The Black Swan

Housed in what used to be the Kwangtung Provincial Bank, and in more recent years, a childcare centre for tots with CBD-toiling parents, the Lo & Behold group (also behind other thoughtful establishments like Loof, The White Rabbit and Overeasy) have given their treatment to the distinctive Art Deco space on Cecil Street with the help of long-time design partner Takanouchi & Webb. The result is a handsome 130-seater ground floor dining room and showcase bar with serious culinary chops provided by Restaurant Ember chef Sebastian Ng. Separate lunch, dinner and supper menus are available, with plates like the char-grilled beef tartare ($26), baked bone marrow topped with chilli and served with a konbu crostini ($18) and The Black Swan Burger ($26). Desserts take an Asian turn, such as the addition of gula melaka in the coconut crème caramel ($14). Aside from the food, and given their prime location for post-work drinks, beverage manager Kamil Foltan has stocked the chrome-clad bar with a variety of unique spirits, an impressive selection of whiskies and bespoke cocktails like the Negroni- inspired Moral Hazard ($19). Look out for more developments, such as a private dining room in the bank vault and their mezzanine dance-led lounge space.