Anytime is a good time for steaks, but SKIRT at W Singapore – Sentosa Cove is one chi-chi steakhouse that we prefer to reserve for dates with the discerning loved ones. And this is why this Valentine’s Day, there is nowhere better than romancing your date with an unforgettably lavish dinner at SKIRT. After all, you need a reliable outlet where the service is impeccable and professional, and SKIRT is ideal with its mix of elegance and chic factor.

This Valentine’s Day, SKIRT presents a 5-course dinner menu (S$350++ for 2) with a bottle of Auris Spumante Brut. Wake your palate up with a trio appetiser, the Titanic – starring the Tuna Tartar with avocado puree that is a brilliant blend of the fish’s freshness and the rich taste of the creamy fruit; luxurious chicken pate accompanied by fragrant homemade roasted chicken crackers; and cured halibut with grapefruit that is a refreshing juxtapose to the first two strong flavours. Quite a myriad of flavours and textures to begin the evening, indeed.

Succeeding the trio is the Casablance that further pays homage to the ocean’s freshness – generous chunks of crab meat with tomato jelly and an apple sphere beautifully set in a martini glass. Moulin Rouge Champagne & Roses will take your breath away – seared scallop covered with champagne foam and rose petals. Nothing quite like celebrating the love in the air with a gorgeous dish like that. Every bite is pleasure to remember.

When Harry met Sally is when we indulge in a main course of Steak Sandwich – Black onyx sirloin with Marrow crumbs, tomato and onion puree. The meat is served medium, and the marrow and bread crumbs complemented the creaminess of the beef so well.

Last but certainly not least, show your date how intricately delicate and poignantly rich your love is via the dessert of 5 textures of chocolate. We really loved the chocolate ice-cream!

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SKIRT – The Boldest Grill
21 Ocean Way
W Singapore – Sentosa Cove
Tel: +65 6808 7278
Tue to Sun: 7pm – 12 midnight
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

This post is brought to you by W Singapore – Sentosa Cove.

Skirt at W Hotel Singapore has been winning raved reviews since opening a few months ago, so I had to check it out to find out for myself. Indeed, the restaurant lives up to the hype, and it has rocketed to become my favourite steak restaurant in Singapore. It is a top-class steakhouse with middle-range pricing.

At the entrance of the restaurant, there are “aging cabinets” which contain choice meats alongside specialty cuts of milk-fed lamb and venison. For those who like to have a drink before having dinner, the bar tucked at one end of the restaurant offers bespoke cocktails. The restaurant itself is elegant and stunning. It is classy, yet not pretentious; it gives off a cool and hip vibe effortlessly.

We started our meal with the Tuna Tartar ($28) with avocado and wasabi; and Iberico Pork Belly with Bean Cassoulet ($20). The former was decent, but unremarkable. The latter saw chunks of pork belly with white beans and carrot in a pork broth made with pork loin and spices like star anise, cinnamon and honey.

Next, we had the delightful Grilled King Prawns ($25) from the grilled picadas menu. Fat, juicy and fresh prawns were split and generously peppered, then put to grill, producing a hint of smokiness and a lot of sweetness for our indulgence.

The Seared US Scallops ($35) – with dashi, apple and Jamon – are what dreams are made of. Plump and meat, they were the easily the biggest scallops I have ever had. This was my favourite starter.

And the highlight of our meal – steaks. Skirt has an impressive selection sourced from Australia and USA: Blackmore Australian Full Blood 9+ Wagyu, Tajima Australian Crossbred Wagyu, Creekstone Farms USDA Corn-fed Black Angus, Cape Grim Australian Grass-fed Angus, and Donald Russell Irish Grass-fed Aberdeen Angus. Prices range from $35++ to $158++, and most of the steaks are priced below $60.

The 250g Blackmore Wagyu Skirt Steak ($48) is one of the most popular options on the menu. We had the Tajima Australian Crossbred Wagyu, a 25 Day Dry Aged Ribeye ($70/140 for 250g/500g). It was a good piece of meat prepared at the highest level. We enjoyed every bite.

