‘A Brush with Nature’s Beauty’ – a Claude Monet-Inspired Afternoon Tea at ANTI:DOTE, Fairmont Singapore

Continuing the ‘Season of Impressionists’ series, ANTI:DOTE partners with ARTiSTORY and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston to curate an enchanting fusion of culinary art and Monet’s masterpieces.

Together with ARTiSTORY, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, we present the third of four instalments of our Season of Impressionists afternoon tea series at ANTI:DOTE; with an eye-catching teatime treat inspired by the works of French Impressionist painter, Claude Monet.

Available from 1 to 30 September 2023, the Season of Impressionists Afternoon Tea menu crafted by Executive Pastry Chef Yong Ming Choong and Senior Sous Chef Jacky Lai, brings Monet’s masterpieces to life, offering an enthralling culinary experience that transports guests into the heart of Monet’s inspiration; with edible artworks presented in an idyllic setting.

“It is a great pleasure to partner with ANTI:DOTE to showcase Claude Monet’s artwork in such an innovative format. Monet’s bold vision and radical approach that included a vibrant palette and visible brushwork can be seen in the creative culinary presentations of the afternoon tea,” said Debra LaKind, Senior Director, Intellectual Property & Business Development at Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

“Following the overwhelming success of the previous two instalments earlier this year – Vincent van Gogh afternoon tea and Hokusai high tea, we are thrilled to embark on another artistic collaboration, this time celebrating Claude Monet. Chef Ming and his talented pastry chefs some of whom are part of Singapore’s national team, together with Chef Jacky have imbued the same amount of passion and precision into creating each dish, as Monet did with his artwork. We are honoured for the trust Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and ARTiSTORY have placed in us, to recreate the works of one of the most inventive, leader of the French Impressionist movement and courageous artists of all time,” said William J. Haandrikman, Managing Director of Fairmont Singapore and Swissôtel The Stamford.

Yizan He, CEO and founder of ARTiSTORY said, “The ‘Season of Impressionists’ initiative has been an exceptional journey, bringing together art and gastronomy. In honouring Monet’s enduring spirit through culinary arts, we expand the scope of artistry in food and celebrate the legacy of Impressionism—which in essence was an art movement that rejected the rules of fine arts.”

Claude Monet’s visionary Impressionism takes centre stage the moment guests arrive, with a large photowall featuring Water Lilies. Additional variants from this iconic series are displayed throughout ANTI:DOTE, offering a glimpse into explorations of reflections and lilies. Renditions of Charing Cross Bridge, which the artist painted from his room at another established Fairmont property – The Savoy in London, and various mini-artworks also adorn the space, alongside a large mirror wall at the entrance accompanied by Monet’s famous quote, “The richness I achieve comes from nature, the source of my inspiration.”

The menu has distinct epicurean references to Monet’s renowned style, with Chef Jacky taking cues from the French Impressionist painter’s artwork. Inspired by the reflections of yellow sunlight dancing on the water through a lavender-tinted fog, Charing Cross Bridge invites you to indulge in the rich flavours of a Pork Pie complemented with the tangy notes of cauliflower piccalilli and purple mash. Eliciting rustic charm, earthy delights abound in Woodgatherers at the Edge of the Forest, where Sous Vide Chicken is paired with forest mushrooms and truffle.

Reminiscent of the vibrant reds and greens in Field of Poppies Near Giverny, this sandwich brings together Tomato Concasse, kalamata olive and olive caviar. Grand Canal, Venice pays tribute to Le Grand Canal, where Monet draws the viewer onto the water, with exquisite Boston Lobster and avruga caviar on a saffron brioche. The lush, serene landscapes in Meadow with Haystacks near Giverny are conveyed through an opulent combination of smoked trout, dill-infused cream cheese, and kristal caviar.

The desserts are edible masterpieces that evoke the essence of Monet’s brilliance. Ivory Chocolate has a decadent creaminess, harmoniously balanced with the vibrancy of a guava, mango and passion fruit coulis. The interplay of sweet and tangy is shown in the Granny Smith Confit, served with basil cream in a nod to Monet’s garden landscapes. The Matcha Ganache envelops a mint sable cookie for a deep yet refreshing treat, while the Clafoutis is adorned with vanilla and apricot for a delightful crisp and creamy custard-like finish. A symphony of textures and colours awaits with the velvety Pistachio Mascarpone Cream and bright cherry compote. Guests can also indulge in the precise mastery of the Raspberry Cream Cheese Macaron, or the Monet Hazelnut Cocoa Bonbon with tantalising nutty and chocolate notes. An afternoon tea signature, ANTI:DOTE’s Vanilla Scones are served with strawberry marmalade, lemon butter curd and clotted cream.

For a continuation through Monet’s world, guests can opt to add two amuse bouches. Meadow at Giverny offers a sensorial adventure with delicate cured scallop, elevated with the tang of white ponzu and sudachi set atop a crisp rice cracker. Dive into Water Lilies, made with barbecued carrot and candied orange gel, encased in a spring roll shell. 

Pair your afternoon tea with well-composed cocktails. Unstoppable Bloom is an earthy libation featuring yam shochu, elderflower, coffee, sesame and homemade smoky honey miso. The Farandole, with shiso gin, yuzu, lychee, lotus root and honey beer, offers a refreshing finish. Alternatively, guests can choose to enjoy the non-alcoholic Dancing Lily which swaps The Farandole’s gin and beer for Lyre’s London Dry and honey soda.

The Season of Impressionists – a Claude Monet-Inspired Afternoon Tea runs from 1 to 30 September 2023, on Mondays to Fridays from 3pm to 5pm; Saturdays and Sundays from 12pm to 2pm and 3pm to 5pm respectively over two seatings. It is priced at S$68++ per guest, S$75++ with the addition of one amuse bouche, and S$85++ for both. Prices are inclusive of a choice of one alcoholic or two non-alcoholic beverages from the Claude Monet Afternoon Tea menu. An option to further elevate the experience with free-flow tipples for two hours is available from S$75++ per guest for Henriot Brut or S$90++ per guest for Moët & Chandon Rosé Impérial.

Parents keen to introduce their children to Monet will be pleased to know that ANTI:DOTE also offers a Claude Monet-Inspired Children’s Afternoon Menu at S$40++. The menu features the Charing Cross Bridge, Field of Poppies Near Giverny, and Woodgatherers at the Edge of the Forest sandwiches, alongside five sweet treats, scones and a selection of beverages to complete the meal

The Savoy, a Fairmont managed hotel, is perfectly located on the River Thames, in the heart of all that London has to offer. The spectacular views across the Thames and of London’s most impressive landmarks inspired Claude Monet to paint his famous series of London bridges as he resided in his suite at The Savoy for the first of three long stays between 1899 and 1901.

Guests who have placed a reservation to dine at ANTI:DOTE for the Season of Impressionists – a Claude Monet-inspired afternoon tea directly on this website will be automatically eligible to participate in an exclusive lucky draw. The winner will enjoy a one-night stay in The Savoy’s Monet Suite with breakfast included. The winner will be announced and contacted via email after the thematic afternoon tea menu concludes.