THE SUMMERHOUSE REINVENTS AU BALCON

Seletar Hills’ most iconic dining destination gets a makeover and we're here to celebrate it

- SUFFIAN HAKIM

SINCE ITS REINVENTION from military base to lifestyle destination, Seletar Hills has been undergoing a renaissance among local epicureans. At the heart of this cultural revival is The Summerhouse, a beacon of rustic allure and culinary pleasures surrounded by lush greenery and the colonial-era buildings that dot the area.

Over the past year, The Summerhouse has invested over S$300,000 into its environs and gastronomic offerings, and it’s money well-spent. You can see it in the landscaping. Amidst the upgraded garden domes that came looking like it sprung out of some Pinterest board for romantic venues, there’s a more pronounced verdancy with a whimsical garden sprucing up the outdoor seating area. To wit, the domes are currently one of the leading spots in Singapore for marriage proposals.

You can also see the fruits of the investment in The Summerhouse’s gorgeously reinvented upper floor, lovingly named Au Balcon (French for “on the balcony”). It’s been spruced up to offer a more pronounced old-world charm, and an updated menu.

The revamped menu features French gastronomy classics, but with a twist – an unorthodox ingredient here, an alternative method of preparation there – that elevates the experience. It’s reflective of The Summerhouse’s entire approach to its reinvention: Keep the familiar, experiment strategically, maximise the things that work.