Special Occasions SPLURGE

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No regrets falling (in love) into this watering hole at Amoy street, resembling a long cabin interior, a playful trick by a mirror at the back.
Here you get French-inspired Izakaya styled dishes married with cocktails of quirky names, (un)surprisingly with head bartender Sugar Ray Ruban d(r)owning me and partner in crime @paufaceeee with jokes and liquor shots. Seriously, the best night ever at @lebinchotan where we merry and made friends with strangers from all sides.

Head to the Singapore Botanic Gardens for your next girly brunch date. Situated next to The Ginger Garden, The Halia, which means ‘ginger’ in Malay, has both alfresco and indoor seating, with lush greenery surrounding the compound. Order the refreshing Iced Halia Infusion ($10), a house specialty made with sun-dried ginger and wild mountain honey, to sip on as you catch up on all the latest gossip. The weekend brunch menu includes upmarket Western grub like Truffle Scrambled Eggs ($20), as well as other Halia signatures. That includes the tangy Lemongrass & Ginger Tiger Prawn Salad ($19), a zesty dish with fresh mango and tomato salsa, glass noodles and a ginger flower dressing. Don’t be fooled by its appearance — the glass noodles are substantial and can be a filling meal for one! For something heartier, opt for the Paperbag Oven-baked Halibut Fillet ($40) — soaked in a mirin-sake ginger broth, the fish is served with sesame Japanese rice, wakame and the addictive truffle mayonnaise. Be sure to drench your rice in the flavourful, earthy broth! Alternatively, you won't go wrong with the crowd favourite — Halia’s Singapore-style Chilli Crab Spaghettini ($26). Finish off the meal with the exquisite The Ginger Garden ($12), ginger flower sherbet paired with vanilla-infused banana, ginger crumble and edible flowers, before taking a stroll around Botanic Gardens to walk off the meal.

Ambience: Classy and modern
Price: Avg $100 per couple

Judging from the dramatic food styling by head chef Matthew Mok, it seems that Rabbit Stash’s mantra is “go big or go home”. Chef-owner Matthew injects his personal touches and showcases his artistic flairs through his dishes, transforming them into exquisite plates of artwork sure to impress a date. Located at the top floor of Wangz Hotel in Tiong Bahru, Rabbit Stash offers panoramic views of the surroundings. Order their signature cocktail Coconuts ($23) to sip on as you take in the views. Made with fresh coconut, homemade hazelnut syrup and dark rum, it's a refreshing drink to start the night with before adjourning to your alfresco seats. Coined by chef Matthew, ENSOPHI™ ($148) — short for Exotic, Nostalgia, Soil, Ocean, Piquancy, Heritage and Impression — is a seven-course degustation menu of Asian-centric dishes made with classic French techniques. The menu changes seasonally, but dishes are often a creative combination of ingredients — think roast kangaroo meat paired with butternut squash and dark chocolate. His desserts are also elaborate and luscious — imagine a Ferrero Rocher-esque hazelnut sphere dusted with gold served only to be “destroyed” by a drizzle of warm chocolate that reveals pop rocks and a nougat core. Now that is one visual and gastronomical feast!

Ambience; Quiet with a view
Price: Avg $300 per couple, without drinks

Now with English chef Kirk Westaway at the helm, JAAN continues to serve up some of the most impressive, Instagram-worthy degustation meals that showcase seasonal produce — anything from Welsh lamb to Tajima wagyu beef and heirloom tomatoes. Coupled with stellar service and impressive views of the city skyline, it is no wonder JAAN continues to be one of the most popular places to go for anniversaries and proposals. The three-course set lunch ($78) is the most pocket-friendly way to get acquainted with the JAAN experience, but if you’ve been saving up for this occasion, it is entirely worth your money to splash out on either the five or seven-course degustation menu (from $118 without wine pairing), so as to experience the true depth of chef Westaway’s cuisine. The menu changes seasonally, and current offerings include his signature rosemary smoked organic egg, confit rainbow trout and artichoke ravioli, all presented to look like art on a plate. For even more wow factor, reserve a quiet table for dinner (from $198 for a five-course degustation meal before wine pairing) and let yourself be romanced by the heady mix of exquisite food, stellar service and unparalleled views of the twinkling city lights.

Ambience: Dress to impress
Price: From avg $180 per couple for lunch, without drinks