When we say ‘Esplanade’, do you only think of the festivals and concerts that take place all year round? Well, the performing arts centre that is nicknamed the “Durian” is home to more than just the artsy stuff, especially during Esplanade Mall’s annual weekday lunchtime promotional period!

From 12th May to 1st August 2014, cave in to a gastronomically delightful escapade and feast at Esplanade Mall with a party of friends with the 3-for-2 promotion (www.esplanade.com/3isnotacrowd). Yes, you’ve got that right. For every 3 main courses, you only pay for the price of 2. And to sweeten the deal, with every 3-for-2 receipt, you enjoy complimentary parking for 3 hours! Not only that, the first 20 to present their receipts will receive a $5 shopping voucher for use at Esplanade Mall retail stores. Two is company but three is definitely not a crowd!

Maybe you never knew, but Esplanade Mall is quite a food heaven in its own rights. There are cuisines of all kinds to pamper all palates and preferences. We can dine there twice a week and not repeat any of the dishes we had! Every restaurant has its selection of dishes, so we went on a food trail and curated our favourites from this promotion.

Here is a guide to Esplanade Mall’s 3-for-2 Weekday Lunch Promotion 2014, and some of our picks from the various outlets:

BAROSSA

Barossa is one of our favourite places at Esplanade Mall, and this year, it continues to impress with its selection of main courses like Guacamole Chicken Burger, Braised Beef Stew, Aussie Bangers, and the tantalising Smoked Duck Linguine.

A 2-course menu with soup/salad and main course is only S$14++. With the fantastic 3-for-2 promotions, each person only pays S$9.3++ for the 2-course set lunch. They also have a main course option at $10++, and 3-course option (includes a dessert) at $18++.

#01-11 Esplanade Mall
8 Raffles Avenue
Tel: +65 6534 5188

BLUE MAHOE ESTATE CAFFE

Coffee connoisseurs must take this chance to head to Blue Mahoe Estate Caffe for the world-famous Blue Mountain coffee. With any two cups of coffee purchased (from S$14++ each), you get a free cup of Blue Mountain No. 2 coffee. Also, 1 sticky date pudding is free with any two desserts purchased (from $12.90++ each).

#02-24 Esplanade Mall
8 Raffles Avenue
Tel: +65 6338 8302

CHOCZ

Over at Chocz., besides stopping for your favourite gourmet chocolates, do a quick lunch and grab an Egg Mayonnaise Sandwich or a Tuna Sandwich for S$13.90++, or Swiss Cheese & Tomato Sandwich or a Ham & Cheese Sandwich for S$14.90++.

#02-13/15 Esplanade Mall
8 Raffles Avenue
Tel: +65 6238 0803

CRUMBS BY TWO BLUR GUYS

Two Blur Guys has been making a name for itself serving delicious and well-made burgers, so we are thrilled to report that they have opened a new cafe – Crumbs by Two Blur Guys – right within library@esplanade.

It is offering Pulled Chicken Burger (S$8.90++), Smoked Salmon Burger (S$9.90++), and Duck Rillette Burger (S$8.90++) for the 3-for-2 lunch deal. It works out to an average of just S$6++ for each burger when you dine with 2 other friends under this promotion!

#03-02 Esplanade Mall
8 Raffles Avenue
Tel: +65 6337 0704

GRAND PAVILION CAFE

Grand Pavilion Cafe has taken over the premise which used to belong to Space @ My Humble House, and it has continued the winning formula of serving a selection of popular local dishes (S$11.90++ each) that are expertly prepared using delectable ingredients, such as Jumbo Prawn Noodle Soup, Penang Assam Laska, and Fried Carrot Cake with Seafood & Homemade XO sauce.

Grand Pavilion Cafe is closed for renovations from 12 May to 31 May. Enjoy the lunch offers from 2 June onwards.

#02-25 Esplanade Mall
8 Raffles Avenue
Tel: +65 6337 6720

HÄAGEN-DAZS

If you love Häagen-Dazs as much as we do, you are in for a treat! A single scoop in a cup is S$5.90++, but you get to enjoy three scoops for the price of two. Yippee to more ice cream!

#02-01/03 Esplanade Mall
8 Raffles Avenue
Tel: +65 6336 4022

MAX BRENNER CHOCOLATE BAR

One of the places at Esplanade that I always look forward to visiting is Max Brenner Chocolate Bar. Who can resist luscious chocolate treats like chocolate fondue, peanut butter chocolate crepes, and chocolate lava cake?

The good news is all desserts on Max Brenner’s menu (from S$16++ onwards) are available for this promotion. Get your friends and head down for a delicious dessert party!

#02-14 Esplanade Mall
8 Raffles Avenue
Tel: +65 6235 9556

NINETHIRTY BY AWFULLYCHOCOLATE

Specialising in both contemporary and local heritage dishes with an Asian influence, Ninethirty by AwfullyChocolate is offering a set lunch with pasta and drink (excluding alcoholic beverages) for only S$15++. Options include Duck Confit Linguine, Laksa Tagliatelle, Pink Salmon Linguine, Seafood Marinara and Miso Aglio Olio.

