PUBLISHED February 22nd, 2022 06:00 am | UPDATED July 17th, 2024 09:57 pm
As one star sets, another rises. 1-Altitude might be set to leave its iconic rooftop perch at One Raffles Place this end-March, but another sky-high destination by 1-Group is just ascending: 1-Arden.
Planted amidst the lush gardens of Singapore’s newest CBD skyscraper, CapitaSpring, 1-Arden will star five buzzy haunts. Bee’s Knees Urban on the ground floor is an offshoot of the all-day café in Botanic Gardens Singapore; soon to bloom on the 51st-level rooftop are coastal Australian concept KAARLA, modern kappo dining spot Oumi, as well as a bar. And freshly sprouted on the 17th floor, you’ll find Sol & Luna – a Latin-European bistro in the skyscraper’s Green Oasis.
A soaring 24,000-square-feet promenade, the Green Oasis lives up to its name with four levels of curving walkways lined with greenery and airy balconies. But it’s more than just a scenic spot – tucked into its cosy nooks are workbenches with charging points and strong wifi for laptop warriors. A feature in the works, we’re told, is a QR code placed in each nook, allowing you to order takeaways from Sol & Luna and have them delivered directly to your spot. It’s basically an alfresco co-working hideout – and best of all, it’s free for public use.
At the heart of it all is Sol & Luna, a glasshouse-like cube walled with six-metre-high glass panels. Four European cuisines come together at this breezy bistro: Italian, French, Portuguese, and Spanish. Curated by 1-Group’s Executive Sous Chef Felix Chong, its extensive menus offer fuel from dawn to dusk – breakfast, lunch sets, tapas, high tea, and dinner – not to mention cocktails crafted around the signature spirits of each country.
As the sun sinks beneath the city skyline, it’s time to shut our laptop and reward ourselves with a sundown tipple. We start off with the Cidra Morada Y Vino (S$16), a bright pink, fruity nod to sangria featuring white wine, blood orange, Licor 43, and housemade red cabbage soda. For something with more of a boozy kick, the Portuguese-inspired Lisbon Lips (S$16) delivers with a floral, earthy blend of hibiscus-infused gin, Bellambre bitter amer, raspberry puree, and beetroot syrup.
To pair with the tipples, think tapas like Fried Soft-Shell Prawn (S$16) – a Portuguese snack of crisp whole prawns served with a tangy lime aioli dip. There’s no forgetting the cheese at any European feast either, and the Grilled Tomino Cheese (S$22) fits the bill. Wrapped with prosciutto and laced with acacia honey, this mild, milky Piedmont cheese comes grilled to satisfying gooeyness.
We’re more familiar with the typical tomato gazpacho, so the White Gazpacho (S$19) comes as a pleasant surprise. Just as fresh as its red counterpart, this sweet, creamy Spanish classic features white grapes, Marcona almonds, basil and almond oil, and half an avocado atop. Another light starter, the Prawn & Octopus Niçoise Salad (S$25) puts a Spanish twist on the French salad with grilled prawns and octopus in place of tuna – though the overly charred baby potatoes and intensely briny Spanish anchovies are enough to baffle our tastebuds.
There’s no going wrong with Truffle Risotto (S$25), is there? Made with prized Acquerello rice, this rich risotto has been transformed into a truffle bomb with a triple punch of fragrant truffle paste, white truffle oil, and generous shavings of seasonal black truffles. You can bet we licked up every last creamy drop.
The mains are modestly-portioned but well-priced, so consider it an excuse to get a few for sharing. The Grilled Australian Shark Bay Tiger Prawns (S$25) sees five sweet-fleshed prawns grilled over lava stone and jazzed up with a salsa of Roma tomatoes and sweet white corn. One memorable option, however, is the Wood-Fired Sardine (S$19), inspired by an anchovy dish from the Italian seaside region of Liguria. Resembling a thick sausage, this unusual creation in fact comprises woodfired sardine deboned, stuffed with mussels and toasted pine nuts, then wrapped in Parma ham. It’s smoky, briny, and nicely balanced with a scoop of butternut mash.
Like your lamb less gamey? The 12hr Slow Cooked Welsh Lamb Shoulder (S$28) fits the bill with its mild and richly tender flesh. Just as enjoyable is the Baked Veal Shank Pie (S$25) – think succulent chunks of braised veal, potato, and carrot bathed in veal jus and enveloped in a flaky puff pastry. If you’re craving some veggies alongside your meats, the nutty, cheesy Wood-Roasted Cauliflower Steak with Parmesan Gratin (S$10) is a good bet.
Save some space for dessert – after all, Europe has so many droolworthy sweet treats to its name. The Sol & Luna Tiramisu (S$16) packs a satisfyingly bittersweet caffeine kick and a healthy dose of marsala wine, while the Tarte Tatin (S$13) is a stellar rendition of classic French apple tart with vanilla-rich crème anglaise.
Sol & Luna is located at 88 Market St, #17-01, Singapore 048948, p. +65 8031 4316. Open Mon-Sat 8am–10.30pm. Closed Sun.