Opening its doors on May 20 is LUCE by Davide Giacomelli. But all that wouldn’t have been possible without a global culinary superstar hunt to grace the stage. Edging the competition of over 200,000 hopefuls and eventually 120 other finalists worldwide, Chef Davide Giacomelli and his passion for Italian cuisine rose to the occasion. The prize? A blank canvas to bring his vision to life and his namesake all over the new bistronomic concept. With that, LUCE by Davide Giacomelli was born.
Flexing 13 years of culinary experience with stints at several Michelin-starred restaurants across Europe, including three Michelin-starred Le Meurice Alain Ducasse, one Michelin-starred Le Diane and one Michelin-starred Le Vistamar Restaurant, the young accomplished Italian native said, “It is an honour to take the helm of InterContinental Singapore’s flagship restaurant. I am grateful to the team for believing in my passion and vision, and giving me the opportunity to create something special for our guests while continuing the brand’s unwavering dedication to perfection.”
LUCE translates to “light” in Italian as it aims to cast a spotlight on fresh, local ingredients, with a focus on seasonals that will be refreshed each quarter. Expect bright flavours – all in a warm and casual atmosphere that's coupled with authentic Italian hospitality.
Food here is as Italian as it gets. With a heavy emphasis on showcasing Italian authenticity through his hometown classics, Giacomelli’s menu features the likes of timeless starters such as Bruschetta ($19) and Parmigiana di Melanzane ($19). The former is a delicate symphony of toasted bread with grated garlic topped with Parma ham, fresh buffalo mozzarella, cherry tomato concassé, rocket leaves and basil. The latter delights with a perfect harmony of creamy aubergine when paired with the tangy, homemade tomato sauce and rich, oozy cheese.
But the real showstoppers lie in the mains. Staying true to his roots, Giacomelli’s Acquerello Lobster ($46) sees carnaroli rice cooked in lobster stock served with half a Boston lobster and chervil. The result? An elegant dish solely dedicated to showcasing the fresh sweetness of lobster. For us, the highlight was hands down the Merluzzo alla Puttanesca ($46) where melt-in-your-mouth Atlantic cod sits in a moat of homemade Puttanesca sauce and finished with taggiasca olives, anchovies, Pantelleria capers and fresh herbs. A truly robust expression featuring bright and tangy notes with a hint of herbaceousness which left us scooping up every single bit of the remaining Puttanesca.
Round off the meal with Italian sweet treats with a contemporary twist conceptualised by Executive Pastry Chef Desmond Lee. A tasteful deconstruction of the all-time classic Tiramisu, the LUCE-misu ($18) satisfies with Mascarpone cream espuma, espresso syrup, and lady finger sponge all encapsulated in a crunchy feuilletine.
While Giacomelli helms the kitchen, Restaurant Manager Artem Viglione (formerly of iO Italian Osteria, LAVO and Da Paolo Restaurant & Bar) runs the floor and curates the wine selection to offer perfect pairings to every meal. Enjoy a wide range of Italian wines such as Barolo, Amarone della Valpolicella, Brunello di Montalcino, and organic wines to pair.
With the launch comes set lunches that offer a choice of either a two-course ($34) or three-course ($40) featuring exclusive dishes outside of the regular menu such as the Barramundi Zucchini Tapenade with Citron Confit and the Stracotto d’Agnello – fresh homemade pasta with lamb ragout. Giacomelli also teases an upcoming convivial weekend brunch experience that showcases Italian street treats with live music that screams la dolce vita – but all that will soon come in due course.
Book here.
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