The essential dining guide for Valentine's Day 2017
From neighborhoody restaurants to Michelin-starred ones, we've put together a list for every occasion.
Sure, you have a couple more days to go before the actual Valentine’s Day but really, you should have your plans down to a T by now. Fret not, we’ve scoured through the vast options for places in Singapore to have romantic dinners and all that jazz, and thrown them into five main categories that might fit your profile. Whether you’re going on a first date or going the extra mile to make the night that much special, we’ve got you covered. There’s 24 different places in this list. All you have to do is pick one before everywhere’s fully booked.
And just to make it simpler, click on the categories below to jump to the list of restaurants:
• First Date and Totally Clueless
• Keeping it in the Neighborhood
First Date and Totally Clueless
Most first dates come with a lot of uncertainty and anxiety, but the great thing about this 40-seater restaurant is that it's super cozy and has a very laid-back, unpretentious feel to it, which might help with putting aside any tensions. Once you’ve got the momentum going, dazzle them with dishes like the homemade onion brioche, rillettes of duck confit served on tapioca chips, and a filo pastry with duxelle mushrooms and truffle mayonnaise. Before you end the night, dig into the indulgent Chocolate Cremeux Explosion, which comes with nougat, vanilla sponge and raspberry sorbet. From $88. 28 Ann Siang Rd. 6808-2184. Make a reservation via Chope here.
This British-themed four-storey shophouse gastrobar on Ann Siang Hill is a perfect date spot with its kooky details like old school sewing machine tables and real plumbing-style taps built into the wall behind the bar. Before going head on with the night’s itinerary, start with the not-so-serious topics over a glass of Pasqua Romeo & Juliet Prosecco Di Treviso. Once you’re done with the small talk, start on their six-course meal which consists of homemade crusty bread and butter, salt and pepper squid for starters, and mains like chicken liver pate, seared hand dived scallops and a wagyu Westholme steak, all of which are paired with a delicious tipple. End it with their iconic Lemon Posset before heading up for drinks at the rooftop bar. From $50 (food menu only) or $80 (food and drink pairings). 5 Ann Siang Hill. 6438-3984. Make a reservation via Chope here.
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If you're a regular at the old Fukuichi Japanese Dining at TripleOne Somerset, you'll know that veteran chef John Phua has opened this Japanese restaurant on the fourth floor of The Centrepoint, bringing all the old favorites from the Fukuichi menu, such as Phua's signature creation for the last 16 years, the kani tofu (crabmeat beancurd); and his other dish, the gyuniku fagura sauce (a combination of steak and foie gras, dressed with a sake-mirin-shoyu sauce. UOB Cardholders can enjoy the seven-course omakase menu from $60 (usual price from $100). Terms and conditions apply. More here. #04-17/18 The Centrepoint, 176 Orchard Road. 6694-4068.
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The hip, edgy but still pretty Salted & Hung is where we imagine rock stars take their dates on a quiet night. The space itself isn't intimidating at all—warm lights, brown tones and chill vibes are the order of the day, so it shouldn’t be too hard to get your first date game on. For this special day, the contemporary Australian restaurant presents a six-course menu of the Chef’s signature charcuterie board, citrus-cured hamachi with grilled asparagus and macadamia nut pesto, a decadent charred carabineros, Josper-charred Westholme wagyu flank and Chef Drew’s signature Tim Tams filled with raspberry and white chocolate. From $120/person (add $65/person for drinks pairing). 12 Purvis St. 6358-3130. Make a reservation via Chope here.
Here's a quick fun fact you might wanna share with your date: Tin Hill is actually the translation for Bukit Timah, which ironically doesn't actually have any tin reserves. By night, this restaurant turns into a quaint and serene spot surrounded by the lush greenery of the ol' Turf Club Road. Their set menu is really a six-course affair that’s meant for sharing--nice and intimate. It starts off with a light starter of hay smoked salmon with zucchinis and caviar, followed by a bowl of watercress soup with flower crab, chili and truffle oil. And then comes your mains which include an interesting combination of pork belly and cold smoked mussels, and a 400g Argentinian Rioplatense Aberdeen Angus Sirloin with cauliflower, potato espuma and tomatoes on the side. Make sure you save some space for their decadent Valrhona chocolate and rosemary delice. From $66/person. 100 Turf Club Rd. 6466-0966. Make a reservation via Chope here.
