Even if you're not the type to stroke your chin at art, there's something to be excited about when the National Gallery Singapore opens in November. Seven things, actually. Seven F&B establishments are now in the works within the two former colonial buildings, and are slated to open in time for the gallery's ribbon-cutting before the end of the year.
Modern Indian restaurant SAHA unseats itself from Chinatown and moves city-wards to partner new-to-industry Padang FNB, which also runs The Altimate bar (not to be confused with the club in 1-Altitude) in a ground-floor space in the Supreme Court Wing. Facing it in the cavernous Southeast Asia Foyer: Julien Royer and The Lo & Behold Group's fine dining restaurant, Odette.
Over at the City Hall Wing, Violet Oon pitches up her city-side showpiece, the National Kitchen, where she'll showcase authentic – and forgotten – local fare.
Upstairs, The Park Hotel Group opens its first off-hotel Cantonese restaurant and rooftop cocktail bar, Yan and Smoke & Mirrors, respectively. They’ve got a neighbour in the ilLido Group’s dressed-up, 90-seater Italian restaurant, Aura, which serves lunch and dinner in a room decked out with – what else – local art.
Aura also has a rooftop perch, the Sky Lounge. Overlooking the Civic District, the bar spreads out a raw bar buffet ($18/person) of salads and light bites, a European-style high tea set ($18/person), and a menu of cocktails and bar grub like oyster sliders ($18) and lobster claw rolls ($28).
Details are still scant on the complex's most wallet-friendly offering, but an early release indicates that Loh Lik Peng's Unlisted Collection will join retailers at ground-floor lifestyle concept, Gallery & Co, to run an all-day café.