10 Unconventional Restaurants to Celebrate Chinese New Year

No matter what the occasion is, food is what brings people together. Besides established Chinese restaurants and hotel banquets serving the usual Chinese New Year dishes, you also have the option to dine at restaurants serving an array of international cuisine. Herald in the year of the Fire Rooster with interesting dishes such as Chinese New Year Paella, Pineapple Tart Crumble, Bakkwa Pizza, and more. You can make a reservation via Quandoo, which has 1000 restaurants on their platform, and an attractive $15 cashback system.

Aura Restaurant

Behold an intimate and elegant dining destination spanning two floors of National Gallery Singapore, brilliantly highlighted in rich hues of polished brass and bronze. Aura Restaurant is famous for Italian cuisine, drawing inspiration from homely Italian recipes. Beppe de Vito, restauranteur-chef, has come up with a lunch and dinner menu, specially for Chinese New Year.

The four-course Chinese New Year Lunch is priced at $58++. Diners can choose between Hokkaido Scallop Carpaccio with Salmon Caviar, Yuzu and Black Sesame, or Live Australian Abalone with Corn and Romanesco Broccoli (with a top up of $12) for their starter before indulging in Porcini Mushroom Tortelli with Pumpkin and Candied Ginger, and Whole Steamed Italian Seabass with Asparagus and Sea Urchin Sauce. Round off the meal with Mandarin Orange Bavarois with Pineapple and Cinnamon Compote, and a choice of coffee or tea.

The Chinese New Year Dinner ($88++) consists of all the dishes mentioned above, where you get two starters instead of one. After a lavish meal at Aura, you can pop by the Sky Lounge and toast to a prosperous year ahead while taking in the spectacular skyline of Marina Bay. Make a reservation here.

Dehesa

Dehesa, which means “grasslands” in Spanish, is an escape from the ordinary. Chef-Owner Jean-Philippe Patron (affectionately known as JP) sits at the helm of this innovative venture, serving diners scrumptious Spanish cuisine.

Joining in the Chinese New Year celebration, Chef JP has crafted a Roasted Crispy-Skin Suckling Pig ($188++), served with an assortment of vegetables, as well as, a festive Paella ($168++) topped with abalone and four types of seafood. One portion serves approximately 6 persons.

On top of their Chinese New Year specials, Dehesa’s menu comprises a range of seafood and meat dishes. There is Octopus ($28++), Scallops with celeriac and cauliflower ($30++), Iberian Pork Ribs ($40++), to name a few, to satisfy your cravings for Spanish food. The Dehesa Platter ($42++) consisting of a variety of cold cuts is good for sharing. The Salt Baked Fish ($110++) is another dish that’s good for about 2 to 4 persons. Remember to end your meal with decadent desserts such as Dehesa’s selection of Spanish cheese. Make a reservation here.

FORT by Maison Ikkoku

Usher in an auspicious Chinese New Year with your loved ones over an abundance of culinary delights at Fort. Moving away from the typical Chinese New Year delicacies, dive into a 12-course CNY Omakase ($88++/person) which takes you on a journey through the mountains and the seas while preserving the best of traditions.

The restaurant’s interior, designed by Chef Ethan, boasts an ancient industrial design that is complemented by chic touches in the form of railway sleepers, copper, edison filament and red velvet. Despite a different ambience from the usual vibrant red Chinese New Year setting, diners can still partake in the Chinese tradition of tossing and exuberant well-wishing with Fort’s Fatt Choi Lou Hei, a popular festive appetiser to kick start a year of great health and fortune. The stunning salad platter features a medley of julienned vegetables, complete with the zest of pomelo, ikura, and a special sauce made in-house with 12 kinds of ingredients. Chef Ethan might change up a few items that make up the 12-course CNY Omakase meal according to the freshest ingredients of the day.

Don’t miss out on the cocktails at Fort, which focuses on “taste profile development” – a different style of cocktail mixing, using techniques such as distillation, infusion, spherification, dehydration, emulsion, and smoking. Make a reservation here.

Garibaldi Italian Restaurant & Bar

Located along the popular Purvis Street, Garibaldi rocks a modern and elegant yet friendly and dynamic setting. The contemporary and hip setting makes Garibaldi a classic Singapore social gathering place. The enticing menu emphasises on authentic Italian cuisine prepared with the finest ingredients imported directly from Italy, while the bar offers a great selection of wines by the glass and excellent cocktails.

