Dining/Drinking

Following a global culinary superstar hunt to grace InterContinental Singapore, LUCE by Davide Giacomelli opened in May 2022. Taking a bistronomic approach (a combination of ‘bistro’ and ‘gastronomic’), Luce embodies the marrying of a gastronomic Italian dining experience with a warm and inviting bistro ambience.

Luce, meaning ‘light’ in Italian, spotlights on its fresh produce and the craft behind each dish.

Helmed by Chef de Cuisine Davide Giacomelli and Restaurant Manager Artem Viglione, Luce features an array of hearty Italian dishes and a fine selection of Italian wine labels for pairing, offering a personal, immersive, and authentic Italian dining experience. With natural light permeating the restaurant during the day and soft, warm-toned chandeliers lit in the evening, diners can enjoy a casual and comforting ambience throughout the day.

Holding over 13 years of culinary experience with stints at several Michelin-starred restaurants across Europe, including three-Michelin-starred Le Meurice Alain Ducasse, one-Michelin-starred Le Diane and one-Michelin-starred Le Vistamar Restaurant, Chef Davide’s strong expertise in and passion for Italian cuisine led him to stand out from the other chefs. He is joined by Artem, who possesses a wealth of experience in award-winning, upscale restaurants and bars and extensive knowledge of food and wine pairing.

Inspired by Italian classics and the authentic flavours of Chef Davide’s hometown, the menu features starters like the Bruschetta – toasted bread with grated garlic and topped with Parma ham, fresh buffalo mozzarella, cherry tomato concassé, rocket leaves and basil – a minimalistic yet flavoursome dish which highlights the freshness of each component, making it a great starter to whet your appetite for the upcoming courses. One of the most famous and beloved Italian dishes, Parmigiana di Melanzane – a mille-feuille of fried aubergine baked with fresh tomato sauce, basil, mozzarella and parmesan au gratin – showcases the perfect harmony of creamy aubergine with the tangy, homemade tomato sauce and rich oozing cheese.

Diners can also expect mouthwatering mains including Acquerello Lobster – carnaroli rice cooked in lobster stock and served with half Boston lobster and chervil – which is bound to be a hit amongst seafood lovers, and the moreish Merluzzo alla Puttanesca – pan- fried Atlantic cod with fresh, homemade tomato sauce, taggiasca olives, anchovies, pantelleria capers and fresh herbs – featuring soft, flaky cod paired with the fragrant, robust flavours of the traditional Puttanesca sauce.

Offering a curated selection of Italian wine labels and special cocktails created by Artem, diners can look forward to finding a perfect complement to complete their meals. Expect a wide range of Italian wines such as Barolo, Amarone della Valpolicella and Brunello di Montalcino, as well as those produced from autochthonous grape varieties.

Luce’s uniquely crafted cocktail highlights include Aperopolitan, a reinvented Cosmopolitan featuring a refreshing concoction of Skyy Neptune vodka, Aperol, Campari and lemon; Sbagliato: The Wrong One, a lighter interpretation of the classic Negroni, the Italian way; and not forgetting the signature InterContinental Negroni made of oak barrel aged botanist gin, red and white vermouth, jasmine tea, Campari and bitters.

For desserts, a range of contemporary Italian sweet treats is available for diners to experience the taste of la dolce vita. Conceptualised by Executive Pastry Chef Desmond Lee, Luce-misu is his modern take on the all-time favourite Italian dessert—Mascarpone cream espuma, espresso syrup, lady finger sponge and crunchy feuilletine—a creative deconstruction that successfully retains the essence of a classic Tiramisu.

The restaurant also offers a set lunch menu with a choice of either 2-course or 3-course. The set lunch features special dishes outside of the regular menu and would be refreshed on a weekly basis, to keep guests guessing and coming back for more of Chef’s innovative dishes.

Post-launch, Chef Davide and his team will be introducing a convivial Sunday brunch experience in the coming months. The menu will incorporate a plethora of classic treats that are commonly found along the streets of Italy, including chestnuts freshly roasted over a huge round pan and showcase kitchens that encourage interaction with the Chefs. Live music will also add an element of revelry.

LUCE by Davide Giacomelli is located at Level One, InterContinental Singapore, 80 Middle Road, Singapore 188966 and is open for dine-in and takeaway.