Hilton Singapore Orchard
When is a hotel more than just a hotel? It’s possibly when people also come to stay for the food. Hilton Singapore Orchard is one of those destinations where the drinking and dining experience is top-notch, especially since Osteria Mozza opened an outpost in the hotel.
With dishes inspired by the Chef Nancy Silverton helmed Michelin-starred Osteria Mozza in Los Angeles, the menu here is hearty Italian dishes with a focus on using simple high-quality ingredients. On my visit, the menu was separated into four sections: antipasto, sandwich, pizza and dolci.
The burrata apricot at Osteria Mozza.
The welcome canapé of burrata apricot was exceptional yet made of the simplest list of ingredients: burrata topped with fried kale and pieces of apricot while the roasted chicken salad came with the most delicious grain mustard dressing.
A favourite was the grilled cheese sandwich served with a side of thinly cut chips and pickles. This is comfort food at its best. The popular wood-fired pizzas live up to the hype although I particularly preferred the funghi misti pizza compared to the aglio olio interpretation in pizza form. For dessert, there was a hearty tin roof sundae served in a bowl with caramel gelato, salted peanuts and marshmallow sauce. The restaurant’s convivial setting makes this the perfect spot for light lunches and long dinners. There’s also a vino wall and a rooftop herb garden, where the hotel picks fresh produce.
Ginger.Lily Lounge & Bar
In the lobby, the hotel characterises Ginger.Lily as a place to discover afternoon tea and craft cocktails. They have a wide selection of cocktails served up with entertaining presentations.
During my stay, there was the multi- sensorial Synaesthesia menu, a fun experience to engage the five senses. The menu features innovative reimaginings of classic cocktails. Ginger.Lily is also proud of their zero-proof offerings, with a selection of mocktails that also provide a heightened sensorial experience so that everyone can join in the fun.
I opted for the kombucha concoction which is poured out of a fun-looking vessel. There’s also a cocktail that comes with headphones, so you can listen (or immerse) to the sound of a flowing river while enjoying your beverage.
Ginger.Lily’s Nikkei-inspired Afternoon Tea.
Ginger.Lily is also where the afternoon tea is served and it truly is an indulgent affair. The set is served in a “storybook” like tray which opens up into several drawer sections, to showcase the second chapter of Ginger. Lily’s signature afternoon tea offering.
I particularly liked the savoury offerings such as the beef sando, a fun twist to the traditional tea sandwiches so often found in regular tea sets. The menu here comes with Japanese influences with a modern twist. The shishamo with siracha sauce and jalapeno is a nod to Japanese-Peruvian cuisine. The nigiri selection comes in three offerings: foie gras, maguro chu tori and white fish.
For sweets, there are scones and a selection of Japanese inspired sweets such as mango cheesecake and strawberry miso tart red tea azuki dorayaki. The tea selection is great, with artisanal and herbal infusions. Open day and night, Ginger.Lily also doubles as the perfect meeting (or date night) spot with its secluded booths.
Hilton Singapore Orchard-Executive Lounge.
But what is a hotel stay without venturing to the buffet? The breakfast and dinner buffet at Estate offer more than the usual, with a wide selection of cuisines. But the feature that sparks the most interest is the theatrical live cooking stations where you can order your meals on the spot and have them delivered to your table.
Estate’s dinner buffet selection.
There’s also the Michelin-starred Shisen Haten, possibly one of the top spots for Szechuan cuisine in Singapore. Helmed by Chef Chen Kentaro, expect classic Szechuan dishes served in an elegant setting with the most gorgeous views of the city skyline. The lobster with noodles is the highlight of the menu.
Mandarin Chicken Rice from Chatterbox.
But what of the local dishes, you ask? When in Singapore, sometimes we pine for a more casual dining experience and the hotel has that sorted. Chatterbox which is accessible via the hotel, is an award-winning Singaporean establishment that has been a long favourite for locals and tourists alike.
The signature Mandarin chicken rice and lobster laksa are must haves. Its menu also offers little bites such as the otak-otak and satay which serves up the perfect local meal to top off your stay, and what’s best? It’s all under one roof – available right at Hilton Singapore Orchard.
