Garden dining with a difference is now on offer in Singapore. Located within the Flower Dome at the Gardens by the Bay, fine-dining restaurant, Pollen, provides guests with a unique dining experience within a sub-twenty degree climate-controlled ‘greenhouse’. Diners choose from the indoor dining hall, which features a nine-meter long dessert bar, or the al-fresco terrace with its seven-meter long sommelier bar.
Lower Level of Pollen Restaurant — Photo courtesy of Pollen
Leading the culinary direction for Pollen is highly acclaimed Michelin star chef Jason Atherton, best known for his flagship London restaurant, Pollen Street Social. Pollen is Atherton’s second venture in Singapore, after his hugely popular tapas bar in Chinatown, Esquina.
Atherton’s kitchen is helmed by Executive Chef Colin Clague, whose notable achievements include being part of the pre-opening team of the prestigious Burj Al Arab in Dubai, and Executive Chef of award-winning Izakaya-inspired restaurants Zuma in London and Dubai.
Inspired by Mediterranean culture and cuisine, the menu features modern European cuisine in a distinctive setting surrounded by temperate olive trees, herbs and vegetation. Pollen even boasts its own garden of Mediterranean herbs and vegetables within the Flower Dome for use in its dishes.
Line-caught John Dory, minestrone cabaneros, coco bean, baby courgette — Photo courtesy of Pollen
Signature dishes include the tangy Scallop Carpaccio, balanced with apple slices and horseradish snow; Herb Roasted Pork Belly, complemented with broad beans, slow-cook squid, chorizo and wild rocket; and Line-caught John Dory, served with a ragout of beans and baby courgette flowers in a langoustine-flavoured minestrone.
Dessert lovers won’t leave disappointed either, with Executive Pastry Chef Andres Lara adding his magical touch to the menu, with delights such as Crispy and burnt lemon meringue with cucumber sorbet; Beetroot sorbet, hibiscus compressed apple and salted mild chocolate; and Crema de chocolate, banana ice cream and frozen caramel water.
