Capitol Theatre was completed in 1933 and served as a theatre until the 1940s when the Shaw Organisation turned it into a cinema. Shaw Organisation, a cinema giant of the time, bought over the building for S$3 million in 1946 and the theatre became its flagship. During the Japanese Occupation, the building was used by the Japanese troops as a food depot. It screened its last movie in December 1998.

When Capitol Piazza reopened this year (after 2 decades), it got many of our parents excited. Because this used to be the place where our parents frequent for dates and social gathering. It also got all foodies excited because there are so many new and interesting concepts. One of them is 1933, a themed restaurant by BreadTalk Group.

Paying tribute to the year which Capitol Theatre building was completed and opened to public, 1933 attempted to bring us back to the time in 1930s by serving finest rendition of the cuisines during that period. It’s really hard for me to imagine, as I sat at the bright and clean cafe sipping my coffee. Putting the history aside, I enjoyed my cup of vintage nanyang based coffee presented as a cup of cappuccino ($6). It’s robust, it’s aromatic. The chocolately aftertaste offers a traditional twist to the espresso coffee.

To be honest, I had only wanted to come here for tea after my (unsatisfied) lunch. But as I flipped through the menu, the 1933 Hainanese Kampong Chicken Rice ($16.80) caught my eyes and I decided to go for it. Preserving the traditional Hainanese methods, 1933 uses kampong chicken which are extra tender and has less oily meat, cooked at sub-boiling temperatures and bath in cold water to retain the flavour of the meat and firm texture. The rice is cooked in a rich chicken broth to achieve the fragrance and flavour. It is served with a delicious combination of chilli-lime sauce, dark soy sauce and freshly pounded ginger.

My plate of chicken rice is probably not the nicest as compared to the rest who came here for media tasting (note: I paid for my meal), but I have nothing to complain about flavour and fragrance. If you are willing to spend money to have chicken rice in Chatterbox, why not come here and makan? They have a 1933 Executive Lunch between 12pm to 3pm. For $19.33++, you get a main and beverage. Choice of mains include 1933 Hainanese chicken rice, Nanyang curry chicken, Golden Cordon Bleu, or Fish & Chips.

I ended the meal with Gula Melaka Pandan Cake ($8.90). Pandan chiffon cake is a childhood favourite that is baked with bits of palm sugar for that extra fragrance and served with delightful Gula Melaka syrup. They also have a tea time set at $10.90++ for this cake and a choice of coffee or tea.

1933 @ Capitol Piazza

Address: 15 Stamford Road #01-83 Singapore S178906
Tel: +65 6348 3660
Opening Hours: 10:00am to 10:00pm

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