We all remember the White Rabbit with the pocket watch from Alice in Wonderland, who leads Alice down a hole into a phantasmic world. Back to reality – and Harding Chapel, where Singapore’s own White Rabbit has emerged from its ‘hole’. This church was abandoned for 15 years but now invites patrons into a restaurant and bar that, with its high ceilings and generously proportioned dining and drinking areas, has the mise-en-scène of a mead hall. There’s more than 40,000 square feet of lush greenery surrounding the chapel. Located at the back of the church is the bar area, which opens to a grassy knoll where a family of animal sculptures made of wire and grass occupies the backyard. Diners return for the desserts: the unexpected crunch of toasted almonds in the crème brûlée is, like everything about the White Rabbit, an unmitigated delight.
A chic outdoor bar that lets you unwind amid the lush greenery of Dempsey, complete with animal-themed topiary. But don’t let your expectations get too high: the bar staff isn’t quite up to scratch. Service aside, we highly recommend the divine Mini-Mary, a spicy shot that comes with a cherry tomato, and the Gin Fizz, a heavenly mix of gin, lemon juice, syrup, soda water and a dash of egg white.
Main courses $28-$58.