V’Day 2013: Romantic restaurants for Valentine’s Day in Singapore

Make your Valentine’s Day romantic with classic European cuisine at the Singapore Botanic Gardens. You’ll be surrounded by glorious greenery over a six-course meal at Au Jardin; highlights include an Alaskan King crab and oscietre caviar starter (featured above), a butter poached maine lobster and dry aged beef tenderloin with foie gras in red wine glaze.
Address: 1 Cluny Road, Singapore Botanic Gardens, EJH Corner House, Singapore 259569, Tel: 6466 8812. Go to www.lesamis.com.sg/valentines to find out more.

There’s a reason why Humphrey Bogart’s “We’ll always have Paris” Casablanca line still resounds today; it’s hard to deny the romantic allure of the city. For a slice of France in sunny Singapore, just look to Balzac Brasserie. With Balzac’s vintage French furnishings and classic brasserie dishes, it’s easy to make-believe that you’re having a dinner date at a Parisian brasserie.
Address: Balzac Brasserie, 9 Bras Basah Road #01-01, Rendezvous Gallery, Tel: 6336 0797. The Valentine’s Day dinner menu is available on February 14 only, from 6.30pm to 10.30pm.

The way to anyone’s heart is through a good meal, so go ahead and pamper your special someone with a “Basilissimo – Best of Basilico” Valentine’s Dinner, comprising two buffets and a main course. Savour Roasted Wagyu Sirloin or homemade Lobster and Porcini Ravioli, along with a Crudo and Seafood Bar, a Caviar Station and 20 types of Italian cheeses, and conclude the romantic night with Truffle Tiramisu.

Address: 1 Cuscaden Road. Tel: 6725 3232

Sidle next to your Valentine on Bedrock’s comfy leather seats; you’ll have a cosy booth all to yourself at this restaurant. On Valentine’s Day, choose between beef tenderloin or grilled sea bream with risotto for your main course. Oyster fans will delight in the festive appetiser: you’ll be served a trio of oysters, dressed in Japanese ponzu sauce, mignonette and bloody mary.
Address: 96 Somerset Road, #01-05, Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Orchard, Tel: 6238 0054, website: www.bedrock.com.sg.

Tucked away in Kranji, the serene Bistro by Gardenasia is as close as you can get to a Singapore “countryside”. Dine alfresco at this rustic and romantic setting for some private time, away from the busy streets. Another perk: a free concierge service, if you’ve some Valentine’s Day errands to run. The restaurant will help to arrange for a limousine or a bouquet of flowers; requests must be made by January 31, 2013.
Address: 240 Neo Tiew Crescent, Singapore 718898, Tel: 6336 5881, from 7pm onwards.

Cosy up to your other half with a meal that’s meant to be shared at Bistro du vin. Made for couples on Valentine’s Day, this five-course dinner menu features a baked quail in truffled butter, stewed escargots, foie gras ravioli and smoked salmon trout with trout roe and radish salad.
Address: 1 Scotts Rd, #02-12 Shaw Centre and 56 Zion Road. Call 6733 7763 to make your reservation. Visit www.lesamis.com.sg/valentines/ for more information.

Start your dinner with a refreshing seafood appetizer, followed by a delicate creation of fresh lobster claw with burrata cheese and “Calvisius” Royal Oscietra Caviar, as you savour the robust Tortelli con Stracotto di Manzo, Crema Di Patate e Tartufo Nero, a hearty dish of soft handmade tortelli with braised oxtail, potato cream and black winter truffle. The second main presents a sumptuous choice of either the tender lamb loin in Amaretti Crust with pumpkin flan and port wine sauce or a delicate combination of monkfish wrapped in parma ham with “Castelluccio” lentils and balsamic reduction. Lastly, indulge in the delectable textural Mousse ai 3 Cioccolato e salsa al Rum dessert — a divine showcase of white, milk and dark chocolate mousse with rum sauce. Nothing says ‘Ti amo’ quite like Valentine’s Day at Buona Terra.

Address: 29A Scotts Road. Tel: 6733 0209

What one couple considers romantic, another may find too fussy. If you would rather a casual sit-down meal, Canelé’s menu is one to pick. This menu features a choice of either parma ham and figs crepe or a pan-seared salmon and scallop with creamy truffle sabayon. A slice of cake of your choice also comes complimentary with the meal.
Addresses: Paragon Shopping Centre, Raffles City Shopping Centre, Robertson Walk, Shaw Centre and Shaw Theatre Lido. For more information, visit www.canele.com.sg.

