FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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Dining out with the Queen of Spades

Dining out with the Queen of Spades

One of the world’s top female chefs with a total of seven Michelin stars to her credit, Anne-Sophie Pic makes her debut in Asia with the opening on Friday (July 5) of La Dame de Pic at Raffles Singapore.

Previously home to Raffles Grill, the dining space has been carefully restored and patrons are now invited to discover the world of Pic’s culinary identity which reflects her search for aromatic complexity, combinations of flavours and tastes. 
Pic hails from a long lineage of chefs with the family’s culinary heritage beginning with the opening of their first restaurant back in 1889. As a third-generation Michelin-starred chef, she follows in the footsteps of her father and grandfather, reflecting Raffles Singapore’s rich heritage since it was established in 1887.

Dining out with the Queen of Spades

“Making our debut in Asia at Raffles Singapore is a very natural choice for me. Like Raffles, the Pic family’s culinary heritage spans more than a century. Just like this beautiful hotel, we are storytellers and constant seekers of excellence. Together, we share the vision of providing distinctive experiences to our guests, delivered with innovation that combines both tradition and change,” Pic says. 
Designed by the award-winning Champalimaud Design led by Alexandra Champalimaud, the 46-seat La Dame de Pic embodies an air of timeless elegance. Soft pink hues and rich plums are matched with grey clay tones and metallic accents, while a peony bas relief graces the ceiling. Taking centre stage in the restaurant is a gold chandelier composed of tiers of discs with laser-cut spades, a play on “La Dame de Pic”, which translates to “queen of spades”. Wall sconces that play on circular geometries add an element of charm and enchantment while making a bold and definitive creative statement in the dining space.

Dining out with the Queen of Spades

Berlingots

The restaurant is helmed by chef de cuisine Kevin Gatin who has been a protege of Pic for more than eight years and has been personally handpicked by her to lead the kitchen here. The dining venue offers a variety of set menu options that will be changed seasonally. With influences from Valence and also the Southeast Asian region, they deliver creative stories while offering various tastes.
Diners can indulge in many signature creations, such as the Berlingots – iconic pasta parcels found in all of Anne-Sophie Pic’s restaurants around the world with unique and slight adaptations to reflect the character of each establishment’s locale. In Singapore, the incarnation of the signature Berlingots incorporates a local touch with a new flavour association using the herb of grace, also known as Chou Cao, which enhances the Berlingots’ French cheese fondue filling. 

Dining out with the Queen of Spades

Cucumber with Oscietra Caviar

Other specialties include Cucumber with Oscietra Caviar, a starter of fine caviar, pickled cucumber, cucumber consomme infused with blackcurrant, and a quenelle of hojicha tea, cubeb pepper and blackcurrant ice cream; Brittany Lobster, slow-roasted with shellfish butter and served with a coriander-and-barley-infused broth; and Tajima Wagyu Beef, roasted Japanese wagyu accompanied with smoked beetroot and a osmanthus-infused mushroom broth. 

Dining out with the Queen of Spades

Araguani Chocolate

The culinary journey continues with desserts such as Pic’s signature White Mille-feuille, featuring ginger flower light cream, confit grapefruit and Litsea cubeba emulsion; the refreshing Gariguette Strawberry and Rosat Geranium, which consists of confit Batak berries, strawberry consomme and geranium rosat sorbet; and Araguani Chocolate, which contrasts light Araguani chocolate mousse, Nikka whisky caramel and smoked Tahitian vanilla ice cream for a decadent finish to the dining experience. 
The extensive beverage menu has been conceptualised by Paz Levinson - Pic Group ‘s executive sommelier in collaboration with Stephane Soret, Raffles Singapore’s director of wine and F&B special projects. The wine list in particular offers a selection that leans towards the French regions, with a particular focus on Pic’s birthplace, the Rhone Valley. 
Lunch and dinner are available from Tuesdays to Saturdays. Find out more at www.RafflesSingapore.com.

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