Divine comfort in a former church
We all remember the White Rabbit with the pocket watch from Alice in Wonderland, who leads Alice down a hole into a phantasmic world. Back to reality – and Harding Chapel, where Singapore’s own White Rabbit has emerged from its ‘hole’. This church was abandoned for 15 years but now invites patrons into a restaurant and bar that, with its high ceilings and generously proportioned dining and drinking areas, has the mise-en-scène of a mead hall. There’s more than 40,000 square feet of lush greenery surrounding the chapel. Located at the back of the church is the bar area, which opens to a grassy knoll where a family of animal sculptures made of wire and grass occupies the backyard. Diners return for the desserts: the unexpected crunch of toasted almonds in the crème brûlée is, like everything about the White Rabbit, an unmitigated delight.
A chic outdoor bar that lets you unwind amid the lush greenery of Dempsey, complete with animal-themed topiary. But don’t let your expectations get too high: the bar staff isn’t quite up to scratch. Service aside, we highly recommend the divine Mini-Mary, a spicy shot that comes with a cherry tomato, and the Gin Fizz, a heavenly mix of gin, lemon juice, syrup, soda water and a dash of egg white.
Main courses $28-$58.
Read also: Nightlife preview on The White Rabbit.
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Bus Lines: 7, 77, 106, 174
Telephone 6473 9965
Main courses from $28.00 to $58.00
Open Tue-Fri noon-2.30pm, 6.30-10.30pm
Sat & Sun 11am-3pm, 6.30-10.30pm
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Thank you Derek for an interesting read about the chapel in the 50s. Much better value than eating out at The White Rabbit.
Posted on Sat 08 Oct 2011 19:28:13
Well no one has commented so far. What happened to my old friend Wee Keng Wee who worked here in 1956.
Posted on Sat 08 Oct 2011 04:15:59
In 1955/19556/1967 I was stationed here. At that time I was clerk to the senior RC Chaplain in the Far East.
The Chapel was then the Catholic military Church of Christ The king. I lived in a hut right along side the Church. I was there for over a year every day and I never saw any ghosts around.
But there were lots of Catholic soldiers, including the GOC Far East Sir Francis Festing. I also played the organ in the church.
Posted on Fri 07 Oct 2011 20:28:42
Get real man - you can't expect a non-halal, non-kosher restaurant to just knock something up for you! How about a nice kosher, properly killed lettuce?
Posted on Sat 30 May 2009 18:42:07
This place received the usual hype a new venue in Singapore receives..... I left it a while before heading down..... Nice enough venue, if not a little too 'echoey' Service was OK by Singapore standards Food was very, and I mean very average and massively overpriced for what we had..... 1 x salad, 1 x soup, 1 x salmon fish cake type effort, 1 x sea bass (shockingly small and tasteless - I mean absolutely 'kin awful, 1 x glass white wine, 2 x water, 1 x tea, 2 coffee - Sum total: S$180 bucks. This place take liberties. I will never go back, nor would I recommend this to anyone. 1/10
Posted on Sat 30 May 2009 18:38:04
I think that a restaurant that cannot respect the food restrictions of its guests is in big atitude problem (especially for this price). Its so annoying. Jsut another (good this time) example: I went with my wife to eat at Blue. On top of being alergic to mashrooms, she would not touch pork nor sea-food. And she was pregnant at the time with Diabities so no Sugar as well (for those crossing their hart right now, dont worry, we are fine). Just imagine the the look of the cheff face when we broke the news to him. He smiled (it is funny), and said he must do his home work and will return in 5 minutes back. After 5 minutes, the cheff returned with complete 4 course dinner recomendation for my wife, matching exactly what she can eat. All dishes were not on the menu and he hand crafted them especially for her from ingrediants he had in the kitchen. My wife said this was one of the most delicious meals she ever had. And of course we will return there again (and I am also writing about it here). It really not about the food, its about atitude...
Posted on Tue 14 Apr 2009 00:09:33
i bring some guest from a middle east country and one of them happen to be a muslim and a jew.they are quite strict with their own belief,for a moslem must consume halal food whereas a jew must consume kosher food,so i call up the chef so that to explain that i have them for guest,so i ask the chef to prepare some thing for them and they couldnt,so dissapointed !
Posted on Fri 10 Apr 2009 18:12:39
wat the hell with classic food?? we are in new era.... something new please. u wanna do classic make sure u do it rite & do well, honestly, food are sucks.. big time...
Posted on Thu 09 Apr 2009 21:35:58
Mee soto shredded chicken and 2 bargedils, dats the s**t in their menu!
Posted on Wed 24 Dec 2008 15:03:45
Went for brunch on Sunday and was pretty impressed actually. A couple of things - difficult to believe that they ran out of pineapple for the mocktail (has there been a run on pineapples) and also rhubarb (more understandable). Muesli was far too much food for anyone to consume. Lobster souffle just OK. Eggs benedict excellent. Would go back, but would suggest that someone shoots whoever is choosing the music. To lazily play Kings of Convenience's Riot on an Empty Street in a bar in these days of iTunes playlists is unforgivable. Good album though.
Posted on Wed 15 Oct 2008 13:17:05
Vynil seats??? Sweaty pants with dinner aren't one of my favourite thing. I mean, REALLY!
Posted on Mon 15 Sep 2008 13:30:35
Oh Daven, Daven, Daven... I trusted you with all your reviews up until now. 5 out of 6 is just not deserved for the White Rabbit. Macaroni and Cheese for $28? E'cue me?! Ok in taste, but rather small and overpriced. The sea bass however took the cake: The taste reminded me of my $2 bowl of fish soup from Maxwell hawker centre last week. It's more than disappointing - it should be atken off the menu. Highlight of the evening was the butter - tasty and soft. Although it would have been nice to be offered a bread roll with it - without having to ask for it. At more than $100 per person for a couple of drinks, a main and shared dessert, you're better off at Maxwell.
Posted on Mon 15 Sep 2008 13:27:56
Had my first trip to WR last night for dinner and really enjoyed it. The place is really well done and the food was delicious, the bar area is also quite cool - worth a drink before or after dinner. One complaint - we were in a table for two on the side bit by the bar and it was freezing! the aircon was on so high!
Posted on Fri 22 Aug 2008 09:01:53