Couples can look forward to celebrating the special occasion with a sumptuous dinner at Carousel on Valentine’s Day. The signature seafood counter offers up to 12 types of seafood including Maine lobsters and freshly-shucked oysters. Delectable highlights from the Japanese Teppanyaki counter such as live prawns and salmon in premium sauce can also be enjoyed. For a sweet end to the meal, indulge in Carousel’s signature bread and butter pudding served with vanilla sauce, heart-shaped ispahan and strawberry fondue.
 
Ladies will be thrilled by the thoughtful touches such as a teddy bear, chocolates and a stalk of rose, specially prepared for them. 

Address: 25 Scotts Road, Royal Plaza on Scotts. Tel: 6589 7799

Not all couples are keen on fussy fine dining. Some would just love a cosy spot where their beloved pooches can be at their side. This Italian restaurant at the Botanic Gardens welcomes pet-loving couples to bring their dogs with them; Casa Verde will even provide dog bowls too for your fur kid, if need be.
Address: 1 Cluny Road, Singapore Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre, Singapore 259569, Tel: 6467 7326. Go to www.lesamis.com.sg for more information. Featured above: Mesclun salad with parma ham, fresh fig and bufala crumble

Classics can do you no wrong on Valentine’s Day. So dine on an elegant four-course Italian menu at Da Paolo BistroBar. Couples will be served a glass each of Prosecco sparkling wine, lobster bisque, tagliatelle with crab in tomato cream sauce and a choice of either the grilled sea bass or braised beef cheek (featured above). Then cap off the meal with a chocolate-hazelnut creme brûlée & lavender crumble; doesn’t that sound just fine?
Address: 3 Rochester Park, Singapore 139214, Tel: 6774 5537.

Some of us have an insatiable craving for pasta; so why not go for a meal with multi-courses of your beloved carbohydrates on February 14. Pasta options of this four-course menu include a sea bass and sweet potato ravioli, a purple potato gnocchi with bone marrow. There’s a complimentary glass of Prosecco for each diner too.
Address: 80 Club Street Singapore 069448, Tel: 6224 7081 and 44 Jalan Merah Saga, #01-56, Singapore 278116, Tel: 6476 1332, go to www.dapaolo.com.sg for more information.

Romance your loved one with a scrumptious fare of sensual treats in the elegant setting of this Italian Restaurant. Be whisked into the magical realm of love as your senses get heightened by Chef Ee Ming Hwa’s adeptly crafted six-course set dinner in the intimate ambient setting of DOMVS.
Address: 39 Scotts Road, Tel: 6839 5622, Website: www.sheratonsingapore.com/wine-and-dine

Enjoy a variety of delectable Asian and Pacific cuisines – including Chinese, Malay, Indian, Singaporean, Thai, Japanese and Pan Pacific’s signature “Pacific Cuisines”, available at seven different open kitchens, and prepared “a la minute”. 

On Valentine’s Day, each of the open kitchens will feature an aphrodisiac from each cuisine’s culture. These include Wok Fried Frogs’ Legs with Dried Chilli and Cashew Nuts (Singaporean), Beef Stew Soup infused with Tongkat Ali (Malay), Peshawari Naan featuring Dried Fig and Almonds (Indian), Canadian Oyster with Thai Green Sauce (Thai), and Rose-themed Chocolate Desserts.

Stand a chance to “Win a dinner for two at Edge” if you are captured on camera dining at Edge with a loved one on Valentine’s Day. All images will be shared at www.facebook.com/edge.ppsin where a winner will be announced.

Address: 7 Raffles Boulevard. Tel: 6336 8111

A romantic evening awaits with an awe-inspiring view of the cityscape. Indulge in a 7-course set menu showcasing modern European classics including the luxurious Platter Fruit De Mer Royale that comprises of a whole lobster, oysters, clams, Tiger Prawns, Sri Lankan Crabs, Green Lip Mussels, Razor Clams, Caviar, Tuna and Salmon Sashimi served on a bed of ice alongside traditional condiments, and Roasted Veal Tenderloin wrapped in Pancetta and Sage, Crushed Green Peas, Pomme Purée and Port Wine Jus.

Address: Level 69, Equinox Complex, Swissotel The Stamford. Tel: 6837 3322

If you love the restaurant’s grilled specialties, here’s more reason to dine at Gordon Grill with your Valentine. Besides the sumptuous six-course meal, this February 14 menu includes a complimentary $50 dining voucher, to be used on your next visit.
Address: 22 Scotts Road, Goodwood Park Hotel, Singapore 228221, Tel: 6730 1744.

Chef de Cuisine Julien Royer presents a luxurious 7-course set menu that celebrates love and the perfect marriage of flavours with highlights such as the signature 55’ Smoked Organic Egg, Cep, Foie Gras, Black Truffle; Britanny Seabass, Seaweed Butter, Pommes Rattes, Caviar d’Aquitaine and Pigeon de Bresse “Excellence Mieral”, Griottes, Juniper Berries, Elderflower.

