Waku Ghin by Tetsuya Wakuda officially reopens to the public today (1 March 2021) at Marina Bay Sands after an extensive renovation since June 2019.

Established in 2010, Waku Ghin is Chef Tetsuya Wakuda’s first overseas restaurant and it has won multiple awards over the years.

One of the most famous chefs in Australia, Chef Tetsuya Wakuda is a Japanese-born Australian chef based in Sydney, Australia. He opened his restaurant, Tetsuya’s, in the Australian city in 1989 and it remains one of the top restaurants in the city until today.

The revamped Waku Ghin leans heavily towards Chef Tetsuya’s Japanese roots, featuring a refined selection of the best Japanese produce across different seasons and regions.

Diners can look forward to new experiences, including an a la carte menu offered at a 24-seater extended bar dining area, as well as a selection of fresh grill items as part of the Chef’s Table omakase menu.

“The new Waku Ghin is more contemporary and accessible via the expanded offering at The Bar. But guests can also find pockets of exclusivity through our two private dining rooms and Chef’s Table. From culinary origins to design inspiration, I’ve taken the time to dig deeper into my Japanese roots to present a fresh new interpretation of Waku Ghin – one where diners get to journey and taste the best of Japan across different prefectures and seasons,” said Chef Tetsuya.

Photos credit: Waku Ghin

The Bar at Waku Ghin opens from 5pm daily, while the Chef’s Table welcomes guests from 5.30pm till late. Reservations for Chef’s Table and private bookings are now open via wakughinreservation@MarinaBaySands.com or + 65 6688 8507. The Bar accepts walk-in guests, and reservations are not required.

Waku Ghin
Level 2 Dining, L2-03 The Shoppes
2 Bayfront Ave, Marina Bay Sands
Singapore 018956

Festive seasons are always the best excuse to go for an indulgent treat with your loved ones because that is when restaurants curate seasonal menus to celebrate the best of the season’s offering.

Featuring a multitude of expert culinary offerings and feasts fit for all kinds of celebrations, Marina Bay Sands is ushering in this festive season with a diverse spread of cuisines from more than 10 signature restaurants. Now when it comes to gourmet dining at Marina Bay Sands, you can be sure of fine food, excellent wine and without a doubt, plenty of festive cheer!

This Christmas, look forward to a host of exciting gastronomic experiences at these award-winning dining establishments.

#1 ADRIFT BY DAVID MYERS

Helmed by Celebrity Chef David Myers and his team of master chefs, Adrift takes on a modern approach of an izakaya, using Californian ingredients to whip up Asian-inspired recipes.

From now till 30 Dec, indulge in the share plate (S$198++) of Dry Aged Australian OP Rib On The Bone which is cooked over Binchotan charcoal and topped with red miso. The sharing platter also features other seasonal accompaniments such as Japanese potato salad, house tsukemono pickles, gem lettuce and fragrant seaweed rice. Perfect for a group of four!

Otherwise, celebrate New Year’s Eve with the six-course Adrift Tasting menu (S$288++) paired with special cocktails, champagne and wines. Highlights on the menu include Charred Octopus and Kagoshima Wagyu A4. Party your way into 2018 with 3 hours of free-flow champagne, wines, beers and spirits at S$128++.

Marina Bay Sands
Hotel Lobby Tower 2
Tel: +65 6688 5657

#2 BREAD STREET KITCHEN BY GORDON RAMSAY

Have a classic English Christmas from 5 Dec to 25 Dec with a weekend two-course ‘Breakfast & Brunch’ menu (S$49++) or a festive three-course dinner menu (S$95++), with favourites including traditional roasted turkey, pigs in blanket and cranberry relish.

Come New Year’s Eve, Bread Street Kitchen will be unveiling a four-course dinner menu that will showcase its signature Beef Wellington with black truffle mash, glazed carrots, seasonal greens and red wine jus (S$150++ for first seating; S$215++ for second seating).

Opt for the second seating and be treated with the hourly fireworks on the bay and also enjoy a glass of wine with your dinner!

The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
L1-81, Bay Level
Tel: +65 6688 5665

#3 CLUB55

Located on the 55th floor of Marina Bay Sands, Club55 boasts panoramic views of the skyline and sea from 55 stories up.

Just for this Christmas Eve, Club55 has a special buffet spread (S$168++ for adults, S$68++ for children) that will please all palates—there is a seafood bar on ice and a spread of mains in the likes of Roasted Lamb Rack with mustard jus and Black Angus Beef 150-200 days Tomahawk with Shallot Jus.

Club55 is a vantage point for fireworks display and it is one of the best places to usher in the New Year. Delight in Club55’s New Year’s Eve buffet dinner (S$248++ per pax) and have a taste of the Honey-Balsamico Glazed Spanish Pork Leg and Poached William Pear with Champagne Sabayon among others. Guests can top up S$48++ for free-flow champagne the entire night!

Marina Bay Sands
Level 55, Hotel Tower 2
Tel: +65 6688 8858

#4 CUT BY WOLFGANG PUCK

For Christmas, partake in CUT’s Christmas Eve menu (S$500++ for four) featuring notable dishes such as U.S.D.A. Prime, Illinois Corn Fed Bone-in Rib Eye Steak aged for 21 days and Mini Kobe Sliders.

New Year’s Eve at CUT will see you indulging in prime cuts in the form of Red Poll Ribeye dry aged for 45 days and Big Eye Tuna Tartare with Wasabi aioli and Togarashi crisps with tosa soy.

