SINGAPORE - It is the start of the Easter long weekend, and to celebrate the holiday, restaurants around town are pulling out all the stops.
If you want to indulge, there are lavish buffet spreads with live stations offering everything from foie gras and prime rib, to seafood and myriad desserts.
Many restaurants have also included activities for children such as Easter egg hunting, egg painting and other Easter-themed games. Some have employed balloon sculptors and magicians, as well as set up bouncy castles to keep the little ones entertained.
Here are 20 places to dine at this weekend, two of which are offering an afternoon tea spread.
FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN
AQUAMARINE, MARINA MANDARIN SINGAPORE
Let your kids go on an egg hunt as you tuck into a spread that includes a slow 16-hour roasted lamb shoulder with orange and fennel; sous vide organic eggs and smoked salmon with spinach herb espuma; salted egg yolk hot cross buns and other desserts. Kids can also get their faces painted, watch balloon sculpting and bounce away the afternoon in a bouncy castle.
WHERE: 6 Raffles Boulevard, Level 4
MRT: Esplanade
WHEN: Sunday, noon to 3pm
PRICE: $68++ for adults, $34++ for children aged five to 12
TEL: 6845-1111
INFO:E-mail aquamarine.marina@meritushotels.com or go to www.marinamandarin.com.sg/dining
RAFFLES GRILL, RAFFLES HOTEL
The luxury brunch will showcase seafood such as Maine lobsters, tiger prawns and oysters. Feast on beef and Welsh lamb saddle, as well as a gourmet selection of cheeses with freshly baked breads and pastries. There are live stations as well as dishes that are served to you at the table. Children will be kept entertained with egg-hunting games and goodie bags with fun treats.
WHERE: Raffles Hotel, 1 Beach Road
MRT: City Hall
WHEN: Sunday, noon to 3pm
PRICE: $218++ a person with with Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé Champagne, $198++ a person with Billecart-Salmon Brut Réserve Champagne
TEL: 6412-1816
INFO: E-mail dining.singapore@raffles.com
CAFE MOSAIC, CARLTON HOTEL SINGAPORE
Dine at this buffet lunch and you could be one of 10 parent-child pairs to participate in a hot cross bun baking class. The buffet will feature seafood on ice, cold entrees, hot dishes such as scallops, prawns and squid in chilli crab sauce, roast beef and slow-oven leg of lamb at the carving station.
WHERE: 76 Bras Basah Road
MRT: City Hall
WHEN: Sunday, noon to 3pm
PRICE: $68++ an adult, $34++ a child aged six to 12
TEL: 6311-8195
INFO: E-mail cafe.mosaic@carltonhotel.sg
SABIO BY THE SEA
The Spanish tapas restaurant has more than 32 tapas and grilled items to choose from. Offerings include tapas standards such as gazpacho, serrano ham, patatas bravas and cheese croquettes, as well as deep fried oysters and grilled tuna steak. There will be craft activities for kids.
WHERE: 31 Ocean Way, 01-02 Quayside Isle, Sentosa
MRT: HarbourFront
WHEN: Saturday and Sunday, 11.30am to 3.30pm
PRICE: $59.90++ for an adult. Kids (seven to 11) eat for free for every paying adult who orders the Easter Weekend Brunch. Additional children, $30++ each.
TEL: 6690-7568
INFO: Go to www.dhm.com.sg/sabio/
CAFE MELBA
The Australian-inspired cafe is rolling out all-day activities for kids which include colouring, face painting, a bouncy castle as well as Easter egg hunts every day from Friday to Sunday at 10am and 4pm. Foodwise, look forward to brunch fare, a weekend roast, salads, pizzas, pastas, and main courses such as steak and fries, burgers and sandwiches.
