From The Straits Times    |

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First, the bad news: quality seafood never comes cheap, especially in a restaurant setting (besides, who would dare eat discount shellfish?)

But just because it isn’t cheap, that doesn’t mean you should get ripped off. For the December season, we’ve checked out the fancier seafood restaurants that are good value (compared to similar counterparts).

 

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Momma Kong’s

Photo: Facebook

34 Mosque Street, Singapore 059512

Brothers Edmund and Terence Kong’s vision of creating a restaurant akin to Mom’s place succeeded swimmingly; Momma Kong’s is cosy and features a swathe of elevated homestyle dishes, like the legendary chilli crab and bestselling creamy crab beehoon soup.

On their own as ala carte dishes, they’re pricey, but in a set menu for up to four, they spell major bang for your buck.

Highlights of the set for two ($132) features a choice of crab, crayfish, and grilled squid, while the set for four ($332) includes two crabs, two light bites, and fried rice.

 

Sabio by the Sea

Photo: Facebook

31 Ocean Way, #01-02 Quayside Isle, 098373

It’s not technically located by the sea but it sure feel like it. Located in Sentosa Cove’s exclusive Quayside Isle, Sabio by the Sea was made for relaxing afternoons over tantalising tapas and ice-cold sangria.

Go for seconds (and more) with the daily all-you-can-eat deal (S$59.90++) for a sumptuous Spanish feast.

You’re free to order almost anything on the ala carte menu, including the seafood paella, straight-from-the-oven grilled octopus leg and tuna steak, as well as cold and hot tapas, which ranges from clams in garlic sauce and sizzling prawns to tiger prawn ceviche and octopus carpaccio.

Need a break from the ocean catch? The deal includes chorizos, jamon, and salads.

 

Triple Three

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Level 5, Mandarin Orchard Singapore, 333 Orchard Road, Singapore 238867

Stop scarfing down your meal at your desk; do your lunch hour right with a proper feast (we’re talking buffets).

Over at Triple Three at Mandarin Orchard, the lunch buffet (S$88++ per adult) is colossal. It’s Japanese-inspired so expect the freshest sashimi and sushi. If starting with the seafood-on-ice section is your battle plan, you won’t be disappointed; you’ll find everything from mussels and clams to king crabs and Hokkaido oysters.

Although usually priced at $88++ per adult, your DBS/POSB credit or debit card affords you a one-for-one deal, with maximum eight diners. Score! Take an extra hour and fake a meeting. We won’t tell.

 

J65

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Hotel Jen Tanglin, 1A Cuscaden Road, Singapore 249716

Though a newcomer to the scene, J65 at Hotel Jen Tanglin Singapore is a big fish in a big pond.

Take its festive buffet (S$75/pax – Mon to Thu; S$85/pax – Fri to Sun) for instance – unlike your usual turkey shebang the restaurant goes bold with its crustacean offerings of snow crabs, Boston lobsters as well as Fin De Clair oysters and Singapore chilli crab.

Want more options? Meat – slow roasted prime rib beef, honey glazed Virginia ham and roasted pork knuckle included – share equal billing with hearty ocean dishes.

 

The Pelican 

Photo: Facebook

1 Fullerton Road, #01-01, One Fullerton, Singapore 049213

A spectacular homage to the glam era of luxe sea travel, The Pelican Seafood Steak Bar features monochrome floors, plush leather booth seats, brass fixtures as well as a mish-mash of vintage curios. Large copper framed glass doors look out to its prime seats along the Marina Bay waterfront, where diners throw back oysters and cocktails.

Sundays are where the action’s at, with champagne brunch ($98+ to $138++) featuring unlimited orders of small plates and a choice between the grilled seafood platter – think whole barramundi, baked oysters, squid and whole baked lobster – or the oyster and prawn plate.

 

Edge

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Pan Pacific Singapore, Level 3, 7 Raffles Boulevard Singapore 039595

When it comes to seafood buffets, Edge at Pan Pacific has it down pat. At under a S$100 per pax (yes, even with unlimited selected red and white wine) on Wednesdays and Thursdays, the restaurant’s newly enhanced Refreshed Hooked buffet is a worthy indulgence.

New to its rotation are Oatmeal Chirashi, soul-satiating pots of steamed mussels and a freshly grilled Thai style marinated squid. Prefer yours ocean fresh? Graze on Boston lobsters, freshly shucked oysters and flower crab to your heart’s content.

Look for The Refreshed Hooked @ Edge buffet, S$88 per adult with unlimited local beverages, coffee and tea; S$98 with unlimited selected red and white wine, every Wednesday and Thursday, 630pm-1030pm.

 

The Boiler Seafood Bar and Beer

Photo: Facebook

18 Howard Road, #01-06, Novelty Bizcentre, 369585

Seafood-wise, few things are heartier than the pass-the-bucket authentic style of Cajun boil. The Boiler Seafood Bar and Beer knows this well, serving up flavour-packed seafood boil straight out of Louisiana, kicked up a notch with Asian spices.

Bring your best mates and gobble down on the specialty or premium set. Starters aside, the star of the show is the boil, which includes live dungeness crab, prawns mussels and clams, with a choice of sauces including its signature ‘The Works’, garlic butter, peppa butter and sauce of the month. Warning: It will get messy.

Look for the Boiler Seafood Bar and Beer set menu, specialty set at S$179++ for 3 to 4 persons, and S$365 for 7 to 8 persons; premium set at S$239++ for 3 to 4 persons, and S$465++ for 7 to 8 persons. 

 

This article was first published on Singsaver.

 

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