Above image: Sol & Luna’s bar area
As the sun sets on 1-Altitude, a dining and nightlife institution by 1-Group located smack in the middle of downtown Raffles Place, it rises for another one of their concepts just a stone’s throw away at the newest skyscraper in town.
Found within CapitaSpring (not to be confused with nearby CapitaGreen) is 1-Group’s latest multi-concept venture, 1-Arden, which comprises five distinct venues spread across various levels of the building.
After café Bee’s Knees Urban first opened late last year, the second venue, Sol & Luna (which means sun and moon in latin), is now open on the 17th floor, within the skyscraper’s Green Oasis, a spiraling botanical promenade filled with open areas, lush vertical gardens, and collaborative work spaces.
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Latin-European bistro Sol & Luna sits fittingly within this elevated hideaway, offering al fresco dining for those seeking to soak in the surrounding nature, as well as indoor seats with floor-to-ceiling windows ensuring the allure of the outside never seems too far away.
Once settled in, the bar is likely the first thing you’ll notice. Its wooden canopy adorned with warm lights immediately draws attention, while a back bar full of interesting bottles set against a garden-inspired wallpaper exudes an inviting tone.
Cocktails here lean towards the bright and refreshing. The Dolce Ibisco (S$16), a gin and Aperol concoction full of floral notes, makes for a great first drink. If seeking something more potent, try the Saint Renaissance (S$23) for a spin on the French 75, or the Día Y Noche (S$23) for a deliciously creamy rum-based coffee cocktail.
As it is in Latin Europe, you’ll definitely want to enjoy a bottle of wine. While the list here isn’t extensive, it does span the important regions of France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal. So whether you’re in the mood for a Chablis, Tempranillo, or Amarone, you’re sure to find it here.
The setting at Sol & Luna does put one more in the mood for whites and sparklings, of which they have a decent variety of. Yet we found it a missed opportunity for there to be only one rosé being offered. We can imagine it being a popular choice, especially during afternoon tea.
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Still, it’s nice that there are actually a couple of organic bottlings on the list – a nice touch given how the wine menu is already a succinct one. An organic Pinot Grigio and Chianti are even available by the glass, just in case you’re not yet ready to fully commit to a whole bottle.
With all that drinking, you’ll be pleased to know that the food here is supremely suited to match up, though it depends on when you’re visiting, given how they do offer different all-day, lunch, high-tea, dinner, and weekend brunch menus.
The Fried Soft-Shell Prawn (S$16) is easily a go-to bar snack. Served in their lunch and dinner menus, the shiba ebi prawns are deep fried and served alongside a lime aioli dip you simply can’t have enough of.
Available during dinner only is the Smoked Duck & Foie Gras Rillette (S$16). Served with crostini, pickles and olive oil caviar, this fatty dish pairs well with a light red while setting you up nicely for the next course.
You got to have the Wood-Fried Sardine (S$19), a dinner time special by Chef Felix Chong, the head of culinary development at Sol & Luna. Inspired by his time spent cooking in Italy, here, he has the sardine prepared by having it wrapped in parma ham and stuffed with mussels, herbs, bread crumbs, and pine nuts, before being wood fired then served with a side of butternut puree.
Mains wise, the 12 Hours Slow Cooked Welsh Lamb (S$32) served with broccolini, garlic crumbs, and bordelaise sauce is a real treat. The fall-off-the-bone tenderness and flavour that penetrates through the entire slab of meat is exactly what you’ll want from a dish like this for a satisfying evening.
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Surprisingly, one of the best items to order during dinner is the charcuterie board, or what they call the Sol & Luna Grande Platter (S$30). At that price, you’ll likely think it to be a meagre serving. But it exceeds expectations with a giant round platter filled with a generous portion of cold cuts, cheese, toast, nuts, mostarda, dried fruits and more. Take it up another level by getting a Baked Camembert Cheese (S$19) to go with it.
For a sweet ending, you can’t go wrong with the Sol & Luna Tiramisu (S$16), which makes good use of Marsala wine to give it an extra oomph. We especially love how the texture is wet and gooey yet thick enough for a full mouthfeel.
Sol & Luna makes for a great all-day dining experience right in the middle of the CBD, and despite its central location, provides all the trappings of a venue more often found in far-flung locations. That alone makes a visit worthwhile.
And with 1-Arden’s other concepts – Kaarla, Oumi, and the 1-Arden Food Forest – soon to open at CapitaSpring’s 51st rooftop level, it seems like there will be even more reason to come to this part of town.
Sol & Luna is located at #17-01 CapitaSpring, 88 Market St., Singapore 048948.
See what our friends over at Spirited Singapore thought about Sol & Luna in their review.
About the Author
Dannon Har is the Managing Editor of Spill. Discovering his innate gift for drinking only at a ripe age, he spares no time trying to find more delicious drops to imbibe during his time on Earth. When he’s not minding every detail at Spill, he spends his time concocting luscious libations and sharing them with folks that visit his home bar.