WHERE: Two outlets - Goodman Arts Centre, 90 Goodman Road, Block N 01-56; and Mediapolis, 1 Stars Avenue, 03-01
MRT: Mountbatten / One-North
WHEN: Friday to Sunday; 8.30am to 10pm (Goodman Arts Centre), 8am to 10pm (Mediapolis)
PRICE: Expect to pay about $12 to $30 for dishes
TEL: 6440-6068 (Goodman Arts Centre); 6352-2721 (Mediapolis)
INFO: info@cafemelba.com.sg (Goodman Arts Centre); mediapolis@cafemelba.com.sg (Mediapolis)
THE SQUARE, FURAMA RIVERFRONT SINGAPORE
Besides customary Easter treats, The Square at Furama RiverFront Singapore will also have Easter buffet add-ons. Diners can expect a variety of items such as chicken pie and roast meats. A dedicated children's play area will have cartoon shows, activity sheets and toys as well as balloon-sculpting and face-painting (1 to 2.30pm) on Easter weekend.
WHERE: 405 Havelock Road
MRT: Outram Park
WHEN: Thursday to Sunday; lunch: noon to 2.30pm; dinner: 6 to 10.30pm
PRICE: $70++ an adult ($20++ a child up to age 12), includes free-flow sparkling juice; add $8++ for a glass of sparkling wine, house pour wine or beer
TEL: 6739-6468
INFO: furama.com/riverfront/Dining
LITTLE HOUSE OF DREAMS
The Easter Brunch Buffet will feature a live carving station among other delectable delights. There will also be live entertainment including a magic show, face-painting, balloon sculting and a dessert station just for kids.
Each child will also receive an Easter cookie decorating kit.
WHERE: Block 8 Dempsey Road, 01-14
MRT: Holland Village
WHEN: Sunday, 10am to 3pm
PRICE: $75 an adult, $38 per child (aged four to 12); $95 a person (with two cocktails); $115 a person with a free-flow of beer and wine.
TEL: 6472-4977
INFO: E-mail hello@littlehouseofdreams.com or go to www.littlehouseofdreams.com/store/pc/home.asp
BARNACLES BY THE SEA, SHANGRI-LA'S RASA SENTOSA RESORT & SPA
A magic show and an Easter egg hunt are among the activities on Easter Sunday at Shangri-La's Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa. Brunch at Barnacles by the Sea will have items such as Boston lobsters, fine de claire oysters, and beef wellington. The buffet dinner at Silver Shell Cafe will feature signatures such as fresh seafood on ice, seafood paella, black pepper crab and deep-fried tempura.
WHERE: 101 Siloso Road, Sentosa
MRT: HarbourFront
WHEN: Sunday; brunch: noon to 3pm; dinner: 6 to 10pm
PRICE: Brunch: $158++ an adult (free for one child up to age five, accompanied by a paying adult; $38++ for each additional child); dinner: $68++ an adult (free for one child up to age five, accompanied by a paying adult; half-price for those aged six to 11)
TEL: 6371-1966
INFO: E-mail fbreservation.sen@shangri-la.com
FOOD CAPITAL, GRAND COPTHORNE WATERFRONT
Grand Copthorne Waterfront's Food Capital will be presenting dishes such as signature braised bobby veal shank, baked yogurt country tomato Scottish salmon and Easter desserts. Other items include the Spanish octopus bouillabaisse and snow crab leg and scallop with roe. Little ones can expect activities such as face painting and an Easter egg hunt.
WHERE: 392 Havelock Road
MRT: Outram Park
WHEN: Sunday, noon to 2.30pm, 6.30 to 10.30pm
PRICE: $88++ a person, $44++ a child
TEL: 6233-1100
INFO: E-mail dining.gcw@millenniumhotels.com
MONTREUX JAZZ CAFÉ
The Sunday Jazz Brunch affair will feature a raclette station and a meat carving station. Main courses range from Eggs Benedict to the BB King Cheese Burger, while dessert includes pancakes and the sticky date pudding.
For the kids, there will be Easter-themed activities that include games and egg painting.