For the first time ever, the steak restaurant is serving a New Year’s Day Brunch (S$175++) and you can bet that it is spectacular, and the perfect cure for any hangover!. Feast on premium American Wagyu Sirloin Steak and Eggs with roasted Fingerling potato and watercress salad. There will also be a dessert trolley with a curated selection of house-made pastries and free-flow alcohol.

The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
B1-71, Galleria Level
Tel: +65 6688 8517

#5 DB BISTRO & OYSTER BAR BY DANIEL BOULUD

Ring in Christmas with this contemporary French bistro’s four-course Christmas Eve menu (S$165++ per pax) that comes with top-quality seafood—Oscietra Caviar, King Crab Salad, Chilean Seabass “Black & White” with black truffles and more.

From now to 25 Dec, pamper your family and loved ones with the classic Bûche de Noël (S$50+) log cake which is available for takeaway. Available in both Chocolate Praline and Coconut Mango flavours, these handcrafted French roulades make great gifts to bring along to a festive gathering.

Have a taste of Celebrity Chef Daniel Boulud’s signature “Black Tie” Scallops and Champagne Rose Floating Garden, which are part of the five-course New Year’s Eve menu at S$198++. Guests can choose to go for sommelier wine-pairing for both festive menus (S$75++).

The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
B1-48, Galleria Level
Tel: +65 6688 8525

#6 OSTERIA MOZZA BY NANCY SILVERTON

Osteria Mozza is a reflection of Chef Nancy Silverton’s love for Italian cuisine and the restaurant is best known for its largest variety of fresh handmade pastas daily and its free standing mozzarella bar.

Go Italian this Christmas with their two-day only six-course tasting menu (S$188++). You must try the Tortellini in Brodo with white truffle and Cavatelli with winter squash and sage.

Treat your palate to a hearty five-course dinner (S$188++) as you welcome the New Year by savouring authentic Italian dishes such as the Shrimp Ravioli with Vermouth and fine herbs, and the Lobster ‘Fra Diavolo’ with white wine, garlic, chili, tomato and fresh herbs.

Pair your meal with full-bodied Riserva wine to make it all the better (S$120++).

The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
B1-42-46, Galleria Level
Tel: +65 6688 8522

#7 RISE

Enjoy a spread of holiday fare at RISE Restaurant, an all-day dining restaurant with an impressive international buffet known for its sustainable seafood and adjacent herb garden.

On Christmas Eve and Christmas, the live stations will be cooking up a storm with Christmas classics such as the Ravioli with black truffle shavings, Honey glazed ham with pineapple sauce and Traditional roasted turkey.

The celebrations continue on to New Year’s Eve, where you will be treated to a mouthwatering array of dishes including Spanish baby pig Balinese style and Salmon coulibiac with champagne sauce.

Rise Festive Pricing
15-17 & 22-23 Dec S$68 (Lunch) S$88 (Dinner)
CHILD S$25 (Lunch) S$38 (Dinner)

24 Dec S$72 (Lunch) S$128 (Dinner)
CHILD S$25 (Lunch) S$58 (Dinner)

25 Dec BRUNCH S$158
S$198 (free-flow champagne, craft beer, sommelier’s selection wines, juices & soft drinks)
S$368 (premium free-flow Piper Rare champagne, speciality cocktails, craft beer, sommelier’s selection wines, juices & soft drinks)
DINNER S$118
CHILD S$58

29-30 Dec S$68 (Lunch) S$88 (Dinner)
CHILD S$25 (Lunch) S$38 (Dinner)

31 Dec S$72 (Lunch) S$148 (Dinner)
CHILD S$25 (Lunch) S$58 (Dinner)

1 Jan BRUNCH S$158
$198 (free-flow champagne, craft beer, sommelier’s selection wines, juices & soft drinks)
S$368 (premium free-flow Piper Rare champagne, speciality cocktails, craft beer, sommelier’s selection wines, juices & soft drinks)
DINNER S$98
CHILD S$48

Marina Bay Sands
Hotel Lobby, Tower 1
Tel: +65 6688 5525

#8 SPAGO BY WOLFGANG PUCK

Perched on Sands SkyPark, Spago is Celebrity Chef Wolfgang Puck’s second restaurant at Marina Bay Sands showcasing Californian cuisine.

If you are looking for something extra special to spice up the festive season, start your night at the Spago Dining Room with a four-course Christmas menu (S$195++) and three or four-course New Year’s Eve menu (from S$250++) which will exceed your expectations. Some creations to take note of are the Black Truffle Veal Filet Mignon Tartare and the signature Pan Seared Red Snapper “Laksa”.

Then head next door to Spago’s Bar and Lounge for their Royal Countdown New Year’s Eve Party (S$99++ cover charge inclusive of a glass of Champagne) where guests can have bar bites and cocktails at the al fresco bar while enjoying the mesmerising fireworks display.

Minimum spend applies for table reservations.

Marina Bay Sands
Sands SkyPark, Tower 2 Level 57
Tel: +65 6688 9955

#9 THE BIRD SOUTHERN TABLE & BAR

On 24 and 25 Dec, the festive season is in full swing and you get to enjoy a delicious platter of Chicken Fried Turkey, Green Bean Casserole, Pumpkin Tiramisu with Almond Biscotti (S$48++).

Usher in 2018 with the New Year’s Eve three-course menu (S$98++) which includes a glass of prosecco with festive specials such as Uni Baked King Crab, a choice of Fried Chicken and Caviar or Bone-in Short Rib, and Red Velvet Trifle. The restaurant’s bar is by the waterfront so you can head up after for more tipple as you enjoy the hourly fireworks!

