Ask anyone what the best bird's eye viewing gallery in Singapore is and they're likely to name the Flyer, maybe even the Marina Bay Sands. But a windowside table at ION Orchard's Salt Grill & Sky Bar has always been my personal choice and a long lunch at the restaurant after it's been through a month of renovation proves, it still is.
As before, the city's dramatic skyline is the most important guest at Salt Grill, and she gets all the preferential treatment.
The entire space still boasts two-storey-high floor-to-ceiling windows for unobstructed viewing, but these are now complemented with warm tones and mood lighting courtesy of Designphase DBA — nothing groundbreaking, but it maintains the restaurant decor is understated and doesn't distract from the breath-taking surroundings.
Other major changes are that the Sky Bar is now on the mezzanine level of the main dining room — its original space has been occupied by a private dining area fitting for long table feasts and meetings.
Of course with the physical revamp comes a menu shake-up. A fresh addition is Executive Chef Mathew Leighton's satiating tea and rice smoked quail. Paired with almond cream, prunes, truffled grains, shallot and sorrel, the dish's flavours are remarkably succinct. This, as well as the refreshing plate of baby vegetables served with goat's curd, ginger bread crumbs and black olives, make up Chef's spring offerings.
[JUICEBOX_GALLERY]
Click the expand button to see our recommended dishes in HD
If you love a good fish starter, the kingfish sashimi, served with eschalot, ginger and goat's feta is good bet. Another main I enjoyed was the silken crab omelette doused in miso mustard broth, which made perfect comfort food when accompanied with Chef's umami homemade Sydney spice mix, enoki mushroom and herb salad. Luke Mangan's signature liquorice parfait makes a sweet, zesty end.
To maximise your visit, come at 1:30pm with your gang of suits — Salt Grill's after all one of the top power lunching destinations in Singapore — and order the Lunch or Executive Lunch Set Menu ($45++ — 80++), which consists of two- or three-course meals and coffee. The timing's also perfect if you're opting for hushed chatter and unparalleled daylight views of the financial district, Orchard and Marina Bay.
We've never been, but we reckon winding down at Salt Grill during sunset is at worst, an Instagram-worthy experience. And they've got just the ticket: the Sundowner ($55++ — 80++) gets you freeflow Mumm champagne and an antipasto platter.
Salt Grill & Sky Bar is located at 55 & 56/F ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn. It's open 11am — 2pm (last order) for lunch, 6 —10pm (last order) for dinner. Degustation orders end half an hour earlier. The Sky Bar is open 11am — 11:30pm. Call 6592-5118 to reserve.
Ask anyone what the best bird's eye viewing gallery in Singapore is and they're likely to name the Flyer, maybe even the Marina Bay Sands. But a windowside table at ION Orchard's Salt Grill & Sky Bar has always been my personal choice and a long lunch at the restaurant after it's been through a month of renovation proves, it still is.
As before, the city's dramatic skyline is the most important guest at Salt Grill, and she gets all the preferential treatment.
The entire space still boasts two-storey-high floor-to-ceiling windows for unobstructed viewing, but these are now complemented with warm tones and mood lighting courtesy of Designphase DBA — nothing groundbreaking, but it maintains the restaurant decor is understated and doesn't distract from the breath-taking surroundings.
Other major changes are that the Sky Bar is now on the mezzanine level of the main dining room — its original space has been occupied by a private dining area fitting for long table feasts and meetings.
Of course with the physical revamp comes a menu shake-up. A fresh addition is Executive Chef Mathew Leighton's satiating tea and rice smoked quail. Paired with almond cream, prunes, truffled grains, shallot and sorrel, the dish's flavours are remarkably succinct. This, as well as the refreshing plate of baby vegetables served with goat's curd, ginger bread crumbs and black olives, make up Chef's spring offerings.
[JUICEBOX_GALLERY]
Click the expand button to see our recommended dishes in HD
If you love a good fish starter, the kingfish sashimi, served with eschalot, ginger and goat's feta is good bet. Another main I enjoyed was the silken crab omelette doused in miso mustard broth, which made perfect comfort food when accompanied with Chef's umami homemade Sydney spice mix, enoki mushroom and herb salad. Luke Mangan's signature liquorice parfait makes a sweet, zesty end.
To maximise your visit, come at 1:30pm with your gang of suits — Salt Grill's after all one of the top power lunching destinations in Singapore — and order the Lunch or Executive Lunch Set Menu ($45++ — 80++), which consists of two- or three-course meals and coffee. The timing's also perfect if you're opting for hushed chatter and unparalleled daylight views of the financial district, Orchard and Marina Bay.
We've never been, but we reckon winding down at Salt Grill during sunset is at worst, an Instagram-worthy experience. And they've got just the ticket: the Sundowner ($55++ — 80++) gets you freeflow Mumm champagne and an antipasto platter.
Salt Grill & Sky Bar is located at 55 & 56/F ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn. It's open 11am — 2pm (last order) for lunch, 6 —10pm (last order) for dinner. Degustation orders end half an hour earlier. The Sky Bar is open 11am — 11:30pm. Call 6592-5118 to reserve.