Can't say no to elegant pasta, meat, and fish creations? Take the European route for your Christmas lunches and dinners this year, and let our Quandoo guide help you decide where to go
With new restaurants constantly opening in Singapore and countless dining options to choose from, why not skip the whole process of buying a turkey and staying in for the year-end festivities and head out instead? If you and your posse find it hard to resist dishes like a grilled beef tenderloin Rossini with truffled mash potatoes and foie gras, make your reservation at these European restaurants either via the Quandoo website or the mobile app. You get 400 points just for signing up and every 1,000 points gets you $15 cash back!
Psst… Quandoo’s got something really special just for you: Instead of the usual 100 points, Honeycombers readers get a whopping 1,000 points on their next reservation, which translates to an immediate $15 cash back. All you need to do to get the additional points is quote “HCQUANDOO“* when making your next reservation.
*Reservation and meal itself must be completed before 31 Jan 2017
How about popping by a Michelin-starred dining establishment for Christmas? The charming Rhubarb Le Restaurant sits pretty on Duxton Hill and does fine French dishes. There’s a Christmas Day lunch ($98++) and Christmas Eve dinner ($198++), with offerings like truffled brie fromage (with truffled honey) and butter poached turbot with cured tartare and caviar as some of the main stars.
3 Duxton Hill, Singapore 089589. Open Mon-Fri 12pm-2:15pm (lunch), 6:30pm-9:30pm (dinner), Sat 6pm-10pm (dinner).
Dine amongst the lush greenery of the Singapore Botanic Gardens at Casa Verde. The laid-back trattoria keeps things uncomplicated with their comforting food options such as wood-fired thin-crust pizzas and Italian sandwiches. It’s no different for Christmas; there are items such as a classic oxtail stew ($30) and spaghetti alla puttanesca ($24) to choose from.
Singapore Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens, 1 Cluny Road, Singapore 259569. Open daily 7:30am-11pm.
UsQuBa is the place to go for discerning foodies who love a good whiskey. Group Executive Chef Guven Uyanik helms the kitchen and puts out modern European delights with an Asian touch, crafted with French technique. For the holidays, choose between the three-course menu ($78++) and the four-course menu ($98++), which highlights specials such as sous vide black cod and a classic Christmas pudding.
#02-03B One Fullerton, 1 Fullerton Road, Singapore 049213. Open Mon-Thu 11:30am-12am, Fri-Sat 11:30am-1am, Sun 11am-10pm.
Whether you’re looking for a place to hold a nice little year-end business lunch or a family get-together, Xperience Restaurant at Sofitel So has got you covered. Christmas set lunches (from $45++ for three courses) as well as a Christmas set dinner ($85++ per adult, $50++ per child) are available, and you can look forward to tucking into creations like smoked salmon tartare and poached prawns with apple and caviar.
G/F Sofitel So Singapore, 5 Robinson Road, Singapore 068876. Open daily 6:30am-10:30pm.
Specialising in all things Bavarian, Brez’n is known for their crispy pork knuckle, housemade sausages, and freshly baked pretzels. Try tempting bites like the oven-roasted duck leg (Entenkeule mit Schupfnudeln, $28) and a beef dish called Sauerbraten mit Serviettenknoede ($32) during the month of December. Can’t decide? Go for the Brez’n Weihnachtsplatte ($88). The festive platter is good for five people and features crispy pork knuckle, two oven-roasted duck legs, and the Sauerbraten (roast beef). Comes complete with braised red cabbage and sliced bread dumplings.
#01-21/22/23 Valley Point, 491 River Valley Road, Singapore 248371. Open Mon-Thu 11:30am-11pm, Fri 11:30am-12am, Sat-Sun 8am-11pm.
Enjoy creations such as burrata with an assortment of cold cuts, Maine lobster tagliolini aglio olio, Welsh lamb rack with pistachio crust, and pannetone with vanilla sauce at casual Italian trattoria, La Strada, which is conveniently located in Shaw Centre on Orchard Road.
#01-13 Shaw Centre, 1 Scotts Road, Singapore 228208. Open daily 12pm-2pm (lunch), 6:30pm-10pm (dinner).
Why wait for the New Year to start eating clean? Mediterranean restaurant Original Sin creates plenty of meat-free plates that will impress even the most hardcore carnivore. The festive season 4-course set menu ($89++ per pax) showcases a selection of amazing dishes, including the Magic Mushroom (baked Portobello mushroom with ricotta cheese, spinach, pesto, topped with mozzarella and tomato basil sauce) and a warm chocolate lava cake with vanilla ice cream.
Block 43, #01-62 Jalan Merah Saga, Chip Bee Gardens, Holland Village, Singapore 278115. Open daily 11:30am-2:30pm (lunch), 6pm-10:30pm (dinner).
Love cheese? Hit up Singapore’s biggest mozzarella bar on Duxton Hill. Take a seat in the breezy alfresco dining area and go for the festive season dinner menu ($58 per pax, $88 with wine pairing). Options like stracciatella mozzarella cheese with crab meat, avocado and bottarga, as well as pan seared red snapper with lobster bisque emulsion and Avruga caviar are on offer. If you prefer brunch, there are sessions set to take place on 18 and 25 Dec (from $48++ per pax). Menu highlights include risotto with truffles and smoked mozzarella cheese and bruschetta smoked salmon with goat cheese mousse.
40 Duxton Hill, Singapore 089618. Open Sun-Fri 12pm-2:30pm (lunch), Mon-Sun 6pm-10:30pm (dinner).
Housed in luxury shopping mall Capitol Piazza, Kaiserhaus focuses on food of the former Habsburg Empire (so expect lotsa culinary influences by cuisines of places like Austria, Croatia, Hungary, and Northern Italy). Their Christmas special – a hearty three-course menu of Central European fare ($88++ for two to share) – consists of a soup of the day, roast duck, as well as some homemade sweet treats. Each person gets a glass of wine or Hirter craft beer, too.
#02-06 & #03-06 Capitol Singapore, 17 Stamford Road, Singapore 178907. Open Sun-Thu 10:30am-11pm, Fri-Sat 10:30am-12am.
Pay The Clan a visit if what you’re after is exquisite food and impeccable service. Their Christmas set dinner ($98++ per pax) is available only on 24 and 25 Dec 2016, and has items like octopus with fennel, butternut squash with garlic croutons, and a butter poached lobster with seasonal vegetables and a lobster broth. Oh, don’t forget to leave room for a slice of the heavenly Mont Blanc log cake.
#02-01/08 POMO, 1 Selegie Road, Singapore 188306. Open daily 11:30am-2:30pm (lunch), 6pm-11pm (dinner).
Lead image: Latteria Mozzarella
This article is sponsored by Quandoo.