The Chinese New Year Lunch ($88++) features “Yu Sheng” Vegetables Salad with Salmon Carpaccio & Carelian Caviar, Tagliolini with Boston Lobster & Fresh Tomatoes & Basil, a choice of Pan-Fried Seabass, Hokkaido Scallop with Saffron Jus & Sprouting Cauliflower or Grilled Kurobuta Pork with Stuffed Savoy Cabbage, Winter Black Truffle & Chestnut and Yoghurt & Mango Cheese Cake with Mandarin Orange Sorbet. Choose between coffee or tea to end the meal.

The Chinese New Year Dinner ($138++ or 188++) offers the same “Yu Sheng” but more luxurious items such as Dutch Milk-Fed Veal Tenderloin with Stuffed Savoy Cabbage, Pork Filling, Chestnut & Winter Black Truffle and Fettuccine with Guinea Fowl Ragout & Winter Black Truffle. Make a reservation here.

Haru Haru Japanese Restaurant

Established in the heart of Ang Mo Kio last year, this Japanese restaurant has a cosy and spacious interior and is very suitable for family dining. If you are looking to have a small gatherings, private meetings or business lunches, Haru Haru also has private Tatami rooms.

The menu is very extensive, and we believe even the fussiest eaters will be satisfied. Haru Haru serves a wide array of Sashimi, featuring generous cuts that are springy, fresh and sweet. Furthermore, their Wagyu beef (A4 grade) is supplied directly from Kagoshima, Japan. Hence, you can be sure that the quality of the food at Haru Haru will definitely meet your expectations.

To ring in the year of the rooster, Haru Haru has created the “Fa Cai Yu Sheng”, using the freshest salmon sashimi. The Small portion ($16.88) is good for 2-3 persons, while the Medium portion ($33.88) is good for 4-5 and the Large portion ($48.88) good for 6-8 persons. You have the option of adding more salmon at $8.88(8 pieces). You can place an order for Haru Haru’s Yu Sheng, which is available for both dine-in and takeaway, from now till 11 February 2017. Do note that you have to order at least a day in advance. Make a reservation here.

Perle Noire

Known as “The Black Pearl of Siglap”, this fancy Aussie-French restaurant is a well-loved dining destination for East-siders. Isn’t Chinese New Year the perfect excuse to treat yourselves to something better?

Perle Noire has introduced a Lunar New Year’s Eve Dinner menu, which is priced at $48.80++ for one. You get a starter, a soup, a choice of main course, and a dessert. There are three main courses for you to choose from. The Duck Confit which comes with truffle oil pomme puree and caramelised apples, the Polenta Crusted Atlantic Cod which comes with pumpkin puree and pine nuts salsa and lastly, the Roasted Rack of Lamb which comes with ratatouille and green onion pesto. Dessert is influenced by local flavours and is a sweet symphony of snow fungus, red dates, longan and gingko.

Perle Noire also serves Baked Lobster Mornay (500g) with melted gruyere cheese sauce and mesclun leaves, a selection of pasta dishes such as Scallops and Ebi Sakura Capellini and Asari Vongole & Bonito Spaghetti, and grilled meats.

Make a reservation here.

Phat Cat Laundry

Inspired by stereotypical Chinese-owned laundries, Phat Cat Laundry is great for those craving Asian-inspired drinks and food. Catch up with relatives, friends and colleagues over different types of liquors, whiskeys and unique Asian cocktails such as Forget-Love Water, Panties on Water and Teh Botol. Toss to a prosperous year with Phat Cat Yusheng, consisting of sliced snapper, shredded cucumber, carrots, radishes, ginger, fried shallots and lime-cilantro dressing. The Medium portion ($58++) serves 4-5 persons while the large portion ($88++) serves 6-8 persons. Orders for the Yu Sheng has to be placed at least three days in advance.

The Chinese New Year Menu ($88++) is a full 8-course meal for 2 persons. It features appetisers like Salted Egg Yolk King Prawns and Vegetable Spring Roll. Your tastebuds will be pleased even before the main courses arrive.

