From The Straits Times    |

They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, but the same could also be said about women. Take your pick from our long list of places to dine this Valentine’s Day and doth shall hopefully win fair lady’s (or gentleman’s) heart; or pick up san original gift that is sure beat a bunch of red roses.

282 @ 1-Altitude
So what if you are single? Gather a group of available friends and head up to one of the highest vantage points in Singapore, 1-Altitude, for a smashing good time. Plus, glasses of Moët & Chandon will be passed around to keep you happily buzzed. 
Date: February 14
Time: From 7pm (after-party on the rooftop from 10.30pm)
Venue: 1-Altitude, 1 Raffles Place OUB Centre
Price:  From $49 to $450  (inclusive of food, drinks, including champagne and cover waiver)
To make reservations or for more information, call 6438 0410, or visit www.insurgence.sg/vday / www.1-altitude.com.

 

 

 

Aerin’s Café & Espresso Bar
Enjoy a romantic dinner amidst Aerin’s lush garden surrounds right in Raffles City Shopping Centre’s Marketplace. The three-course set starts off with a Grilled Snapper Salad drizzled with walnut dressing, followed by a choice of Slipper Lobster with brown crab mushroom in a gorgonzola sauce or Seared Duck Breast with date puree and potato confit in a raspberry sauce. End with the delicious Earl Grey & Tanariva Chocolate Mousse with cherry cheese fritters.
Date: February 11-14 
Venue: #B1-11/12, Raffles City Shopping Centre (6337 2231)
Price: $40++ per person

 

Bedrock Bar & Grill
This intimate grill restaurant’s four-course dinner features choices of Yukon Gold Potato Soup or Smoked Duck Salad, a main course of Tuna Au Poivre or Grilled prime US Striploin Steak with potatoes, and a divine 85 per cent Valhorna flourless chocolate cake with hazelnut nougatine.
Date: February 14
Venue: #01-05, Pan Pacific Serviced Suites (6238 0054)
Price: 128++ per person

 

Bonta
Stir up some passion with the four-course dinner menu Bonta’s Executive Chef Luca Pezzera has created especially for this romantic occasion, which begins with Wild Seabass Carpaccio, served with pan seared Hokkaido scallops and basil lemon dressing, followed by Homemade Duck Ravioli in a light rosemary butter sauce. Pick you main course of Grilled Scottish Salmon Steak with Mediterranean herbs crust, grilled zucchini and tomato basil salsa, or Barolo Braised Wagyu Beef Cheek, served with black truffle potato mousse and sautéed spinach. There’s, of course, chocolate for dessert – the Bitter Chocolate Mousse served with hazelnut croquant, caramelized banana in mocha sauce.
Date: February 14 
Venue: #01-61 UE Square River Wing (6333 8875)
Price: $108++ per person

 

Brussels Sprouts
Choose from the specially created and named ala carte dishes or try them all in a set menu. Hand In Hand ($9.50) is a platter of king crab salad, Belgian grey shrimp salad and sautéed mushrooms on toast, Aphrodisiac of Love ($18) is none other than succulent fins de Claire oysters and moules parquees. Perhaps you think Two Is Better Than One (434), which is a roasted rack of lamb and lamb tenderloin infused with vanilla and served with rosemary potatoes. All this and more is included in the set menu, along with Love Potion ($105), a bottle of floral bouquet mansard Brut NV champagne, with a gift pack of a pair of wine glasses.
Date: February 14 
Venue: 80 Mohamed Sultan Road, #01-12, The Pier@Robertson (6887 4344)
Price: Set menu is priced at $206++ per couple

 

Cherry Garden
If you’re looking for Chinese cuisine, this six-course dinner at Cherry Garden will be perfect. Dishes include Salmon Fish Head and ginseng papya soup served with sautéed salmon, egg white, snow fungus and spinach, Steamed Crab Claw with egg white, cordyceps flower and mushrooms, Oven-baked Lobster with cheese in a spicy XO sauce, Pan-fried Wagyu Beef in BBQ-garlic sauce, and an incredibly elaborate dessert of Chilled Bird’s Nest with aloe vera and snow mushrooms served in a whole coconut with snowskin mango dumplings. Every 2 dining guests receive a half-bottle of Perrier-Jouet Champagne.
Date:  February 14 
Venue: 5 Raffles Avenue, Mandarin Oriental (6885 3538)
Price: $188 per person

