Ms Skinnyfat

Looking for a dinner place to impress your date? Whisk her away on a buggy through a gorgeous garden; wine and dine her with gourmet dishes while admiring the spectacular Singapore skyline and marina view, followed by a fairy-tale post-meal excursion to an exotic garden! All the above is made possible at POLLEN, Gardens by the Bay.

Two light snacks were served to start the meal- Mushroom Tapioca Cracker flavored with an onion, cèpe mushroom and feta mousse; and a smooth Chicken Liver Parfait with Beetroot Jelly. 

The amuse-bouche of Celery and Seaweed is inspired by Sussex pier (chef's Brit) and features the flavors of the sea with cold briny flavors from the cured mackerel, furikake, and a crunchy seaweed sand made of brown butter solids. The celery was presented in a sorbet form, without the pungent flavors of the smelly veg (hate it but that's me).

We had the Red Prawn Tartare, Tomatoes and Burrata ($39). The flavor of the sweet prawn was accentuated with a freshly made prawn mayonnaise. More umami was added with a creamy tomato consommé sorbet, slightly spiced tomato ketchup, and balanced with a milky burrata. 

For a starter, I highly recommend the Salted Egg and Pumpkin Sabayon ($32), with Joselito ham, dukkah, and pickled apricots (on the a la carte menu). The dish contains all the elements of a typical Teochew porridge meal, presented in French fine dining form. The creamy rich sabayon is balanced with the salty egg white, sour apricot, and smoky ham. 

Onto heartier mains, we are fans of the Salmon with ikura, green apple, and radishes. This Norwegian salmon is first prepared sous vide before being torched. The meat was perfect blushing pink in the center and I actually preferred eating it on its own than with the accompanying sides.

For robust Mediterranean flavors, have the Grilled Octopus Leg with padron peppers, bagna cauda (vegetables dipping sauce), and tomatoes (on the a la carte menu $54). Love the crispy char on the tentacles, tender meat, and all the cream and spice.