Wine and Dine by the Marina this Christmas and Festive Season at Quayside Isle @ Sentosa Cove

We’ve all been to Sentosa many times – to the casino, theme park and even the famous beach club. However, did you know that there are so many more food options at Sentosa than just the usual dining establishments that we are used to?

Located just beside W Singapore – Sentosa Cove hotel, Quayside Isle is a one-stop dining haven. With a curated selection of restaurants specialising in a myriad of cuisines, we sieved out the 7 restaurants that we would like to dine at this Christmas.

BLUE LOTUS – CHINESE EATING HOUSE #01-13

One of the pioneer restaurants in Quayside Isle, Blue Lotus has been serving modern Chinese cuisine since 2013, when Quayside Isle first opened. The name Blue Lotus draws inspiration from The Blue Lotus, the title of one of the Tin Tin comic series.

Celebrate Christmas with a fun twist this year. Instead of having the usual roasted turkey or beef, why not gather over a nice and juicy suckling pig instead? Although Blue Lotus is a Chinese restaurant, the slow roast whole Spanish-Style Suckling Pig ($198), which needs to be ordered 3 days in advance, is prepared estilo español. Each glistening piece of pork consists of a mix of crisp skin, fat and meat, unlike the traditional Chinese variants that only showcase a thin layer of skin.

No trip to Blue Lotus is complete without the Blue Lotus Signature Lemongrass Prawn Sticks with Citrus Spicy Dressing ($18). Resembling a scallion with its large bulb being the prawn ball and the stalk being the lemongrass, this dish is hard not to like. There are turnips embedded in the balls, so there is a nice crunch to the otherwise soft and juicy spherical. Pair it with the sweet citrus spicy dressing for some kick.

The Roasted Australian Baby Lamb Short Ribs with Five Spices ($34) is a good choice for sharing. The tender lamb short ribs do not require much effort to be bitten off from the bone, and is seasoned with a tasty five spice blend.

GIN KHAO BISTRO #01-12

Gin Khao Bistro serves up modern Thai cuisine against the picturesque backdrop of Quayside Isle.

The Prawn and Green Mango Relish ($9.80) served with rice crackers is a good appetizer to whet your appetite. The relish is spicy and sour, with cubes of crunchy green mangos and prawns studded throughout. We also like the Pla Muek Yang ($15.80), flame grilled squid served with homemade green Nahm Jim sauce, which was spicy and tart.

Their signature dish, Khao Phat Dtaeng Moe ($14.80/$25.80), or watermelon fried rice, is something you don’t find commonly in Singapore or even in Thailand. Never would I have expected watermelon to go well with fried rice, but Gin Khao changed my opinion. Served in a bowl carved out of watermelon, the fried rice is cooked with mussels, prawns and the star ingredient, beautiful spheres of watermelon.

We enjoyed how the sweetness of the watermelon goes well with the fried rice, giving it a nice refreshing feel. The addition of pork floss also sweetens up the dish further.

The Cha Yen ($7.80), or iced Thai milk tea, is done just right – not overly sugary and has a strong tea aroma. We like our traditional Cha Yen, but if you’re into something more unique, Gin Khao Bistro has fusion teas ($5.80), with flavours such as Mango Sticky Rice, as well as Pandan Chiffon.

GREATER LOT BY CEDELE #01-08

In the current age, the rave is about eating healthy and eating clean. Greater Lot serves up its rendition of hearty and healthier bowls and make eating well tasty.

For the festive season, the restaurant, which is part of the Cedele Group, has rolled out an exciting new Christmas menu. Some offerings include the Prawn Waldorf Salad (complimentary with every main) for starters. On top of the regular apples, cherry tomatoes and greens tossed in the salad, Greater Lot adds a nice touch of merry with dried cranberries that go well with the tartness of the apples.

Moving on to mains, the restaurant has something for everyone. The Christmas Beetroot Quinoa Cakelet with Walnut Apple Stew ($24) is a festive dish specifically made for the vegetarians in mind. These salmon-orange patties are made with carrots, white quinoa, onions and beetroot, before being shallow fried for a crispy exterior.