#02-14 Esplanade Mall
8 Raffles Avenue
Tel: +65 6336 9563

SIMPLY PERANAKAN CUISINE

For something different, drop by Simply Peranakan Cuisine for traditional Peranakan food. There are 4 sets to choose from – Chicken Drumlet Rice set (S$14.90+), Pork Rice set (S$14.90+), Beef Rice set (S$15.90+), and Fish Rice set (S$15.90+).

#02-12 Esplanade Mall
8 Raffles Avenue
Tel: +65 6333 9382

SUPPLY & DEMAND MODERN BISTRO & ROOFTOP BAR

With its al fresco area and a rooftop bar, Supply & Demand Modern Bistro & Rooftop Bar is a great place for a relaxing weekday lunch with friends and colleagues. They focus on Italian and South East Asian cuisines, and you may expect a combination of mouthwatering street food – from Malaysia, Indonesia, and Burma – presented in a modern way.

There are two options for its 2-course menu (S$16.90++) – an Asian inspired lunch set which comes with familiar Asian dishes like Malaysian Sate, Pad Ka-Prao, and Zi Char style Curry Chicken; and an Italian lunch set with a variety of pastas and pizza.

#01-13 Esplanade Mall
8 Raffles Avenue
Tel: +65 6336 0588
Closed for lunch on Fri

THAIEXPRESS

Tom Yum seafood soup, Massaman Chicken Curry, Poo Phat Pong Kari… If you love all these signature Thai dishes from ThaiExpress, you probably won’t need any convincing. Esplanade Mall’s 3-for-2 promotion includes all main courses on ThaiExpress menu (S$10.30++ onwards). It is the perfect chance for you to indulge your favourite Thai dishes!

#01-13D Esplanade Mall
8 Raffles Avenue
Tel: +65 6533 6766

TOMO IZAKAYA

For Esplanade Mall’s 3-for-2 lunch deals, Tomo Izakaya is serving an extremely value-for-money 3-course set lunch (soup/salad, main course and dessert) at S$15 nett. Choice of main courses includes Grilled Salmon with wasabi mayonnaise, Niku Jyaga Rice (thinly sliced simmered beef with potato and half boiled egg), Tonkatsu-don, Tempura Udon/Soba, or Kimchee Ramen.

#01-09 Esplanade Mall
8 Raffles Avenue
Tel: +65 6333 0012

Esplanade Mall 3-for-2 Lunchtime Deals

3-for-2 lunchtime deals Applicable for dine-in on weekdays only, excluding public holidays. Timing of lunch hours may vary across outlets. Complimentary item must be of equal or lesser value than the lowest-priced item purchased. The promotion is not applicable with other promotions, discounts, vouchers and other offers by credit or privilege cards. Esplanade Mall and participating tenants reserve the right to amend the promotion and terms and conditions without prior notice.

Free lunchtime parking Valid for the first 3 hours between 12pm – 5pm. Redeem the complimentary parking coupon by 5.30pm with same-day receipts at the Esplanade Concert Hall Information Counter (10am – 9pm).

S$5 shopping voucher The first 20 to present their receipts at the Esplanade Concert Hall Information Counter (10am – 9pm) will receive a S$5 Esplanade Mall shopping voucher for use at retail stores. Only one voucher issued per redemption. The vouchers can be combined for use, and there is no minimum spend required to use them.

For more details, please visit http://www.esplanade.com/3isnotacrowd

This post is brought to you by Esplanade Mall.

Esplanade Mall’s weekday 1-for-1 lunch deals with Visa is here, running from 1 July till 30 September. I am sure you are just as excited about it as I am. There are so many fabulously irresistible promotions when you pay using Visa credit cards, and the best part is that there will be free parking for the first three hours.

Be it a business lunch meeting with clients or a causal catch-up with friends, I am definitely going to Esplanade more often than ever in the next three months. Here are some of the highlights of the weekday 1-for-1 promotions which include the selection of main courses from Barossa, Häagen-Dazs ice cream, local favourites from Space @ My Humble House, and the tempting desserts from Max Brenner.

Don’t you just love Visa for this promotion?

Barossa

Among all the lunchtime deals at Esplanade Mall, one of my favourites is Barossa’s. Main courses include Fish and Chips, Gourmet Beef Burger, Chicken Parmigiana and Blue Mussel Aglio Olio, and for their 1-course menu, it is only $10++. You can also opt for the 2-course menu (salad/soup and main course) at $14++, or 3-course menu (salad/soup, main course and dessert) at $18++.

I do think that the 1-course menu is truly a fantastic deal. Your friend and you pay only $6/pax (after tax and service charge) for a main course, which is almost the same price as compared to a meal in a food court.

#01-11 Esplanade Mall
8 Raffles Avenue
Tel: +65 6534 5188

Blue Mahoe Estate Caffe

At Blue Mahoe Estate Caffe, the promotion set (from $24++) comes with a cup of 100% Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee and a dessert – molten cake, sticky toffee pudding or vanilla dirt cake. Here is your chance to try their famed coffee. Note: This promotion is limited to 2 sets per transaction.

