the Raffles Courtyard dishes exemplify the well-balanced provincial style of home cooking for which Italian cuisine is so endeared world-wide. Classic dishes are masterfully created from fresh, authentic ingredients- served in generous portions- and at very reasonable prices. Pasta selections include Linguini con Pesto; Penne Arrabbiata; and Tagliatelle con Pomodoro Fresco, Olive e Mozzarella. And among the classic pizza varieties featured are favorites such as- Margherita; Marinara; and Parma e Rucola.
Complimenting the hearty comfort food, a well-crafted list comprised exclusively of regional Italian wines has been selected by the Raffles Hotel Wine Director. House wines are served in miniature Terra Cotta Anforas, handmade clay-based vessels originating in twelfth century Venice, when wines were stored in such earthernware containers to maintain a cool temperature. Other beverages can be ordered from the Drinks List at the adjoining Gazebo Bar including cocktails, soft drinks, international beers etc..
At the Gazebo Bar, the convivial bartenders serve up variations of the famous Singapore Sling cocktails, as well other sublime Asian- inflected cocktail creations. Recently introduced are the Raffles World Cocktails– a collection of signature cocktails from each of the Raffles hotel properties world-wide, ranging from Paris, Cambodia, Phillipines, Seychelles and China to the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Raffles Courtyard serves lunch and dinner daily, with all-day dining from 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
And the Gazebo Bar offer cocktails and refreshing beverages between 11:00 am and 10:30 pm.
The Raffles Courtyard & Gazebo Bar setting
The Gazebo Bar stands prominently at one end of the courtyard area
The Raffles Courtyard kitchen is set within a matching gazebo at the opposite end of the space to the Gazebo Bar.
The courtyard at Raffles Singapore- an urban oasis enclosed by the colonial-era style arched colonnades of the new extensions that meld harmoniously with the original historic hotel building that dates back to 1887.
The elegant gazebo housing the Raffles Courtyard kitchen.
The pizza oven occupies a stand-alone cooking station in one corner of the courtyard.
Fresh, home-made gelati are served from the traditional ice cream trolley parked in the shade under one of the large parasols that also shade diners.
Selections from the Gazebo Bar Cocktail Menu
Tropical Sling- Bacardi, Passion Fruit Puree, Lime Juice, Cointreau, Peter Herring Cherry Liqueur, Grenadine Syrup, DOM Benedictine, Angostura Bitters. Topped with Champagne.
The Singapore Sling– Signature creation of Raffles Singapore from early 20th Century.
Gin, Cherry Brandy, Pineapple Juice, Lime Juice, Cointreau, DOM Benedictine, Grenadine, dash of Angostura Bitters, garnish with a slice of Pineapple and Cherry.
1887 Sling- 125th Anniversary Sling – Champagne Billicart-Salmon Rose N.V., Sling Puree, Grenadine Syrup.
Sling Puree: Fresh Sweet Pineapple, Amarello Cherry infused in Brandy, Orange Skin infused in Cointreau, Fresh Lemon, Gordons Gin, Cointreau, Peter Herring Cherry Liqueur, Grenadine Syrup, DOM Benedictine, Angostura Bitters.
RAFFLES WORLD COCKTAIL: Raffles CH (China)- Johnnie Walker Black Label, Chinese Rice Wine, Calamansi, Gula Melaka.
A new selection of cocktails will be introduced at Raffles Courtyard and Long Bar starting 30 May. Welcoming the concept of Raffles World, each country with a Raffles hotel will be featured with a new creation, playing with the main fruits and spices of the region. The Seychelles will include star fruit, Cambodia will be mixed with kaffir lime, Philippines with mango, France with Chambord, Emirates with dates, Turkey with star anise and China with rice wine. The cocktails are priced at SGD 25++ each.
Selections from the Raffles Courtyard Menu
CARPACCIO DI CARNE CON RUCOLA E PARMIGIANO- Beef Carpaccio, Rocket Salad, Parmesan
INSALTE CAPRESE- Tomatoes, Mozzarella, Black Olive Sauce
SPAGHETTI CON VONGOLE ZUCCHINI E BOTARGA– Spaghetti, Clams, Zucchini, Bottarga
PIZZA QUATTRO STAGIONI– Tomatoes, Mozzarella, Artichokes, Ham, Mushroom
Raffles Courtyard- restaurant & bar at Raffles Hotel Singapore
Address: 1 Beach Road, Singapore, 189673
MRT: Esplanade CC3
Reservations: + 65. 6412 1816
Website: www.raffles.com/singapore/
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/raffleshotelsingapore
Opening Hours:
Lunch and Dinner: Daily 12:00 noon ~ 10:00 pm
Gazebo Bar Cocktails: Daily 11:00 am ~ 10:30 pm
Dress Code: Casual
