Here are some tips on how to
make the preparation of a special evening easier for you. As usual, the
list of places is not exhaustive but quite a number of NTU residents provided
feedback - THANKS!
There are many more places,
but this is at least a start. It would greatly appreciate, if you could email
at nanyangconnect@gmail.com details of other places, so our list can
grow.
Recommendations listed according to
distance from campus:
Please book in advance and also check if there are any new locations for the restaurants recommended below. You never know if they are no longer in business also. So, please check and make a reservation before you go…
Captain’s Table Chinese Restaurant or Marina
Bistro with mixed cuisine at Raffles Marina
The restaurant has a
beautiful view over the bay and the Bistro is al fresco and you can catch the
breeze. The food is fine, but a stroll along the pier and the fact that
the place is quiet and few people are there makes the evening all the more
private and special. Tel. 6869 2288 (Captain’s Table for reservations, although not
needed), 10 Tuas West Drive, S 638404
Amici Restaurant, an Italian one at Holland
Village
There
is a balcony that will barely fit two persons and your conversations will be
not overheard. The waiters are knowledgeable about the wines and the food
is good. Tel. 6469 9989, 275 Holland Ave., S278993 Holland Village
Al Hamra, a Lebanese/Middle Eastern restaurant in
Holland Village
Good
ambiance, service and food, although portions could be larger. You can
choose between air-conditioned inside with cushioned benches or al fresco on
the sidewalk. Tel. 6464 8488, 23 Lorong Mambong, S277682 Holland Village
Shayray Punjab Restaurant at Holland Village
Good
ambiance, service and food with good recommendations. Also has A/C or
outside dining. Tel. 6468 9126, 25 Lorong Mambong, S277684 Holland
Village
Original Sin, a western vegetarian restaurant in
Holland Village
The
food is excellent, although the place can get quite full and noisy some nights,
so check which days might be quieter. It has inside and outside dining if
you are lucky and can choose. Reservations are a must. Tel.
6475 5605, Block 43, #01-62, Jalan Merah Saga, Chin Bee Gardens
The Hill Bistro at Mount Faber
Hill
The
Bistro has a fantastic view over some of the harbor, financial district and
Sentosa and the Mount Faber Park. The food is good and the Bistro does
not seem overly full on weekends. The open area with pond and the park
make a romantic stroll inviting. Parking just below and taxi stand just in
front of Gondola station which the Bistro is connected to makes getting there
and away practical. Tel : 6377 9619, 101
Mount Faber Road, S099201, Mount Faber
Hill
Sky Dining (Mount Faber Hill)
The Sky
Dining is one of its kind in the world, the
advertising says and is truly amazing. You have a small table with nice
china and cutlery and once the first course placed into your special gondola
cabin and you are off to enjoy amazing views with relaxing background music and
food with wine while you watch the sunset. Tel. 63779633,
101 Mount Faber Road, S099201, Mount Faber Hill
Margarita’s, a Mexican restaurant has different
locations: Faber Drive, Jalan Limping, Dempsey rd and also at East Coast
At Faber
drive, ask for the table just inside the door to the left; apparently it is
just for two and more private. Their premium margaritas are the best in
town. Tel. 67771782, 108 Faber Drive, Singapore 129418
Streeters Restaurant and Wine Bar, a Spanish restaurant in Chinatown
This one is
very fine place, apparently and after a quick search on the internet has wine
tasting events some times and has been written up in several magazines. Tel:
6227 1997, 35 Keong Saik
Road
Au
Jardin des Amis, a French restaurant in the Botanical Gardens
Recommended by NTU staff as
well as by Singapore’s Tourism Agency, this must be good. Set in the
midst of the Botanical Gardens between the Symphony Lake and the Cascade Garden
it is easily accessible and has a beautiful setting. Tel. 6466 8812
Halia Restaurant, with continental fare at the Ginger Gardens,
Botanical Gardens
Another recommendation from
another source says the terrace dining with candles is very special and further
enhanced by live jazz music on some Sundays. Check with the restaurant
when they are playing. Bookings are essential, anyway. There is
also A/C dining available. Tel. 6476 6711, Ginger Gardens, Botanical
Gardens
It is at the back of the
mall, is quiet and definitely has a romantic atmosphere, even though it has a
mall setting. The person recommending it is very enthusiastic and says
the exclusivity is one of a kind. The pork chops and pork rib spaghetti
(?) are “crazily delicious” and the apple pie comes with high accolades and is
known island-wide. Tel: 6835 0238, 109 North Bridge Road #02-15, Funan Digitalife Mall, Singapore
179097
http://www.wineamigo.com/contactus/index.htm
Grappa’s Al Fresco, an Italian restaurant at Chijmes
The food is continuously
excellent no matter what you order and the Tiramisu dessert fabulous. The
setting is in a medieval building complex surrounded by modern skyscrapers and
drinks at the many bars around the restaurant will make the experience even
more surreal. Tel. 6334 9928, 30 Victoria St. #01-29, S 187996
Equinox, a Western/Asian fusion restaurant on top of Swisshotel
This amazing dining
experience begins with a ride to the 68th floor and gets better with
a view which includes half of Singapore island and
even parts of Indonesia and Malaysia on a clear day. No matter if you
choose Western or Asian, you will not be disappointed by your choice. The
desserts are very good and filling even though they might look small. A
cheaper alternative to the evening sunset experience is the afternoon
tea. Reservations are a must. Tel. 6837 3322, 2 Stamford Road
#70-00 Raffles City Convention Centre, S 178882
Raffles Courtyard and Gazebo Bar as well as Raffles Grill both in
Raffles Hotel
This colonial hotel complex
is truly beautiful and gives you an insight as to how European foreigners used
to live in the 1900s. The courtyard is quiet except for the live band you can
savour Asian seafood, tapas or just enjoy a cocktail, like the Singapore Sling
which they say originated there. The Grill is said to have “excellent food,
excellent wine selection, excellent service for outrageous prices – but worth
it for a special occasion!”. Tel. 6412
1240, 1 Beach Road, S 189673 Raffles Hotel
Gordon Grill at Goodwood Park
Hotel
This restaurant
seems to be similar to the Raffles Grill, but with cheaper prices.
However, you need to make sure that the champagne is chilled before opened. Tel. 6737 7411, 22 Scotts Road, S 228221
Pasta Fresca Da Salvatore, an Italian restaurant at East Coast Park
The food is good and plenty
and your toes can play with the beach sand while you enjoy Mediterranean
seafood specialties after a day at the beach. Tel. 6337
1886 or 6441 8140, 1210 East Coast Parkway next to the Sea Sports
Centre.