It’s been 10 years since the opening of Zafferano, known for its Italian cuisine and stunning panoramas from the 43rd level of the Ocean Financial Centre.
Unlike other establishments that reinforces on the length of its history, Zafferano goes the other direction – on its 10th year, it decided to reinvent itself with a fresh concept – along with a refreshed space – to mark this milestone.
In its new chapter, it goes by the name Altro Zafferano (or “the other Zafferano” in Italian), and it invites guests to be immersed in contemporary Italian cuisine interpreted through the South Italian lens of Executive Chef Andrea de Paola.
Chef Andrea, who is born in Milan and raised in South Italy, spent a lot of time in the kitchen during his childhood, helping his maternal grandmother cook traditional dishes for the family.
He brings with him these memories and experiences to Altro Zafferano; and thanks to them, we’ll get to enjoy authentic South Italian flavours prepared with modern techniques and perspectives at the rebranded restaurant.
New interior at Altro Zafferano
The first thing you’ll notice when you step into Altro Zafferano is how a 12-metre long open kitchen greets you right away – a unique layout that I’ve not seen in other restaurants.
As I walked to my table, I got a glimpse of the bustling kitchen, all while taking in the aromas that I knew I would eventually taste later – a great way to anticipate the dishes that were to come.
The main dining area is expansive, with a capacity of up to 75 guests. Besides cosy booths and large round tables in the main area, there’s also an intimate private dining room with a private entrance that can accommodate up to 60 guests for events and special occasions. This private space is surrounded by ceiling-to-floor glass so guests can look out into the main dining hall.
The redesigned restaurant also features an outdoor lounge and bar that overlooks the sea and at 43rd storey in the Marina Bay area, you can – of course – get a panoramic view of the gorgeous city skyline of Singapore.
A la carte menu at Altro Zafferano
AVENUE ONE tasted a few of the items from Altro Zafferano’s menu and here are a few that stood out to us.
From the starters menu, I absolutely enjoyed the Aged Acquerello Risotto, Zucchini, Smoked Eel, and 20-Year Balsamico (S$38++).
This compelling dish draws inspiration from Spaghetti alla Nerano, a popular Southern Italian dish that features fried zucchini, pasta, and cheese.
Chef Andrea replaced the provolone that’s used traditionally with smoked eel foam, which helps give the risotto its signature creaminess without any of the cloy that may come with cheese.
While it may look unassuming at first, I was truly pleasantly surprised by how this dish tasted.
I’m not exaggerating when I say that this is probably the best risotto I’ve ever had; I love that while its intense flavours burst in my mouth yet it felt so light on the palate such that it was easy for me to finish the entire serving. The zucchini further lifts the palate with its refreshing flavours, making this a very well-balanced dish that was absolutely enjoyable.
Another highlight for me was the Silver Cod with Peperone Crusco and Mussels Veloute (S$72++) from the mains section.
This features a Chilean sea bass that sandwiches peperone crusco puree, and served with a sweet yellow capsicum cream and a mini red capsicum filled with creamy cod and potato. This dish is then finished with a luscious mussel pepata veloute.
This dish is inspired by South Italian dishes baccala alla lucana and pepata di cozze, and I feel that Chef Andrea didn’t just elevate it but also created something that was memorable.
While the star of the show is certainly the sea bass – I love how tender it is and how it simply “melts” in the mouth – I felt that the mini red capsicum it was served with was the item on the plate that left a lasting impression. This, along with the capsicum cream, made me realise how delicious capsicum can be.
Finally, for desserts, if you want something brighter to finish the meal with, go for the Amalfi Lemon with Pink Pepper and Limoncello (S$18++). This features a soft sponge, confit lemon, white chocolat and pink pepper cream, and limoncello granita. Its refreshing flavour cleanses the palate and rounds up the meal perfectly.
Experience menu and set lunch at Altro Zafferano
To truly experience the flavours offered in the refreshed menu, consider going for the Experience Menu (S$148++), which allows you to curate a four-course exploration of a la carte dishes.
Alternatively, go for the three-course weekday set lunch (S$78++) if you’re just looking orientate yourself to South Italian food.
At the alfresco Terrace Lounge, light snacks (from S$10++) are available alongside a beverage menu for pre- or post-meal gatherings.
Altro Zafferano is located at 10 Collyer Quay, Level 43, Ocean Financial Centre, Singapore 049315. It’s open from Mondays to Saturdays, from 12pm to 3pm for lunch and 6pm to 11pm for dinner. We’ll recommend making reservations.
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