It’s only been a couple of weeks since @bbrbyalainducasse officially opened at the iconic Raffles Hotel but based on our lunch there last Sunday, it feels like they have settled in very nicely.
I use to visit this venue in its previous incarnation of the “Bar & Billiard Room” quite often, mostly for their buffets. It certainly looks and feels like a different world now as the space is much brighter being predominantly white with accents of reds, copper and gold.
I like how the menu at BBR is designed to cater for whatever you are in the mood for, including a few of their signatures grouped into a Tasting Menu at $128++ per pax (ideal for those who want to try a bit of everything). All diners get served a little snack to start regardless - it was a tasty foie gras and vegetables pastry for us. The appetisers here can double up as small plates for sharing if you prefer a light meal - these are very affordably priced between $9++ and $28++. From this section, we ordered the salted cod fritters, mini sandwiches filled with pesto with parma and the caramelised onions and anchovy tart (to me, it’s more like a thin pizza as the light crust is a bit substantial). The two of us enjoyed them very much, along with the off-the-menu Barbajuan, pillows of pastry stuffed with spinach, swiss chard and ricotta that came compliments of Sous Chef Iswardy.
As the above was already really filling, T.H. and I opted for just one slice of the Porchetta. It’s a special of the day which Head Chef Louis Pacquelin had tempted us with when we were first seated. Served with some fresh salad, the Spanish suckling pig proved uber tasty. I found the generous stuffing of pistachios, Swiss chard, spinach, pork liver, cured pork fat, marjoram, parsley and chervil to be perfectly seasoned and so flavourful ($17++).
Throughout all this, the ever-cheerful Sommelier Justin Wee plied us with some great wine recommendations to accompany.
We had tummy space to split a single dessert and the housemade pistachio ice-cream with strawberries I picked was unbelievable. Highly recommended you order this if you are a fan of pistachio ice-creams because theirs is outstanding.
Service at BBR was good too - smart and friendly. We will definitely return.
