As the year has swiftly moved into August, the month sees a mix of exciting ventures—both on our local shores and abroad. Making quite the buzz as of late is the opening of Ralph’s Coffee at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, the first one in Singapore. Esteemed hospitality house Oetker Collection has unveiled a chic new address to look forward to in Capri, Italy: Hotel La Palma. Whilst one’s favourite wine houses—notably Penfolds and Krug—each have fascinating news abreast, with the former announcing Kenzo’s inimitable Nigo as its first creative partner and the latter partnering up with the Krug Ambassades for culinary reimaginations of Krug’s Single Ingredient of the year: lemons.
Krug celebrates life and their latest Grand Cuvée 171émé Édition and Rosé 27émé Edition with the vibrant lemon
When life gives you lemons, you turn it into something spectacular. Named Krug’s Single Ingredient for the year, lemons are the first fruit to be chosen as the brand’s single ingredient—for its zingy character and fresh energy which lets you appreciate Krug pairings in a brand-new light. From now till mid-October, Krug Ambassades—Hashida, JAAN, Zen and La Dame De Pic—are unravelling a selection of lemon-based dishes, which will be a veritable treat to your tastebuds. “We invite champagne lovers and diners alike to rediscover and appreciate our champagnes’ myriad of flavours brought out by the exquisite dishes by our Krug Ambassade Chefs in Singapore,” says sixth-generation Krug Director, Olivier Krug.
The latest Krug Grand Cuvée 171émé Édition and Rosé 27émé Edition were composed during the 2015 harvest, and are now ready to go beautifully with your flavour-packed dishes. The former employs aromas of flowers in bloom, ripe, dried and citrus fruits, and marzipan and gingerbread. The Rosé, an elegant glass which is the product of complementing the selected plots’ wines of the year with reserve wines from eight other years, holds breadth and depth in its delicate flavours of honey, citrus and dried fruit. The four restaurants bring this underrated ingredient to life by serving up the likes of a Lemon and Eggplant tiramisu at Hashida, to Zen’s Sunshine on the Sea—a bright lemon and lobster dish—and are designed to go hand in hand with Krug’s newest releases.
Each diner will also be gifted “The Zest is Yet To Come”, Krug’s first-ever cookbook which packs in sublime creations by Krug Ambassade Chefs worldwide, including Hélène Darroze and Anne-Sophie Pic. No excuse now to not make lemon the central focus of your culinary prowess, as you thumb through the cookbook, one day at a time.
Oetker Collection unveils Hotel La Palma in Capri, Italy
Awashed with romance, a historical enclave comes alive in Capri as the island town’s first-ever hotel witnesses a breathtaking transformation: in Oetker Collection’s Hotel La Palma. Marking the hospitality house’s debut venture into Italy, this chic new address will see just 50 exclusive rooms, two dining destinations and its own private beach club. In line with Oetker Collection’s continued tradition of preserving the rich culture of its intended locales, the hotel’s extensive renovation saw famed interior designer Francis Sultana work with a breadth of Italian craftsmen and artisans for various design touch points on site.
By way of an initial capture, the space teems with Capri’s timeless minimalism and lilting Mediterranean hues. Keeping the food humble and unpretentious, its head chef Gennaro Esposito ensures the destination is every bit a gourmand’s haven with its offerings of authentic Italian cuisine. In tune with the vibrant spirit of Capri, one can enjoy a meal at Bianca, the glamorous rooftop bar where magnificent views of the sea-facing Capri village can be gleaned. But the best way to educate oneself of a foreign land is to enter its streets; for which, Hotel La Palma sits in a prime location—just a few steps shy of the town’s famous Piazzetta and a short drive away to Capri’s panoramic southern coast.
Book a stay at Hotel La Palma in Capri, Italy here.
Nigo is Penfolds’s first creative partner
As the artistic director of Kenzo and the founder of Japanese lifestyle label Human Made, Nigo’s impact on culture is undeniable. A visionary known for his creativity and innovation, he has been at the forefront of fashion and art for over 30 years. Now venturing into the wine industry, he has been named Penfolds’s first creative partner. It’s a fitting collaboration, given Nigo’s deep appreciation for fine wines from all around the world as a passionate wine collector himself.
His first project: the global launch of One by Penfolds, a range of wines celebrating the things that bring us together while still embracing what makes us different and unique. Sourced from Australia, France, China and America, the set of modern wines takes inspiration from the vibrant culture of each winemaking region. Working alongside the local communities, Penfolds winemakers have captured the unique nuances of each region in the bottles. To represent the four countries, Nigo designed four animal motifs that adorn the label of each bottle—namely, a crocodile, a rooster, a panda and a bear. His distinct style, bold and vibrant, takes new form here, marking the start of a new creative era for Penfolds.
Discover One by Penfolds here.
Ralph’s Coffee opens at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
In 2014, Ralph’s Coffee first store opened on 55th Street in New York. Since then, the contemporary cafe has crossed the Atlantic to seek out new outposts in London, Tokyo, Doha, Beijing and Hong Kong. Now, it ventures into our very own homeland—as the brand’s newest boutique at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands is now home to Singapore’s first Ralph’s Coffee. In keeping with the brand’s modern design ethos, its interiors reflect a strong palette of mahogany and its signature dark green hue. No coffee shop is complete without a well-meaning selection of brews and to that end, Ralph’s Coffee does a mean roast, derived from organically-grown beans from Central and South America. For a local touch, the Pineapple Shaken Tea is one to try for those who are less caffeine-inclined—created in celebration of the cafe’s venture into our little red dot. A sumptuous platter of sweet treats and desserts are up for grabs too; for which Ralph’s Coffee Chocolate Cake and Ralph’s Coffee Cheesecake sit amidst the richer options.
Ralph’s Coffee, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands #01-68 to 71
