LUCE Presents A Refreshed Italian Experience With New Chef de Cuisine Andrea Rossi
LUCE, the beloved Italian dining destination nestled in the luxurious confines of InterContinental Singapore, unveils a brand-new experience under the guidance of new Chef de Cuisine, Andrea Rossi, who hails from Ravenna – the culinary heartland of Italy’s famed region of Emilia Romagna.
Launching on 6 May 2024, the exciting new chapter of the restaurant invites guests on a culinary journey that features the quintessential essence of la dolce vita, unveiling buffet spreads that span a premium selection of lunch and dinner curations as well as a luxurious Champagne brunch on Sundays that celebrates the culinary heritage of Emilia Romagna.
Truly a revamped selection of à la carte dishes brimming with authentic flavours straight from the heart of the Italian peninsula adds to the refreshed chapter at the restaurant. We went to check it out in mid-August 2024, and this is our coverage and review of their new offering, that encapsulates the rich tapestry of Italian Cuisine. It was simply exquisite, dynamic and absolutely fantastic in every corner of the taste department.
Bringing together the best of Northern and Southern Italian cuisine, buffets at LUCE are elevated with a delectable spread that encompasses delights from both the land and sea. Feast your eyes on a bounty from the sea with a Fresh Seafood. Cold antipasti options like the Stuffed Bell Peppers and Roasted Mushroom Salad will whet appetites, while an assortment of Freshly-Baked Bread serves as perfect accompaniments. There will also be a selection of Sashimi and Sushi, as well as fresh greens from the Salad Bar.
Beginning at the raw section, we indulged in a plethora of Seafood on Ice, including seasonal live oyster, Boston lobster, snow crab, black mussels, Australian yabby, tiger prawns and sea whelk, before feasting on Premium Sashimi and Sushi. The fresh assortment of oysters, lobsters, yabbies, clams, mussels, snow crabs, whelk and prawns was enough to whet our appetite for a delicious seafood segment of the buffet and it went so well with our favourite Bauget Jouette Champagne.
The Salad Bar boasts a bevy of fresh leaves and dressings, while the Cold Cuts station has the best Italian cured meats destined to ignite the senses of even the most discerning charcuterie enthusiast. Additionally, the extensive Artisanal Cheese selection highlights the finest offerings from each region of Italy, including the rare Ubriaco Al Whiskey – a whiskey-soaked and barrel-aged cheese from the Northeast Veneto region.
As with every visit to Nonna’s home, comfort soups are a must-have part of the experience, and guests can enjoy them in two delightful variations: La Pasta e Fagioli, a hearty Emilia Borlotti bean stew with savoury pancetta ham and vegetable mirepoix (this was so yummy), as well as a rich Double-boiled Chinese Herbal Soup. Chilled delights include standouts such as the Foie Gras Mousse with Duck Breast and Japanese Lobster Salad (tasty), while appetisers like a Caprese Salad, Seared Tuna Niçoise Salad and House-cured Salmon Platter set the stage for heartier mains to take centre stage.
A full spread of LUCE’s Roman-style Pinsas awaits during the Champagne brunch buffet, with eight selections to choose from. Flavours deeply rooted in the classic Neapolitan from the South include the La Margherita Classica and La Parmigiana. Meanwhile, La Tartufata and La Mortadella highlight ingredients from the Northern Emilia-Romagna region.
From the same region, savour the pasta dish, Girelle di Pasta al Forno Emiliana, which is a
baked pasta dish stuffed with ricotta and mascarpone cheese, green asparagus, and brown butter. For other pasta choices, the Gnocchi Sorrentina stands as the pride of Sorrento, featuring pillowy potato dumplings enveloped in a vibrant Pomodoro sauce and topped with creamy mozzarella - (this was just meltingly delicious) while the Spaghetti di Gragnano alla Bolognese sees perfectly al dente spaghetti coated in a deep, the way we love it!
The Champagne Brunch sets the stage for a memorable Sunday with its convivial ambience and live DJ (which played to fantastic chill tunes for a beautiful Sunday brunch culinary experience with champagne) , enhanced by theatrical live stations. We watched as chefs skillfully toss Fettuccine Truffle Alfredo in a Parmesan wheel, complemented by Truffle Cream Espuma or Roman Carbonara Espuma - wonderful!.
