With Valentine’s Day just two weeks away, the question on everyone’s mind: where to go for a romantic date?

Since Valentine’s Day falls on a Tuesday this year, I’d suggest celebrating it the weekend before, or a few days after. Unless both of you have violent objections and insist on celebrating it on the actual day, it really doesn’t make sense to pay so much just because it is February fourteenth.

As such, this post is mainly on romantic restaurants in Singapore which I think are worth trying; you can also use it as a guide for other special occasions. (I’m not including the details of Valentine’s Day set menus. If you want to find out more, please call the respective restaurant to check their Valentine’s Day promotions.)

Here are some suggestions on where to go for Valentine’s Day Dinner 2012.

Otto Ristorante

I’ve been hearing good things about Otto Ristorante, but somehow I never got the chance to try it. I finally went there recently, and I’m happy to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the meal. Otto Ristorante has a 5 course degustation menu at $88/pax, which in my opinion, is great value for the quality of food.

It is definitely going into my list of must-try Italian restaurants in Singapore.

28 Maxwell Road
#01-02 Red Dot Traffic Building
Tel: +65 6227 6819

Bar & Billiard Room

Take a day off and enjoy lunch with your partner at the Bar & Billiard Room at Raffles Hotel. I like the nostalgic feel of the restaurant, and the buffet selection offers a wide variety of choices. Buffet lunch from Mon to Sat is $60++/pax, while dinner is $75++/pax.

1 Beach Road
Raffles Hotel
Tel: +65 6412 1816

Brasserie Les Saveurs

If you’re going to do brunch, do it in style in one of the most posh settings in Singapore.

Brasserie Les Saveurs at The Regis is easily one of the most romantic French restaurants in Singapore, so why not come here for an early Valentine’s Champagne Brunch this coming Sunday?

At $170++/pax, the Champagne Brunch Buffet at Brasserie Les Saveurs is not cheap. But what you get is a wonderful experience with free flow of champagne.

29 Tanglin Road
The St. Regis Singapore
Tel: +65 6506 6888

Bistro Soori

Bistro Soori is a cool, cosy, informal restaurant with a small open kitchen and a few tables, which makes you feel as though you are dining in a friend’s place. The prices aren’t too high (although not too low, either), and you can have a good meal without spending ridiculous money. It was one of the best meals that I had in 2011, and I think you will like it too.

2 Teck Lim Road, Singapore
(Near Outram/Tanjong Pagar)
Tel: +65 6438 3802

Halia Restaurant

Halia Restaurant is located in the Ginger Garden of the Singapore Botanic Gardens, and it has been known as one of the most romantic restaurants since opening in 2001. While prices are rather steep, it is the perfect place for a special date.

1 Cluny Road
Singapore Botanic Gardens
Tel: +65 6476 6711

Hummerstons Restaurant

One of my favourite new restaurants is Hummerstons restaurant at Robertson Quay. The food is competent, and reasonably priced. Definitely worth checking out.

11 Unity Street
#02-14 Robertson Walk
Tel: +65 6737 8863

JAAN Restaurant

If money is no object, go to JAAN Restaurant at Swissotel The Stamford.

JAAN by Chef Julien Royer is, without a doubt, one of the best restaurants in Singapore. Of course, I can’t afford to eat there all the time, but for a lavish meal like this, enjoyed with a amazing view of Singapore’s skyline – it is indeed a fine way to splurge during a special occasion.

2 Stamford Road
70F Swissotel The Stamford
Tel: +65 6431 5670

Keyaki Japanese Restaurant

Keyaki – at the rooftop Japanese garden on level 4 of Pan Pacific Hotel – is a traditional fine dining Japanese restaurant. For dinner, you can either eat at the Teppankayi counter, order ala carte or go for the 8 courses Kaiseki dinner set ($160++/pax).

The Japanese Restaurant currently has a very good brunch deal on weekends (12 noon to 2.30pm): 10 course kaiseki set brunch featuring Japanese cuisine prepared in various styles is available for just $60++/pax. Feast on the selection which includes daily kobachi, three types of appetisers, assorted sashimi, steamed egg custard, assorted tempura, teppanyaki beef or pork with fried rice, dessert.

