Established in September 1977 in New York, Dean & DeLuca has been synonymous with retailing quality gourmet produce and for transforming grocery shopping into a luxurious experience. There's been a flurry of excitement amongst my foodie friends because Dean & DeLuca Singapore will be opening its flagship store at Orchard Central at 8pm on 22 June 2012.

I was thrilled to be invited to a preview of Dean & DeLuca's Singapore store. The first few counters that greet you at the main entrance are the Cheese, Charcuterie and Bread Counters. Dean & DeLuca Singapore carries a wide array of artisanal cheeses and exquisite charcuterie. A maître fromager (cheese expert) will gladly assist you with explaining the characteristics of the cheese and their recommended pairing.

Dean & DeLuca's Private Label products carry their stamp of approval for being artisanal quality products sourced from the best suppliers worldwide. They pride themselves with offering the widest range of herbs and spices, including exotic ones. Non-Private Label products of exceptional quality also line the shelves at Dean & DeLuca. The sales assistants have undergone training in the US stores and are on hand to assist you with your queries on anything in the store, from Olive Oil to Wines. Armed with an iPad, they can print information and recipes should you require them. That's pretty neat, especially if you're planning to give a gift and might want to include recipes or information to guide the recipient along.

Too lazy to cook or can't cook but still wish to partake of Dean & DeLuca's quality  produce? Indulge in gourmet creations at the 50-seater cafe, which is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Brunch and high tea are also available during the weekends.

A wide variety of drinks is available to suit your palate. Given the oppressively warm and humid weather in Singapore, it was great to cool down with a cup of Italian Soda. I had the Green Apple flavoured Italian Soda, which was very refreshing.

I also tried the Mango Sticky Rice Shake and Dirty Chai Tea Latte. The Mango Sticky Rice Shake was rich and creamy with the sweetness of mangoes but my favourite drink for the day was the Dirty Chai Tea Latte. I love spices and truly enjoy Indian Masala Chai and Indian-inspired Chai Lattes served in modern cafes. The Dirty Chai Latte is a combination of Ginger Milk Tea infused with Spices and fortified with a shot of Espresso. This is definitely a Must-Try if you love Chai and Espresso!

Dean & DeLuca Singapore

181 Orchard Road, 

#04-23/24 Orchard Central, 

Singapore 238896

Phone: +65 6509-7708

Website: www.deandeluca.com.sg

 

Operating Hours:

Daily from 11 am to 10 pm

 

PS: Thank you, Dean & DeLuca for the hospitality and Fulford PR for the invitation to the media preview.