The omnivores would enjoy the Bacon Wrapped Turkey Parcel with Christmas Sautéed Vegetable ($27). Cut through the crispy bacon wrapped turkey parcel for a juicy surprise – herbed butter and homemade orange lingonberry jam oozing out from the centre. We like the light citrusy taste of the sauce, which went well with the saltiness of the bacon. The dish is served with roasted smashed potatoes, sautéed mushrooms and grilled brussels sprouts that are buttery.

Another item on their Christmas menu would be the Crispy Roast Pork Belly with Walnut Apple Stew ($27) – which features the likes of fragrant roast pork belly with a crisp crackling. The slow roast pork belly is seasoned with various spices and served with cinnamon stewed apple which enriches the fragrance of the dish.

GREENWOOD FISH MARKET #01-04/05

Another stellar restaurant at Quayside Isle was Greenwood Fish Market. What looked like a piece out of a King’s meal was the Cold Seafood Platter ($99), which can be shared among 2 as a main course and 3-4 pax as an appetiser. The two-tiered seafood extravaganza features in-house cold smoked salmon, freshly shucked oysters, marinated yellow fin tuna with furikage, New Zealand green lip mussels, littleneck clams, cooked live tiger prawns and steamed half Boston lobster.

The restaurant’s Christmas specials include Pan Seared Black Cod ($35.95) and Hot Smoked Salmon ($34.95 for single portion).

Served on a bed of sautéed king mushrooms and topped with dried cranberries and bacon, the black cod was pan-fried perfectly – crisp skin with moist succulent flesh. The cod was fresh, flaky and flavourful, and taking bites of it with the grilled onion on the side made a perfect combination.

The salmon is smoked with Applewood chips, and the smoke permeates the meat nicely. The well-done salmon gave a textural contrast to the juicy and tender Portobello mushroom served alongside.

It also serves a killer Warm Apple Crumble ($12.95). The recipe had been in the works for over five years, and finally the restaurant has perfected it. Not overly sweet, the apple stew was warm, hearty and tart, and went well with the sweeter crumble on top. Served with a quenelle of vanilla ice cream, this is a real indulgence to end the meal with.

The restaurant also has a small grocery mart, selling the likes of fresh fish, organic chicken, caviar, bread and wine – great for impromptu purchases after getting inspired to recreate a dish from the restaurant.

MISKA CAFÉ #01-07

I don’t know why, but Mediterranean fare always reminds me of the sea. Miska Café focuses on Mediterranean grills, and it doesn’t get any better than having them by the water.

The thin-crusted BBQ Chicken Pizza ($23) comes straight out of the oven, with its cheeses still bubbling. We liked the crispiness of the thin crust, and the homemade BBQ sauce enveloping the chicken pieces, mushrooms, and capsicums, was smoky and tart.

We also had the Doner & Rice ($23), served with savoury and fragrant butter rice. Sauce up the German-style grilled chicken with a mix of the Tzatziki sauce and spicy sauce for a little kick.

The last of the lot is the classic favourite Fish & Chips ($25). Pieces of dory fillet are coated in herb batter, before they are deep fried. The exterior is crunchy and crispy, while the meat remains moist and tender. The fish is served on a bed of shoestring fries with sprinkles of salt and pepper to enhance its flavor. Douse the whole dish with the homemade tartar sauce and a generous squeeze of lemon juice for a refreshing twist.

SABIO BY THE SEA, TAPAS BAR & GRILL #01-02

For a romantic evening wining and dining under the stars, Sabio by the Sea, Tapas Bar & Grill is your go-to spot. The alfresco restaurant dishes out Spanish tapas and grilled meats, and even has an extensive alcohol list.

No Spanish meal can do without Paella. Sabio by the Sea, Tapas Bar & Grill makes a delicious Paella de Pescado ($29/$49). Served in a traditional Paella pan, the rice comes smoking hot with squid rings, sea bass, mussels, clams and shrimp. The restaurant uses premium ‘Cebolla’ Paella rice, which is considered one of the most traditional brands in Spain. The result? A nice, al dente texture in each tomato-flavoured grain.