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

#10 THE BAR AT WAKU GHIN BY TETSUYA WAKUDA

Dedicated to the art of Japanese cocktail, The Bar at Waku Ghin welcomes you as you enter Celebrity Chef Tetsuya Wakuda’s two Michelin-starred restaurant.

Their festive bar bites menu (S$200++ per person) caters to two pax and it features six premium dishes with star dishes such as Aburi Tasmanian Ocean Trout with a hint of chilli and Japanese Ohmi Wagyu from Shiga prefecture with wasabi and citrus soy.

Available on Christmas Eve and Day, and New Year’s Eve and Day from 5pm to 10pm, this is the ideal dining destination for couples or those looking for an intimate setting for dinner.

The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
L2-01, Level 2 Dining
Tel: +65 6688 8507

This post is brought to you by Marina Bay Sands.

Daniel Boulud’s name is synonymous with fine dining in New York, and his signature Manhattan restaurant DB Bistro Moderne at Marina Bay Sands needs no introduction.

While the general taste is not fantastically out of the world, the food is always consistently good. These days, sadly, even the better restaurants have neglected this point. There is nothing more disappointing than to return to a restaurant only to find that your favourite dish is not as good as before. And it is especially not acceptable at fine dining restaurants where we have to pay so much for a meal.

However, this is not the case at DB Bistro Moderne. we have dined there on many occasions and we are glad to say that they have always maintained a high standard.

The Wild Mushroom Soup ($15) came first. It was decent, but nothing much to speak about. This was followed by the Seared Foie Gras ($39) with a brioche toast and spiced apple marmalade. The foie gras was a mouthful of delicious richness bite after bite. I would be hard-pressed to find a better one in town.

The Lobster Salad ($36) – with avocado, tomatoes, green beans, artichoke and basil aioli – while good, was nothing fantastic. DB Bistro also features other salads such as the Frisee Salad Lyonnaise ($24), Roasted Beetroot Salad ($25), Iceberg & Blue Cheese ($23).

For appetisers, we would recommend the Ratatouille ($20). The classic vegetable stew was hearty and very comforting. It was the perfect start to the meal and whetted my appetite for the main courses.

Rested on a bed of greens – tomatoes, artichokes, carrots and salsa verde – the Line Caught Tuna ($39( was meaty and very fresh.

The Saffron Tagliolini ($24 appetiser, $36 main course), on the other hand, did not leave a strong impression. It was not mindbogglingly good, but it was decent with the delicious spanner crab. The other pasta option on the menu is the Tagliatelle Nero ($24 appetiser, $36 main course), but if I was you, I would skip the pastas and go for the main courses.

Coq au Vin ($34), a traditional French dish, is one of the highlights of the menu. DB Bistro’s rendition was very good. I would strongly recommend to go for this.

Our favourite dish was DB Bistro’s Duck Confit ($36), cooked so that the skin was crisp, but the meat tender and flavourful, and served with savoy cabbage and olive oil crushed potatoes.

The DB Burger ($42), pictured in the first photo, also lived up to its name. A juicy and superb burger with seared foie gras in the middle. This was heaven on a plate. Definitely one of the best burgers around. That said, I am not sure if I would pay so much for a burger.

We had the Australian Flank ($45) and USDA Prime Ribeye ($80). The former was pretty decent, but in no way comparable to the latter. The ribeye was tender and full of flavour, with a good proportion of fat to lean meat. If I close my eyes, I can still imagine the tender steak. The fries were excellent, too.

For their winter menu, DB Bistro had a Chestnut Souffle ($15). It was nicely paired with a blackcurrant sorbet, which provided a good counterbalance to the hot chocolate sauce. However, on a recent visit, we found out that it was replaced by a Durian Royal Souffle ($15) with mangosteen sorbet.

We also sampled the Chocolate Passionfruit Fondant – a luscious mix of the rich and sweet dark chocolate with a slightly sourish passionfruit.

The de-constructed Apple Mille-Feuille ($15) — apple confit, phyllo dough, mascarpone mousse, green apple sorbet — was also delightful with its contrast of textures and flavours.

If you are too full for desserts, you must at least order the Madeleine ($8) for the table to share.

A meal at DB Bistro Moderne, I must say, is not cheap. But it offers an excellent value considering that it is all delivered well on the plates in a sexy venue. For those who are on a budget, go for their pre-theatre dinner (5.30pm – 7pm) at $68++/pax for a three course prix fixe menu.

DB Bistro Moderne
10 Bayfront Avenue
#B1-48 Galleria Level, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
Tel: +65 6688 8525

Mon to Fri (Lunch): 12pm – 5pm
Sat & Sun (Brunch): 11am – 5pm
Sun & Mon (Dinner): 5.30pm – 10pm
Tue to Sat (Dinner): 5.30pm – 11pm

There are good steakhouses, and then there are great ones. CUT by Wolfgang Puck is definitely one of the latter. Wolfgang Puck’s outpost at Marina Bay Sands is the definition of a modern steakhouse. It is a swanky, up-scale, and posh establishment. The folks are serious about their steaks, and they do a very good one.

While CUT has good appetisers – such as the Bone Marrow Flan ($26), Blue Fin Tuna Tartare ($37), Hokkaido Scallop Carpaccio ($41), and Prime Sirloin Steak Tartare ($28) – we would suggest going easy on them as you need to save room for the main courses.