7 Raffles Boulevard
4/F Pan Pacific Singapore
Tel: +65 6826 8335

Recommended : Valentine’s Day Food Gift Ideas

Which is your favourite restaurant for a romantic date? How are you celebrating Valentine’s Day 2012? I want to hear from you!

Updated on 23 Apr 2014: The restaurant is no longer in operations. 

I have a love-hate relationship with brunch. I really like the idea of sleeping in during weekends and waking up late for brunch. But sometimes, I can’t help but feel that we are short-changing ourselves by only eating brunch, instead of having breakfast AND lunch.

Luckily, there are certain things in life that can get you out of bed on a weekend morning, and one of them is attending your good friend’s birthday breakfast (though I think birthday brunch sounds nicer than breakfast).

Hummerstons restaurant at Robertson Walk features comfort food like burgers, pastas, truffle fries and breakfast. Even though I go to Robertson Quay quite often, I’ve never seen the restaurant before. It is the perfect place for a quiet dinner with your date.

On Hummerstons’s menu, there are favourites like the Poutine ($11), Hummerstons Burger ($25), Smoked Duck Quesadilla ($27) and Beef & Bacon Bolognese ($19); and sweets like Blackforest Gateau ($11), and Orange & Thyme Creme Brulee ($11).

For brunch on weekends, there are plenty of eggs dishes like The Hummerstons Breakfast ($22), Eggs Benedict ($16), and Steak & Eggs ($28).

The nine of us ordered almost everything on the brunch menu. The food arrived after a while, and I started with my Hummerstons Pancakes ($14) with maple syrup, whipped butter and fruit compote. The pancakes were dense and heavy, not exactly my type, but it was good enough for a lazy Sunday brunch.

My friends thoroughly enjoyed the Mushroom Garlic Confit ($23) which came with truffle roasted mushroom, but it was a little too dry for my liking.

Another interesting choice on the brunch menu was the Breakfast Tostada: grilled smoked pork and garlic sausage, served with asparagus, scrambled eggs and crispy corn torilla.

I also couldn’t take my eyes off the steak with Eggs ($28). I don’t know about you, but there’s something appealing about having a steak for brunch. It was like screaming “EAT ME”.

The other items that we had include: Eggs Gloria – toasted bread and eggs, spinach and mushrooms – nothing spectacular given the price tag; and The Hummerstons Breakfast ($22) – eggs, bacon, smoked pork and garlic sausage, mushroom, roasted tomato, toast and homefries – everything you need for breakfast.

And what’s brunch without Eggs Benedict ($16)?

My friend Jalean at I-S magazine named the Hummerstons’s Roasted Pumpkin Cheesecake ($10.9) as one of the fifty things to eat in Singapore before you die. After trying it, I have to agree that it’s very good, although not quite one of the must-eats in Singapore.

The Berry Bread and Butter Pudding ($10.5), on the other hand, was mediocre. We should have gone for the Flourless Chilli Chocolate Torte ($9) or the Orange & Thyme Creme Brulee ($11) instead!

I like Hummerstons restaurant at Robertson Quay. I think it has great potential; the food is competent, and reasonably priced.

Moreover, it is tucked in a quiet corner on the second level of Robertson Walk (directly facing TCC). Not many people know about it yet, at least that’s what I hope. Reservations are recommended, especially if you are going for brunch.

Singapore Food Blog Review
Hummerstons Restaurant
11 Unity Street
#02-14 Robertson Walk
Tel: +65 6737 8863
Tue to Fri: 12pm – 4pm (Lunch)
Tue to Sun: 6pm – 12am (Dinner)
Sat, Sun & PH: 10am – 4pm (Brunch)

For more recommendations, read my Guide to Robertson Quay Restaurants

This guide to the best truffle fries in Singapore was last updated on 22 Feb 2015.

Truffle fries are French fries tossed with truffle oil, truffle salt and parmesan cheese. Truffle oil is used to impart the earthy flavour and aroma of truffles to fries; giving it a strong smoky after-taste. It is not hard to understand why people crave for it. There is just something appealing about the exotic truffle oil – you either love it or hate it. Here is a list of the best truffle fries in Singapore.