The other steak that we tried was the chef’s special ‘Skirt Steak Sandwich’ – a Blackmore Australian Full Blood 9+ Wagyu Tenderloin served with beetroot and Jamon. This was an off-the-menu item which is reserved for regulars and those in-the-know. If you plan to try this dish at your next visit to Skirt, inform the chef and I am sure they will be glad to prepare it for you.

And oh, did I mention about the sides and condiments? Unlike other steakhouses where the sides tend to be over-priced, the ones here are decently priced between $5-12.

The steaks are served with seven condiments – Red Wine & Marrow Sauce, Peppercorn Sauce, Horseradish Cream, Bloody Mary Butter, Cherry Tomato Relish, Blood Orange and Tarragon Bearnaise Red Chimichurri and three kinds of mustard. In addition, they also come with six different types of salt: garlic salt, beef salt, rosemary salt, Hawaiian red salt and smoke salt.

While steaks are the main focus at Skirt, the restaurant also offers quite a few main courses on the menu. The Braised Dorper Lamb Leg ($45), Dover Sole ($50), Cinnamon Poached Maine Lobster ($85) and Iberico Pork Skirt ($40) are tempting options.

We went for Skirt Beef Wellington ($58) because not many restaurants in town do this dish well. Beef tenderloin coated with pate encased in a crispy puff pastry; it was faultless. That said, while Skirt’s rendition was executed perfectly, I am not sure if I would pay for this. I am not a fan of Beef Wellington to begin with. Moreover, some of the steaks on the menu are more appealing and affordable.

The Toasted Honey Meringue ($18) came highly recommended and it did not disappoint. It came in the form of coconut and pineapple ice cream on a digestive biscuit base, topped with a beautiful sheet of pineapple jelly and meringue.

We also had a Warm Venezuelan Chocolate Mud Cake ($18) with poached wild strawberry and tarragon. Other desserts include: White Chocolate Parfait ($18), Chocolate Forest Cake ($18) and Crepes with Dulce de Leche and Chocolate Lava ($15).

A meal at Skirt need not be expensive if you order wisely. Their signature 250g Skirt Steak is only $48, and other affordable cuts include a 250g Irish Grass-fed Sirloin ($35), and the 250g Cape Grim Australian Ribeye ($42). In conclusion: if you love steaks, you must make a trip to Skirt at W Hotel Singapore.

Skirt Steakhouse
21 Ocean Way, W Hotel
Tel: +65 6808 7278
Tue to Sun: 7pm – 12 midnight
Note: This was an invited media tasting.

An unobstructed view of the marina and an array of restaurants & lifestyle retail outlets – A whole new world is born in Singapore. Quayside Isle is a new integrated F&B and retail development within the luxurious Sentosa Cove enclave.

What makes Quayside Isle a place you can return to again and again is its excellent mix of eateries — from affordable options such as Kith and Grillado, to chill-out spots like Sabio by the Sea, Tapas & Grill and Brussels Sprouts – Belgian Beer & Mussels — and a breath-taking view of the beautiful marina. There are few places in Singapore that can match this new spot in terms of its diversity of dining options, as well as the overall ambience.

This is a place where I can come with a few friends to relax over drinks and finger food, or bring my family for celebratory meals during the festive season. It is also great for an intimate gathering with friends or a romantic date with your partner – the setting of the waterfront dining restaurants makes you feel you are on a vacation without even having to leave Singapore.

Below we share some of the highlights of the restaurants at Quayside Isle, Sentosa Cove.

Brussels Sprouts – Belgian Beer & Mussels

Brussels Sprouts – Belgian Beer & Mussels set up by celebrity chef Emmanuel Stroobant is the ideal spot to go with friends to unwind after work. Get a few pots of their famous Moules Frites ($20 for 350g, $40 for 750g) to share. The Ostendaise mussels – made up of fish stock, lobster bisque, grey shrimp and mushroom – is the most popular choice. A craving for spicy flavours can be easily satisfied with their Tom Yum mussels.

