Where to Dine in Singapore - Singapore and Malaysia - page 104

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international culinary capitals are flown in for monthly specials. The place is small and
cozy, with nautical-inspired murals and a finishing kitchen in the dining r oom.
Hilton Singapore, Level 3, 581 Orchard Rd. & 65/6730-3393. Reservations recommended. Main courses
S$40-S$60 (US$27-US$40/£18-£27). AE, DC, MC, V. Mon-Fri noon-2:30pm; Mon-Sat 7-10:30pm.

Li Bai CHINESE/CANTONESE Chinese restaurants are typically unimagi-
native in the decor department—slapping up a landscape brush painting or two here and
there is sometimes about as far as they go . Not at Li Bai, which is very sleekly decorated
in contemporary black and red lacquer, with comfortable black leather seating. Creative
chefs and guest chefs turn out a constantly evolving menu, refining specialties, and jade-
and-silver chopsticks and white bone china add opulent touches to their flawless meals.
Shark's fin soup and abalone creations are a requirement for any self-respecting Canton-
ese restaurant, and although Li Bai's preparation of these delicacies is tops, I recommend
you bypass them—too much hype and expense. Go for the chef's special creations, which
are always imaginative. Or try the pan-fried lamb chop with black pepper sauce, or goose
liver with honeyed chicken. The crab fried rice is fabulous, with generous chunks of fresh
meat. Li Bai's signature XO chili sauce adds delicious spice to almost any dish. The wine
list is international, with many vintages.
Sheraton Towers, Lower lobby level, 39 Scotts Rd. & 65/6839-5623. Reservations required. Small dishes
S$18-S$60 (US$12-US$40/£8.10-£27) and up. AE, DC, MC, V. Daily 11:30am-2:30pm and 6:30-10:30pm.
Mezza9 FUSION This is your best bet if y our party can't agree on what to eat
because Mezza9 offers an extensive menu that includes Chinese steamed treats, Japanese,
Thai, deli selections, Italian, fresh seafood, and Continental grilled specialties. Start with
big and juicy raw oysters on the half-shell. If you want to consider more raw seafood, the
combination sashimi platter is also very fresh. Grilled meats include various cuts of beef,
rack of lamb , and chicken dishes, with a host of delicious sides to choose fr om. The
enormous 400-seat restaurant has a warm atmosphere, with glowing wood and contem-
porary Zen accents, but ser vice can be harried. B efore you head in for dinner , grab a
martini in their très chic martini bar.
Grand H yatt, 10 S cotts Rd . & 65/6732-1234. w ww.singapore.grand.hyatt.com. Reser vations r ecom-
mended. M ain c ourses S$28-S$53 (US$19-US$36/£13-£24). AE, DC, MC,

6

V. Daily noon-3pm and

6-11:30pm.

MODERATE
Chatterbox SINGAPOREAN If you'd like to try the local favorites but don't want to
deal with hawker food, then Chatterbox is the place for you. This restaurant is located in
the Meritus Mandarin Hotel, and while the hotel is undergoing renovations, Chatterbox
has a prime spot on the 39th floor , so get her e during 2009 to enjo y the 360° vie ws of
the city, before it's relocated back down to the 5th floor. Their Hainanese chicken rice is
highly acclaimed, and the other dishes—like nasi lemak, laksa, and carr ot cake—are as
close to the str eet as y ou can get. F or a quick and tasty snack, or der tahu goreng, deep-
fried tofu in peanut chili sauce. This is also a good place to experiment with some of
those really weird local drinks. Chin chow is the dar k brown grass jelly drink; chendol is
green jelly, red beans, palm sugar, and coconut milk; and bandung is pink rose syrup milk
with jelly. For dessert, order the ever-favorite sago pudding, made from the hearts of the
sago palm.
Mandarin Hotel, 333 Orchard Rd. & 65/6831-6291. Reservations recommended for lunch and dinner.
Main courses S$20-S$36 (US$13-US$24/£9-£16). AE, DC, MC, V. Sun-Thurs 5pm-1am; Fri-Sat 24 hr.