Catalunya at the Fullerton Pavilion in Marina Bay closes after 4 years

Spanish restaurant Catalunya at the Fullerton Pavilion will open in a different location, but a venue has not been found.
Spanish restaurant Catalunya at the Fullerton Pavilion will open in a different location, but a venue has not been found. PHOTO: CATALUNYA

Four years after opening to much fanfare in July 2012, Spanish restaurant Catalunya at the Fullerton Pavilion in Marina Bay has closed.

The last day of operations for the 200-seat restaurant, which had spectacular views of Marina Bay, was June 2.

A spokesman says it will open in a different location.

A brief statement was released yesterday, announcing the closure of the $5-million establishment and that its new home will be "unveiled in a big way, when the time is right".

So far, a venue has not been found.

The dome-shaped Fullerton Pavilion is part of The Fullerton Heritage, which includes The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, One Fullerton and The Fullerton Waterboat House.

There are more than 30 restaurants, bars and cafes in the area. The latest ones to open include Scottish restaurant UsQuBa and Japanese restaurant Shoukouwa.

Mr Giovanni Viterale, general manager of The Fullerton Heritage, did not give further details of Catalunya's closure, but says the new tenant will be announced in the coming weeks.

Back in 2012, the restaurant's opening was highly anticipated, as it was helmed by a team of former chefs and service staff from the now-defunct elBulli in Catalonia, Spain, which closed in July 2011.

Part of Catalunya's opening team included two of elBulli's former staff - Mr Pol Perello, who had been restaurant manager and director of communications, and chef Alain Devahive Tolosa, who was part of elBulli's research team.

Catalunya became famous for its authentic Spanish food and cocktails.

It was also popular as a destination for viewing fireworks across Marina Bay, as well as for its fun weekend brunch affairs.

Catalunya has a branch in Wan Chai, Hong Kong, which opened in 2013.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on June 08, 2016, with the headline Catalunya at the Fullerton Pavilion in Marina Bay closes after 4 years. Subscribe