We were also thoroughly impressed by its assortment of toasts. We had the Toast Cannibal ($14) – steak tartare on toast with gherkins; Rollmops Sur Toast ($14) – marinated herrings on a bed of green apple salad and roasted beetroot on toast; and Salade De Crabe ($14) – guacamole spread on toast topped with king crab and tomato salad. These homemade toasts were surprisingly good, and it was impossible to stop at one.

From 9 to 24 Feb 2013, Brussels Sprouts is offering Chinese New Year ala carte specials like glass noodle salad with pomelo, scallops with bamboo shoots, and mandarin orange & kumquat mousse – definitely an interesting alternative from the usual Chinese festive fare.

31 Ocean Way
#01-01 Quayside Isle, Sentosa Cove
Tel: +65 6684 4344
Mon to Thu: 5pm – 12 midnight
Fri: 5pm – 1am
Sat: 12pm – 1am
Sun: 12pm – 12 midnight
Opens till 1am on Eve of Public Holidays

Grillado

First of its kind in Singapore, Grillado serves flat roasted Portuguese-style grilled chickens and chicken burgers, making it a must-try for poultry lovers.

For a healthier option, order the Body Burger ($8.95), consisting of chicken, spinach, tomato and Grillado’s signature sauce, where the meat is tender and juicy; and the Balmoral Beach Burger ($8.95), named after Sydney’s Balmoral Beach, which explains the golden theme of cheese, pineapple, mayo mustard and chicken.

Their flat-roasted Portuguese-style grilled chickens are also worth a try. A quarter chicken ($7.95), with a beer or coke, is all you need for dinner before taking a stroll along the beautiful marina.

Do check out Grillado’s promotion in February: Purchase 2 burger or roasted chicken combos and receive 2 complimentary cups of homemade yoghurt with fresh fruit or muesli.

31 Ocean Way
#01-10 Quayside Isle, Sentosa Cove
Tel: +65 6734 9125
Mon to Thu: 2pm – 10pm
Fri to Sun: 12pm – 10pm

Note di Sicilia

For folks who have a sweet tooth, you must make a pit stop at Note di Sicilia for gelato. To ensure quality, they have specially imported a traditional machine from Italy to make fresh gelato daily.

The Milano gelato maker offers 16 different flavours. For me, the most outstanding flavour was the Fior di Latte – smooth, rich, and silky. The Pistachio gelato was equally good and similar to the ones that I tried in Italy.

Besides gelato, Note di Sicilia also serves good cocktails. Go for their signature Cosmo Calabria, a simple but brilliant concoction of raspberry, lemon and vodka.

31 Ocean Way
#01-09 Quayside Isle, Sentosa Cove
Tel: +65 8168 4341
Daily: 10am – 10pm

Paradiso Restaurant & Bar

Opened by the folks behind Cuba Libre and Nueva Cuba, Paradiso Restaurant & Bar is set to be the see and be seen place in Quayside Isle by replicating the same winning formula: a sexy atmosphere, expertly made cocktails and tasty tapas.

It is nice to see that the menu not only has a good selection – from tapas, to burgers, pastas and vegetarian options – but it is also reasonably priced. For instance, the classic Seafood Paella is only $28, and most of the main courses are below $25.

With its delicious mixture of prawns, squids, mussels, fish and vegetables, cooked in prawn stock, the Seafood Paella was our favourite. The Filo Salmon Wrap ($20) also left an impression with its crispy filo pastry encasing the moist and tasty fish with a tangy salsa sauce.

Paradiso Restaurant & Bar is having a 20% off total bill promotion in February.

31 Ocean Way
#01-03 Quayside Isle, Sentosa Cove
Tel: +65 6694 5428
Mon to Thu: 11am – 11pm
Fri: 11am – 12 midnight
Sat: 9am – 12 midnight
Sun: 9am – 11pm

Picotin Express

The European bistro at Sentosa Cove is a sleek and streamlined version of the original Picotin at Bukit Timah. With chef-owner Steve Kaye helming the kitchen, you can be assured of a good meal.

Picotin Express serves signature dishes such as the Pan-fried Sea Bass with lemon thyme risotto ($32), Beef Bourguignon ($30), Honey Glazed Pork Ribs ($30), as well as a selection of thin crust pizzas ($22).

