5 casual chic hotspots to dine at this Valentine’s Day

By A. Kritaya

SPRMRKT

If doing something good and giving back to the community happen to be your agenda for 2019, why not weave that into your Valentine’s Day dinner date. On 14 and 15 February at 7pm, SPRMRKT Cambodia showcases a two-night kitchen takeover with EGBOK & Spoons (a non-profit culinary training facility and café). Spoons chefs Sun Sam Oath and Heng Vicheka will marry the flavours of the Cambodian countryside and traditional street food for their six-course Valentine’s Day set dinner (priced at $190, and extra $90 for wine pairing). EGBOK students, alumni and representatives will be working both on the floor and in the kitchen to serve you throughout the night. Meanwhile, if you feel like adding a wee bit of romance, get your date a handcrafted bag-quet from local boutique florists Beverly’s Blooms. What’s really great is that SPRMRKT and Beverly’s Blooms have pledged 15% of the proceeds from both nights to EGBOK – this gives underprivileged young adults in Cambodia a chance to thrive in the hospitality industry.

SPRMRKT at STPI, 41 Robertson Quay, Singapore 238236

Tel: +65 9736 4032

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La Taperia

Those in the mood for tapas and sangria amid a convivial atmosphere, should head to La Taperia at Shaw Centre. The menu for Valentine’s Day comprises a whopping 10 courses plus two glasses of house pour red or white wine ($210 per couple). Share a range of cold and cold tapas including oyster fritter with suckling pig croquette; mushroom and jamon serrano with egg confit as well as prawns with baby eel and Spanish chilli. Next is a choice of hearty main courses: grilled black cod fillet with chickpeas, tomatoes and brussels sprouts, or charcoal-grilled Austalian wagyu striploin with duck liver, cabbage and truffle. You’ll get to sweeten your meal with share plates of passionfuit tart, chocolate marquise and vanilla ice cream to boot. Hoping to extend your evening with more drinks? We suggest downing the La Taperia Siesta, a concoction of vokda, midori and orange juice.

Shaw Centre #02-10/11,1 Scotts Road, Singapore 228208

https://www.lataperia.com.sg/

The Botanic

If a wholesome yet delicious, feel-good meal is your kind of thing, then nab a table for two at The Botanic. Launched in November 2018, the restaurant offers a menu of natural plant-based sharing plates. Think vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free dishes alongside free-range, organic meat and seafood offerings. The well thought-out meals are woven with Asian and Mediterranean flavours. The restaurant also offers a sustainable, organic and biodynamic wine list and fruit-based cocktail selection.

On 14 February, consider a three-course set menu ($98 per couple) featuring fresh oysters served with lemon and ginger flower mignonette; kingfish sashimi with tosa soy, charred cucumber and rose apple; and seared beef tenderloin, topped with caramelised shallots and horseradish. If you think your date is going well, why not opt for an additional $78, for a curated selection of old world wines, including the sustainable La Chamiza Legend of Polo Malbec 2016 from Mendoza Argentina.

252 North Bridge Road, Raffles City Shopping Centre, #01-22A, Singapore 179103.
Tel: +65 6837 0995

Anti:dote

For something different (from now to 15 February), we recommend a sophisticated afternoon tea experience at Anti:dote. Yes, there’s still daylight and the MRT is nearby, so you can zip off into the sunset (solo if needed). Within the signature jewellery drawer-chest, expect dainty creations including the popular 63degC organic egg with purple cauliflower and crispy foie gras, and the braised abalone and beetroot tart. Sweet treats to sink into include the crémeux sudachi with ruby chocolate and beetroot almond sable as well as an irresistible raspberry rose velvet cheesecake. The Romance Afternoon Tea at $55 per person is accompanied with fine TWG tea. Need some bubbly to jazz up the occasion? Order a bottle of Tattinger Brut Réserve / Tattinger Rosé at $128 / $148. Still enjoying your date? Make your way to the bar for some fancy craft cocktails.

Fairmont Singapore Lobby
Tel: +65 6431 6156
www.fairmontsingapore.com

Yardbird

Yardbird Singapore’s hearty four-course dinner menu ($138) will satisfy those with huge apptites. For Valentine’s Day, this classic southern American restaurant will be rolling out a starter of Oysters & Bubbles – freshly shucked oysters served with Granny Smith apple, fresh horse radish root and lemon olive oil, juicy Japanese wagyu with grilled Balsamic portobello, arugula salad, butter roasted cippolini and green peppercorn sauce, and a luscious chocolate lava cake with raspberry coulis and key lime champagne sorbet. The alfresco bar overlooking Marina Bay which boasts one of Asia’s largest collection of American whiskeys, gin, beer and hand-crafted cocktails, is also a great reason to pop in.

Marina Bay Sands

The: +65 6688 9959
B1-07, Galleria Level, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands

https://www.marinabaysands.com/restaurants/yardbird-southern-table-and-bar.html.

Adrift
Over at the hotel side, Adrift is serving a luxurious seafood buffet dinner ($98) on 14 February. The smorgasbord includes premium ocean catch such as Alaskan king crab leg, Hokkaido sea urchin and big eye tuna. Starting from 10pm till late, party-goers can look forward to Adrift’s signature bash – Hearts and Wines: Valentine’s Day at Adrift. While enjoying live DJ sets, have some fun by ordering coloured handcrafted cocktails to represent your relationship statuses (red cocktails for attached; amber cocktails for ‘complicated’; and green cocktails for singles).

Marina Bay Sands Lobby, Hotel Tower 2
Tel: +65 6688 5657
https://www.marinabaysands.com/restaurants/celebrity-chefs/adrift.html.