PUBLISHED March 3rd, 2021 06:00 am
As the temperatures rise, take your dining al fresco and up your picnic game, or indulge in steak and oyster goodness. Sip on new cocktail offerings inspired by a bar’s new writer-in-residence, and celebrate World Margarita Day at 11 bars islandwide until 19 March! Last, but definitely not the least, seize the opportunity to rediscover Singapore’s culinary roots this week.
Wine & Dine at Opus’s 6th Birthday
There is no culinary duo more iconic than steak and red wine, and Opus Bar & Grill might just be the best place to enjoy this pairing this week. Order one of their selected platters (from S$138, serves two), such as the extravagant Premium Butcher’s Platter that includes 600g of Black Angus bone-in rib eye and 150g of Wagyu rump cap, and they’ll throw in half-dozen freshly-shucked Oysters (valued at S$25) for free. Wash it all down with two hours of free flow wine at S$15 per person if you’re dining Sundays to Thursdays; otherwise, selected wine bottles are priced at 50% off. We’d expect a food coma, so check out their Steak-cation (S$265++ per night) featuring a night’s stay for two at Hilton Singapore.
Opus Bar & Grill is located at Lobby Level, Hilton Singapore, 581 Orchard Road Singapore 238883, and is open for dinner daily from 6pm-10.30pm, weekend lunch from 12pm-2.30pm. 6th Anniversary promotions run till 30 April 2021.
Literature & Cocktails at Raffles Hotel’s Writers Bar
Raffles Hotel’s historic Writers Bar is back in full swing. Helmed by new Head Bartender Nicholas Alexander, the bar is introducing a new series of cocktails inspired by latest writer-in-residence Vicki Virtue’s murder mystery novel The Raffles Affair in addition to the classics like the 1915 Raffles Gin & Tonic (S$28++). Highlights celebrating the upcoming book launch in April 2021 include the protagonist-inspired Agent Provocateur – a concoction featuring aged rum, aged madeira, grenadine, lime, and mint. Cocktail snobs, give their premium reserve cocktails (S$58++) a go, and pair your drinks with any of their bar bites from their Gourmet Collection.
The Writers Bar is located at Raffles Hotel Singapore, 1 Beach Road, Singapore 189673, and is open Thurs-Sun from 4pm-10.30pm. Dress code is smart casual, and only guests aged 18 and above are permitted to enter.
Go Glamping at Grand Park City Hall
Located at the rooftop terrace of Grand Park City Hall are two tents, each capable of accommodating up to five. Dainty embellishments set the scene for a romantic evening or a relaxing outing, while Tablescape serves up complementary bites like Mini Beef Burgers, Lobster Salad, and Cheese Platters. Enjoy the sunset and the velvety night sky with a complimentary pair of red and white wines, or prosecco – free-flow soft drinks are available too. Complete the experience with a four-course degustation under an ethereal gazebo or a night’s stay in a selected suite with the Glampcation package.
The Glamping Picnic experience is available until 30 June 2021, and is located at the Rooftop of Grand Park City Hall, 10 Coleman St, Singapore 179809. A minimum spending of $88++ per person and a total of $350++ is required.
Celebrate World Margarita Day with Cointreau
“A Margarita without Cointreau isn’t worth its salt,” quoting Margaret Sames herself (credited for inventing the cocktail in the 1940s), so celebrate 2021’s World Margarita Day with the world’s leading orange liqueur. Enjoy the Original Margarita at all 11 participating venues, with each having its own creative take on the classic cocktail, like The Dragon Chamber’s Chinese New Year-inspired Dr. Tang (S$16++) — with tequila, sour mix and tangerines. Stand a chance to win a one-night staycation for two at Sofitel Sentosa in a scratch & win lucky draw when you buy a bottle of Cointreau at retailers islandwide too.
Cointreau’s World Margarita Day promotion runs till 19 March, with 11 participating bars and restaurants islandwide including Lucha Loco, Beats Bites and Cocktails, and Comida Mexicana.
Have a Homely Feast with Kin
Infused with anecdotal flavour, Head Chef Damian D’Silva’s heritage dishes are making local flavours sexy again. From Cuttlefish Kang Kong (S$20) that his granddad used to recreate at home, to family friend Aunty Zainab’s vegetarian Nangka Rendang (S$28), Chef Damian’s dishes find ethnic roots in Chinese, Malay, Indian, Eurasian, and Peranakan influences. Even the spirits aren’t spared, as Kin launches a new cocktails with hints of local heritage. An eccentric mix of dehydrated banana, fried curry leaves and bourbon, Curry Leaves & Banana (S$18) is a must-try cocktail alongside their other creations Chilli Padi (S$18) and Mugicha Highball (S$18).
Kin is located at Straits Clan, Lobby Level, 31 Bukit Pasoh Road, Singapore 089845, and is open Mon-Sat 12pm-2.30pm and 6pm-9.30pm.