The steakhouse offers a range of main courses consisting of Colorado Lamb Chops ($115), Maple Leaf Farm Duck Breast ($38), Double Thick Iberico Pork Chop ($67), Sauteed Dover Sole ($90), Roasted Maine Lobster ($200) and Pan Roasted Norwegian Salmon ($45). But let’s make it clear: nobody should come to CUT without having a steak. Take your pick from a choice selection that includes USDA Prime Steaks ($72-98), Australian Grain Fed Angus ($85-175), Snake River Farm Angus Kobe Beef ($160-185), and Japanese Wagyu Beef ($210-280).

We had the 170g USDA Filet Mignon ($72) and the 395g USDA Ribeye Steak ($98). The Filet Mignon, with its petite and lean cut, was a treat. Equally divine was the Ribeye Steak. Slightly charred on the outside, extremely flavourful and juicy on the inside, it was so good that even after we had finished everything, we were still dreaming about it.

At CUT, the sides ($18 each) and sauces ($5) are just as important. They have a whole range of sauces like Whole Grain Mustard, House Made Steak Sauce, Wasabi-Yuzu Kosho Butter, Shallot-Red Wine Bordelaise and Argentinean Chimichurri. And there are a dozen sides – like Tempura Onion Rings, French Fries with herbs, Soft Polenta with Parmesan, Brussels Sprouts and Caramelised Cauliflower – to choose from.

We had their much-lauded Yukon Gold Potato Puree and Cream Spinach with fried egg. Both were superb.

The million dollar question: Is CUT the best steak restaurant in Singapore? It is challenging to give an affirmation, because taste is after-all subjective — especially for steaks and their done-ness — and there are many good steakhouses in town. But I am going to go out on a limb and say that CUT, for me, is definitely one of the top 3 steakhouses in Singapore.

CUT by Wolfgang Puck
10 Bayfront Avenue
#B1-71 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
Tel: +65 6688 8517
Sun to Thu: 6pm – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 6pm – 11pm

At Hide Yamamoto, diners can enjoy four different menus – namely: sushi, robatayaki, ramen and teppanyaki. The Japanese Restaurant is located on the second floor of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel and Casino, and it is the brainchild of renowned Chef Hide Yamaamoto.

We dropped by for teppanyaki during dinner on a weekend, and it was a splendid experience.

During dinner, Hide Yamamoto has several teppanyaki sets ranging from $180 to $380. For a more affordable option, they serve a teppanyaki lunch set at $80.

We had four sets of ‘A’ course ($180), and also ordered several items from the ala carte menu to share. The ‘A’ course set dinner includes an amuse bouche, mixed green salad, chawanmushi, tiger prawn, scallop, Japanese wagyu, assorted vegetable, garlic rice, miso soup and a dessert.

First up we had a silver cod ($30) and salmon ($20). Both dishes (from the ala carte menu) were good, but nothing to shout about.

After which, the chef served us scallop ($20) and tiger prawn ($18). The scallop was plump, meaty and flavourful; while the prawn was sweet and very juicy. Also good: chawanmushi with a strong coating of truffle oil.

Next, we had the kurobuta collar ($38) from the ala carte menu, and while the meat was nicely done, it was not enough to send me into food coma. The crab leg, on the other hand, was excellent.

The highlight of our meal was the wagyu beef ($98) which was superbly prepared. Also worth mentioning are the accompanying grilled vegetables – asparagus, capsium, and mushrooms.

“Foie gras is as good asa sex,” I told my partner after taking a bite at the luscious and fat slab of goose liver. If you love foie gras ($38), you must order it when you are at Hide Yamamoto.

We were almost full after having the delicious garlic rice, but we got greedy and made a last minute order of lobster ($80) and abalone ($70/130g). What a brilliant ending to a good dinner.

There’s only one word to describe our meal, and overall experience at Hide Yamamoto: exquisite. While prices are steep, I’d recommend Hide Yamamoto restaurant at Marina Bay Sands if you like teppanyaki.

Hide Yamamoto
8 Bayfront Avenue
02-05 Casino Side Level 2, Marina Bay Sands
Tel: +65 6688 7098
Daily: 12.00 – 15.00
Mon to Wed: 18.00 – 23.00
Thu to Sun: 18.00 – 03.00

For more recommendations, please read my list of Best Japanese Restaurants in Singapore

Chef Mario Batali’s first foray into the Singapore food scene is with the opening of Osteria Mozza & Pizzeria Mozza at Marina Bay Sands.

Pizzeria Mozza is probably the most affordable option amongst the Marina Bay Sands celebrity chefs’ restaurants. The pizzas on Pizzeria Mozza’s menu are priced between $18 to $38. I’d think this is extremely good value given that most of the pizza restaurants in Singapore charge around the same price for a pizza.

My foodie friend visited Pizzeria Mozza a while back, and he told me that they have the best pizzas in Singapore. I was sceptical initially, but I finally managed to try it for myself during a recent media tasting at MBS.

The Italian restaurant has two different dining concepts. Pizzeria Mozza comes with a wine bar and it has a variety of pizza selections. Located just beside the pizza bar, the upscale Osteria Mozza features a Mozzarella Bar, and it serves pasta, seafood and meat dishes.

Pizzeria Mozza has quite a few interesting choices on the menu. Amongst the antipasti (priced under $20), there are Bone marrow, fried goat cheese. While some of the pizzas (ranging from $20-30) that caught my eye were the Yukon gold potato & cippolini, and the Burrata with slow roasted tomato.

