From The Straits Times    |

Photo: The Black Swan/Facebook 

The psychology of an executive power lunch is interesting, to say the least. A boardroom meeting takes a hard-line approach to deal-making, while a lunchtime affair is quite another animal. That’s largely because our societal norms around sit-down meals — from the setting to the service — send subliminal messages to our brains about togetherness and warmth, linking the belly and the heart. It’s here that enemies might turn into allies, or at least find common ground.

We tell you the 12 best places to head to in the CBD that send the right signals to your associates. We’ve kept the budget for most of our recommendations to around $50, but don’t be surprised to see price tags going a little higher in some listings. Don’t hate us — we just couldn’t leave them out!

 

1. Zafferano

Photo: Zafferano/Facebook 

You’ll be in good hands with Zafferano, the Italian restaurant and lounge perched on the 43rd floor of the Ocean Financial Centre. Dine here, against the backdrop of Marina Bay, if you want to make an impression. Your guests have an option of indulging in the two-course or three-course set lunch ($42++ and $52++ respectively). If you’re organising for a big group, Zafferano also has two exclusive rooms: the Private Dining Room and the Wine Room. The Private Dining Room boasts a private entrance for discreet access and can hold up to 22 guests, while The Wine Room seats up to 12 guests around a long table, cocooned by racks of wine bottles.

Where: Zafferano is at Level 43 Ocean Financial Centre, 10 Collyer Quay. Tel: 6509 1488.

 

2. The Black Swan

Photo: The Black Swan/Facebook

The art deco grand bistro and bar is all 1920s glamour and a meal here is transportive from the moment you walk in. The menu pays homage to New York’s canonised steakhouse trope, offering classics like The Black Swan Burger and Duck Leg Confit. The two-course set is priced at $42++, while the three-course set costs $48++. It also has a private room for 12 people.

Where: The Black Swan is at 19 Cecil Street. Tel: 6438 3757.

 

3. Osteria Art

Photo: Osteria Art/Facebook

Want to impress your clients with a grand fine dining experience, but can’t go over budget? Your best bet is Osteria Art. It celebrates Italian gastronomic heritage like no other in Singapore, but is also one of one of the best value-for-money options for Italian cuisine in the CBD area. This restaurant puts a modern spin on cuisine classics. On weekdays, there’s a three-course power lunch featuring special off-the-menu dishes priced at $38++.

Where: Osteria Art is at 55 Market Street. Tel: 6877 6933.

 

4. Jade

Photo: The Fullerton Hotel Singapore/Facebook 

The elegant interiors and picturesque views from the floor-to-ceiling windows elevate the Chinese power lunch at Jade. The Michelin-recommended restaurant serves modern but authentic Cantonese cuisine at The Fullerton Hotel. Sets start at $68 per person for a regular set, while a lighter dum sum set lunch costs $58. For private meetings, Jade has two private rooms and two partitioned areas.

Where: Jade is at The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, ​1 Fullerton Square. Tel:  6733 8388.

 

5. Saint Pierre

Photo: Saint Pierre/Facebook 

Perched on the second floor of One Fullerton, Saint Pierre is a modern French Michelin-starred restaurant helmed by Emmanuel Stroobant. The three-course set is priced at $68++ per pax, while the four-course is priced at $85++. Your guests will love the breath-taking panorama of Marina Bay and a meal here is for intimate meetings since Saint Pierre can only seat up to 30 people. For group meetings, you can book a private room that can comfortably seat a party of 10 pax.

Where: Saint Pierre is at 1 Fullerton Road, #02-02B One Fullerton. Tel: 6438 0887.

 

6. Stellar at 1-Altitude 

Photo: Stellar at 1-Altitude/Facebook

Located at the 62nd level of the 1-Altitude building, your guests will love talking business while hovering above it all as they tuck into brilliant Australian cuisine. The two- and three-course set lunches are priced at $38++ and $48++ respectively. With the spectacular city view and progressive Australian gastronomy, your clients will be on cloud nine – literally.

Where: Stellar at 1-Altitude, Level 62, 1 Raffles Place. Tel:  6438 0410.

 

7. P.S Café One Fullerton

Photo: P.S Cafe/Facebook 

This One Fullerton P.S. outlet is the brunch place to be at with its lush greens, elegant furnishings and magnificent views of Marina Bay. But it’s also a super-chic choice for a casual business lunch. There’s no set menu here, but you’ll encounter familiar fare like the PS Truffle Shoestring Fries ($15), the Superfood Salad ($26), the PS Burger ($29), and sweet nothings like the Mexicoco shake ($10.50).

Where: P.S Café One Fullerton is at 02-03B/04, One Fullerton, 1 Fullerton Road. Tel: 6708 9288.

 

8. Wakanui

Photo: Wakanui/Facebook

Formerly located in Boat Quay, Wakanui has re-opened at the West Tower of the new Marina One. Swing by for charcoal-grilled meats from New Zealand, fused with the flavours of Japanese cuisine. The three-course Prix Fixe menu is at $49 with a $10 top-up for a glass of house wine, if you’re in the mood. There are three private rooms available if you prefer your meetings away from the other diners. The restaurant also has a wine cellar, featuring New Zealand wines sourced from boutique wineries.

Where: Wakanui is at #04-02 Marina One The Heart West Tower, 5 Straits View. Tel: 6384 2665.

 

9. Artemis Grill

Photo: Artemis Grill/Facebook 

If your clients are health conscious, head to Artemis Grill on the 40th floor of CapitaGreen. This rooftop restaurant is known for presenting Mediterranean cuisine, made with with the freshest organic produce, and has plenty of options for vegetarians. There are two executive set lunch menus – the two-course is priced at $45++, while the three-course is at $52++. It also has a private room that can seat up to 40 people.

Artemis Grill is at #40-01 CapitaGreen, 138 Market Street. Tel: 6635 8677.

 

10. JAAN

​​​​​​​Photo: JAAN/Facebook

This is when you really want to wow your guests. At JANN, the Michelin-starred, modern European restaurant on the 70th floor of Swissôtel The Stamford, each menu is carefully thought out and pays tribute to seasonality and the skills of the world’s best gourmet producers. Whether you settle for the four-course ($98++), the five-course ($128++) or the six-course ($158++) set lunch, the experience is guaranteed to be top-notch.

Where: JAAN is at Level 70 Swissôtel The Stamford, 2 Stamford Road. Tel: 6837 3322.

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