Both the food and fashion world were set abuzz when Massimo Bottura, chef of three-Michelin-starred Osteria Francescana, opened museum restaurant Gucci Osteria in the Gucci Garden in Florence early last year. The one-of-a-kind concept was the Italian fashion House’s first foray into the culinary scene and combined haute cuisine and haute couture with great aplomb.
Now, the Singapore Edition of Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura makes its first overseas debut serving lunch and dinner tasting menus in a 60-seat pop-up restaurant at The Arts House from 1 to 26 May. At its helm will be the head chef of Gucci Osteria, Karime Lopez, who has worked together with Bottura to conceptualise a range of signature dishes with unexpected twists that draw inspiration from Karime’s travels around the world and Bottura’s memories.
A highlight is Bottura’s signature The Crunchy Part of the Lasagne (left), which is inspired by the crunchy top layer of his favourite childhood dish. The dish, consisting of pasta chips balanced over dollops of ragù and airy béchamel, invites diners to relive the childlike glee of scoring the very best part of a pan of lasagna.
Also on the menu is the Taka Bun, affectionately named after chef Karime Lopez’s husband, Japanese-born Takahiko Kondo who is the sous chef at Osteria Francescana. It comprises a crisp yet tender sweet-sour pork belly, coated with umami hits of a balsamic-miso sauce, marinated coriander, yuzu, raspberry vinegar, and apple bits, sandwiched between sliced, steamed mantou buns.
The Charley Marley is a dessert that was created as a tribute to chef Bottura’s second-born son, Charlie, who loves chocolate. This rich, decadent treat layers kaya cream and dark chocolate ganache within a sandwich.
Head chef of Gucci Osteria, Karime Lopez will be helming the Singapore pop-up (Pic: Gucci)
Food and fashion will meet in a spectacular space with a contemporary Renaissance vibe, complete with the signature red Gucci Herbarium motif as a wallpaper, while Bottura’s cuisine will be presented on a range of Gucci Herbarium crockery from the Gucci Décor collection.
From 1 to 26 May, the Singapore Edition of Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura will open for dinner on Tuesday to Sunday (seven courses at $278++), and lunch on Friday (four courses at $128++) and weekends (seven courses at $228++). Closed on Monday.
All pictures courtesy of Gucci.
Written by
Rachel Tan
Rachel Tan is the Associate Digital Editor at the MICHELIN Guide Digital. A former food magazine writer based in Singapore, she has a degree in communications for journalism but is a graduate of the school of hard knocks in the kitchen. She writes to taste life twice.
Six new restaurants join the MICHELIN Guide Singapore selection this November 2024, featuring a mix of dining formats and cuisine types — a vegetarian omakase, upscale casual eateries, fuss-free joints, and the ever-reliable hawker fare. Check them out.
Sardaarji, a Bib Gourmand-awarded restaurant in Penang, brings authentic Punjabi cuisine to Malaysia, overcoming challenges to ignite local and international appreciation for its rich and robust flavours. Here's their story.
Aside from championing imaginative, vegetable-forward desserts, the chef-owner of two-MICHELIN-Starred Cloudstreet pushes for more than just one kind of sustainability in the kitchen.
In a world where conscious eating is becoming the norm, Singapore's vibrant food scene is embracing the “eat less meat” mantra, offering an array of innovative vegetable-forward dishes. From Bib Gourmand-rated restaurants to beloved hawker stalls, diners can enjoy a rich tapestry of flavours that not only cater to health and environmental concerns but also celebrate the joy of eating well.
‘Tis the season for Chinese mitten crabs, better known as hairy crabs. For flesh sweet and succulent and roe most luscious, head to these MICHELIN restaurants in Singapore.
Singapore’s ever-evolving drinking scene is packed with new spots, but the city's iconic hotel bars still reign supreme, offering both polished charm and rich history. Here are the MICHELIN Guide's must-visit hotel bars in the Lion City.
Claypot cooking in Malaysia and Singapore is a soulful, slow-burn art, where earthy claypots cradle fragrant rice, tender meats, and rich broths, allowing flavours to meld into something deeply comforting. The gentle heat from the clay intensifies the ingredients, creating a meal that's both humble and extraordinary, steeped in tradition and warmth.
Yong Tau Foo is a popular dish in Singapore and Malaysia, where diners select an array of tofu, vegetables, and meat or seafood items, which are then boiled or fried and served in a light broth or with a savoury sauce. It's a customisable, comforting meal that reflects the region's Chinese Hakka roots and love for fresh, balanced flavours.
Nasi Padang is the much-loved contribution of the Minangkabau, or Minang, people of West Sumatra, Indonesia, to the Malay culinary world. An irresistible mini-banquet of rice served alongside a mouthwatering spread of richly spiced dishes, a Nasi Padang meal is a veritable smorgasbord of differing flavours and textures, and a feast for the senses.
For authentic hawker food at a prime location in the heart of town, these two hawker centres can’t be beaten — and they’ve got the crowds of office workers and tourists alike to prove it.
Zi char is a popular Singaporean and Malaysian dining style, where casual, family-run eateries serve a wide variety of home-style Chinese dishes, often cooked to order and meant for sharing. We delve deeper into this cooking style, trace its roots, and observe its evolution.