Sabio by the Sea is releasing its Fiesta de Tapas for this festive season – priced at $58 for 5 dishes, $88 for 8 dishes, and $128 for 12 dishes. Diners get to choose from over 10 varieties of tapas from the likes of Carpaccio de Pulpo (Octopus carpaccio with Spanish paprika, onions, pickles and red radish), to the Ceviche de Gambas (Tiger prawns ceviche served with corn tortilla chips), to desserts, such as traditional Spanish Churros, or Catalan Custard.

Pay with your UOB Debit or Credit card to enjoy an additional 2 complimentary tapas of the day, with any order of the Fiesta de Tapas sharing set.

• Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve Dinner at $79.90 per pax, with free flow of Tapas inclusive of Giant Seafood Paella. Add $40 for free flow Cava & Sangria.
• Christmas Day and New Year’s Day Brunch at $79.90 per pax. Free flow of Tapas from 12 – 3pm. Add $40 for free flow Cava & Sangria.

Other terms and conditions apply. Not valid with use of discount cards and any other promotions.

TWO CHEFS BAR #01-11

Two Chefs Bar serves up its rendition of Mexican and Italian cuisine. It’s uncommon to find these two cuisines coming out of a single kitchen, but Two Chefs Bar has managed to make it work.

From the Mexican cocina, we had the Fajitas ($29) with mixed meats (chicken and beef). The Fajitas are served in a Do-It-Yourself style, which is quite fun and entertaining to put together. Mix in your preferred amount of homemade guacamole and red salsa, add your meats and then top it off with shredded cheese. Have a competition with your friends to see who can wrap a Fajita the fastest, or just take it slow and enjoy the process of working for your food.

The Nachos Le Especial with Cheese ($13) looks like a cheesy volcanic eruption. Homemade corn tortillas are nestled in a pyramid shape, then drizzled with melted cheese, sour cream and guacamole, before Mexican beans, brined Jalapeno chillies and streaks of red cabbage are added. This is a great party for sharing.

From the Italian kitchen, we had the Prawn and Arugula Pasta ($26) which was tossed with virgin olive oil and grilled prawns, before being surrounded by bushes of broccoli, and topped with arugula.

Don’t miss the homemade Tiramisu Gone Wild ($12). Built upon alternate layers of cream and coffee soaked ladyfingers, the tiramisu is finished off with a thick dusting of cocoa powder and sugar. This sinful indulgence is worth the calories, and it comes free with a minimum spend of $100 during this festive season!

All offers are valid during the month of December 2017 unless otherwise stated and while stocks last. Individual outlet’s terms and conditions apply. Each outlet reserves the right to amend the offers without prior notice. Please check with each outlet for more information. Prices may be subject to prevailing GST and service charges.

CELEBRATING XMAS AT QUAYSIDE ISLE @ SENTOSA COVE

Even though our island is surrounded by water, there isn’t a place like Quayside Isle where you can bask in the sunlight or moonlight with a view of a fleet of yachts parked by the marina. Enjoy your time as you gaze into the distant view, watching the yachts gently moving up and down to the soft waves of the sea.

For the drivers out there, Quayside Isle is offering free weekday lunchtime parking from 12pm to 2.30pm (excluding public holidays), which gives you more reason to relax by the marina as you feast and dine!

This Christmas, spend $100* on weekends in December and receive a $10 Quayside Isle dining voucher.

*Terms and conditions:
• Spending of $100 and redemption of dining vouchers are valid on Saturdays and Sundays in December 2017.
• Redemption Booth at Level 1, next to lift lobby from 1:30pm – 9:30pm (closed from 4:30pm to 5:30pm).
• Maximum of 2 same-day combined original receipts. Limited to 1 redemption per customer per day regardless of total spending, for the first 100 customers per redemption day on a first-come first-served basis.
• Other terms and conditions apply.

Visit www.quaysideisle.com for more details.

This post was brought to you by Quayside Isle.