Planning dates can be tough—so much pressure. Not only do you have
to worry about whether your beloved will be swept off his or her
feet by the alluring ambience of the place, that the food will not
give both of you food poisoning and that the waitstaff don’t do
anything offensive, you also have to hope and pray that when the
bill arrives your face does not turn white. Never fear, we’ve done
some research and found a couple of romantic restaurants that won’t
break the bank.

1 Cluny Road
Dining in the lush greenery of the (now UNESCO-listed) Botanic
Gardens sounds like a dream only ladies who sip tea with their
pinkies out can afford. But thanks to Casa Verde, a casual eatery operated by the Les Amis
Group, you get to dine al fresco with a view of the verdant park
without spending a bomb. The menu offers a mix of local and
international food, and pastas cost from $12 to $19 while pizzas
are $21 to $24.

44 Jalan Merah Saga #01-46
Being trapped inside a shopping mall is not exactly a recipe for a
romantic date. On the other hand, dining al fresco in the peaceful
neighbourhood of Chip Bee Gardens offers a much better atmosphere.
Da Paolo Pizza Bar serves up the usual chic ambience
the Da Paolo brand has become
known for, as well as some pretty damn good pizzas and pastas,
which cost about $20 to $30 a pop.
Subscribe to The Entertainer app
and you can get a 1-for-1 deal on mains, making them very
affordable indeed. Imagine having two huge pizzas that can feed 4
people for $30. You’re definitely not going to be leaving the place
hungry. Great place if you’re going on a double date!
10 Jalan Serene, #01-05 Serene Centre
If your date prefers a cosy ambience to something big, glamorous
and spectacular, you’ll love this little French restaurant at
Serene Centre, which is a hidden gem only those living in the area
know about. The interior is very simple and will suit your date if
he or she is an unpretentious sort of person. Best of all, you’ll
be delighted at the mains, most of which taste great but cost well
under $20. There is no service charge or GST.

30 Robertson Quay, #01-12/13 Riverside View
Shabu shabu tends to conjure up images of people stuffing their
faces unglamorously at a buffet. But at Azmaya, you enjoy the poise
and refinement of an authentic Japanese joint—without having to
skimp on the food. This shabu shabu restaurant’s charming ambience,
attentive staff and excellent buffet prices (go on Mondays to
Thursdays to enjoy the pork shabu shabu buffet for under $15) make
it a winner for a casual but classy date.

2 Orchard Turn, #01-15 ION Orchard
This stylish Italian bistro on an alfresco deck will make you
forget that you are in fact at ION Orchard. At Gusto, you’ll enjoy
authentic Italian pizzas and pastas in a stylish setting that won’t
have you shivering in the air con or gazing out of the restaurant
distracted by the hoards of shoppers. Mains cost about $20 to $30,
but if you have a subscription to The Entertainer app you’ll enjoy 1-for-1 on all
mains, which brings them down to a very decent price.
1 Scotts Road, #03-16/18 Shaw Centre
Not many know about this secluded little restaurant nestled in a
corner of Shaw Centre, but those who do have loved it for
decades. The Ship serves up
Singapore-style Western favourites like Maryland chicken, oxtail
stew and rack of lamb. American steak can be had for $33.90 to $42,
while most of the other mains are in the $16.90 to $25.90 range.
The ambience is charming in a retro sort of way and very
intimate—this is the restaurant your grandpa would have taken you
to on his birthday.

161 Middle Road, Sculpture Square
Sure, the Middle Eastern cuisine at Artichoke is pretty exotic, but the real draw
of this place is its charming courtyard location. Take your date
for brunch here on a Sunday afternoon and sunbathe in the garden as
you pretend to read the books you brought with you… you get my
drift. Mains are priced at around $25 to $30, but
with The Entertainer you get
to enjoy them at half price thanks to the 1-for-1 deal.
yahoo