As part of its ongoing 'Four Seasons' campaign, The Jewel Box atop Mount Faber is decked out in the colours of autumn and has a set menu to match. Thanks to the decorative motifs used throughout the building, I half expected to hear Paula Cole's rendition of 'Autumn Leaves' when I stepped into The Altivo Bar, the Jewel Box's al fresco restaurant and bar which offers a breathtaking view of the harbour and Sentosa.
The Altivo Bar's current promotion is its 'Autumn Sunset' dinner set ($70++), which is available alongside its a la carte menu. This set menu is available until end-October, after which the 'Four Seasons' campaign will continue with the Winter theme. Unlike many places where the items on the regular menu trump its set menu offerings, the four-course Autumn Sunset dinner compared favourably against the selection on the a la carte menu.
My Autumn Sunset dinner began with an appetiser of US scallops topped with mesculun salad. I liked the contrast between the slightly crunchy, bitter salad leaves and the rather fresh and decent-sized scallops. Next was the soup - a cream of celery and chicken. This was drizzled with orange-coloured pepper oil which imparted an aroma slightly reminiscent of Indian curry to the dish. The soup came in quite a large bowl, and possessed a smooth texture punctuated by shreds of chicken meat. Both my dining companion and I gave it a thumbs up.
For the main course, I had the Ginger-Cured Salmon while my dining companion tried the Pan Roasted Duck Breast. Go for the salmon only if you are partial to ginger, which features prominently in the dish. The salmon was of a good texture though, and neither dry nor mushy. I did wish that I'd ordered the duck breast which my friend picked - the tender duck was flavourful and paired with a sweet sauce.
Dessert was a unique white nougat, more akin to ice cream than anything else. This sweet treat melts slowly, but is not as creamy as ice cream. It was fruity, nutty and had berries embedded in it, which gives the dessert a more interesting texture.
L-R: Cream of celery and chicken soup, ginger-cured salmon and pan-roasted duck breast
If you are still not satisfied, try the restaurant's signature Jewel Peak ($12). This pyramid-shaped dessert comprises layers of vanilla and chocolate ice cream on top of a dense cookie crust. A drizzle of mango and strawberry sauce cuts through the creaminess of the dessert, while the slightly bitter crust gives it more weight.
I was stunned when I heard that The Jewel Box opens from 9am to 3am. It serves up mainly finger food and drinks in the wee hours, but hey, it's an excellent if unorthodox supper location.
One doesn't go to The Jewel Box just for food - one goes there for the ambience, for the wonderful view, for the feeling of being away from the hustle and bustle of the city. While I may not make the trip back up Mount Faber just for The Jewel Box's menu, the lush surroundings and relaxed ambience certainly make it a very tempting destination.
The Altivo Bar 109 Mount Faber Road
(S) 099203
Tel: 6377 9688
Opening hours: 9:00am - 3:00am (Wed - Sat and Eve of Public Holiday); 9:00am - 1:00am (Sun - Tue)
The Altivo Bar's current promotion is its 'Autumn Sunset' dinner set ($70++), which is available alongside its a la carte menu. This set menu is available until end-October, after which the 'Four Seasons' campaign will continue with the Winter theme. Unlike many places where the items on the regular menu trump its set menu offerings, the four-course Autumn Sunset dinner compared favourably against the selection on the a la carte menu.
