Fine-dining eatery to open on Keppel Island
Huang Lijie, Straits Times 25 Nov 07
MAKING waves on the waterfront dining scene here is restaurateur Michel Lu's latest food and beverage outlet - Prive on Keppel Island.
Opening its doors on Dec 11, the multi-million-dollar eatery comprises an 88-seat fine-dining restaurant, a 150-seat gastro-bar and a 50-seat bakery-cum-cafe.
Occupying some 12,000 sq ft, Prive is located in the marina on Keppel Island, which is opposite the luxury condominium Caribbean at Keppel Bay near HarbourFront Walk. It is accessible via a 245m cable bridge linking the mainland to the Island.
Besides snagging prime waterfront property, Mr Lu has also managed to bring on board Tony Bilson, who is much feted as the grandfather of Australian cuisine, as a non-resident executive chef.
Bilson, who heads his own restaurant, Bilson's, in Sydney, has a hand in designing Prive's menu. He will also travel to Singapore every two to three months to cook in Prive's kitchen, and to train the staff here in culinary techniques.
On the collaboration, Bilson, who is in his 60s, says he jumped at the offer because he wanted to play a part in shaping 'Singapore's role in contemporary cuisine'.
He adds that he had previously cooked at Mr Lu's now-defunct Restaurant 360 in One Fullerton and that they share a great working relationship.
The new restaurant will be a contemporary New York-style grill featuring prime Angus steak from the United States and live seafood such as lobsters and oysters.
Prices start from $20 for appetisers such as a bay scallop carpaccio to $68 for a 340g ribeye steak.
The gastro-bar will serve appetiser-portion foods priced between $5 and $18, including items such as steamed Tasmanian mussels in white wine and leek, and Gruyere stuffed risotto balls.
The bakery-cum-cafe, on the other hand, will offer a range of freshly baked breads and pastries and a range of milk shakes.
The marina on Keppel Island, due to open in January next year, can accommodate 170 yachts and includes facilities such as a clubhouse and other gourmet restaurants.
