Exceptional gourmet dining and drinks in relaxed elegance of new restaurant & cocktail bar
August 20th, 2014
Recently opened in central Singapore, Sofitel So Singapore is the latest iteration of a new concept of luxury urban boutique hotels created under the auspice of the venerable French luxury hotel group. Inspired contemporary design has artfully juxtaposed a newly built accommodation wing onto an elegantly restored 1920’s heritage building, evoking an intriguing and luxurious experience of glamour and indulgence. The intimately scaled hotel of just 134 rooms and suites exudes a boldly creative design aesthetic throughout the accommodations and public spaces – superbly supplemented with the especially commissioned design inputs of legendary fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld – expressed in the form of the hotel’s signature “The Lion’s Seal” emblem, staff uniforms, and his petite La Bibliotek corner of personally curated books, located adjacent to the Xperience Bar.
A defining element of the new Sofitel So boutique hotel concept is the creation of surprising and innovative dining and drinking experiences as an essential feature of the contemporary urban lifestyle of a discerning and cosmopolitan clientele. Occupying the street level entry space of the heritage wing of Sofitel So Singapore, the signature Xperience Restaurant entices guests with new dimensions of gourmet international cuisine, while adjacent across the lobby, the Xperience Bar offers consummate cocktail creations – many specifically designed to complement the restaurant cuisine. The elegant restaurant decor suggests a comfortable residential demeanor of contemporary sophistication – split into two main spaces and anchored by the impressive black and gold Molteni oven – custom-built in France. Alongside, twin luxurious turquoise sofa “beds” offer a unique interpretation of the classic chef’s table experience.
Xperience Restaurant is open daily between 6:30 am and 10:30 pm, with weekday set lunch served from 11:30 am – 2:30 pm. An added attraction at Xperience are the special seasonal menus created by regularly invited guest Michelin-starred chefs – full details are available on the hotel’s Facebook Page. Opening hours at the Xperience Bar are daily from 8:00 am to 12:00 midnight.
Xperience Bar – sociable cocktail bar
Xperience – consummate mixology
Mixology at the Xperience Bar follows a similar concept to the restaurant cuisine, with cocktails listed by “experience” – and taste profiles – bitter / sweet / herbal / sour / spices / fruity. Premium spirits, liqueurs and flavorsome ingredients are masterfully combined into consummate renditions of both re-invented classics, signature creations and mocktails. Resident DJs play nightly – adding a sociable vibe to the bar and lobby spaces.
Xperience restaurant decor
Xperience international cuisine
Embracing an avant-garde approach to both menu design and dining experiences, French executive chef and resident culinary designer, Anne-Cecile Degenne has constructed a selection of dishes that are assembled under separate groupings of texture and taste such as “crunchy”; “zesty”; “smoky” and “spicy”- and in portion sizes of XS (single tasting); XM (personal portion); or XL ( sharing portions). Guests can select according to taste, texture and portion size. Attractively illustrated, the menu offers dishes such as Smoked Salmon, vodka and caviar; Tofu and vegetables green curry; and Foie gras and truffle siew mai. A special weekday “Lunch Formule” offers a set price weekly new menu for convenient, good value business lunches at S$38++ for 2 courses, and S$43++ for 3 courses.
(food images courtesy of Sofitel So Singapore)