Fill your tummies with Superior Braised Pork Belly, Stir-fried Australian Beef Slices and Phat Cat Fish and Chips before jumping into Black Sesame Glutinous Rice Balls in Sweet Peanut Soup and Pineapple Tart Crumble with Ice Cream to end your dining experience at Phat Cat Laundry on a high. Make a reservation here.

Pizza Express

There’s no better feeling in the world than a warm pizza box on your lap. For most of us, pizza is the ultimate comfort food! This Chinese New Year, head down to Scotts Square to soak up the festive atmosphere along Orchard Road before sinking your teeth into scrumptious pizza(s).

Begin your afternoon with bite-sized Festive Dough Balls ($6), which come with pineapple pepper dip, spicy bakkwa pesto and classic garlic butter. While the pineapple pepper dip was tangy, with a spicy twist, the spicy bakkwa pesto was what really amazed us.

Need something more substantial? The fiery-red Bakkwa Pizza ($28) is a show-stopper. The fluffy and crisp pizza is generously topped with barbecued bakkwa, pork floss, roasted red and yellow peppers, fresh mozzarella and passata, before it is sprinkled with crispy prawn crackers, spring onion and drizzled with plum sauce. Doesn’t this artfully decorated masterpiece remind you of the blossoming Spring festival?

If you prefer something sweeter, there is the Lucky Mandarin Dough Balls ($5), consisting of 8 of Pizza Express’ dough balls dusted in icing sugar and Mandarin orange zest, served with a Mandarin cream dip. What a refreshing dessert! Make a reservation here.

The Square Novotel Singapore Clarke Quay

Diners with hearty appetites will love feasting at The Square, which is conveniently located in the heart of the city. From 16 January till 17 February 2017, pamper yourselves with a buffet spread specially prepared for Chinese New Year. The selection includes Roast Chicken and Roast Duck Carvings with Condiments, Oven-Baked Boneless Chicken with Onion Marmalade, Grilled Sea Bass with Lemon Butter Sauce and the must-have Yusheng.

On Lunar New Year Eve and Lunar New Year Days (27, 28 and 29 January 2017), tuck into some of The Square’s all-time favourite dishes such as the signature XO Fried Rice with Scallops and Prawns, Hong Kong Style Steamed Barramundi with Mushrooms and Scallions, Wok-fried Black Pepper Slipper Lobster and Braised Pork Trotters. Don’t forget to save some space in your tummy for desserts! Think White Fungus “Tong Shui” Sweet Soup, Assorted Nonya Kueh, Mandarin Orange Tartlets and more.

From 16 January to 17 February 2017, the weekday lunch buffet is priced at $38++ for adults, $19++ for children between 5-12 years old, and $28++ for senior citizens above 55 years old. Weekend lunch is priced at $48++ per adult, $24++ per child and $32++ per senior citizen. Dinner is priced at $58++ per adult, $29++ per child and $40++ per senior citizen daily. On the Eve of Lunar New Year, dinner is priced at $68++ per adult, $34++ per child and $58++ per senior citizen. Make a reservation here.

Your Italian Butler

Your Italian Butler has a unique dining concept which embodies the true authentic spirit of Italian hospitality in a warm, welcoming and informal setting. The culinary team will first ask for your preferences and dietary restrictions, before surprising you with a customised menu of delights created a’ la minute by utilising the freshest ingredients. Therefore, instead of having to choose from a standardised menu, you’ will have a chance to experience entirely different recipes as well as your chosen number of courses tailored according to your budget.

Chef has created 9 delightful selections for Chinese New Year for every 6 guests. Instead of paying the usual price of $78 per person, which brings your bill to $468++, you’ll only be paying $400++ this Spring Festival! What a steal!

Included in this Chinese New Year menu is a complimentary Lo Hei Chinese Salad and a 30% discount off all of Your Italian Butler’s beer and wine bottles. This promotion runs from 20 January till 20 February 2017. Make a reservation here.

Getting excited to welcome the year of the rooster? Quick! Make a reservation at any of these interesting dining destinations with your loved ones via Quandoo, and earn rewards at the same time! There’s $15 cash back!

Besides hearing about your friends’ or colleagues’ Lunar New Year feasts at the usual Chinese restaurants, you will now have a unique dining experience to boast about! Moreover, there’s a Welcome Bonus of 400 points if you sign up now and every 1000 points that you accumulate gives you $15 cash back. Trust us, you will only stand to gain, so reserve a table at your favourite place now!

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