Categories: FoodHappenings

Milestone decade

After an alluring decade at the Botanic Gardens, The Halia Restaurant marked its 10th year anniversary with a good cause: donating its proceeds from a 10-course degustation dinner held on 10 October—paired with 10-year-old wines specially flown in from the Rhone region—to The Little Arts Academy. The education initiative provides fully-subsidised professional training in dance, music, visual arts and theatre to children from low-income families to develop their artistic talents.

The event, priced at $1,000 per seat was just the tip of the iceberg. The charming restaurant has undergone a recent facelift, introducing a show kitchen with counter seats for an interactive dining experience. There's also a new outdoor bar, set amidst the picturesque garden setting. Here to helm it all, is chef de cuisine, Reynaldo Arriola, a Singaporean chef who has clocked in experiences at Raffles Hotel Singapore and Michelin-starred restaurants such as Château Cordeillan Bages, Relais de Margaux, and Evian Royal Hotel in France.

His cuisine: modern European with touches of Asian spices and recommendations include Jamon Iberico Bellota with Baked Yuzu Walnut and Olive Oil ($30), and Blackmore Wagyu Rump (Score 9+, $82) with Garlic Saffron Mash Potato, Sauteed Baby Spinach and Madeira Jus. In the spirit of its lush surronds, desserts include an edible garden of Passionfruit Lychee Dew, Wild Strawberry Ripple and Chocolate Choux Pebbles on Almond Cocoa Soil ($19).

2 ($28) and 3-course ($32) lunch menus available from Mondays to Fridays (except public holidays), 12-2pm; a la carte menu available for lunch from Mondays to Fridays (except public holidays), 12-5pm and for dinner from 6.30-11pm daily. Brunch and tea are also available on weekends and public holidays, from 10am-4pm and 3pm-5pm respectively. 1 Cluny Road, Ginger Garden, Singapore Botanic Gardens. Call 8444 1148 for reservations, or visit http://www.halia.com.sg for more information.