Valentine’s Day is just a few weeks away, and we have sussed out two recent favourites for you to bring your date to.

At the second level of The Arts House, overlooking the Singapore River is modern French Restaurant Olivia Cassivelaun Fancourt (OCF). We like OCF because it is intimate, chic and sophisticated, and serves a superb and well-thought through meal using the freshest produce. On 14 & 15 Feb, OCF is offering a 4-course dinner (S$168++/person) with a glass of Pierre Paillard Grand Cru NV champagne. There will also be live music brought to you by talented artistes from Timbre Group playing your favourite love ballads throughout the dinner.

Start with a Maine lobster salad because you can never go wrong with the sweet crustacean. French Seabass with artichokes, oscietra caviar and vin jaune, wine made in the Jura region in France, succeeds the appetizer. The main course, Beef Tenderloin drizzled with bordelaise sauce and topped with foie gras, is the dream for all meat-lovers. Your sweet ending is the Valrhona Chocolate Royale with coffee crémeux and caramel ice cream.

Be the first 50 to secure your reservation at OCF by making a 20% deposit, and stand a chance to win a ‘Kate Spade Tudor City Lacey’ wallet (worth S$350), sponsored by Reebonz.com. Please refer to  OCF’s website for terms and conditions.

Olivia Cassivelaun Fancourt (OCF)
#02-02, The Arts House
1 Old Parliament Lane
Tel: +65 6333 9312
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

For a more affordable option, head to Table Manners at Changi City Point. It is a casual, unpretentious and a fun space where you can go with your partner to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Or with a group of girlfriends for a great catch up.

This Valentine’s Day, Chef Raphael Chua has prepared a 3-course dinner (S$52/person) which will be available from 12 to 15 Feb. For appetizer, you will be served the sweet Lobster Bisque with huge chunks of lobster flesh. There are two choices for main course: a 12-hour Braised Beef Short Ribs, or the beautiful oven-baked Atlantic Cod Fish that is encrusted with an ebiko sauce. Both main courses come with the truffle mash potatoes and eggplant caponata. Complete your dinner with a delectable serving of Hazelnut Opera, served with vanilla bean ice cream.

The first 52 pairs of couples who order the Valentine’s Day set will receive over S$30 worth of beauty products, sponsored by L’Oreal.

Table Manners
#01-68/69 Changi City Point
5 Changi Business Park Central 1
Tel: +65 6604 7669
Daily: 11.30am to 12am
Nearest Station: Expo

This post is brought to you by A Thousand Tales. 

With a name as quirky as Table Manners, it is hard not to do a double-take when we passed this little gastrobar hidden in a corner of Changi City Point. The sleek layout had been thoughtfully planned, with wooden furniture and quirky quotes adorning the walls, adding a casual vibe to the chic atmosphere.

But what truly makes this place a gem is the timbre-decked pavilion. Set against a backdrop of lush greenery with a koi pond to boot, we couldn’t resist opting for al-fresco dining both times we were there.

The emphasis of Table Manners is on their drinks (they are after all, started by the good people at A Thousand Tales who are behind Cafe Fables and Bar Stories). On-menu drinks include a virgin mojito sorbet mocktail ($9) and an enticing strawberry shortcake cocktail ($16, or $12 between 5-8pm daily). We were told that they are able to customise drinks to suit any palate, even if one were odd enough to crave a spicy or bitter drink.

We sampled a not-yet-named mocktail of watermelon, lemongrass and thyme that was pretty enough to warrant envious glances from the next table. This refreshing citrus drink with ever-so-subtle undertones of herbs had our gastric juices working for the meal ahead.

The menu is comprehensive, with a bar bites ranging from the typical truffle fries ($6) and spicy wings ($7.50) to more creative options like ebiko mussels ($8.50). We picked the mushroom risotto balls ($7.50) and were pleasantly surprised to be rewarded with crispy little morsels that gave way to a creamy mash of risotto. Ask for the accompanying home-made sauce, akin to a less salty version of mentaiko, which brought a whole new dimension to the nibbles.

The aglio olio ($14), a simple dish made exciting by a huge grilled pork sausage, was satisfying if not particularly spectacular. We’d advise going for the pasta al fungi ($14) instead; a generous portion of toothsome, al-dente fettuccine drenched in a luscious pesto cream perfumed with earthy mushrooms and garlic bits.

Pass on the Arcadian Chicken ($16) and Grilled Pomodoro Chicken ($15), which unfortunately tasted like something you’d be able to whip up at home; there are items on the menu that are better worth your calories.

Which immediately brings us to our favourite item on the menu: the King’s Burger ($16), a 70%-beef-30%-pork patty which turned out surprisingly juicy and flavourful. Not a King’s burger without a reason, the sizeable patty was topped off with a smorgasbord of bacon, gherkins, cheese, and a sunny-side up egg, completed with a serving of truffle fries.

We already had our eyes set on three desserts, and we blame the tempting display at the counter. The lemon cheesecake ($5.50) was a piquant, citrus-tinged treat that managed a creamy texture without being overly rich. Kudos to the chef for perfecting the sea salt chocolate caramel tart ($6.50), which was smooth, sticky and oh-so-decadent. The tiramisu was the only disappointment; we enjoyed the crumbly bits with the mascarpone cheese, but a tiramisu simply isn’t one without our pillowly rum-soaked lady’s fingers.

With its hearty grub fare at student-friendly prices, and its after work chill-out vibe, we are sure it won’t be long before this little gastrobar starts drawing in the after-work crowd from the Changi area.

Table Manners
#01-68/69 Changi City Point
5 Changi Business Park Central 1
Tel: +65 6604 7669
Daily: 11am to 12am

Words and photographs by Sarah Lim.