charps7

Hello,

I have read through a lot of the amazingly detailed and informative posts on restaurants in singapore, but am still having trouble deciding on one to book for christmas lunch ... I would like something that has excellent food and wine list, but that isnt too 'Wallpaper' magazine designer, if you know what i mean ... i.e. something with a nice ambience, not to self-conscious (i live in Sydney and we have enough of those here)

The other places on to do list are Iggy's - if i can get in - Papillion, Song of India for Lunch, Nude, Crystal Jade Xiaolongbao, Graze and Majestic ... what do the experts think?

I would also appreciate any tips on the best dimsum in singapore, as i am a total dumpling fiend!

thanks in advance for all your tips!

C

marmot

For Christmas lunch I'd choose something more traditional like Raffles Longbar Grill (or steakhouse or whatever it's called). It's comfortable and festive and the food and service are reliable.

The food at Papillon would definitely be appropriate but the atmosphere -- not so much in the restaurant but the building -- is on the edgy side.

charps7

Thanks marmot...maybe a hotel restaurant is more appropriate for christmas you are right. any other suggestions on good hotel restaurants in sing, as hear there are a few ...

KimJapan

Although we didn't eat it, the Sunday brunch at the Four Seasons looked excellent. Their breakfast is our favorite hotel breakfast of anywhere, and their brunch took the breakfast and put it to shame...we were sad that we were not hungry! If they offer a Christmas dinner or brunch, which they probably do, I'd go there.

kuranosuke

i've been to nude(no snickering), and although it was nice and trendy, i would not go there for xmas lunch. for that matter, i would not go there again. so many other places to go.

Kathie

I've been to Christmas Eve dinner at Doc Cheng's (in Raffles Hotel) several times. It was really fabulous - wonderful food, wonderful service and very festive atmosphere. Christmas eve dinners are the traditional big events in Singapore, so I don't know if Doc Cheng's offers a Christmas lunch or not.

nagiffag

I'd suggest The Cliff (in The Sentosa Resort) or Halia (in the Botanical Garden). Both are western cuisine and upscale. I haven't been there for Christmas so I can't comment on the atmosphere. I'm assuming The Cliff serves lunch as I've only ever been there for dinners.

charps7

thanks kathie will def consider the raffles, and kuranosuke, think you are probably right about Nude. wasnt so much thinking about that restaurant for christmas lunch, however, but just in general, as want to try out lots of restaurants while i am there ...

what are you must-do restaurants in singapore?

Re christmas lunch, it doesnt necessarily have to be traditional western fare ... just somewhere lovely, with good food

thanks again,

C

KMLoke

Read in the local papers this morning, there's a number of Michelin star chefs who will doing stints in local restaurants next few months. Les Amis is one of them.

Kathie

Les Ami au Jardin is one of my favorite places. But last time I was in Singapore, they weren't open for lunch any more. Are they open for lunch now? I loved walking through the orchid garden then going to a long, lingering lunch there... If they are open for lunch, they'd be a fabulous place for Christmas lunch.

charps7

Thanks Kathie and 'KMLoke' - yes was considering that ... without wanting to sound ungrateful or annoyingly pedantic ... i seem to remember people on this post saying that it had gone off as the head chef had left. will do a search and check ... otherwise a definite possibility

KMLoke - which paper was that rticle in?

many thanks, again!

C

marmot

We were at Les Amis au Jardin about 6 months ago and were very disappointed. Although the location in the Botanical Garden is magical, the restaurant was itself rundown and shabby. (I'm talking about Colonial charm, but poor housekeeping.)

The service was atrocious. Not bad, horrible. The food? To my taste it was overly ambitious and fussy, but I could have lived with that if the ambience and service were better.

The meal, including a good bottle of wine which the wine steward mangled, cost over S$500 for two, so this was not an inexpensive event.

On the other hand I really enjoyed everything about Halia. It's a lot more casual than Les Amis, but everything works.

charps7

thank you marmot. good to know. that is far too much to pay for a meal that potentially doesnt excite!
I will investigate 'Halia' now ...
C

KMLoke

charps7

In the Straits Times today.
quote
GLOBE-trotting around Europe to eat at Michelin-starred restaurants might just go out of fashion for gourmands in Singapore, with more of these decorated chefs making guest appearances at restaurants here. From now till the end of the year, no fewer than seven Michelin-starred chefs with a total of 12 stars between them, will be cooking at various restaurants
unquote

glorialf

I would definitely go to Raffles Hotel.

Kathie

Marmot, now I remember your previous post about Les Amis. So sad... it was an absolutely ezquisite place for lunch.

marmot

Les Amis aux Jardin: Maybe we just hit them on a bad night. They certainly continue to get good reviews. Maybe someone else will give us an update.

I feel the same way about some other much touted Singapore venues like Indochine on the river and My Humble House at the Esplanade. They seem to be resting on laurels and not paying enough attention to consistency, housekeeping and service.

charps7

thanks everyone ... its such a hard call, having never been to any of these places!

koreaprincess

Marmot, I too was disappointed in Les Amis when we were there last January. It was my husband's birthday and we had lunch there.
Not only was it shabby, but the menu was so limited and we were so disappointed. We live in Korea and don't get French food here, so I think we really wanted to be "wowed". If all goes well, we will be moving to Singapore in a few months and would really like some good recommendations for restaurants.
Former LA caterer

marmot

koreaprincess, Did you go to Les Amis in the Botanical Garden or the other one?

I think in general that Western food in Singapore is more hype than substance (not true of Asian food which is very, very good!). Some of the places that I have been consistently pleased with are Halia, Papillon, Iggy's (a little quirky though and very expensive), Brussels Sprouts and the grill at Raffles.

I moved up the thread on Singapore restaurants. After you move you can keep us updated.