Where to Dine on National Day
What better way to celebrate our city’s 49th birthday than to (obviously) wine and dine? Here, we shortlist the best restaurants in Singapore – with National Day specials no less – to catch the fireworks, treat yourself to fine wines and have a casual sit-down meal with your friends and family.
Explosions in the Sky
For unrivalled views of the annual pyrotechnics and aerial show, hit up these great vantage points – and have your dinner covered.
Equinox Restaurant
This ritzy restaurant 70 levels atop Swissotel the Stamford sure knows how to milk a killer view with a series of National Day Fireworks dinners. There’s a 7-Course Set Dinner at $185++ on the actual day, plus a 5-Course Set Dinner ($165++) and the 5-Course Deluxe Set Dinner ($210++) on 2 August (when the NDP preview is on). Fork out an extra $20++ for premium window seats – it’s all or nothing.
Equinox, Swissotel the Stamford, Singapore 178882, p.68373322. Open Mon-Sat 12-230pm for lunch, Mon-Sun 330-5pm for high tea and 630-1030pm for dinner. Brunch available Sun 11am-230pm. National Day Fireworks Dinner available 2 and 9 August 2014.
Forlino
On top of signatures and all-you-can-eat favourites like Fresh Oysters, Yellow Fin Tuna ‘Tataki’, and Herb Roasted Barramundi, Chef de Cuisine Kentaro Torii is dishing out three exclusive local-inspired creations – Chilli Crab Raviolone, Hamachi Satay, and MS8 Tajima Wagyu Satay – during the National Day Italian buffet dinner ($208++, includes 3 hours free flow juices, prosecco, beers and house wine). Did we mention that the elegant establishment overlooks Marina Bay?
Forlino, #02-06 One Fullerton, 1 Fullerton Rd, Singapore 049213, p. 6690 7564. Open 12pm-230pm, 630pm-1030pm. National Day buffet dinner available exclusively on 9 August from 6pm.
Catalunya
See what Executive Chef Alain Devahive will be creating for National Day with the result of its Facebook poll, where the public get to vote for a key local ingredient – pandan, frog legs, and crabs, among other things – in this dish. The restaurant is also featuring a cocktail bundle – Calamansi Mojito, a Mumbai Colada, and a side of Patatas Bravas – at $49++.
Catalunya, The Fullerton Pavillion, 82 Collyer Quay, Singapore 049327, p. 6534 0188. Open Mon-Sun 12pm-2am. National Day cocktail bundle available from 2-9 August 2014.
Boathouse
Looking for a more intimate setting to watch the fireworks? Check into Boathouse for their signature brand of modern French cuisine, buffet-style ($128++), on National Day. Or, if your dinner’s settled elsewhere, pre-book your spot in the bar Prelude at $50 nett ($70 nett at the door on 9 August), inclusive of 1 drink.
Boathouse, 3 Fullerton Road #03-01, Singapore 049215, p. 6538 9038. Open Mon-Fri 12-230pm, Mon-Sat 6-11pm. National Day Fireworks Dinner available exclusively on 9 August.
The Pelican
For one of the most stellar views, it’s gotta be One Fullerton and where best to park yourself then at The Pelican. This seafood bar and grill is offering a special four-course National Day menu ($120++ per pax) featuring raw jumbo scallop salad, home-cured Norwegian salmon, a main of either US beer striploin or yellow fin tuna loin, and – wait for it – a lip smacking whoopie pie. Not a mention a complimentary glass of Veuve Cliquot Brut – sweet!
The Pelican Seafood Bar & Grill, 1 Fullerton Road, Singapore 049214, p. 6438 0400. Open Mon-Thu 12pm-12am, Fri 12pm-12am, Sat 12pm-12am.
Cheers to That
No merry-making is complete without a good glass of wine or bubbly in hand. Check out these restaurants that are putting their best out there this weekend.
The Knolls
The Capella Singapore Satay Club will be featuring luxed-up satay selections like Wagyu Beef, Chicken, and Lamb Loin, plus other homegrown eats like Sambal Stingray and Salted Egg Prawns to pay tribute to one of Singapore’s signature dish. If you’re in the mood for brunch, go for The Knolls’ National Day Sunday Brunch ($188++ with free flow wines, champagne, and fresh juices), which will be featuring the Satay Club Station and dishes like Chili and Black Pepper Crab Cakes and Roasted Suckling Pig.
