More accessible than Dempsey (if you don’t drive) and certainly less bustling, this restaurant-bar by the team behind the defunct Table 66 has taken over District 10’s old digs and is an ideal spot for a quiet dinner. Their popular weekend brunches aside, evenings are a tad slow at Skyve—not that there’s any good reason if you ask us, because the modern and quirky setup complements the food wonderfully.

Take, for example, the well-executed pan-seared foie gras ($22), an appetizer that’s beautifully updated with compressed watermelon and sweet and sour pickled watermelon rind. Ditto the sous-vide duck confit ($34); the tender and juicy meat slipped off its bone with a flick of the fork, and is arguably the best version we’ve had in a long, long time.

While most establishments ignore the veggie-eating population almost entirely, Skyve bucks the norm with the vegetarian char-grilled beet patty burger ($30), one of the strongest mains here. Not only is it a vast improvement from the rest in town, its soy-based patty is hearty enough for meat lovers; accompanied by loads of truffle fries for good measure.

Dessert in the form of hazelnut-chocolate cake ($12) is just average, however. Still, you can expect a thoroughly satisfying meal, helped along by the fact that service is friendly and attentive.

Its quaint and inviting setting—dim yellow lights, vintage-inspired tables and chairs and a mellow jazz soundtrack which engaged us all through the night—doesn’t hurt either. Worth some real consideration if you’re not in the mood to battle the crowds or need a first date venue that’s nice enough to impress yet posseses just the right laidback vibe that doesn’t scream ‘trying too hard.’

Eat this at Skyve: Beet burger. It's one of I-S Magazine's 50 things to eat in Singapore before you die (2012).