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Posts Tagged ‘santi’

Where to eat at Marina Bay Sands

November 28th, 2012

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Since I have been going to Marina Bay Sands pretty often lately, I thought I’d do a summary on cheap places to dine at at MBS. Don’t be fooled into thinking that you have to pay through your ear and nose when at MBS, there are cheap dining options if you know where to go. Of course, MBS is also known for its high-end, celebrity restaurants too. A number of them overlook the MBS casino area. It’s quite mind-boggling, the rows of poker tables and slot machines there are, it takes a few seconds before the eyes get oriented to what you’re actually seeing. Make sure that you learn some poker skills if you want to try your hand at the poker tables. For me, just the slot machines on their own are able to entice me for hours. Anywaysss…

The cheapest place to have a meal at Marina Bay Sands is at the food court. There are 2 food courts, Rasapura Masters and 1983 A Taste of Nanyang. Rasapura Masters is huge, and faces the skating rink. 1983 is much smaller, with some booth seats too. There are about 5 or 6 stalls, so there is no need to worry about a lack of variety. They are located at the opposite ends of each other, so I guess the choice depends on where you are when the tummy starts growling.

The cheapest place to have a cup of tea or coffee at MBS (apart from at the food court) is undoubtedly at ToastBox. Actually, this is one of the most expensive ToastBox in Singapore, with a teh going at about $2. But it’s cheap if you consider that you’re at MBS. This is where you can get a slice of cake at an affordable price of about $3. Sure, the cake is not that big, but it’s something to munch on while having gentle conversation.

The cheapest place to have a steak at MBS is at SouthCoast, on Mondays. On Mondays, from 6.30pm, you can get a super affordable set dinner for only $15. You get the steak, plus a glass of wine or a beer! The steak’s not the best of steaks, but STILL!!! The rest of the SouthCoast menu is pretty affordable too, and I love it that they have interesting options like pies, rolls and Antipodean favourites.

One of my favourite, MUST GO restaurants at MBS is Au Chocolate! Even if you don’t dine there, you must at least WALK PAST IT! If it isn’t evident enough from the name, let me tell you upfront. Au Chocolate is a chocolate and sweeties wonderland! There is a huge cake display, with the most luscious looking cakes beckoning to you. There is an ice-cream gelato stand. If you’re lucky, you can also view chocolate pralines and truffles being made on the spot at the see through kitchen preparation area. The chocolate bars, sweet buckets, jelly beans and more, it’s tough walking out empty handed. Food is pretty affordable at the restaurant café. Burgers are about $20, crepes around $20 too, milkshakes $10. If you don’t know what to order, may I suggest the Fish & Chips? Their fries are great!

DB Bistro Moderne and Osteria/Pizzeria Mozza are nice places to dine too. I wouldn’t consider it cheap to dine there, but there are dishes you can order which don’t break the bank. For example, a lot of the DB Bistro Moderne main courses go around $35 onwards. Look out for their daily specials, which can be really attractive. The last time I was there they had a bucket of mussels go for $26, and the portion was enough to fill for dinner. Pizzeria Mozza’s pizzas go around $30 too, and if you are small eaters, can be shared!

I wish I could recommend you the Celebrity Restaurant I tried, unfortunately it closed down because the owner died, in Singapore no less! It was a treat to dine at Santi, a memorable evening I will never forget.

What to eat for cheap at Marina Bay Sands MBS? Now you know. Smile

Posted in 3.1 Places in Singapore

Tags: Au Chocolat, db bistro moderne, Marina Bay Sands, pizzeria Mozza, santi, south coast, What to eat at MBS

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Santi at Marina Bay Sands

March 5th, 2012

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If you haven’t already heard the news, Santi, one of Marina Bay Sand’s celebrity restaurants will close for good on 11 March 2012. The news came as a sad shock to me because I had a really wonderful time there last year when the Partner surprised me with a sumptuous dinner at Santi followed by a stay at MBS.

I suppose the thought of whether Santi would ever be around permanently must have crossed the minds of many ever since the passing of chef Santi Santamaria a year ago on 16 February 2011. Still, when Santi the restaurant didn’t close soon after, I began to think it would be around longer. Hence the reason why I delayed this post for so long! So I guess it’s now or never…. I don’t know if they still have space available, but if they do, and if you have spare dough, you really have to give Santi a try by 11 March 2012!

Me and the Partner at Santi. We got a nice seat overlooking the Shoppes.

For me, Santi was a wonderful experience right from the minute I stepped into the restaurant. Absolutely love the rustic decor, with the reddish grey bricks and wooden floor. You know how it is when you enter an expensive and high class restaurant. You feel like you have to watch your every move in case you do something that’s against the fine dining etiquette. I liked it that dining at Santi didn’t give me that kind of feeling. It was pretty relaxing, and the staff were not snooty at all. On the contrary, they were ever ready to accommodate any request, to the extent that after presenting you with the menu, they would ask you if you need any ingredients to be substituted out.

The meal itself was undoubtedly an expensive affair. A main course costs $90. A starter also costs about $90. However, the restaurant surprised us with quite a number of extra dishes, or amuse bouche if you will. Even a small dessert was thrown in. So for the $$$ spent, it does still feel like value for money. It’s too bad they are closing in one week, I would have liked to go again!

Forgive me if I am unable to name the dishes or provide a better description of the taste, it was 5 months ago! ~~I don’t know why I procrastinated so long.~~ I guess I do know why. I wanted to write a perfect piece, to commemorate a perfect dinner.

Selection of crusty breads to choose from. You can have as much as you want. I liked the olive and onion bread a lot. All the waiters looked so spiffy. I wonder where they will go to next.

Baby Calamari starter $70 – We ordered this starter to share. The service was so good that the restaurant halved the dish for us without us even asking.

Duck breast, or was it thigh? – One of the amuse bouche Santi offered to us. The meat was so tender and flavourful, which increased our expectations on the main courses!