#1 DANCING CRAB

Dancing Crab is a new dining concept by the Tung Lok Group at the Grandstand. The whole idea is that you eat seafood directly from the table with your bare hands – of course, you can use utensils or eat from the plates, but we won’t encourage that because it takes the fun away.

The restaurant offers a side of Spicy Cajun Fries (S$7) to go along with the classic seafood dishes like Fish & Chips, and Lobster Roll. But we highly recommend getting the Truffle Fries (S$7).

The Grandstand #01-20/21
200 Turf Club Road
Tel: +65 6466 3303
Tue to Fri: 5pm – 10.30pm
Sat, Sun & PH: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Botanic Gardens

#2 HABITAT COFFEE

Habitat Coffee at Upper Thomson Road deserves a mention for the great work that it has been doing. The bistro has been around for a few years, and despite the tough competition, it shines and remains a favourite for many. The menu has a nice mix of sandwiches, brunch food, pasta, and desserts, but you must start with the Truffle Fries (S$8).

223 Upper Thomson Road
Tel: +65 6456 2567
Tue to Fri: 11am – 10.30pm
Sat & Sun: 10.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

#3 HOUSE

When asked about the best truffle fries in Singapore, most people would immediately think of House at Dempsey Hill. The Truffle Fries here are deep-fried to a shade of gorgeous golden-brown, and infused with quality white truffle oil.

8D Dempsey Road
#01-01 to 06 Tanglin Village
Tel: +65 6475 7787
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 6pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 4pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

#4 LANTERN ROOFTOP BAR

One of the most stylish rooftop bars in Singapore, Lantern at The Fullerton Bay Hotel has a great view overlooking the Marina Bay waterfront – it is the go to place to bring visitors for a drink. Be sure to order the to-die-for truffle fries.

80 Collyer Quay
The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore
Tel: +65 6597 5299
Sun to Thu: 8am – 1am
Fri & Sat: 8am – 2pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

#5 PS CAFE

PS Cafe makes you feel cool just by dining there, and this is why it has continuously shines amid the strong competition in the local food scene. It has a well-thought menu which features simple and comfort food that always hits the spot. Something that you must not miss when you are there is the much-lauded truffle fries ($15).

45 Ann Siang Road
Tel: +65 9797 0648
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 12 midnight
Sat & Sun: 9.30am – 12 midnight
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

#6 SANDS SKYPARK

The truffle fries from Sands Skypark are not only addictive, but they also come with a million dollar view of Singapore’ skyline.

Infinity pool level 57
10 Bayfront Avenure
Marina Bay Sands
Nearest Station: Bayfront

#7 SUPPLY & DEMAND

With its al fresco area and a rooftop bar, Supply & Demand Modern Bistro & Rooftop Bar is a great place for a relaxing meal. 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.

For appetisers, go for its Garlic Truffle Fries (S$15). Cut into huge chunks, the fries are splattered with truffle oil and topped with shaved Parmesan and roasted garlic bits. They are good on its own, but if you want something more, dip it in the spicy homemade dip.

#01-13 Esplanade Mall
8 Raffles Avenue
Tel: +65 6336 0588
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 11.30am – 2am
Sun: 11.30am – 11pm
Nearest Station: City Hall/Esplanade

#8 TANJONG BEACH CLUB

Who can resist the addictive thick cut of fries perfumed with earthy black truffle and parmesan from Tanjong Beach Club? On a weekend, nothing beats having Black Truffle Fries (S$15) and a delicious cocktail while lazing by the pool.

120 Tanjong Beach Walk
Tanjong Beach Club Sentosa
Tel: +65 6270 1355
Tue to Sun: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

#9 THE COASTAL SETTLEMENT

The Coastal Settlement is a perfect place to chill out with loved ones and friends in a relaxed and fun setting. In particular, you must not miss their truffle fries.

200 Netheravon Road
(Near Changi Village)
Tel: +65 6475 0200
Tuesday to Sunday: 10.30am – 12pm
Nearest Station: Pasir Ris