Ol’ School Romantic
You’ve been in a steady relationship for quite some time and want to go all out this Valentine’s Day. Over at 1919 Waterboat House, expect a classic romantic dinner reminiscent of many cheesy rom-com films (they’ve even named their dishes after French terms of endearment). Open your palette with some welcome drinks at the Rooftop Bar while enjoying a killer view of Singapore’s skyline before being seated. The four-course menu includes a home-cured 12-hour sous-vide salmon with guac and horseradish creme, 300-day grain fed prime ribeye with yam cremeux, white asparagus and rosemary oats in port wine reduction and more. From $85/per person (optional wine pairing from $65). #03-01 The Waterboathouse, 3 Fullerton Rd. 6538-9038.
Overlooking Chinatown and the Marina Bay precinct, this elegant-looking skyscraping establishment on the 40th floor of CapitaGreen is all about sustainable Mediterranean food. They do grass-fed and hormone-free meats, and there are vegetarian and gluten-free options, too. Another advantage about eating here is that you have quite a variety of options for your four-course dinner. Apart from the freshly shucked Tsarskaya oyster and and Sturia caviar which will be served individually as the amuse-bouche, you can pick from the Alaskan king crab salad, wild seabass sashimi, char-grilled Spanish octopus and three others for the starters; wagyu hanger steak, venison loin, Rhug Estate lamb rack and three others for your mains; and two equally sweet desserts to end off the night. $148/person. #40-01 CapitaGreen, 138 Market St. 6635-8677. Make a reservation via Chope here.
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When you were younger, it was the hotel next to Zouk. Now that you’re a proper adult, it’s actually a great place for a V-Day date. Revisit the area and wind up at Grissini, the hotel’s restaurant that focuses on southern Italian cuisine. Inside, you’ll find myriad premium meats and seafood, all cooked over a Josper oven fired by charcoal and flavored wood, live antipasti stations, a wine cellar and even a charcuterie and cheese room. Think super hearty dishes like the Australian rock seabass baked in a salt crust, Fiorentina steak and more. Set lunch from $36/person onwards. UOB Cardholders will receive 15% off their total food bill (valid till Dec 30). Terms and conditions apply. More here. G/F Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel. 392 Havelock Rd. 6233-1100.
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Star-crossed meat-lovers who fancy a slice of MBS luxury this Valentine’s Day should head down to CUT by Wolfgang Puck and indulge in all their carnivorous offerings.Their one-night-only V-Day menu features appetizers like the Kaluga sturgeon caviar with lemon herb blini and mini Kobe “sliders”, starters like the Australian Oxtail Bouillon which comes with chervil, bone marrow dumplings and black truffles and a selection of premium steaks like the USDA prime and Australian angus from Rangers Valley for the mains. From $250/person. #B1-71 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands (Galleria Level), 2 Bayfront Ave. 6688-8517.
Walk through the lavish arched black and gold walkway of casual kebab noshery Fat Prince and enter a whole new world. The Ottoman Room also adopts the same Turkish vibe and feel as its sister outlet, but with luxe touches like plush leather sofas and vintage carpets. Perfect for double- or even triple-dates, the establishment offers unlimited mezze from a trolley of gastronomical appetizers like a variety of hummus, salmon tartare and more; two items from the Meat & Fish section such as the earth oven Ottoman spiced short rib or grilled market fish with cucumber labneh; another two from the Earth section like the mushrooms and farro which come with Jerusalem artichoke puree, chanterelles and morel foam; and a dessert specially created for the occasion. From $98/person. 48 Peck Seah St. 6221-3683.
Keeping it in the Neighborhood
Well, not everyone wants to head all the way into the city center just for a romantic meal. At Upper Bukit Timah, Rail Mall is home to the fairly new Italian restaurant, Acqua e Farina, where you can do just that. For V-Day, dig into their fuss-free and no-frills offerings of tried-and-tested recipes from the chefs and co-founders hometowns, such as the cocktail spritzer with mini smoked salmon panini, black fettuccine with Hokkaido scallop, prawns and fennel in light saffron sauce a choice between seabass fillet or boneless duck and a serving of strawberry panna cotta. From $85 (two seatings; first one at 6pm comes with a 10% discount). 400 Upper Bukit Timah Rd. 6462-0926.
