Happy birthday, Singapore!

A view to remember
Begin this special day with a morning feast while taking in the morning parade on the Padang. SKAI at Swissôtel The Stamford re-opens with exclusive menus only available on National Day. The sweeping panoramic view from SKAI presents the perfect backdrop to enjoy Morning Tea ($50++ per adult; $25++ per child) or Dinner Set Menu ($188++ per person; 4 courses).

Morning tea begins with savouries such as Open Smoked Salmon Sandwich, topped off with dill, horseradish and mustard pearls; Parma Ham & Honeydew served with crème fraiche and hazelnut oat cracker; and SKAI’s take on the local favourite Kueh Pie Tee; crafted with King crab, braised turnip and coriander. For sweets, there are aromatic Madagascar Vanilla Scones and local spins such as Pandan Kaya Toast Cookies Sandwich, Nescafe 3-in-1 Cream Puff, Burnt Egg Tart and a Pandan Chiffon Coconut Sablé.

To go with the fireworks at night, the dinner headliners are Wylarah, Wagyu, Australia – a 170g strip loin accompanied by asparagus and black truffle, fresh Alaskan Black Cod served with octopus, chorizo fregola, fennel, tomato and for vegetarian guests, Asparagus with truffle polenta, green pea and macadamia. Grilled Blue Lobster is the pinnacle of decadence at a supplementary $50, drizzled with Hollandaise foam and garnished with Aquaponics kale. For reservations, call 6431 6156.

An ode to local flavours
Honour the past, present and future of Singapore at The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore. Start off with a Bloody Mary Ice Brick of amaebi, kyuri cucumber, sago and plum soil to whet the appetite at 15 Stamford by Alvin Leung. The restaurant presents a set menu ($98++) of delights such as Black Angus Beef Short Rib served with curry chickpea, broccolini, pulled wild rice and yellow mustard jus and Chendol, made contemporary with Gula Melaka curd, pandan jelly, coconut water espuma and red bean ice cream. For reservations, call 6368 8888.

Other restaurants housed within Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski have their own renditions of local favourites in their menus. From Pulut Hitam Cake ($55) at Berthold Delikatessen and cod brandade served in kueh pie tee at El Teatro Tapas to Singapore chilli soft shell crab burger at Broadway, there is something to tempt your taste buds.

It’s a Singa Sunday feast at W Singapore – Sentosa Cove with free flow champagne ($168++) accompanied by seafood favourites such as Lobster & Citrus Roll with Togarashi Spice, and Sobrasada-stuffed Calamari with Squid Ink and Bonito flakes, not forgetting local favourites such as Bak Kut Teh. For mains, expect Black Angus Rib Eye, Kühlbarra Barramundi Fillet with Clams, Shellfish and Basil, as well as Singapore Chilli Crab, and Grilled Stingray cooked in Banana Leaf, topped with Sambal Lemon Sauce for a spicy and tangy kick. For reservations, go here. 

United by heritage
In support of home-grown brands, Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore partners HarriAnns, Lucky Her Kiao by Uncle James, Ollella and Brass Lion Distillery to offer an expanded selection of authentic Singaporean flavours, available as pop-ups at The Lobby Lounge and Origin Bar.

A special edition of Peranakan treats at The Lobby Lounge is available in its afternoon tea set for two. Expect sweet Nonya kueh and pastries, and savoury locally-inspired treats such as Chilli Crab Puff and Hae Bi Hiam sandwich to go with freshly-baked scones and Kopi Tarik, Teh Tarik, coffee or tea. Available from now till Aug 10 at $58++, serves two. At The Line, expect a multicultural National Day all-you-can-eat a la carte buffet that includes Peranakan Ngoh Hiang, Black Pepper Crab, Salted Egg Prawns with Chicken Floss, Beef Rendang, and Chicken Tandoori in addition to its international and seafood selections. Available from now till Aug 10 at $58-$68++ (lunch) and $88++ (dinner) during the National Day weekend. For reservations, call 6213 4398.

For more local fare, there’s zi char at Ah Hoi’s Kitchen in JEN Singapore Tanglin by Shangri-La and durian desserts by JEN Singapore Orchardgateway by Shangri-La.

Celebrating Singapore’s cosmopolitan diversity, Crossroads at Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel presents creative renditions of local dishes such as Tempura Soft Shell Crab with Chicken Floss, Asian Slaw & Spicy Lemongrass Dressing; Boston Lobster Linguine with Singapore Chilli Crab Sauce; Baked Salted Egg with Giant Cheese River Prawn & Asparagus Kipfler Potato Salad from August 7 to 11. For dessert, durian lovers will have more reason to indulge at The Lobby Lounge‘s high tea ($58++) from August 4 to 30. Handcrafted from Mao Shan Wang durian, there’s Durian Burnt Cheesecake; Flamed Meringue Tarts with Durian Glutinous Rice; Durian Cremeux with Red Bean Compote; Durian & Spiced Pineapple Chutney Streusel Tarts; Durian Custard Tarts; and more to be enjoyed.

Winsome dim sum
While the National Gallery of Singapore will be lit up in for an illuminating treat, other temptations await inside at Yàn’s. Dim sum is a perennial favourite among many, and the restaurant is rolling out its interpretations of iconic local flavours such as Steamed Xiao Long Bao with White Pepper Soup ($5.80++ for 4 pieces); Deep-fried Sambal Crayfish Roll ($12++ for 4 pieces); Steamed Hainanese Chicken with Sticky Rice wrapped in Lotus Leaf ($4++ per piece); and Pan-fried Singapore Chilli Crab Meat Bun ($12++ for 4 pieces). Available from August 1 to 31 (except Aug 8 & 9) for lunch only. For reservations, call 6384 5585.

A National Day-themed Imperial High Tea at Tian Fu Tea Room at PARKROYAL on Beach Road combines classic Sichuan and Cantonese cuisines with the multifaceted flavours of Singapore food, paired with a selection of eight premium tea blends. For reservations, call 6505 5722.

A flair for celebrations
Created by culinary designer Hong Dingzhao, an European and Singaporean fusion menu showcases locally grown produce at SO Singapore for a celebratory Xperience. The four-course set menu highlights a locally grown garden salad with citrus fruit, feta cheese & balsamic; Crab Timbale with Dijon & curry scented cream & cauliflower puree; seabass served with XO cream, locally grown bok choy & mash; and the SO/ banana split topped with “Goreng Pisang” gula melaka sauce and vanilla & ondeh ondeh ice cream. Available from August 9 to 10; lunch and dinner at $55++. For reservations, go here.