Cassia, Capella Singapore, 1 The Knolls, Sentosa, Singapore 098297, p. 6591 5046. Open Mon-Sun 7am-11pm. Satay Club available 8-10 August from 630pm and Sunday Brunch on 10 August from 1230pm.
Cocotte
It’s a dual celebration as Cocotte turns four this National Day weekend. Look out for their Free Flow Weekend Brunch at $45++ and $80++ , where chefs roll out trolleys filled with French goodies for you to choose from, plus there’s free-flowing Prosecco.
Cocotte, Wanderlust Hotel, 2 Dickson Road, Singapore 209494, p. 6298 1188. Open for lunch Mon, Wed-Fri 12-230pm and Sat-Sun 12-5pm, and open for dinner daily 6-10pm. National Day brunch available 9-10 August, 12-3pm.
Arossa Wine and Grill
Helmed by Singapore’s first female Japanese Chef Chiaki Watanabe, Arossa Wine and Grill dishes out Japanese-Italian cuisine with a selection of 120 wines. For National Day, there’s a 5-Course dinner ($75++) featuring items like Hokkaido Scallop Carpaccio with Caviar and Mango Sauce, Homemade Ravioli Ripieno Beef Cheek in Potato Cream Sauce, and Roasted Duck with Black Rice and Citrus Sauce.
Arossa Wine and Grill, #02-01 Scotts Square, 6 Scotts Road, Singapore 228209, p. 6636 2951. Open daily 1130am-2pm and 6pm-930pm. National Day Menu available 1-31 August 2014.
The More We Get Together
The festivities are just extra cheery when you’re celebrating with close friends and family members. Here are some fuss-free inspirations for those big gatherings and local food binges.
Jamie’s Italian
Inspired by Singapore’s iconic dishes, the folks Jamie’s Italian have created three house specials for National Day: Chilli Crab Risotto with mussels, clams, prawns, and crispy soft shell crab, the boozy Cracking Kachang (made with Saliza Amaretto) and Viva Chendol that’s great for kids.
Jamie’s Italian, #01-165 Vivocity, 1 Harbourfront Walk, Singapore 098585, p. 6733 5500. Open Sun-Thu 12pm-10pm, Fri-Sat 12pm-11pm. National Day house specials available from 4-10 August.
Plaza Brasserie
Plaza Brasserie’s Flavours of Old Singapore themed buffet dinner ($60++) showcases hard-to-find culinary gems of our immigrant forefathers. Take a walk down memory lane with dishes such as the Cantonese Braised Chicken Wings with Fermented Red Bean Curd, the Hokkien Braised Pig’s Trotters with Vermicelli, and the South Indian Putu Mayam.
Plaza Brasserie, PARKROYAL on Beach Road, 7500A Beach Road, Singapore 199591, p. 6505 5710. Open 6am-12am daily. Flavours of Old Singapore buffet dinner available 1-31 August 2014, from 6pm.
STREET 50 Restaurant and Bar
Talk about value for money. STREET 50’s affordable and very local National Day buffet dinner is priced at just $49++ (plus every 4th paying adult dines at $4.90++!), with dishes like Steamed Hainanese Chicken with Breaded Rice Balls, Bak Kut Teh, and their ever-popular Durian Pengat on the menu. What’s more, each adult gets a complimentary Singapore Sling while the little ones ($25++) enjoys a Merlion Singapore Swing Mocktail.
STREET 50 Restaurant and Bar, Bay Hotel Singapore, 50 Telok Blangah Road, Singapore 098828, p. 6818 6681. Open Mon-Sun 6-4am. National Day buffet dinner available exclusively on 9 August from 630pm.
Picotin Express
Staying home to watch the National Day Parade? Order Picotin Express’ special Seafood Laksa Pizza – think spicy laksa paste topped with squid, prawns, crab meat, tau pok, chili and mozzarella cheese, with deep-fried laksa leaves thrown in for a crisp flavor – for the perfect TV dinner.
Figaro Street, Figaro Street (Opera Estate) and Quayside Isle. See Figaro Street for more information. Seafood Laksa Pizza available exclusively on 9 August.
Top Image: Choo Yut Shing