From 28 December 2019 to 14 January 2020 my wife and I organised an interesting private 18 day tour, best described as an Asian smorgasbord of familiar and new places, to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary. Beginning with Hong Kong then Macau, the adventure continued...to Taiwan and Laos, and then culminated with a three night visit to Singapore staying in the renowned Fullerton Hotel for our anniversary proper.
Our three nights in the Fullerton far exceeded expectations and the Hotel lived up to its huge reputation as one of the truly great Asian hotel experiences. On the afternoon of Sunday 12 January, our actual anniversary, we had just enjoyed a most fabulous Sunday Champagne Brunch in the Hotel’s Town Restaurant and we decided we wanted to follow this up the next evening with a trip farewell Dinner at the Lighthouse Restaurant and Rooftop Bar and check out their Italian fare.
I am always particularly interested in understanding the history of places we visit. How fortunate then that this Restaurant’s printed menu gives the genesis of the Lighthouse Restaurant making for interesting reading. It has been aptly named because a Lighthouse was installed on the rooftop of the Fullerton Hotel, 50 metres above sea level, which was turned on for the first time on 14 December 1958 to guide ships ashore from more than 18 Nautical Miles (33 kilometres) out of Singapore. It replaced the then 103 year old Fort Canning Light on Fort Canning Hill which was gradually being blocked by the City’s High rise buildings. The Fullerton Light sat on a small concrete structure which today is the Lighthouse Restaurant.
The Lighthouse Restaurant and Rooftop Bar is located on the 8th floor and the rooftop of the Fullerton Hotel. Prior to having our meal in the Restaurant we went up to the Rooftop Bar for a pre-dinner drink, my wife choosing a French sparkling wine while I had a very robust red Italian wine. The “picture postcard” views from the Rooftop Bar of Marina Bay and the waterfront were simply stunning. They left an indelible impression on the mind. We arrived in time to see the transition from late afternoon to evening and as it got dark so the lights of the city began to emerge in all their colourful splendour. Complimentary nibbles were provided with our drinks.
The meal in the Restaurant was a real treat. We felt privileged to have been given a table by the window so we could continue to enjoy the Marina Bay waterfront by night throughout the evening. The food was beautifully presented and well cooked. For main course I chose “Giancia Di Manzo Brasata All’aglianico, Purea Di Carote, E…Liquirizia” ( Slow -Cooked Beef Cheek, Campania Red Wine, Carrots Purée, Liquorice) and my wife enjoyed “Spigola Acqua Pazza Indivia E Agrumi” ( Orbetello Sea Bass in Seafood Broth, Endives, Citrus Fruits). Instead of a dessert I had their “Formaggi “(Cheeses), one of the very best cheese boards in my view I have ever experienced, The variety of Italian cheeses and condiments provided was amazing. My wife’s choice of dessert was a very delicious and very colourful “Meringata Di Frutti Di Bosco” (Wild Berry Compote, Meringue, Vanilla Chantilly”. Complimented with a glass of French sparkling wine for the wife and a glass of Italian Rosé wine for me, this was a very lovely meal indeed. While waiting for our mains we were given very nice complimentary bread as a more than tasty meal starter.
The waiter service throughout the evening was first class with attention to detail and a friendly manner very evident. The décor in the Restaurant is pleasing and overall we had a very pleasant dining experience.
As we were heading home back to Brisbane, Australia, the next day, after 18 glorious days “on the Asian road” our dining experience at the Lighthouse Restaurant was the perfect ending to our wonderful 40th wedding anniversary adventure.More
