There’s no better way to tackle museum fatigue after a long day of art viewing than sitting down to a great meal and refreshing cocktails. And fortunately, visitors to the National Gallery Singapore get to be stimulated not only by its epic art collection but also by a suite of specially curated dining options – the kind that can be perfectly paired with their love for the arts. Think fine dining washed down with great wine just metres from some of Asia’s most stunning artworks. The beautiful fusion of art and palate offers a sensory feast that allows visitors to digest and relish what they’ve just seen in the Gallery.
Fusion of art and palate at the National Gallery Singapore. (Photo: Odette/The Lo & Behold Group)
Reflecting the Gallery’s philosophy of presenting unique perspectives about Singapore and Southeast Asian art histories within a global context, the wide variety of cuisines spans everything from Singapore and Asian delights to European fine dining.
In curating the culinary experience, the Gallery has dedicated about 2,500 square metres of space to restaurants across several levels of the former Supreme Court and City Hall wings. Some of the menus will also be customised in conjunction with changing themes of the Gallery’s special exhibitions.
Aura Sky Lounge. (Photo: IlLido Group)
“We want to create a seamless and unique experience for our visitors as they move from the gallery spaces into the various dining areas. The mix of cuisines, with a wide range of price points, was also deliberately selected to ensure that there is a palatable option for every visitor. We hope that their enjoyment of the art is enhanced by their culinary experience and vice-versa,” said Chong Siak Ching, CEO, National Gallery Singapore.
Don't miss the palate-stimulating Aura Restaurant and Sky Lounge and Odette.
A taste of Italy
Located on the fifth floor of the Gallery, Aura by ilLido Group spans across two floors and over 840 square metres at the Gallery. It comprises four unique dining concepts, each an independent experience while effortlessly complementing one another. Owned by Italian restauranteur and well-known food personality Beppe De Vito, Aura is set to be at the forefront of Italian dining in Singapore.
“The Gallery is an iconic arts institution, where every square inch of the Gallery holds a piece of Singapore’s heritage and history. There’s no better or more fitting place than an iconic landmark to build an iconic dining destination like Aura. The location itself played a big part in inspiring the concept of Aura,” enthuses De Vito.
Palate-stimulating culinary spread. (Photos: Aura/IlLido Group)
Aura serves classic cuisine from all regions of Italy in a relaxed atmosphere. Set on the rooftop of the Gallery is the luxurious Aura Sky Lounge, a chic all-day dining destination. With an indoor lounge and outdoor terrace, the lounge transits from Raw Bar during lunch to Tea Lounge in the mid-afternoon before converting into Lounge Bar, the ultimate rooftop bar, in the evenings.
Aura restaurant. (Photo: IlLido Group)
“Of course, we chose to deliver what we do best and fundamentally who we are (the Italian/ Mediterranean part of our identity) to the diners and patrons of Aura, but above all, Aura was inspired by the Gallery. We aim to become a dining destination that serves diners from all walks of life, and to offer dining experiences for all occasions from casual lunches to business dinners, or from spending a leisurely afternoon catching up with friends to a big nightout,” he says.
French flair
Odette is a modern French restaurant located on level one of the Supreme Court Wing. Two-star Michelin (Singapore) chef and owner Julien Royer, is well known for his artisanal cooking philosophy that pays homage to the purity of fine ingredients and exceptional gourmet produce. He showcased this to critical acclaim during his four-year tenure at JAAN, winning the restaurant 11th place on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2015 and 74th on the World’s Best Restaurants 2015 long list. Odette is the French chef’s first restaurant as chef-owner, which he will operate under The Lo & Behold Group.
“National Gallery Singapore is a museum of beautiful heritage with a rich history, and I am honoured to open my first restaurant here with The Lo & Behold Group. Odette will present honest, produce-driven cuisine that showcases and respects the integrity of high quality ingredients,” says Royer, who was named Chef of the Year at the World Gourmet Series Awards of Excellence 2014.
Art on a plate. (Photos: Odette/The Lo & Behold Group)
Odette is named in tribute to Royer’s grandmother, who taught him how some of the most remarkable dishes can come from the purest ingredients, and believed in ensuring that the fundamental pleasures of enjoying a meal are delivered in the most thoughtful, welcoming and hospitable manner.
It is no surprise then that Odette serves modern French food that is guided by Royer’s lifelong respect for seasonality, terroir and artisanal produce. Termed Essential Cuisine, Royer’s dishes are honest and refined in their simplicity. Sans culinary pretence, his menus showcase some of the best produce from around the world, all treated with the delicate and astutely restrained touch which has become Royer’s signature.
Chef-owner Julien Royer Choconuts Gallery. (Photo: Odette/The Lo & Behold Group)
Like an artist mixing ink on a palette, Royer carefully selects ingredients he culled from some of the finest boutique producers from around the globe – including cheeses from Bernard Antony in Vieux Ferrette, north-eastern France; pigeon from Plounéour-Ménez, north-western France; guinea fowl from Challans, western France; black truffles from Manjimup, Western Australia; as well as fish and seafood from Hokkaido prefecture in Japan, among others. He takes pride in offering Odette diners a unique opportunity to taste these exceptional ingredients at their peak, in the heart of a city that is itself at the crossroads of the world. Guests can look forward to a selection of four- or six-course menus at lunch, and six- or eight- course tasting menus at dinner. Vegetarian menus are also offered.
Hanging art accents mirror chef Royer’s approach to his cuisine. (Photo: Odette/The Lo & Behold Group)
Beyond the food and wine, every additional detail in Odette has also been carefully considered. London’s famed Universal Design Studio (UDS) designed the 32-seat space, which includes an additional private dining room. With overall creative direction led by Singaporean artist Dawn Ng, UDS approached Odette’s interior design as an art piece, intentionally mirroring Royer’s approach of always honouring the integrity of ingredients and their pure flavours. This is demonstrated through the use of natural, raw elements that communicate warmth and comfort, as well as a soft colour palette, all the while respecting its historic and iconic location within the National Gallery. A key feature is the glass-enclosed kitchen, where diners have the opportunity to witness the chefs at work, reflecting the openness and honesty of Odette that is central to the entire dining experience.