
Are Valentine’s Day decisions stressing you out? As you know, the way to the heart is always through the stomach. Don’t let the burden of choosing where to eat on 14 February fizzle out your romance. We quizzed four veteran couples with F&B connections on what they’d be doing on the day, and throw in some of our own recommendations for good measure.
Tip 1: Desserts never disappoint
Sweet gifts hit the spot, especially when they come in luxe forms like Antoinette‘s Across the Universe ($18) for two to share. Chef Pang’s terrarium cake is a passionate concoction with a gold ’diamond’ of chocolate resting on fresh rose petals. The rest comprise rose almond sponge cake with layers of almond nougatine, raspberry crumble, yuzu cream, lychee and rose petal mousse. Pre-order 3 days in advance, www.antoinette.com.sg
With eight locations, there’s Paul Singapore to escape to for a sweet finish. To be specific, pamper him with the Extra Large Macaron ($7.40) that comes in coffee, chocolate, raspberry, pistachio and vanilla, or practice your French kisses over the millefeuille fraise ($7.80), a layered puff pastry with custard cream
and strawberries. www.paul-singapore.com
For a more romantic interlude, escape to Sentosa to the MÃ ¶venpick Heritage Hotel Sentosa where–you guessed it–their signature smooth ice cream features on the Valentine’s menu ($138 nett) from 12-14 Feb, 6.30-10pm. After dining on suft ’n turf items such as grilled Angus tenderloin with baked oyster with béarnaise sauce, check out award-winning pastry chef Edwin Leow’s creative dessert selections such as coffee hazelnut creameux, crunchy dulcey chocolate tart and crepes suzette with orange liqueur sauce. Tel: 6818 3305
Roger Yip, Hopscotch bar owner + Loh Ting Yan, full-time studentTing Yan: As Valentine’s Day is a special occasion for all couples out, there will definitely be long queues everywhere. So perhaps I’ll choose Pince and Pints for a lobster fix or buffets such as Melt The World Buffet or Edge with an early reservation. |
Tip 2: Try something new together
Variety is the spark of life, so why not take the chance to discover new tastes and experiences? Catalunya has a cheese and wine platter ($65) featuring five Spanish cheeses and three Spanish wines of Verdejo, Tempranillo and Pedro Ximenez. Explore a fruity, sweet Manchego or swoon over a Murcia al Vino. 8-14 Feb, lunch and dinner. www.catalunya.com
Me@OUE serves up a His and Her menu for the first time, with a choice of four- ($125, 13 Feb only) or six-courses ($245, 13-14 Feb), complemented with sweeping views of the bay. Here’s your chance to bond while you taste a variety of new dishes like lobster Thermidor or foie gras together. Guys will enjoy pan-seared duck breast while the ladies nosh on miso cod in both menus, while the expanded gastronomical menu also includes a sashimi tasting, pan-seared scallop (for her), pan-seared foie gras (for him), lobster Thermidor (for her) and wagyu (for him). www.me-oue.com
Kevin Gomez + Andik Nurdiany-Gomez, Founders Of Yip’s Cookies & More and AnzaKevin: I like familiarity so I would probably go to Le Steak. We have been there many times and have always enjoyed dining there. |
Tip 3: Meaty appetites
Skip the dainty diet and go all out to satisfy your lust for a good steak. Bedrock Bar & Grill offers up the aptly named Partners in Crime ($148)–braised boneless U.S. beef short ribs and brown butter lobster tail served with smoked San Marzano tomatoes, asparagus, truffle béarnaise and au jus. The set for two is available 10-16 Feb, for lunch and dinner. Reservations: 6238 0054
Get all dressed up for Wooloomooloo Steakhouse, where the 5-course set dinner ($158) brings on the best of Fine de Claire oysters; Canadian Lobster, wrapped in parma ham, served with cauliflower cream and avruga caviar; Australian grass-fed tenderloin with foie gras, and a Chocolate Medley dessert. Trust us, book the window seats. Two seatings: 6-8pm, 8.30-11pm. 14 Feb only. www.wooloo-mooloo.com/sg/singapore.aspx
Bonnie Wong, Director Marketing and Business Development at Creative Eateries, + Joshua Tan, corporate lawyerBonnie: The first place I would like to eat at is at home, as I enjoy preparing a meal for the two of us to share. |
Tip 4: As long as you’re together
Plan a walk, fishing trip” ¦ even a buffet with a view (see p. 10). Whether you’re working on that day or have been married for 15 years, what’s important is that you let each other know you’ll be there for them for the long run. But if you’d like to reignite that spark, the BiTES team recommends the superb value-for-money deal at Park Hotel Clarke Quay‘s Canopy of Stars Staycation Package ($298 per room per night) in a Superior Room. The stay ensures that you won’t go hungry with the romantic Canopy of Stars 4-course set dinner in Cocobolo–already worth $138 per couple–and buffet breakfast for two. www.parkhotelgroup.com/clarkequay
Veronica Zuzarte, consultant/director at Sixth Sense Communications + Peter Robertson, sensei at ZDK Elite Fitness Studio
Veronica: I’d like to go for dinner on Bohol island overlooking the sunset. |