These days, multi-concept restaurants with a good-sized garden to take a relaxing post-dinner stroll, or with private lounges to hold corporate dinners, have become destinations in themselves.
FLUID SPACE
With the beach right out front, and a pool deck with comfy lounge chairs by the side, it’s easy to while away the day at FOC Sentosa sipping on cocktails and dipping your toes into the water. The restaurant is run by Spanish chef Nandu Jubany, also behind one-Michelin-star Can Jubany in Catalonia. Food-wise, you’d get British grub like fish and chips, composed of tender sea bass coated in a light batter and a side of thinly sliced potatoes. There’s also a private dining room on the second floor, which comes furnished with projectors and screens for guests looking to organise product launches or business meetings. 110 Tanjong Beach Walk.
Silk blend printed blazer, silk cotton printed shirt and silk pocket square, from Etro. Malte Moon Phase & Power Reserve, from Vacheron Constantin.- Wool blend sweater, wool blend pants, from Hugo Boss.
(RELATED: The Art of Food Porn – 4 Singapore Chefs Create Instagram-worthy Dishes.) UNUSUAL UNION
Located right in the heart of Clarke Quay, VLV proves dining at an upscale Chinese restaurant doesn’t have to be stiff. The modern Chinese restaurant is owned by chief executive Dolores Au, who used to head global branding for the Ku De Ta club, now known as Ce La Vi, at Marina Bay Sands. The historic River House (formerly Indochine Group’s restaurant-bar Forbidden City) boasts a 140-seater dining area that offers posh nibbles such as Canadian lobster wonton, a lounge for sharp-suited executives to relax with a whisky or two, and an outdoor riverfront dining space. #01-02, 3A River Valley Road.
On her: Cotton knit dress, from Diesel. Leather sandals, from Jimmy Choo. Lanvin x Atelier Swarovski crystal earrings, from Swarovski.
On him: Silk blend blazer with matching pants and silk blend polo T-shirt, from Paul Smith. Leather sneakers, from Hugo Boss.- Silk top, from Tory Burch. Men’s Annual Calendar Ref. 5396R-012 in rose gold, from Patek Philippe.
FIT FOR A GARDEN PARTY
Once used to house cars, the heritage building in Botanic Gardens is now a multi-functional hotspot that caters to hungry park-goers. On the first floor of The Garage is Bee’s Knees, where you get your fix of hearty brunch fare or freshly baked pastries. If it’s a night for dressing up and dining fancy, head up to Botanico for fine dishes such as Spanish mackerel with black garlic and grilled kumquats. Round off the experience with a delicious gin-based cocktail at the adjoining garden bar. 10 Cluny Park Road, Singapore Botanic Gardens.
Silk blend blazer, wool blend top, silk blend pants and leather sneakers, from Hugo Boss.- Leather jacket and silk blend pants, from Shanghai Tang.
(RELATED: New at Botanic Gardens: Restaurant and cafe concept of The Garage.) SUMMER LOVIN'
New restaurant The Summerhouse wouldn’t be out of place in the English countryside. Not only does the black and white bungalow exude an European colonial charm, the sprawling property at Seletar Aerospace Park also has an edible garden filled with herbs like snakeweed and rojak flowers (torched ginger plant). And if dinner is with a special someone, pick up a bouquet of fresh blooms from the restaurant’s partner florist on site, Poppy Flora Studio. 3 Park Lane.
On him: Polyester blend jacket, silk blend pants, leather shoes and leather belt, from Bally. Cotton blend T-shirt, from Calvin Klein Platinum.
On her: Leather trench coat, from Bally. Leather sandals, from Tory Burch. Crystal earrings, from Swarovski.- Polyester jacket and cotton T-shirt, from Blackbarrett. Polyester shorts, from Calvin Klein Platinum. The Equation of Time PAM 656 Luminor 1950, from Panerai.
- Polyester blend jacket, cotton T-shirt and denim jeans, from Diesel.
- Cotton patchwork dress, from MSGM. Crystal cuff, from Swarovski.
PHOTOGRAPHY Tan Wei Te
ART DIRECTION Jean Yap
STYLING Dolphin Yeo
PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT Sherman Seetho
STYLING ASSISTANT Angela Chu
MODELS Anisia & Zachary / Mannequin
HAIR Keith Bryant Lee, using La Biosthetique, & John Lee, using La Biosthetique / FAC3INC
MAKEUP Eunice Chow, using Chanel, & John Lee, using Shiseido / FAC3INC
(RELATED: Seletar Airbase is Singapore’s new dining enclave.)