The man behind the amazing French restaurant at the Singapore Botanic Gardens shares his opinions on Singapore's dining scene, his winning dish and more
The lovable co-owner and chef of the gorgeous Corner House Restaurant at the Singapore Botanic Gardens tells us what his intriguing cuisine is about, how he plays guide to tourist friends, and little-known facts about the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Gastro-Botanica is…
a cuisine that describes my style of cooking, and it’s essentially French techniques with global influences in ingredients and flavours. As the name suggests, there’s much emphasis on botanical elements such as tubers, vegetables and fruits. I love greens, and I think produce should be more than just garnishes on the plate.
I’m very humbled…
to have cooked for various heads of states visiting Singapore at several official government events.
Singapore’s dining scene is…
vibrant, cosmopolitan, and diverse in terms of concepts, cuisines, and price points. It’s almost a sin not to eat well here; the city has everything from tasty and affordable hawker food to world-class fine dining – all of which are within close proximity.
My go-to spot for supper is…
JB Ah Meng on Geylang Lorong 23. On my day-off, I head to The Sushi Bar at Ngee Ann City for some excellent sushi.
There is a saga tree…
next to Corner House, and you can pick its crimson- coloured seeds, also known as ‘love seeds’ from the ground. These trees were more common in Singapore, but I see less of them these days, so it’s both nostalgic and precious to me.
If friends from out of town are here for a visit…
I’ll take them to Balestier in the morning to have local old-school cookies, including the famous tau sar piah (flaky pastry filled with mung bean paste), and local coffee for breakfast. Our next stop will be Sentosa or, more specifically, Universal Studios Singapore if they’re up for it. In the late afternoon, just before dinner, we’ll have a quick spot of shopping along the world-famous Orchard Road. Dinner will be at Maxwell Food Centre, which offers a wide range of great hawker fare. A drink at Marina Bay Sands to cap the night off is a must!
Corner House, E J H Corner, Singapore Botanic Gardens, 1 Cluny Road, Singapore 259569, p. 6469 1000.
This article was published in Singapore Insider, a series of quarterly print guides produced in partnership with Singapore Tourism Board. Pick up a free copy at Singapore Visitor Centres island-wide, including Orchard (junction of Cairnhill Road and Orchard Road), orchardgateway, ION Orchard (Level 1 Concierge), and Chinatown Visitor Centre (2 Banda Street), or download the digital version.