There are many people who refuse to touch foie gras or pig liver, but I absolutely love it. Naturally, I was quite excited when they served us the Chicken liver bruschetta. Acquired taste was probably the best way to describe this appetiser. The chicken liver was kind of overwhelming and we did not really fancy it.

On the other hand, I thoroughly enjoyed the Cauliflower Fritti which was essentially deep-fried Cauliflower. It was brilliant.

The special thing about the pizzas at Pizzeria Mozza is definitely the big and crispy crust. I know most food lovers in Singapore seem to prefer thin crust or skinny pizzas. But trust me, Pizzeria Mozza’s pizzas are worth a try.

We had the Margherita Pizza (with mozzerella, tomato and basil), Fennel Sausage Pizza, Funghi Pizza (with a generous spread of mushroom) and the Tomato & Oregano pizza. The Funghi pizza was definitely one of the best pizzas I’ve had, while I thought that the Margherita was exceptionally ordinary. But still, the light and airy crust was good.

For desserts, we had the famous Butterscotch Budino which was way too sweet for my liking. This is coming from a guy who has an incredibly sweet tooth.

If you want the experience of eating in a Celebrity chef restaurant without breaking a hole in your wallet, both Daniel Boulud’s DB Bistro and Mario Batali’s Pizzeria Mozza are your best bet. They are the only casual dining options out of the 7 Celebrity Chef Restaurants in MBS.

Is Pizzeria Mozza the best pizza restaurant in Singapore? I don’t know… It is really hard to say since there are so many pizzerias in Singapore. But I think it is definitely amongst the best. From what I heard, it is quite difficult to get a table during weekends, reservations are required at least a week in advance.

In your opinion, which restaurant has the best pizza in Singapore?

Singapore Food Blog Review
Osteria & Pizzeria Mozza
2 Bayfront Ave #B1-42/46
The Shoppes @ Marina Bay Sands Singapore
Tel: +65 6688 8522
Note: This was an invited media tasting.

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For the opening of this blog post on the Things to Do in Singapore, I wanted to show the beautiful Singapore Skyline, but I decided to use a photo of food since it sums up Singapore nicely — eating is our way of life.

I always receive emails from overseas readers asking me to suggest some of the things that they can do while having holiday in Singapore. So I have been working on this little project for a while, going to different places to explore and take photos.

Here is my list of 10 Things To Do In Singapore:

For this post, I’m writing from the angle of visitors who have never been to Singapore. At the same time, I think it will be cool for the locals to take this opportunity and explore our country; people always complain that there’s nothing to do in Singapore when in fact there are a lot of places that we seldom visit.

Check out the Swanky Marina Bay Sands (MBS)

Since everyone is talking about the new integrated resorts in Singapore, I shall start off the list with MBS.

Marina Bay Sands is an integrated resort fronting Marina Bay in Singapore that is developed by Las Vegas Sands. Besides the hotel, the resort also includes the Shoppes mall, an Art & Science museum, two Sands Theatres, seven celebrity chef restaurants, and the casino.

They have this amazing Skypark pool which has a breathtaking view of the city. Shopping, food, entertainment all under one roof, what else can you ask for?

Visit Sentosa and go for rides at Resorts World Sentosa Universal Studios

Sentosa is one of the major tourist attractions in Singapore, and things are becoming very happening with the addition of Resorts World Sentosa and Universal Studios Singapore. The best part? There are so many new restaurants at Resorts World Sentosa!

I know everyone is excited with the new rides at Universal Studios Singapore, and the casino at Resorts World, but let’s not forget about the other attractions on Sentosa.

From Fort Siloso, to the Underwater World, Wavehouse and the three beaches, there are plenty of things to do in Sentosa Island.

Shopping in Singapore

Okay, this really depends on what you are looking for. Generally speaking (for overseas visitors), the best time to come to Singapore (if your agenda is shopping) will be during the Great Singapore Sale (June to July) and the Year End Sale (November to December). If you are a make-up Junkie, Sephora Singapore is definitely one of the make up stores in Singapore that’s worth going to.

Orchard road is probably your best bet when it comes to shopping in Singapore. With shopping malls like Ion, Paragon, Takashimaya, Tangs, 313 @ Somerset, Mandarin Gallery and Orchard Central all on a stretch of road, you will be spoiled for choices. If you are tired after a day of shopping, find a nice restaurant in Orchard road for dinner, and continue with your spree after that!

For niche shopping in Singapore, Haji Lane has many independent and local fashion boutiques that are worth checking out.

Make a trip to Mustafa in the middle of the night

It is quite an experience to visit Singapore’s 24 Hour Mall, Mustafa Centre. It is a place where you can get anything and everything, especially when you need something in the wee hours and all the other shops are closed. For the full Mustafa experience – go during a Sunday night, and you will understand what I’m talking about.

Eat The Best Hawker Food in Singapore

We have many fine restaurants in Singapore, but so do other countries. What is unique to Singapore, is the local hawker food. If it is your first time in Singapore, you must try some of the popular hawker food like: chicken rice, char kway teow, laksa, bak kut teh, popiah, hokkien mee – stuff that you can never find elsewhere. I will be writing a separate blog post on the must-try hawker food in Singapore, so more on that next time.

Visit the heritage places like Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam

I guess visiting heritage places is considered as a touristy thing, but hey, you are a tourist anyway. I love it whenever my overseas friends are in Singapore as it gives me the chance to be a tourist and explore places in Singapore that I have never been to.