 

Coffee Lounge
Featuring a mix of local and Asian favourites, such as an appetiser platter of Nonya ‘Kueh Pie Tee’, chicken satay with peanut sauce and Vietnamese spring roll, Black chincken broth with dried fig and wolfberry, and a main course of Baked ‘kurau’ fish in banana leaf and pan-seared red leg prawn with turmeric rice, the real highlight of this five-course dinner would be the Valentine dessert buffet. 
Date: February 13 and 14
Venue: Goodwood Park Hotel, 22 Scotts Road (6730 1746)
Price: $136 per couple (includes a glass of champagne each and a rose)

 

Dolce Vita
Treat yourself and your date to a five-course candle-lit dinner by the poolside, presented by Michelin-starred Chef Marco Pedrelli and award-winning Chef Johnny Meitei. This Italian affair includes Roasted Quail supreme with baby vegetables, Sea Trout with asparagus, wheat sprouts and champagne foam, and Braised Beef Short Rib with truffled gnocchi, sautéed trumpet mushroom and foie gras veloute. Every 2 dining guests receive a complimentary half-bottle of Perrier-Jouet Champagne.
Date: February 14
Venue: 5 Raffles Avenue, Mandarin Oriental (6885 3551)
Price: $188 per person

 

Fish & Co.
The popular seafood restaurant will be serving an “xoxo platter for 2”, which includes seafood chowder, crispy salmon served with spicy mango vinaigrette, grilled peri peri prawns, fried calamari and blue mussels served with paella rice and coleslaw, exotic mocktails and a fudgy chocolate cake dessert. The first 100 couples who order the platter on Valentine’s Day will get their hands on a limited edition Fish & Co. pouch and a cheeky “Spin the Bottle” game – you’ll perhaps want to save that for after dinner though. 
Date: February 11-14
Venues: #01-24, Park Mall (6334 1858); #B1-35/36, Paragon (6733 0938); #03-34, Jurong Point (6898 4248); #B1-02, Tampines Mall (6787 3437); #05-02, The Heeren (6732 7255); #B1-030/031/032, Suntec City Mall; #02-03, Ang Mo Kio Hub (6555 6298); #03-11/12, Novena Square (6255 7001); #01-18B, The Waterfall at Parkway Parade (6348 9727); #01-22, Great World City (6235 1993); #036-058, Changi Airport Terminal 2 (6546 4485); #B1-06/07, West Coast Plaza (6777 8861); #B3-20, Ion Orchard (6509 8259); #01-111, IMM Building (6565 9268); #01-02, Sembawang Shopping Centre (6481 9192)
Price: $39.95 (platter for 2)

 

Gordon Grill
Executive Chef Gan Swee Lai’s seven-course tasting menu focuses on some of the most exquisite ingredients which take center stage in dishes such as Slow-cooked ocean trout with candied aubergine and sevruga caviar, Hokkaido scallop, langoustine and iberico jabugo, and U.S Wagyu beef, seasonal mushrooms and rich bordelaise jus.
Date: February 13 and 14 
Venue: Goodwood Park Hotel, 22 Scotts Road (6730 1744)
Price: $360 per couple (includes half a bottle of champagne and a rose)

 

Incontro
Who said anything about Valentine’s Day being only for those with significant others? Gather all your single friends or maybe even head out for some well-deserved me-time. Italian wine bar and ristorante Incontro has cooked up a 4-course “King River Estate Wine Dinner” exclusively catered for those celebrating singlehood. Start off with the Cream of Asparagus served with Chardonnay, followed by Linguine Alla Amatriciana, a mix of fresh chilies, parsely and bacon in tomato puree, with a glass of Merlot, as well as the Grain-fed Short Ribs braised in burgundy red wine jus – don’t forget the accompanying Barbera Reserve Merlot. Finish your meal with a slice of Dolce Grandma’s Cake, a rich lemon custard tart topped with raspberry compote.
Date: February 14
Venue: #01-12/13, Riverside View (6733 2313)
Price: $59++ per person


It’s Just Lunch

Sassy singles, get ready for a night of mystery and glamour at this singles-only Masquerade Party. Organised by the only global professional dating agency in Singapore, It’s Just Lunch, the event only allows guests to unveil their faces behind the beautiful masks after some time of "blind" interaction. Masquerade Party is open to all singles aged 25 – 35 years old. It includes a free masquerade mask, unlimited cocktails and canapés served, as well as door gifts from event sponsors Heineken and Sony Music, plus a chance to win an iPad.
Date: February 12
Time: 7.30pm – 10.30pm
Venue: The University Club, Level 4, Shaw Foundation Alumni House
Price: $12 per person; space is limited for the first 100 guests only
Registration closes Friday, February 11. Please email events@iljsingapore.com or call 6336 5458 for more details. 

