Smack in the middle of the business district, 43 stories above Collyer Quay, over the past decade Zafferano has culled out a reputation for high quality Italian grub and fortunately there’s a great setting to go with it. And, in late August 2022, a new chapter was opened following a glamorous overhaul. Out went the stiff white napery, in came a sleek, more paired-back look, complete with covetable chairs and banquettes and a bright new open kitchen. Happily there's no change on the quixotic views that are so much a part of the experience here.
There's a new Southern Italy inspired menu too, expertly executed by chef Andrea de Paola and his team. Delicious home-made breads are the prelude to the likes of Hokkaido scallop with smoked pear, Wagyu beef ravioli or a roulade of Chilean seabass served with a mussel velouté. If you’re pushing out the boat you might be tempted by wagyu beef striploin (MBS 6/7) with Blue Foot mushrooms and Pink Garlic.
It’s all high spec stuff with plenty of Italian nous and knockout flavours, and a requisite price tag to boot. But for all this, you can also expect professional but friendly waiters waltzing balletically between tables. Perhaps the real ace in the pack is the alfresco terrace, a great place for entertaining guests to a pre-prandial, particular as the sun goes down.
The popular Saturday and Sunday brunch menu is an institution and might offer, poached prawns with cucumber, avocado and romaine salad, plus crab and confit tomatoes frittata, risotto with robiola cheese and saffron, and Angus beef with shaved parmesan, alongside a litany of other sharing plates.