After achieving massive success with the two-Michelin-starred restaurant Octavium in Hong Kong, chef Bjoern Alexander has set his sights on the Lion City with Matera. And with the end of a bittersweet reign of the famed Basque Kitchen, the Fullerton Waterboat House is now home to the latest modern Italian restaurant in town.
One foot in the charming waterfront location and you’ll feel as if you’ve wandered into the captivating city of Matera – known for its iconic Sassis on rocky outcrops overlooking the Ionian seas. But no time to sightsee for Bjoern, he’s just arrived and has work to do.
The German chef, inspired by his time in Octavium, sets out to blend traditional Italian cuisine and vibrant flavours of Asia on his artfully inventive plates. Expect combinations like ravioli made from dumpling skin stuffed with sweet red prawns, bucatini pasta coated with spicy Asian dried scallops, Wagyu sirloins enhanced with braised beef tendons on the side, and grilled French pigeon paired with five spice jus.
Though, the star of the show is none other than Bjoern’s signature dish honouring an entire Carabinero prawn. The whole crustacean is first cold-smoked in lychee wood for six minutes to retain its oceanic sweetness. You’re encouraged to remove the head with your bare hands and allow the head butter to drip all over the crustacean or on your Hong Kong-style XO prawn toast, or even take it all in one go just like a shot. However you eat it, it promises comfort and utter indulgence.
The fine-dining restaurant also offers tasting menu formats for a fuss-free experience: a two-course lunch starts from $78 and dinner begins at $138 for three courses, while the eight-course dinner is priced at $308 with wine pairings going for $148. Reservations are now open.