WHERE: Pan Pacific Orchard, 10 Claymore Road, 01-02
MRT: Orchard
WHEN: Sunday, 11 am to 3pm.
PRICE: $98++ a person including a free flow of champagne, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks; $78++ a person, no alcohol. Children pay $34++ a head
TEL: 6733-0091
INFO: Go to www.montreuxjazzcafe.com/en
MITZO, GRAND PARK ORCHARD
Together with its Cantonese dishes, Mitzo will be serving a selection of egg dishes for its Easter Champagne Brunch. Highlights include deep-fried quail's egg coated in truffle peanut sauce, scallop steamed egg in pork consomme and stir-fried egg with shredded abalone. The little ones can join a one-hour Easter workshop.
WHERE: Level 4 Grand Park Orchard, 270 Orchard Road
MRT: Orchard/Somerset
WHEN: Saturday and Sunday, 11.30am to 2.30pm
PRICE: $88++ a person, includes one cocktail, champagne, wine or beer (add $20++ for one child access to Easter workshop with a take-home playdough kit); kids under age six dine free
TEL: 6603-8855
INFO: E-mail rsvn@mitzo.sg
PLATE, CARLTON CITY HOTEL SINGAPORE
Plate at Carlton City Hotel Singapore is rolling out a buffet spread on Easter Sunday, with activities such as bunny-ear handicraft activities for children. Besides seafood on ice, the lunch will feature roasts such as herb-crusted lamb leg and prime ribs.
WHERE: Level 3 Carlton City Hotel Singapore, 1 Gopeng Street
MRT: Tanjong Pagar
WHEN: Sunday, noon to 2.30pm
PRICE: $35++ a person; half-price for children aged seven to 12 (free for kids up to six years old)
TEL: 6632-8922
INFO: E-mail f&b@carltoncity.sg
OTHER LAVISH MEALS
OPUS RESTAURANT, HILTON SINGAPORE
At this indulgent brunch buffet, there will be a seafood station with oysters from Australia, France and the US, Alaskan ing crab, and Maine lobsters. Other highlights include a foie gras station, a cheese room, a charcuterie station, as well as Asian and Western dishes. The restaurant's charcoal grill and meat carving stations will feature prime rib, pork knuckle and racks of lamb. Also look out for the six-metre-long dessert showcase with more than 30 sweet treats.
WHERE: Hilton Singapore, 581 Orchard Road, lobby level
MRT: Orchard
WHEN: Sunday, noon to 3pm
PRICE: $108++ a person, $128++ a person (free flow of sparkling wine, selected white and red wines and beer), $168++ a person (free flow of champagne, selected white and red wines and beer); $55++for a child aged five to 12 (children below the age of five dine for free)
TEL: 6730-3390
INFO: E-mail sinhi.F&B@hilton.com
ALATI
Greek restaurant Alati in Amoy Street is throwing a Greek Easter party and doing a whole lamb spit this Easter Sunday. Head there for lunch, which will also include dishes such as red eggs with Tsourek Easter brioche; grilled feta with tomatoes, capsicum, olive oil and oregano; tzatziki; and loukoumades or Greek fried doughnuts with cinnamon and walnuts. There will also be live music and activities.
WHERE: 73 Amoy Street
MRT: Telok Ayer
WHEN: Sunday, from noon
PRICE: $100++ a person for adults, and $50++ for a child, aged six to 11.
TEL: 6221-6124
INFO: E-mail pala@alati.sg for reservations.
SEAR
Sear, which has an expansive view of the Singapore city skyline, has a semi-buffet style brunch. Highlights include lobster eggs benedict, truffle mac and cheese and freshly-shucked oysters.