Venture into the heartlands

When I travel to other countries, I like to go to the residential areas and see what it is like to live there. It is a nice feeling to learn more about others’ culture, and also to experience the local lifestyle. Venture into the heartlands in Singapore like Toa Payoh, Bishan, Ang Mo Kio and people-watch.

Eat, eat, eat and eat

Do I really need to elaborate on this? Singapore is a foodie paradise, and I bet you already have a list of eating places ready. If not… it’s time to read more Singapore Food Blogs!

What to do at Night in Singapore

For Nightlife in Singapore, Clark Quay and Boat Quay are the places to be with so many clubs, bars and pubs in the area. Party till late and have roti prata and frog leg porridge for supper.

Go to Funan IT Mall for gadgets.

Go to Sim Lim Square and fall for the tourist trap. Sim Lim Square has a reputation for being dodgy with all the tourist traps, so I usually go to Funan IT Mall to get my gadgets. If you are looking for camera equipments, check out John 3:16, or Cathay Photos (Peninsula Plaza).

Other tourist attractions in Singapore: take a stroll at the Singapore Botanical Gardens, and have a relaxing brunch at Dempsey road. There are plenty of Museums in Singapore: the Asian Civilisation museum, Pernankan museum, & the National Museum of Singapore are worth checking out. Depending on where you are from, you may want to check out the markets for tropical fruits if you are not living in this part of the world. Even though I hate durian, I think it’s a pretty cool experience to go down to Geylang and sit by the roadside to try the king of fruits. Lastly, if you have not been on a Ferris Wheel before, it’s a good idea to go on the Singapore Flyer which offers a great view of the Marina Bay area.

Travelling in Singapore is easy as we have a really developed public transport network. Unless you are on a tight schedule, try to travel around on buses and trains (instead of cabs), it’s very interesting to watch and listen to the locals conversations.

Explore Singapore and experience what our beautiful country has to offer, try out new things & local food with an open mind, and I am sure you will have a very good time in Singapore!

Rise Restaurant at Marina Bay Sands (MBS) is an all day dining restaurant with an international buffet spread. Even though the Rise buffet prices are not cheap ($45++ for lunch, and $68++ for dinner), it has been extremely popular with buffet lovers.

The question on everybody’s mind: is this the best buffet in Singapore? Is it worth spending eighty bucks for a buffet dinner?

One thing to note first, Rise restaurant at Marina Bay Sands does not take phone reservations, so if you are going for the MBS buffet during a weekend, it will be wise to go earlier (buffet dinner starts at 6pm) to get a table, especially for big groups.

Like what I did at Melt the World Cafe, and The Line Buffet, the first thing that I ate at Rise Restaurant was not appetisers or salad — I went for the desserts straight away. I love the feeling of exhilaration that you get from desserts – it helps to get my stomach going.

Why end the meal on a sweet note when I can start with a bang?

It was a case of hits and misses for the dessert buffet, with the Bread & Butter Pudding, Chocolate Cake, Mini Cream Puffs, and the Pineapple Anise receiving ‘As’, while the Madeleine and Matcha Financiers were a little too dry. The highlight of the dessert buffet was definitely the little squares of Lemon Meringue Tart – they tasted like love!

Rise Buffet Restaurant has surprisingly good sweet and sour pork. I know it’s a little silly to stuff myself with sweet and sour pork when there’s more expensive items like beef, sashimi and oysters around, but hey, you must try their sweet and sour pork when you are there for the buffet.

From the Asian Section of Rise MBS Buffet, the Roasted Duck was equally good. We particularly enjoyed the crispy skin with a layer of fats beneath, dipped with the sourish-sweet plum sauce — who cares about calories and fats?

There’s also Stir-fried beef Vietnamese style, prawns, deep-fried spring roll if you like your Chinese food. We sampled Indian Pulao rice, Achar, Yellow Dhal, Mango Chutney, and Chicken Masala from the Indian Buffet Section.

There is a chef at the Asian corner to prepare laksa and soup noodle, and another chef at the Pasta Station to cook pasta ala minute. It’s probably not very wise to have so much carbs, so we shared the noodle items: the famous Singapore Laksa was pretty decent, and I also enjoyed the crab meat tomato spaghetti.

The Cold Cut section of the MBS buffet was very impressive, they actually have a huge ham-cutting machine to slice it on the spot. Whoa! Iberico, anyone?

Meat-lovers will love this corner at Rise Marina Bay Sands: pinkish-red beef rib eye, the ravishing rack of lamb, oh-so-tender oxtail and my favourite prime ribs. Allow me to have second, and third helpings of that delicious ribs.

The Sushi & Sashimi counter is also extremely popular: all you can eat sashimi and sushi!

While I appreciated the fact that diners could actually grab as much sashimi as they want in one go, the nicely sliced sashimi left out in the open air was at the mercy of everyone (who might squeeze or cough). Maybe it’s a better idea to put the sashimi in the chiller and allow the chef to serve whenever someone wants the raw fish.

At the Seafood Buffet Counter, there are many who took at least a dozen of oysters and piled them on the plate. Me? I choose three of the nicest ones, and a few mussels. There’s also cold crabs, but I was too lazy to dirty my hands that day.

By now, it’s almost the end of round 1 for the international buffet. Repeat everything: starting from the dessert (again).

After a couple of rounds, it’s time to reflect: Oh god, what have I done?

This is what happens when you eat at a buffet: excellent roasted duck, fresh oysters, lots of sweet & sour pork, many slices of salmon sashimi, a meaty combination of oxtail, rib eye and prime ribs, spaghetti & laksa, and of course, serving (s) of dessert and cheese.

