Fine dining on a budget: 12 Western restaurants in Singapore with deals under $50

1. 1919 Waterboat House

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Not only does this elegant spot give you the best riverside view, but dining here also evokes feelings of a bygone era. Lit warmly with old school bulbs and a rather over-the-top Art Deco chandelier, the European-style dining room housed in a colonial heritage building is an inviting spot for a quiet meal.

Mains selects include a Bar de Ligne of pan-roasted sea bass, dashi mushroom essence, potato mousseline and enoki crisp for ($28++),  or Entrecote ($35++), a serving of angus ribeye, pumpkin creameux, aromatics and bordelaise sauce, with dessert options like Cassis Noir ($15++) of rich dark chocolate mousse, cassis sorbet with a mixed berry medley.

1919 Waterboat House

3 Fullerton Rd #03-01, The Waterboathouse, 049215

2. L'Entrecôte The Steak & Fries Bistro

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If you haven’t had L’Entrecôte’s signature classic steak and fries ($36.80, pictured). The recipe for success?

The legendary signature sauce – a powerful peppery, slightly tangy elixir the chef is proud to call his secret. P.S. Unlimited fries, might we add.

L’Entrecôte The Steak & Fries Bistro

36 Duxton Hill, 089614

3. The Naked Finn

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The Naked Finn’s owner Tan Ken Loon has an obsession with sourcing for the best seafood in the world, yet he still manages to keep prices affordable.

Our choice of mains: the sweet ten-piece farmed Giant Tiger Prawns ($36) grilled on sea salt over cast iron griddle, and the Secreto Iberico Pork – a lean cut of meat that’s grilled and served with a side of in-house dried solefish salt ($30).

The Naked Finn

Blk 39 Malan Rd, Gillman Barracks, 109442

4. Osia Steak and Seafood Grill

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There’s a reason why this Australian grill restaurant received a Michelin star. Expect creative dishes, fresh ingredients and carefully plated meals in this modern restaurant that boasts a friendly atmosphere and an open kitchen.

Come during lunch, where you get to enjoy its lunch sets under the glow of natural light in the day. Two courses cost $39 while three courses cost $49. Appetisers include a burratina arugula salad with jamón ibérico, tomato chutney, balsamic burnt butter, while mains include a spiced lamb rump with garam marsala dhal and cucumber apple mint yoghurt.

Dessert is an intriguing hot chocolate soup with black pepper ice cream and sesame crisp that is a flavourful blend of sweet and spicy.

Osia Steak and Seafood Grill

#02-140 and 141, Resorts World Sentosa, Festive Walk, 26 Sentosa Gateway, 098138

5. La Tapería Wine & Tapas

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Delight in traditional tapas and paella at La Taperia, a Spanish restaurant by the beloved Les Amis Group.

Some suggestions for the tapas are the Croquettes ($4 per piece) – filled with suckling pig bechamel and chunky bits of Iberico ham, or charcoal-grilled Welsh lamb rump, with piquillo pepper and natural jus.

Indulge in the chocolate Marquise, topped with baked almond praline to end your meal.

La Tapería Wine & Tapas

#02-10/11, 1 Scotts Rd, 228208

6. boCHINche

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If you haven’t yet acquainted yourself with Argentinean cuisine, it’s about time you should. Go for boCHINche’s Gordal olives with orange and criolla sauce ($9).

Next comes a skillet of bubbling Provoleta Cheese, garnished with almonds and drenched in oregano honey ($18).

There’s focaccia bread to go with it – it’s simple and addictive.

To make sure you roll out of there stuffed, the beef bone marrow burger with short ribs, provolone, onions and pickles ($29) is a signature dish which surprises us with a fairly juicy patty that has its smokiness amped up with bone marrow.

boCHINche

#01-02, 115 Amoy St, 069935

7. Cheek By Jowl

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This modern Australian restaurant offers big flavours and bold references to Asian cuisine. Does it work? Absolutely, with its one Michelin star.

While the restaurant is better known for its Duck Confit with spiced caramel, orange and parsnips ($34), it’s head chef Rishi Naleendra’s treatment of vegetables which gets our attention.

Take for instance the Oysters with Smoked Tomato Granita ($6 per oyster), the tangy topping melting into a chilly smokiness as it hits the palate.

Cheek By Jowl

21 Boon Tat St, 069620

8. Super Loco

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Mexi? Can! Mexican classics at Super Loco pack a punch – the Mango Ceviche with wild snapper ($18) has a clean taste favourably complemented by the acidic juice that envelopes it; meanwhile, the Baja taco ($11) is spicy, but its combination of crispy fish fillet, jalapeno cabbage and chimichurri mayo is a winner.

You’ll love the vegetarian Huitlaacoche quesadilla ($16) with corn truffle, oyster mushroom, sweet corn, cojita and chimichurri.

For a sweet ending, get the crispy Super Churros ($13) with a rich chocolate dip.

Super Loco

60 Robertson Quay, The Quayside, 238252

9. Mad About Sucre

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Surprise – Mad About Sucre has a cost-conscious savoury menu, too! But, there’s no point in saving money (or calories), if you skip its seasonal sweets.

Get your hands on the Noir, made with grapefruit, black tea, Bergamot, Mandarin and Yogurt Mousse.

Pair it with some tea ($22.80) or cocktails ($37.8), if you prefer.

Mad About Sucre

27 Teo Hong Rd, 088334

10. Ash & Elm

Credit: The Finder

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A good introduction to the unique menu would be a regular serving of the Ash & Elm platter of charcuterie ($28) with five types of meat.

A crowd-favourite is the Pumpkin and Pancetta Flat Bread ($22). This is baked in the restaurant’s pizza oven and can easily feed two people as a main dish.

In a group? Opt for its appetiser and dessert buffet lunch menu (from $28).

Ash & Elm

>Intercontinental Hotel, 80 Middle Rd, 188966

11. Dallas Restaurant and Bar

Credit: The Finder

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Dallas’s promotional meat platter for two ($70) is a heaping board of pork ribs, lamb cutlets, a quarter rotisserie chicken, and rib eye steaks, which is best for meat lovers with big appetites.

However, it’s the new modern Mexican dishes that stand out. So, pick starters such as the Snapper Fish Tacos ($17 for two).

The crispy deep-fried fish is fresh and juicy on the inside, with tangy pineapple chutney and spicy chipotle mayonnaise.

Order the Dallas fajitas ($28); the Grain-fed ribeye will not only make your mouth water but will leave you wanting more.

As do the mains, like the Baby Back Berry or Fiery ribs  ($30/half rack, $44/full rack), which is nicely barbecued and comes with red cabbage slaw and potato wedges.

Dallas Restaurant and Bar

31 Boat Quay, 049820

12. Alma by Juan Amador

Credit: The Finder

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Located in Goodwood Park Hotel, the best time to try this fine dining restaurant’s Spanish–European dishes, combined with Asian influences, is during lunch.

Check out their affordable 3-course lunch set ($39++), with Boston Lobster, ‘Kuhlbarra’ Barramundi and many more as your main course, and Amaou Strawberry as dessert.

Alma by Juan Amador

22 Scotts Rd, 228221

This article was first posted on The Finder here.