 

Jewels Artisan Chocolate
This delicious handcrafted chocolate sculpture with heart-shaped dark chocolates wrapped in raspberry ganache works as a cute metaphor too. Now you can really give your heart to someone.
Price: $38 per set
Venue: #02-31/32, Orchard Central
Pre-order by emailing info@jewels.com.sg or call 6509 8998.

 

 

klapsons, The Boutique Hotel
Make this Valentine’s an unforgettable one – have a getaway and some well-deserved one-on-one time without even leaving Singapore, at klapsons. Choose The Romantic Interlude ($450++ per room per night), where you’ll get to stay in one of the Executive rooms, with its shell and cylindrical showers, and an open-cube rain shower, plus a bottle of G.H. Mumms champagne. If you’re looking for a more luxuriant experience and a stay in a suite, opt for An Amorous Indulgence ($680++ per room per night), where you can lounge in your private outdoor Jacuzzi. Both packages include a five-course wine-pairing dinner for 2 at Lucas, breakfast for 2, mini bar, wireless broadband access, local calls, a complimentary car park pass and late check-out at 3pm. You’ll also be able to purchase a limited edition Amour heart diamond pendant by Ilya Diamonds at a 30 per cent discount. The 18k white gold pendant features a 0.16 carats diamond. Prices start from $508.
For reservations, email room.reservations@klapsons.com, call 6521 9000 or visit www.klapsons.com
Date: February 7-12 & 14
Venue: 15 Hoe Chiang Road, Tower Fifteen 


Kinki
What’s more fitting than a six-course meal featuring aphrodisiacs from both Asian and Western cultures on a day meant for celebrating love (the modern Japanese restaurant’s name also sets itself up for tons of possible puns)? Take things slow and easy by starting off the evening with a drink at Kinki’s rooftop overlooking the Marina Bay waterfront. Adjourn to the main dining room, where the DJ’s spinning will set the mood for the rest of the night. First course: Foie Gras with black truffle and crispy Unagi. This is a powerful combination, if you were to follow the Roman and Greek belief that truffle stimulates and sensitizes the skin, which unagi is thought to simulate the effects of Viagra! The Blue Fin Tuna & Kajiki Carpaccio, Asparagus & Gobo Salad is also one to watch out for, seeing that tuna aids in sperm production and asparagus is considered by the English and French to be sexual stimulants. The main course is either the Vanilla Scented Hokkaido Milk Poached Cod or Yukari Honey Roasted Rack of Lamb and yes, you can expect similar potential results from them too. End off the meal with the phenylethylamine-filled happiness-inducing Dark Chocolate Marshmallow Fondue.
Date: February 12 and 14
Venue: #02-02, Customs House, 70 Collyer Quay (6533 3471)
Price: $128++ per person

 

L’Espresso
Sit out on the timber-decked terrace under the stars and tuck into this four-course menu featuring a seafood sampler of oyster, ocean trout and Hokkaido scallop. Other courses include Roasted black cod, basil crust and tomato confit, Yukon potato veloute, foie gras tortellini and truffle essence, and Cotton soft chocolate mousse, vanilla ice cream and caramel ravioli.
Date: February 13 and 14
Venue: Goodwood Park Hotel, 22 Scotts Road (6730 1743)
Price: $238 per couple (includes half a bottle of champagne and a rose).