Seeking to enthral with its savoury and succulent meat is the Pollo Ripieno, a Tuscan- style rice-stuffed roasted chicken served with Nocellara olives, wild mushrooms and chicken jus - truly traditional but fits well with our Asian-centric palate. We were pretty impressed with the beef, lamb, chicken and roast sections which was truly tender, aromatic and went along with the dips and sauces.
At Luce, every meal is transformed into an engaging spectacle, making it a beloved venue for everyone - from business gatherings seeking an extraordinary touch to family celebrations, friendly reunions, or romantic dates. Their theatrical open kitchens and interactive live cooking stations add a dynamic layer to your dining experience.
The Porchetta di Manzo e Salsa Verde is an incredible slow-cooked masterpiece, resulting in the most tender beef slices served with zesty salsa verde and comforting potato fondant. At the same time, the Bollito Misto showcases a diverse selection of gently boiled cuts of Emilia-Romagna beef, veal, chicken and pork in an aromatic broth.
In addition to the delectable array of Italian fare, Asian selections promise to elevate guests’ experiences. Loyal patrons of InterContinental Singapore will also enjoy the hotel’s Signature Prawn Noodle Soup, featuring succulent tiger prawns in a fragrant seafood broth. Dishes such as Malabar Fish Masala, Ayam Masak Merah, Sambal Petai Sotong, Fried Seafood Hokkien Mee, and a Dim Sum Selection will also be available, among many others, to showcase the diverse flavours of Asia. We love all the local creations that went along well with our seafood and Italiano offerings, it paired well naturally.
Finally, dessert boasts an impressive line-up of 13 mouthwatering creations. From a luscious Chocolate Fountain with an assortment of ingredients to Marble Cheesecake, Raspberry Panna Cotta and Mango Osmanthus Pudding - so tasty and it made our afternoon even more brilliant! Each treat pairs perfectly when washed down with a glass of bubbly and poses as a delightful way to round up the Luce's Champagne Sunday Brunch Buffet dining experience.
The Champagne Sunday Brunch is available every Sunday from 12pm to 3pm. Prices start from SGD38++ for children aged 3 to 5, SGD68++ aged 6 to 11, and SGD118++ per adult (includes free-flow soft drinks, juices, coffee and tea), SGD158++ (includes free-flow Prosecco, Peroni Beer and soft drinks) and SGD178++ per adult (includes free-flow Champagne or Italian Franciacorta, Aperol Spritz and selected cocktails and wines).
Picture of us with Chef Andrea Rossi, and he shared us with passion with Italian Cuisine.
Chef Andrea Rossi
With an impressive two-decade career at esteemed kitchens, Chef Andrea Rossi brings his culinary knowledge and most cherished flavours of Italian cuisine to LUCE. He draws inspiration from his rich experiences living and working in Asia, and seamlessly merges his understanding of Asian palates with his passion for authentic Italian cuisine. "Food is Italy's love language, a timeless thread weaving bonds through centuries of cherished traditions," Chef Rossi muses. “At LUCE, I aspire to raft a dining experience brimming with warmth and joy, where every dish narrates a tale of culinary heritage and heartfelt passion. Each dish we serve not only tells a story of Italy's gastronomic legacy but also celebrates the exciting flavours and ingredients that Singapore has to offer, blending tradition with a contemporary twist."
Harkening back to his childhood, Chef Rossi is eager to share the Italian culture of sharing and feasting by placing more emphasis on the buffet spreads at LUCE instead — a huge change fromwhen LUCE first launched. In his buffet curations, the concept of “famiglia” (family) is celebrated, encouraging meaningful conversations and togetherness over hearty dishes, from antipasti to pasta, pinsas and desserts. Every meal here is transformed into an engaging spectacle, with theatrical open kitchens and interactive live cooking stations. Each menu section also showcases Chef Rossi’s artful fusion of the timeless allure of Italian flavours with the city’s locally sourced ingredients, promising a culinary journey that bridges cultures and tantalises the senses.
LUCE
InterContinental Singapore, Level 1
80 Middle Rd, Singapore 188966
Tel: +65 6825 1008
For reservations, please call +65 6825 1008.
Opening Hours
Lunch: 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm (Monday to Saturday; last order at 2:00pm);
Dinner: 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm (Daily; last order at 9:30pm)
For more information, please visit luce.com.sg.
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