The food at Picotin Express is simple, delicious and honest comfort food that you can eat regularly. Everything that arrived at our table was done to a high standard. I will definitely be returning to try the other dishes.

31 Ocean Way
#01-06 Quayside Isle, Sentosa Cove
Tel: +65 6438 4747
Mon to Fri: 5pm – 12 midnight
Sat: 12pm – 1am
Sun: 12pm – 12 midnight

Sabio by the Sea, Tapas & Grill

Sabio by the Sea, Tapas & Grill is quite the perfect place to soak up the nautical environment and spend the whole afternoon relaxing by the marina.

Besides having an array of tapas, it also has a new Josper grill menu (exclusive to this outlet) which features signatures such as El Pulpo ($19), grilled octopus leg with viola mash potato; El Cerdo ($20), herbs marinated pig shoulder served with sauteed potatoes; and Esparrago ($16), grilled asparagus with serano ham and soft egg. The dish that stood out was El Cerdo – marinated pig shoulder – which paired perfectly with a glass of sangria. The Sabio’s Churros ($11) with chocolate dip is also a dessert that I’d definitely return for.

Sabio by the Sea, Tapas & Grill is offering a 1-for-1 deal on glasses of Sangria during the month of February.

31 Ocean Way
#01-02 Quayside Isle, Sentosa Cove
Tel: +65 6690 7568
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 10pm
Fri: 12pm – 12 midnight
Sat: 10am to 12 midnight
Sun: 10am – 10pm

Besides the six restaurants that I have visited, Quayside Isle is also home to Cove Stadium, sports bar and bistro serving American comfort food and pub grub; Solepomodoro Trattoria-Pizzeria, where you can get authentic Italian cuisine; Kith for a cuppa; Kebab House which specialises in Mediterranean kebabs; Quayside Fish Bar & Bistro for the freshest catch; Museo, a tea salon cum painting studio, and Ezoca Japanese Cuisine for a Kaiseki dining experience.

After a fulfilling meal, check out the lifestyle retail outlets which include Jasons The Gourmet Grocer, an exquisite gourmet shopping paradise for luxury aficionados; Little Provence that stocks a wide selection of French gourmet food; The Straits Wine Company which boasts a well-stocked wine cellar and bespoke services; Hera Beauty Salon which provides head-to-toe pampering with hair, nails, make-up and wedding consultancy services; and Nikei Fine Art, a luxury art space showcasing a series of abstract fine art pieces by renowned and emerging artists from Asia.

Sentosa Cove is more than just a luxurious residential area. With the opening of Quayside Isle to the general public, it is now a new getaway for everyone.

The best thing is, gantry entrance fee to Sentosa is actually pretty affordable during meal times. You pay only $2 per vehicle from 12pm to 2pm, and 5pm to 7am on weekdays, and $3 from 5pm to 7am on weekends – making it an ideal getaway spot for a business luncheon or a family dinner.

For those of you who do not drive, fret not because there is a free shuttle bus service (Sentosa Bus 3) from Beach Station Bus Interchange to Sentosa Cove Village, an approximate 5-minute walk away from Quayside Isle. To get to Beach Station, board the Sentosa Express train from VivoCity.

I have good news for you. If you have been thinking about staying at W Singapore – Sentosa Cove hotel, here’s your chance. Be one of 3 lucky winners to be pampered with a stay at W Singapore – Sentosa Cove hotel with a minimum spend of $50 in a single receipt at Quayside Isle. This promotion runs from 1 to 28 Feb 2013, 1 chance per diner/shopper per day, regardless of total spend. To qualify, all you have to do is to drop your completed form together with the original receipt into the lucky draw box located at level 1 near the lift after your meal. Easy!

I am convinced that Quayside Isle will become one of the most popular lifestyle and dining destinations. Given its unique waterfront dining concepts and speciality retail stores, I have no doubt that it will soon be packed. If you are planning for a romantic dinner during Valentine’s Day, the restaurants at Quayside Isle is perfect for the occasion.

To find out more about the F&B and retail outlets at Quayside Isle, visit their website at http://www.quaysideisle.com