EMPRESS

A departure from the brand’s previous food and beverage concepts, Empress is The Prive Group’s first Chinese restaurant, but one that is atypical of a Chinese dining establishment.

Named after its street address (it is housed in the Asian Civilisations Museum), it serves traditional Chinese fare in polished and refined Art Deco-inspired interiors. However, the restaurant exudes a casual, relaxed vibe, thanks to its contemporary styling. Designed by design studio Takenouchi Webb, Empress features a mix of oriental elements and European-inspired details, with brass and bronze highlights contrasting with dark wood and stone finishes. Geometricpatterned screens feature throughout the space; and the main dining area is anchored by a 6m-long marbleclad bar cleverly set against the museum’s white masonry walls to reference the rich heritage of its location.

The restaurant is furnished with custommade pieces, such as dining chairs in solid timber and rattan, as well as pendant lamps with linear structures and metallic finishing.

Named Canton Room, the private dining space features chinoiserie-inspired wallpapered and mirrored panels.

Menu highlights include the triple roast patter ($28) – Spanish Duroc pork done in both sweet and savoury styles – and teapot soup ($14), a flavourful broth infused with pumpkin. The restaurant also offers Asian-inspired salads and desserts, such as aromatic duck salad ($18), and sticky date and longan pudding ($12). Empress’ waterfront location makes it the perfect spot for admiring the city skyline and Boat Quay shophouses; in the day, from the inside, and in the evening, sitting in the al fresco area, while dining or sipping Asian-inspired cocktails from the bar.

Housed in the extension of the Asian Civilisations Museum and facing the Singapore River, Empress is bright and airy, but also stylishly moody, thanks to its sophisticated interiors.

The teapot soup ($14), infused with pumpkin, is served with a seafood dumpling and crispy spring roll.