Fresh Mediterranean magic

Stephane Cocu, who has trained in Auberge du Moulin de Chameron and opened L’Olivier restaurant in Montpellier, France, has stepped in to helm Waterfall Café, the hotel’s newest dining establishment. A main highlight of the Garden Wing’s $66 million renovation, the restaurant, sited amidst 15 acres of lush tropics, is the ideal canvas for Cocu’s fresh, healthful Mediterranean cuisine. To add zip to his creations, Cocu’s kitchen arsenal includes 30 custom-blended La Boite a Epice spices formulated by his good friend, chef-turned-master spice blender, Lior Lev Sercarz.

The butter served alongside the in-house baked pumpkin, sesame, oat and cereal breads get perked up with the sprinkling of Cancale, a liquorice-citrusy combination of fleur de sel, orange zest and dried fennel, while smoked paprika oil and cinnamon infuse the Iberico Pork Chop ($38) with a medley of warm flavours. A sizeable percentage of dishes at Waterfall Café are creatively vegetarian, with options to add on chicken, clams, scallops or chorizo on the side. The Socca ($21), however, a flat pancake made of chickpea flour layered with tomato coulis, roasted vegetables, fresh herb salad as well as pesto, is lovely on its own. Keeping to Montpellier’s provenance of wholesome produce, Cocu sources his ingredients from sustainable origins including Mountain States Rosen Family Farms USA and Brandt’s Farm Australia, with the promise they are free from hormones, pesticides and antibiotics. Even the Phoenix brand of in-house sodas from New Zealand, in refreshing flavours like Lemon Lime and Cream Soda, are organic.

The Mediterranean focus extends further into the wine list, with a selection from premium boutique wineries in the south of Spain to the coast of Lebanon. In addition to 22 wines available by the glass, the beverage menu also features a collection of aperitifs, grappas and sherries, with the Pedro Ximenez Antique, Fernando de Castilla ($16) ending your meal on a sweet finish.  22 Orange Grove Road, Tel: 6213 439

Excerpt from the September issue of epicure.