Hot Stuff
Can’t get enough of chili crabs? Then try out Red House’s (#01-13/ 14 The Quayside, 60 Robertson Quay, 6735-7666) signature chili crabs ($4 per 100 grams, à la carte). Instead of the usual ultra spicy variety, Red House’s version is imbued with sweetness; its rich and thick sauce is made from fresh red chili, chili padi, fresh tomatoes and garlic, and served with the much-desired Sri Lankan crabs. This yummy dish is also part of the establishment’s 33rd anniversary set dinner menu, comprising six courses at $50 per person (minimum two persons), available through Jun. The set also comes with selections like the chef’s signature squid; golden calamari tossed in a fragrant mix of salted egg york, chili padi, curry leaves and butter; and crispy baby squid.

Beauty Boost
Feel as good as you look—with the new menu of healthy, delectable dishes at Xin Cuisine Chinese Restaurant (4/F, Holiday Inn Atrium, 317 Outram Rd., 6731-7173), available through Aug 31. Conceptualized by Master Chef Lee Hiu Ngai, these dishes are designed to enhance your radiance. The double-boiled kampong (free-range) chicken soup ($12), chockfull of wolfberries, longans and kampong chicken, is sweet and and surprisingly light; and the stir-fried prawns with walnut and ginko nut ($24 onwards) is a standout dish for its great contrasts of tastes and textures (it helps heart and mental functions, strengthens memory and improves circulation). The tangy steamed codfish with hawthorn sauce ($12) helps protect the heart with its high levels of Omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins B12 and B6. The ingredients in the refreshing dessert, a chilled snow pear with osmanthus and snow fungus ($12), improve the complexion and reduce the likelihood of cataracts too. Sweet, we say.

Greatly German
Ten years old this year, Paulaner Bräuhaus (#01-01 Time Square @ Millenia Walk, 9 Raffles Blvd., 6883-2572) is now helmed by a new German (how apt) executive chef, Klaus Lukarsch. The restaurant has also introduced a brand-new à la carte menu that offers authentic Bavarian specialties. That only means hearty chow; and yes, the dishes live up to Lukarsch’s “going-back-to-basics” promise. Start your meal with a cold dish—the aspic of cured pork and pickles with vinaigrette and roast potatoes ($17.50); and proceed to the delicious grilled veal sausage with curried tomato sauce and French fries ($12.50). Sturdy mains like the enormous, sinful crispy pork knuckle with sauerkraut and bread dumpling ($28.50), and the hunter veal escalope with gratinated mushroom ragout and homemade egg noodles ($28) will fill you up; while a dessert like the caramelized Bavarian emperor’s pancake with apple plum compote ($12.50) will leave you one happy diner.

Wagyu Wow
If you love good ol’ Wagyu beef, COVA Pasticceria—Confetteria (#01-20A Paragon, 290 Orchard Rd., 6733-0777) has a Wagyu Promotion (à la carte and set menus are available for both lunch and dinner) till Jun 30. This chi-chi location may be well-known for its irresistible cakes and pastries, but there’s tasty real food to be enjoyed here too. Expect premium Australian 400-day grain-fed Wagyu in five à la carte dishes and a three-course set menu ($79 per person). Also try the yummy starter of Wagyu tartare with parmesan basil sauce and quail egg ($28), and the robust Barolo wine risotto with Wagyu cheek and porcini mushroom sauce ($38) from the Wagyu promotion. Or dig into new dishes (from the main menu) like the delightful crab cake with lemongrass, capsicum and avocado sauce ($19); or lamb rack with eggplant carrozza, artichoke salad and coffee sauce ($39). Signature staples like the homemade ravioli filled with braised veal cheek and light thyme sauce ($28) stay; and of course, revisit the still-enticing dessert offerings.

Father’s Day Special
D Day 
It’s the time to show the first guy in your life some love. Go on and treat old Pops to a good meal on Father’s Day (Jun 21)—because he totally deserves it. Here are some ideas on where to bond with Dad.

Taking the Cake
Present your dad with a lovely cake on Father’s Day. This double-duty Mothers’ and Fathers’ Day Cake ($68) from Häagen-Dazs (#01-09/10/11 Centrepoint, 176 Orchard Rd., 6732-9959, and other outlets) will instantly bring a grin to his face. With ice-cream truffles (little vanilla balls generously coated in milk and white chocolate) adorning the top of this ice-cream cake (which comes in Cookies & Cream and strawberry flavors), this cool cake totally makes sense in this crazy heat. Every purchase of the cake comes with a “Parents Dine For Free” voucher. Present the voucher on your next visit to receive a one-for-one deal on all dine-in items. Available till Jun 30.

Hit the Carousel
Give dad a ton of options to choose from with a lunch buffet treat ($50 per person) from noon-2:30pm at Carousel (Royal Plaza on Scotts, 25 Scotts Rd., 6589-7799) on Jun 21. With seven open-concept kitchens, and a huge feast of seafood and crustacean items like lobsters; along with a rotisserie station where dad can dig into oven-roasted Australian prime ribs—this is a place where options are not a problem. Look forward to a Japanese station, international cold cuts station, mezze station, a European delights station, an omelet station, Asian specialties and desserts too. Also, check out cakes like the New York cheesecake with mango mirror or the Jivara chocolate mousse with crispy feuilletine if the stomach still allows.

Sea You at the Quay
It’s seafood galore at Quayside Seafood Restaurant (Clarke Quay, 3A River Valley Rd., 6338-0138) this Father’s Day. Check out the six-course Tribute to Father set menu ($90 per person)—with signature items like steamed “live” bamboo clams with minced garlic, deep-fried lobster with chef’s special sauce, and hot and sour braised fish maw and seafood broth. When you order this set, two dine for free with every group of four. Dad will also get a free mug of freshly-brewed microbrewery beer with every Tribute to Father set menu ordered. Available from Jun 15-26, 6-10:30pm.

Brunch with Dad
Famous for its awesome Sunday brunch, Greenhouse (The Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore, 7 Raffles Ave., 6434-5285) has rolled out a Vintage Champagne brunch ($145 per person) on Jun 21 from 11:30am-3pm. For that price, you’re talking eight varieties of freshly shucked French, Australian and Canadian oysters; a tapas table laden with a whole leg of Parma ham, marinated assorted mushrooms with fresh herbs; and Piquillos peppers filled with pine nuts and goat’s cheese. Oh, and there’s also pan-fried foie gras, pan-fried premium Angus beef, live poached Boston lobster with Tarragon cream, and homemade linguini with sauces and garnishes—plus 50 types of French and New World farmhouse cheese to dig into. Plus drink to dad with free-flowing Moët & Chandon Vintage 2003, house pours and cocktails.