WHERE: Singapore Land Tower, 50 Raffles Place, Level 45
MRT: Raffles Place
WHEN: Sunday, 11am to 3pm
PRICE: $78++ with free flow soft drink, juices; $98++ with free flow mimosas, beer, wine, soft drink and juices
TEL: 6221-9555
INFO: E-mail hello@50rp.com.sg or go to www.fiftyrafflesplace.com/sear-steakhouse
DB BISTRO & OYSTER BAR
Tuck into a lavish three-course meal at celebrity chef Daniel Boulud's dB Bistro & Oyster Bar. Start the meal with a Flight of Caviar with three seasonal oysters, wasabi, tobiko, salmon ikura and oscietra caviar; followed by a choice of main course such as a wild mushroom and truffle omelette; steak and eggs with Alaskan king crab; and a Boston lobster Benedict, with eggs on English muffins. End the meal with the chef's signature Ile Flotante, a steamed meringue with creme anglaise.
You can also opt for a la carte menu if three courses are too much for you.
WHERE: Bayfront Avenue, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, Galleria Level, B1-48
MRT: Bayfront
WHEN: Friday, noon to 5.30pm; Saturday and Sunday, 11.30am to 5.30pm.
PRICE: $88 a person for three courses. Add a glass of champagne for $25.
TEL: 6688-8525
INFO: Go to www.marinabaysands.com/restaurants.html
FORLINO
The buffet brunch at upscale Italian restaurant Forlino includes dishes such as wagyu tonnato with egg mimosa, garganelli with crab meat tomato cream sauce, risotto with green peas, lamb shoulder, barramundi and more.
WHERE: OneFullerton, 1 Fullerton Road, 02-06
MRT: Esplanade / Raffles Place
WHEN: Saturday and Sunday, from noon.
PRICE: $78++ an adult, $38 for children under 10. Add $40 for a free flow of prosecco for two hours from noon to 2pm.
TEL: 6690-7564
INFO: Go to www.dhm.com.sg/forlino/
LIME, PARKROYAL ON PICKERING
Parkroyal on Pickering's Lime Restaurant will be serving a buffet lunch spread. Egg lovers can look forward to the 65 deg C sous vide egg with asparagus, lobster and albufera emulsion.
Other highlights include roast beef prime rib, pan-seared foie gras with crispy pancetta ham, Alaskan king crab remoulade.
WHERE: Lobby level Parkroyal on Pickering, 3 Upper Pickering Street
MRT: Chinatown
WHEN: Sunday, 12.30 to 4.30pm
PRICE: $108++ an adult, $44++ a child aged six to 12; Mumm Cordon Rouge NV Champagne: $88++ a bottle
TEL: 6809-8899
INFO: E-mail lime.prsps@parkroyalhotels.com
EASTER AFTERNOON TEA
L'ESPRESSO, GOODWOOD PARK HOTEL
Enjoy an assortment of sandwiches, salads, savouries, pastries, desserts, a chocolate fountain and traditional English scones. Coffee and TWG tea are included, but diners can also have, among other beverages, a glass of Laurent-Perrier champagne ($78++).
WHERE: Goodwood Park Hotel, 22 Scotts Road
MRT: Orchard/Newton
WHEN: Saturday and Sunday; noon to 2.30pm (first seating), 3 to 5.30pm (second seating)
PRICE: $58++ an adult, $34++ a child (aged six to 11)
TEL: 6730-1743
INFO: E-mail lespresso@goodwoodparkhotel.com
ANTI:DOTE LOUNGE, FAIRMONT SINGAPORE
Anti:dote Lounge's Easter-themed afternoon tea features petite desserts such as carrot ginger macaroon, Gianduja chocolate nest and rhubarb strawberry sponge muscovado. There will be savoury items such as confit duck rillette, river prawn chilli blinis and 24-hour sous vide pork dumpling. The little ones will have their own Children's Easter Afternoon Tea set.
WHERE: Level 1 Fairmont Singapore, 2 Stamford Road
MRT: City Hall
WHEN: Friday to Sunday: noon to 2pm (first seating), 3 to 5pm (second seating)
PRICE: $55++ an adult; $18++ a child (up to age 12)
TEL: 6431-5315
INFO: E-mail dining.singapore@fairmont.com
