The Central Business District (CBD) is probably not the first place that comes to mind when one is looking for an exquisite dinner. This is why The Royal Mail Restaurant and Bar at Raffles Place in Singapore is such a surprise find within the area that is better known for corporate offices rather than fine dining restaurants.
The Royal Mail is a 60-seater restaurant that serves contemporary British cuisine with a touch of elegance, befitting the historical Ascott Raffles Place building it is housed within. There is no quintessential British fare like your fish and chips here – what you’ll find on its menu are modern interpretations of British cuisine made of the finest ingredients.
The use of the quality ingredients is evident in each and every dish. Gourmands will not be disappointed with the Scallop Carpaccio and Tuna (S$26). This starter comprises Hokkaido scallop carpaccio and lightly-seared tuna topped with capers, olive, coriander, preserved lemon and fresh vegetables ribbon. Eating raw food is not my cup of tea, but I have to admit the Hokkaido scallops are really sweet in this dish.
Scallop Carpaccio and Tuna. Photo © Katherine Goh.
Another starter worth mentioning is the Seafood Bouillabaisse (S$28). If you are a lover of seafood, you will find delight in this dish for it is brimming with seafood goodness. The chef uses Red Malabar Snapper, Langoustine and Blue Mussels as key ingredients for this dish, resulting in a bouillabaisse broth that is rich and tangy.
Seafood Bouillabaisse. Photo © Katherine Goh.
Seafood seems to be the forte of The Royal Mail. I find immense relish in the Miso Black Cod (S$42), which is served with leek fondue, seaweed butter, sesame tulle and bonito flakes. The use of bonito flakes is a tad unusual to me, given that this is supposed to be British cuisine. But, I am not complaining – the bonito flakes are a beautiful accompaniment to the beautifully caramelised cod. If you ask me, this is my favourite dish of the lot and easily a crowd-pleaser.
Miso Black Cod. Photo © Katherine Goh.
One of the most exciting dishes on the menu is the Whole Roasted Japanese Yellow Sea Bream (S$78). An Asian influence (Indonesian, to be more specific) features strongly in this intense-flavoured dish. The fish – which is specially flown in from Japan – is marinated with an in-house blend of herbs and spices including ginger, turmeric, onions and garlic. You have to like spices to order this dish; the spices thoroughly infuse the fish and leave a lasting aftertaste in the mouth.
Whole Roasted Japanese Yellow Sea Bream. Photo © Katherine Goh.
If you like your meals to end on a sweet note as much as I do, order the Eton Mess (S$15), a signature dessert of The Royal Mail since their opening. The name of this traditional British dessert pays tribute to the famous Eton College in UK, where this dessert is said to have originated from. The dessert may indeed look like a mess, but it was a sweet heavenly mess of strawberries, meringue, hazelnut crunch, salted caramel and Devon cream. One mouthful of this dessert had me swooning immediately. Cross my heart – this is easily one of the best desserts I have ever tasted.
Eton Mess. Photo © Katherine Goh.
To be honest, the menu at The Royal Mail isn’t exactly British cuisine to me. But, I do applaud the efforts to add a regional touch to the dishes. The Asian influences on the food did pique my interest – enough to make me suggest this place to anyone looking to have a good dinner in town, albeit an unlikely part of town for dinner.
The Royal Mail
The Ascott Raffles Place Singapore
2 Finlayson Green
Singapore 049247
Tel:+65 65093589
www.theroyalmail.sg
Opening Hours:
Mon to Fri: 6.30 am to 10.30 am, 12 pm to 3 pm, 6.30 pm to 11 pm
Sat: 7 am to 11 am, 630pm to 11 pm
Sun and public holidays: 7 am to 11 am