 

MELT ~ The World Café
If this isn’t your first date, then there is no need for dainty bites of food and portion control – this extensive international buffet will make sure of that. There will be a live station serving premium Wagyu sirloin, fresh seafood like Boston lobsters, tiger prawns, Peruvian scallops, clams, green lip mussels and oysters; an outdoor BBQ station with beef tenderloin steak, yuzu spice lamb chop, veal sausage, grilled mackerel, baked potatoes, corn on the cob and Portobello mushrooms. Try the selection of Indian tandoori and kebabs, naan, pratas, curries, masala; Pan Asian dishes such as deep-fried fish with Thai honey mango sauce, soft-shell crab, claypot frogs leg with spring onion and ginger, and mains like paella rice, truffle potato au gratin and oven-baked coq-au-vin lasagne. No Valentine’s Day is complete without some decadence – desserts include honey pana cotta with butter crumble, strawberry cake with Tahitian vanilla, baked chocolate tarte with fresh berries and chocolate fondant.
Date: February 14
Venue: 5 Raffles Avenue, Mandarin Oriental (6885 3082)
Price: $98/ $118 (with a glass of champagne)/ $168 (with an unlimited flow of champagne, wine and beer) per person

 

Novus
Modern European restaurant Novus’ four-course dinner is supposed to mirror love’s many facets – every sweet, sour, bitter and spicy moment. Love begins on a sweet note, and so does your meal with the Canadian Scallops and Beets with butter poached egg and black winter truffles. It takes a turn with Hidden Salmon v2.0, which is sous-vided Norwegian salmon covered with sake jelly and citrus elements. The slightly bitter comes in with the Pork Trio, which is Berkshire pork belly, pork cheeks and pata negra iberico ham dressed with chicoree and poppy seed jus. The spicy 34 Degrees Chocolate and Chili XL, tempered 80 per cent chocolate with chilli textures and honey milk ice cream, and a token of a heart-shaped chocolate cake for takeaway.
Date: February 11, 12 and 14 
Venue: #01-02, National Museum of Singapore. 93 Stamford Road
Price: $108++ per person

 

Oriole Café & Bar
If you don’t want to make the day into a big to-do, pop by Oriole with your date for a late brunch and cosy up in one of the booths. Some of their special Valentine’s Day ala-carte creations include the Seared Scottish Salmon Fillet with pumpkin, asparagu, portobello mushroom and dill hollandaise ($29), Grilled Australian Beef Tenderloin with duck foie gras, broccolini, olive mash and porcini mushroom sauce ($39), and the Dark and White Chocolate Mousse ($9).
Date: February 11-14 
Venue: #01-01, Pan Pacific Serviced Suites (6238 8348)

 

Picotin
Perfect for a double date or a gathering with friends, Picotin’s six-course menu includes fresh oyster with lemon and shallot vinegar, scallop-prawn ravioli with saffron sauce and asparagus, champagne sorbet, as well as a complimentary glass of champagne.
Date: February 14
Venue: 100 Turf Club Road (6877 1191)
Price: $100 nett per person

Pure Yoga
Set aside two hours on Valentine’s Day to connect with your partner mentally and emotionally through a special partner-yoga class. Advanced booking is required. Visit www.pure-yoga.com for schedule details, or contact the respective outlets for event details.    
Date: February 13
Venue: Ngee Ann City (Level 18, Ngee Ann City Tower A, Tel: 6733 8863) or Chevron House (Level 4, Chevron House, Tel: 6304 2268)
Time: 12.30pm – 2.30pm (Ngee Ann City) / 12 noon – 2pm (Chevron House)
                

Rocks
The Cupid Platter is one for seafood lovers, featuring Sydney rock oysters cooked in several different ways – with smoked salmon and caviar, gratinated with champagne sabayon and truffled braised leek, and baked with vieux comte and shavings of parma ham. Have your oysters paired with a bottle of Bollinger champagne NV, and end off with the scrumptious giant meringue, topped with forest berries, lemon cream, rose water and champagne sherbet. 
Date: February 14
Venue: #02-01/02, The Sail @ Marina Bay
Price: $168++

 

TWG Tea
If your Valentine is a lover of teas, the way to win their heart is through the perfect tea blend! Love Me Tea is a mix of green tea and fragrant lime blossoms and verbena (150g, $56). To accompany this, there is the 1837 Black Tea scented candle ($85) that smells of vanilla, musk and spices, as well as Napoleon Tea Truffles (150g, $35).

 

Updog Studio
A special way to build trust as well as physical and emotion bonding in your relationship is Couple Yoga. Go through the various yoga postures together to reinforce communication with your partner, followed by a Thai massage as a relaxing finish. Visit www.updog-studio.com for more information.
Call 6440 0282 for bookings.
Date: February 13
Venue: 902 East Coast Parkway, Block B, #02-05A Playground@Big Splash
Price: $88 per couple