If you’re allergic to crowds and prefer a more low-key night by the sea, there’s always Atmosphere Bistro & Bar. Their V-Day offering is a simple four-course affair, starting with a choice of slow boiled clear chicken soup with meatball and shiitake mushroom or lobster bisque, followed by a mesclun salad with smoked salmon enoki rolls and balsamic vinegar or feta cheese salad with Japanese cucumber. The entree selections are pretty diverse too, with options like duck confit with cranberry sauce, ribeye steak, pan seared sea trout and seafood pasta. And the dessert for the night? A refreshing panna cotta with mixed berries in cranberry sauce. From $128. #01-25/26/27, 920 East Coast Parkway. 6440-9705.
This casual, local produce-driven restaurant is located on the quieter side of Dempsey Hill, which makes for a great night for a meal under the stars and among lush greenery. Besides, it’s just on the outskirts of Orchard Road, on Dempsey. Headed by Ryan Clift and Russell Misso, OFC uses a selection of farm-fresh produce right from their edible garden that have made way into the dishes on the Valentine’s Day menu, such as the smoked citrus cured salmon carpaccio, heirloom tomato salad, vanilla parsnip risotto, rose marinated duck breast and more. From $80/person for three-course dinner, from $128/person for five-course tasting menu. 130E Minden Rd. 6471-0306. Make a reservation via Chope here.
Until recently, there was little in Seletar except for the historical airport, a golf course and the sprawling JTC aerospace park. But that changed with the arrival of The Summerhouse, an English countryside-inspired restaurant, garden and bar housed in a gorgeous huge conservation bungalow. Chef Florian Ridder has created a six-course and 10-course set menus that are current mainstays on their regular Collective Farming Menus, such as the bowl of buckwheat porridge sprinkled with sunflower and pumpkin seeds, the deliciously juicy 72-hour sous vide Iberico pork, and Flower, a beautiful union of guava yogurt, lychee-coconut mousse, raspberry puree and rose meringue. From $300 (six-course set) or $600 (10-course set). 3 Park Ln. 6262-1063.
One Date Away From Scoring
So you’ve been on a handful of amazing dates, having sheepishly made plans to spend V-Day together and this meal is the clincher. Seal the deal at MBS’ db Bistro & Oyster Bar, where the special menu has some sensual treats. Opened by chef Daniel Boulud, this restaurant doesn’t let up for its Valentine’s Day menu offering a five-course menu prepared by executive chef Jonathan Kinsella, featuring dishes like the Boston lobster salad, porcini mushroom risotto, slow-baked Chilean seabass with yellow potato and more. From $120/person. #B1-48 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands (Galleria Level), 2 Bayfront Ave. 6688-8525. Make a reservation via Chope here.
They don't actually have a special menu per se, but they've got some exciting things going on, especially if you're coming with a fellow singleton (nobody said Valentine’s Day is strictly for couples). Start the night off at the restaurant on the second floor of the iconic Customs House and dig into dishes like tofu steak with teriyaki sauce and foie gras and scallop sushi, and pair with some fun Asian-inspired tipples such as the ginger kumquat caipirinha (minimum spend of $150 gets you a chance at their lucky dip where you can win prizes like a staycation package, F&B vouchers and more). Then head up to the rooftop to join in some kinky games, down some of their signature shots and just have an unadulterated, good ol’ fashioned fun with your “friend”. #02-02 Customs House, 70 Collyer Quay. 6533-3471. Make a reservation via Chope here.
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This restaurant at the new and exciting M Social is pulling all the stops for Valentine's Day. Start the night with an appetizer of salmon trout confit and grilled Maine lobster, with a tarragon emulsion, crispy parsnip chips and a tomato saffron consomme. Then taste a bit of the sea with poached coral trout fillet with shimeji mushroom, topped with superior soy sauce before going into either the sous vide chicken breast or the black angus beef sirloin as your main. Seal the deal with roasted almond nougat vacherin dessert, followed by a glass of wine. UOB Cardholders will receive 15% off your total food bill. Terms and conditions apply. More here. $188/couple. 90 Robertson Quay, 6206-1888.
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Nothing says “I’m serious about you” (or at least “I’m serious about coming home with you tonight) like the iconic dome along the waters of Marina Bay, which houses the fancy Italian establishment, Monti. Be swept away by its sleek interiors, decked out in bronze and copper hues, fresh flowers as table pieces, long-hanging lights and marble bartop. Their selection for their five-course V-Day menu is just as impressive—choices like the unmistakably classic combination of Wagyu tenderloin with porcini mushrooms and foie gras and the risotto ai petali di rosa e Champagne are just the tip of the iceberg. And yes, they’ll be serving freshly shucked oysters with a glass of Dom Perignon. From $400. The Fullerton Pavilion, 82 Collyer Quay. 6535-0724.