I think I am finally full.

The Celebrity Chef restaurants at Marina Bay Sands have been making headlines in the Singapore food scene. But if you are not into fine dining restaurants, maybe you can check out Rise Restaurant at Marina Bay Sands.

The Buffet at Rise Marina Bay Sands has a good selection of food, but at $68++, the price isn’t cheap. If budget is an issue, go for the lunch buffet which is more affordable at $45++.

Dessert lovers will also be happy to know that there’s a new alternative to the Chocolate Buffet at Fullerton. With a stunning view on the 57th level of Marina Bay Sands, the MBS club offers Chocolate Buffet ($38++) every evening from 8pm onwards.

My favourite buffet in Singapore is still Melt the World Cafe because of the memories I had there, but Rise Restaurant is definitely worth a try for special occasions. Oh ya, remember to pick up some macarons from Sweetspot Patisserie before you leave.

Singapore Food Restaurant Review
Rise Buffet Restaurant
10 Bayfront Avenue Tower 2,
Lobby Level Marina Bay Sands Hotel Singapore
Tel: +65 6688 5525

// Buffet at Rise Marina Bay Sands is available daily: $45++ for lunch, and $68++ for dinner.

If you buy me an air ticket, I will immediately fly off to Spain. I have always read about the Spanish culture, and I think that the whole idea of bar-hopping is brilliant. Unfortunately, we do not have that many Spanish restaurants and tapas bars in Singapore and it doesn’t make sense to cab from one end of Singapore to the other. But hey, I think it will be really cool to find a group of friends for a night of tapas-bar-hopping.

Here’s a list of Spanish Restaurants in Singapore:

Catalunya
82 Collyer Quay
The Fullerton Pavillion
Tel: +65 6534 0188
Daily: 11am – 2am

Don Quijote Spanish Restaurant

Don Quijote at Dempsey Hill is a nice place to go to if you are craving for Spanish food. While prices are not cheap, they are not too exorbitant – it is on par with most of the better Spanish Restaurants in Singapore.

Be it a nice date with your partner; or a birthday party celebration with a big group of friends – Don Quijote Spanish Restaurant is the ideal place if you like tapas, paella and sangria.

Blk 7 Dempsey Road #01-02
Dempsey Hill Singapore
Tel: +65 6476 2811
Nearest Station: Orchard

La Viva Spanish Bar & Tapas
30 Victoria Street #01-12/13/14
Chijmes Singapore
Tel: +65 6339 4290

My Little Spanish Place
619 Bukit Timah Road Singapore
Tel: +65 6463 2810

Octapas Spanish Tapas Bar

Formerly known as The Tapas Tree, Octapas Spanish Tapas Bar launched back in August this year. If you are in the Clark Quay area, drop by Octapas to satisfy your Spanish food cravings.

3D River Valley Road #01-08
Clarke Quay Singapore
Tel: +65 6837 2938

Onion Restaurant & Bar

791 Bukit Timah Road
#01-01 Singapore
Tel: +65 6763 0398

Sabio Tapas Bar

Housed within a shop house on Duxton Hill, Sabio Tapas Bar has been designed to represent an authentic tapas bar in Spain. It is a good place to chill out with a group of friends. Fans of Sabio will be happy to know that it has recently opened a second outlet, Sabio by the Sea at Quayside Isle.

5 Duxton Hill Singapore
Tel: +65 6223 4645

Salt Tapas & Bar

If you are a fan of tapas, Salt Tapas Bar at Raffles City by celebrity chef Luke Mangan is one place that you should check out. It serves Aussie-style tapas with the freshest ingredients.

Many people have the perception that Salt Tapas & Bar is very expensive. This is true. Most of the tapas are in the $20 to $30 range, and you can easily spend at least $100 for a meal here. But what you might not know that it has a fantastic lunch set for just $33.50++/pax. It includes a flat bread to share, and 3 tapas per person. When you consider the fact that most of the dishes on the set lunch menu are from the ala carte menu, you will agree that it is a very good deal.

252 North Bridge Road
#01-22A Raffles City Shopping Centre
Tel: +65 6837 0995
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

Sabroso Tapas Wine Bar

Sabroso Tapas bar at Holland Village has a Spanish Tapas Buffet Dinner which features 16 tapas at $32++ per head, from Sun to Thu from 6pm – 10pm.

26A Lorong Mambong
Holland Village, Singapore
Tel: +65 6766 0053

Serenity Spanish Bar & Restaurant
1 HarbourFront Walk #01-98/99
VivoCity Singapore
Tel: +65 6376 8185

Sol Tasca
3 Fullerton Road # 01-04
The Fullerton WaterBoatHouse
Tel: +65 6533 8913

Zsofi Tapas Bar

Most people probably won’t associate Spanish Tapas with Little India, but that’s exactly where Zsofi Tapas Bar is located. The whole area may be a little sleazy, but Zsofi Tapas Bar is cosy and unpretentious, and most importantly the Spanish food is affordable.

68 Dunlop Street Singapore
Tel: +65 6297 5875

I did a short interview with Harper’s Bazaar Singapore, and it is published in the August issue. With the opening of the Marina Bay Sands Celebrity Chefs restaurants, we are living in exciting times to witness the evolution of the local Singapore food scene.

Other than that, I also discussed about how Singapore Food Blogs have changed and redefined the way people see food. Do pick up a copy of Harper’s Bazaar, they have some interesting articles on fine dining and food in Singapore.