Address: Level 70, Equinox Complex, Swissotel The Stamford. Tel: 6837 3322

If you’re a couple who can’t get enough of Japanese cuisine, spoil yourself silly with an elegant meal at Ki-sho. It’s housed in a colonial bungalow along Scotts Road; props to a central location that you can easily get to too. Its Valentine’s Day Kyoto-style menu includes snow crab with uni (sea urchin), sashimi and charcoal grilled premium hida wagyu; the menu includes two complimentary glasses of Dom Pérignon too.
Address: 29 Scotts Road, Singapore, Singapore 228224, Tel: 6733 5251. Visit the Ki-Sho facebook page for more information.

Enjoy a panoramic view of the city over a romantic dinner at Ku de ta, with unusual dishes to whet your appetite. Valentine’s Day treats include shucked oysters, foie gras gyoza, lobster salad and other intriguing entrée dishes. More Japanese-inspired dishes like the shiso flower fried rice and grilled halibut loin with wasabi salsa follow.
Address: 1 Bayfront Avenue, Marina Bay Sands SkyPark, Singapore 018971, Tel: 6688 7688. Go to www.kudeta.com.sg for more information.

Dine alfresco on Valentine’s Day at L’Espresso: it’s a cosy poolside setting that your date will love too. With this festive five-course menu, you’ll start with cold angel hair pasta with sakura ebi, king crab, caviar, followed by a seafood bowl of langoustine, scallop, salmon trout and passionfruit mango sorbet; a hearty grilled beef fillet and roasted black cod are your mains for the night.
Address: 22 Scotts Road, Goodwood Park Hotel, Singapore 228221, Tel: 67301743

If you prefer a more homely ambience, ROAST at One Rochester is the perfect setting for you and your date. The set menu will comprise of Amuse Bouche, Olive Oil Confit Yellow Fin Tuna, Poached Fois Gras, Tian of Maine Lobster and Prawn, Pan fried fillet of sea bream, four-hour slow roasted Angus rib of beef and 1-Caramel’s Strawberry Heart of Roses.

Address: 1 Rochester Park. Tel: 6773 0070

Take your romance to the next level — literally. Over two flight rotations (about an hour), the sky dining experience on the Singapore Flyer comes with a four-course set dinner, in-flight butler service, express boarding, access to the Flyer Lounge, free admission to the Journey of Dreams interactive gallery, a rose for the lady, a chocolate gift, and a pair of limited edition heart-shaped eternal key rings for the
couple.

Address: 31 Raffles Avenue Tel: 6334 9622 Website: www.singaporeflyer.com

Celebrate romance with a specially crafted six-course aphrodisiac Valentine’s Day menu at W Singapore — Sentosa Cove. Leave the concrete jungle behind and retreat to your personal haven at the hotel. For $798++ per couple on Valentine’s night, the room transforms into a little oasis with chocolates and champagne.

Address: 21 Ocean Way, W Singapore — Sentosa Cove. Tel: 6808 7278 Website: www.wsingaporesentosacove.com

Get heady with passion and excitement at the highest point in Singapore. As Valentine’s Day this year falls during the same period as the Chinese Lunar New Year, Stellar at 1-Altitude has also created its very own Chinese New Year celebratory dish which is the first course of this set menu. Other highlights on the menu include a Japanese-inspired sea urchin gel, a crispy duck pie and a clear pigeon broth, steamed snapper fillet, crab and enoki custard, oyster tempura and crustacean stock. The meal ends on a sweet note with delectable desserts specially created by 1-Caramel.

Address: Level 62,, 1 Raffles Place. Tel: 6438 0410

Its newest outlet may be located at a hotel but that didn’t stop The Halia from creating a mini garden indoors at its second restaurant. Its February 14 meal embraces its “plates to share” concept: highlights include the sydney rock oysters, chevre cheese with Ibérico chorizo sausage and a sous vide beef striploin. Your man can whip you up a cocktail (or mocktail) at the Love & Cocktails pre-dinner session too, if he’s keen; The Halia bartender will help make sure that he’s doing a swell job.
Address: #01-22/23, 1 Beach Road, Raffles Hotel, Singapore 189673, Tel: 6287 0711

Couples can look forward to celebrating romance and savouring a delectable contemporary Italian set dinner with a panoramic view of the Marina Bay skyline as your backdrop.

Address: Ocean Financial Centre, 10 Collyer Quay, Level 43, Tel: 6509 1488, Website: http://zafferano.sg/