Everything you need for classy romance is under one roof at Tippling Club—splendid food, unparalleled cocktails and a great intimate space to get the conversation going. As expected, chef-owner Ryan Clift and assistant head chef Ayo Adeyemi have created an eight-course selection that features the restaurant’s highlights, such as their Razor Clams doused in a purple Brittany garlic soup, wood pigeon served with grelot onion and black truffle quinoa, and others. Continue late into the night next door and have a go at some of the concoctions in their new Sensorium Menu, each created around a particular memory and scent (and a corresponding cocktail, of course). From $340/person. 38 Tanjong Pagar Rd. 6475-2217. Make a reservation via Chope here.
For Impatient Lovers
Dolce Vita (Mandarin Oriental)
This Mediterranean restaurant conveniently located right at the fifth floor terrace of Mandarin Oriental has pulled out a four- or five- course meal comprising things like capesante, which is seared scallops from Hokkaido with braised lettuces and passion fruit; and slow braised beef cheek from Australia with black truffle, mashed potatoes and crispy leeks. Of course not missing out the sweet dessert to end off the romantic meal, they are having raspberry and rose mousse with wild berries sorbet. And when you’re done, just head to your room. Be sure to book in advance. From $158 per person, 5/F Marina Square, Mandarin Oriental. 6885-3551. Make a reservation via Chope here.
Apart from the USS and casino, Sentosa is also home to a three Michelin-starred French restaurant owned by celebrity chef Joel Robuchon (located conveniently in a hotel). If you are looking to throw some cash for a more extravaganza Valentine’s Day celebration, this restaurant have a eight-course dinner serving their signatures like L’Oeuf de Poule, a semi-soft boiled egg on black truffle coulis with comte cheese emulsion and Le Boeuf, beef chateaubriand steak with foie gras and La Pomme D’amour, with yuzu lightness, strawberry banana sorbet and lemon madeleine. From $498/person. Hotel Michael, 8 Sentosa Gateway. 6577-7888.
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Cook & Brew (The Westin Singapore)
For a solid romantic dinner followed by fiery staycation, check out The Westin Singapore. Their gastrobar Cook & Brew on the 33rd floor boasts views of the city and Singapore’s south coast, depending on where you’re seated. Indulge in their special four-course Valentine's Day set dinner for two of king crab & cream, USDA ribeye steak, Nova Scotia lobster and a sweet rose Champagne jelly. End it off with a night cap, Cupid’s Dream, before heading back to the room. UOB Cardholders get a free bottle of red wine (worth $60) with the four-course Valentine's Day set dinner for two. Terms and conditions apply. More here. Starting from $200 per couple. 33/F Asia Square Tower 2, The Westin Singapore, 12 Marina View. 6922-6948.
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The Lighthouse Restaurant & Rooftop Bar (Fullerton Hotel)
Overseeing the stunning view of the Marina Bay Sands, the gorgeous, bright, summery Lighthouse has a special chef just for Valentine’s Day: Andrea Ribaldone who is working at the Michelin-starred I Due Buoi in Italy, who will serve a five-course dinner featuring veal with tuna sauce; a velvety carnaroli risotto with vermouth reduction and dessert will be Piedmontese chocolate amaretti with bitter orange sauce. You can also go all-out by booking a limited to five couples per day only rooftop dining experience. You can also have a good night “sleep” at the giant comfy beds of the elegant five-star hotel after your dinner. From $158/person. 8/F The Fullerton Hotel, 1 Fullerton Square. 6877-8140. Make a reservation via Chope here.
You can always count on the sun-drenched lobby restaurant at the iconic nature-inspired Parkroyal on Pickering for a satisfying date with your longtime girlfriend or boyfriend. Things kickstart with a complimentary glass of rose limeade, before moving onto a la carte options like vanilla-poached lobster and foie gras torchon with rhubarb and truffle powder or buffet highlights like wagyu tenderloin rossini. Save your stomach for their all berries dessert table offerings. If you’re the sort to roll your eyes at hyper-gendered things, ignore the stalk of rose that will be given to the ladies and instead head to the photo booth that will be set up for the occasion. If you’re super sentimental, order the personalized red velvet cake with a heartfelt message. $178/couple, 1/F PARKROYAL on Pickering, 3 Upper Pickering St, 6809-8899. Make a reservation via Chope here.
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