#02-24 Esplanade Mall
8 Raffles Avenue
Tel: +65 6338 8302

Chocz

Chocz Not many people are aware that Chocz – a gourmet chocolate cafe – also serves savoury food on the menu. For the lunch promotion, you can enjoy a spaghetti (Choice of Napolitana or Mushroom) and tea/coffee from $17.40++.

#02-13/15 Esplanade Mall
8 Raffles Avenue
Tel: +65 6238 0803

Häagen-Dazs

If you are a fan of Häagen-Dazs, you must drop by the branch at Esplanade from now till 30 Sept. As part of Esplanade Mall’s 1-for-1 lunchtime deals with Visa, they are offering two sets of a single scoop in a cup at $5.90 – which means you only pay $3 for a scoop.

#02-01/03 Esplanade Mall
8 Raffles Avenue
Tel: +65 6336 4022

Max Brenner Chocolate Bar

I was thrilled when I learned that Max Brenner is also part of the promotion. I am a big fan of their desserts, but I only save it for occasional treats. With this Visa promotion, you will be delighted to know that they are having 1-for-1 on Waffles ($18.90++), Crepes ($17.90++) and Fondues ($25.90++).

#02-14 Esplanade Mall
8 Raffles Avenue
Tel: +65 6336 9563

Mirchi – Taste of India

If you have always wanted to try Mirchi – Taste of India at Esplanade Mall, now is the perfect time to do so. For Esplanade’s 3-month long lunch promotion with Visa, Mirchi is having a 3-course menu at $19.90++, which includes soup, main course and dessert.

#02-23 Esplanade Mall
8 Raffles Avenue
Tel: +65 6334 5590
Available: 12pm-2pm

Molly Roffey’s Irish Pub

Over at Molly Roffey’s Irish Pub, you get a choice of Buffalo Wings or Sausage Bites, with Potato Wedges and a soft drink for $11 nett. That works out to only $5.50 for each set.

#01-13E Esplanade Mall
8 Raffles Avenue
Tel: +65 6238 1875
Available 12pm-3pm

Ninethirty by Awfully Chocolate

Ninethirty by Awfully Chocolate replaces Loola’s at Esplanade Mall, and it showcases both contemporary and local heritage dishes with an Asian influence. Presenting a 3-course menu at $49++ is a starter of either Creamy Tomato Bacon Soup or Singapore Borscht, with main course options like Fish and Chips, Satay Pork Belly or Laksa Prawn Pasta. And for desserts, you get the White Chocolate Creme Brulee or Chocolate Tart.

#02-14 Esplanade Mall
8 Raffles Avenue
Tel: +65 6336 9563
Available: 12pm – 3pm

Simply Peranakan Cuisine

For fans of Peranakan food, check out Simply Peranakan Cuisine at level two of Esplanade. They are having a 1-for-1 promotion for four meals - Chicken Drumlet Rice Set ($14.90++), Pork Rice Set ($14.90++), Beef Rice Set ($15.90++), and Fish Rice Set ($15.90++).

#02-12 Esplanade Mall
8 Raffles Avenue
Tel: +65 6333 9382

Space @ My Humble House

A popular restaurant at Esplanade Mall is Space @ My Humble House. The eatery by the Tunglok Group serves a very good lunch set on normal days – it is perpetually full as diners tuck into local favourites.

Now that there is a 1-for-1 promotion, there is even more reason to return to try all the dishes on the menu. Main courses – including SPACE’s Hai Nan Chicken Rice, Poached Seafood Rice in Claypot – start from $12++.

#02-25 Esplanade Mall
8 Raffles Avenue
Tel: +65 6423 1881

Thai Express

Regulars of Thai Express should definitely drop by Esplanade from July till September. The 1-for-1 promotion for Thai Express covers all main courses $12.90++ and below. It is only applicable DBS Visa Cardholders.

#01-13D Esplanade Mall
8 Raffles Avenue
Tel: +65 6533 6766

Tomo Izakaya

Tomo Izakaya, a Japanese casual dining restaurant, is serving Noodle Set ($15++) where you get to choose from Gyuniku Udon/Soba, Tempura Udon/Soba, Zaru Udon/Soba or Kimchi Ramen.

#01-09 Esplanade Mall
8 Raffles Avenue
Tel: +65 6533 6766

Esplanade Mall 1-for-1 promotion with Visa

Terms & Conditions: 1-for-1 lunchtime deals are available on weekdays only, excluding public holidays. Valid for dine-in Visa cardholders only. Timing of lunch hours may vary across the outlets. Not applicable with other promotions, discounts, vouchers and other offers by credit or privilege cards.

Prices indicated are subjected to service charge and prevailing government tax. Esplanade Mall and participating tenants reserve the right to amend the promotion and terms and conditions without prior notice. Food images are for illustration purposes only and do not represent actual food served.

Free weekday parking: Weekday parking is free the first 3 hours between 12-5pm for 1-for-1 Visa cardholders who purchased the 1-for-1 meals. To redeem, show your receipt at the Concert Hall Information Counter (Concourse, Level 1).

For more information about the weekday 1-for-1 promotion, please visit www.esplanademall.com/mallpromotions.