Something interesting happened on twitter (again) today: “I always thought @ladyironchef was um well, a lady!” Sorry to burst your bubbles, ladyironchef is a guy – my name is Brad. HELLO!

The Marina Bay Sands Celebrity Chefs’ Press Conference was quite an experience. We had a glimpse of the chefs and their team in action. In many ways, it was like a sneak preview of the greatness to come. I call this – the Celebrity chefs experience in bite size.

There were over 300 media friends from all around the world who attended the Marina Bay Sands Celebrity Chefs Press Conference. Personally, I think it’s great news that people are starting to sit up and take notice of the Singapore Food Scene. With the arrival of the Celebrity Chefs, competition would definitely be inevitable, but it can only serve as a  positive challenge and ‘force’ the local restaurants and chefs to further improve themselves.

Chef Daniel Boulud’s new restaurant is the only ‘bistro’ among the Marina Bay Sands Celebrity chefs restaurants. But judging from the tasting portions that we had, I am very certain that the food at the 120-seater DB Bistro Moderne restaurant promises a lot to come.

I had a sliced of the famed jamon iberico, and the smooth, tender texture of the world’s finest ham quickly won me over. Surprisingly, it was not the iberico ham, but Chef Daniel Boulud’s roasted pork that made a lasting impression. I’m sorry, but I didn’t take a picture of it. It looked and smelled way too good for me to waste another thirty seconds on taking a snap of it – and I dutifully savored it in a mouthful.

OH MY GOD!

We were awe-struck by the intensity and flavor of the roasted pork – how can something so ordinary taste so succulent, crispy, and awesome? Both of us kept quiet for ten seconds which felt like forever, and before anyone could say anything, we savored the second piece of pork — this time, hoping that time would stand still.

By now, all my mind could think of: “Chef Daniel Boulud.. Chef Daniel Boulud..” We walked back to the station, and stared at the roasted pork that one of the chef was handing out. He looked at us and smiled. And we smiled.

After the second round of helping to the excellent roasted pork, my attention turned to the dessert offered at Chef Daniel Boulud’s counter. It was an exceptionally ordinary-looking apple tart. ‘Heavenly’ is an understatement when it comes to describing the dessert. Needless to say, I had two slices of apple tart.

The 300-day dry-aged Angus New York Strip from Chef Wolfgang Puck’s team was one of the first thing that I sampled. I am not sure if it’s a case of my stomach growling, or if it’s the outstanding quality of the beef that shone through; but the angus beef strip was so good that I had to have a second helping of it.

Honestly, I thought it’s the best beef I ever had, until I tried what Tetsuya Wakuda had to offer.

When I was in Sydney for a holiday back in December last year, I actually walked past Tetsuya Wakuda’s restaurant on Kent Street for a few days without realizing it until one of my mate told me about it.

During the Marina Bay Sands Celebrity Chef Press Conference, one particular quote from Tetsuya Wakuda struck me: “I want to be the top among the bottom.” That’s what the man himself replied when asked about the “competition” between him and the other celebrity chefs. His restaurant in Sydney, Tetsuya is known for the long reservation list, and the food lovers in Singapore will be sad to hear that his new restaurant in Marina Bay Sands, Waku Ghin, would be equally, if not harder to get a table.

You are going to take my word for it and believe that the top grade Wagyu beef that I had from Tetsuya Wakuda was one of the best (read: top, unbeatable, out-of-this-world) beef I ever had. Coming from a guy who isn’t a fan of beef, it tells you a lot.

The sheer audacity of  Tetsuya Wakuda’s team to tease us with a tiny slice of wagyu beef, and the long queue was testimonial to how good the beef was.

Free flow of Champagnes, fine wines, caviar, wagyu beef, lobster, angus beef, and so much more – I am really spoilt when it comes to food. Gluttony for life!

I know it seems like I only raved about Daniel Boulud’s roasted pork & apple tart, Wolfgang Puck’s Angus beef and Tetsuya Wakuda’s wagyu beef, and neglected the other Celebrity chefs. While I enjoyed the Poached quail’s egg prepared by Guy Savoy’s team, with the Maine Lobster in Shao Xing Wine by Justin Quek being exceptional, and also Santi Santamaria’s Gazpacho in shooters; at the end of the day, it was the offerings by Daniel Boulud and Tetsuya Wakuda that changed my perception about life. I instantly regretted my decision to attend the Marina Bay Sands Celebrity Chefs Conference.

Roasted pork and beef would never be the same anymore.

If money is not an issue and you are given the opportunity, which Marina Bay Sands Celebrity Chef ‘s restaurant will you try first, and why?

Dining in Marina Bay Sands Celebrity Chefs Restaurant

CUT by Wolfgang Puck (Opening Soon)
Marina Bay Sands Singapore
Retail Mall near Theaters

db Bistro Moderne (Opening Soon)
Marina Bay Sands Singapore
Retail Mall near Theaters

Guy Savoy (Open)
10 Bayfront Avenue #L2-01, Casino Level 2 Marina Bay Sands Singapore
Tel: +65 6688 8513

Osteria Mozza and Pizzeria Mozza (Opening Soon)
Marina Bay Sands Singapore
Retail Mall near Theaters

Santi (Open)
10 Bayfront Avenue #L2-03, Casino Level 2, Marina Bay Sands Singapore
Tel: +65 6688 8501

The Sky on 57 (Opening Soon)
10 Bayfront Avenue #L57 Marina Bay Sands Singapore

Waku Ghin (Opening Soon)
10 Bayfront Avenue #L2, Casino Level 2, Marina Bay Sands Singapore