[GIVEAWAY] Quayside Isle @ Sentosa Cove: Celebrate the Magic of Christmas

There's nothing quite as magical as sipping on some champagne by the harbor at sunset. With a view to die for, and a coldish breeze adrift, this is pretty much as good as gets here in Singapore. 

The developers behind Quayside Isle have nailed it; killer views matched with a formidable force of food and beverage establishment lining the picturesque wooden docks - this is the place you want to be on an anniversary, a birthday celebration or even just for Friday chill out sessions with the homies.

This Christmas season, Quayside Isle is spreading the joy of giving with exclusive promotions and dining options that promise a one-of-a-kind experience. Sure, bright lights, joyous cheers and plenty of good food to savour is one thing, but congregating the loved ones where the magic unravels is another more important reason to congregate at Quayside Isle @ Sentosa Cove. Expect roving acts on deck as whimsical angels on stilts and dynamic LED jugglers make special appearances on the 19th and 25th December.

Thanks to City Development Limited and SPRG group, we were fortunate enough to embark on a 3 venue tour of  Quayside Isle's merchants. Starting off with an educational wine tasting at The Straits Wine Company where Private client Sales Manager, Chloe Han took us through a slew of wines ranging from the citrus crisp Sauvignon Blanc to the rich plum like Shiraz. I must confess that my love for wines run deep, emanating from days spent slaving over the stoves after work in Australia, prepping a meal for the loved one, with a glass (glasses) of Barossa valley Shiraz in hand. Cooking is just so much better with a tipple of alcohol; dont crimp my style... Back to present days, The Ferngrove Frankland River Chardonnay 2013 ($49.30) took me by surprise; its pleasant slightly barnyard-esque fermented roots bearing resemblance to some of my favourite farmhouse saisons. Another worthy investment for the upcoming festive period is the Angove Le Cirque Wine Co Whiz Bang Barossa Shiraz 2013 ($49.30); deeply seeded in its stone fruit roots, this inky red pour encapsulates ripe raspberries and plum aromas with a hint of anise and white pepper in its wake. Definitely one to partake in alongside the copious amounts of roasts and Christmas ham at the dinner table.

Next stop, we scuttle across half the length of Quayside Isle to the newest addition to the family; Gin Khao Bistro. Some of you might know that Gin Khao, with its first branch located at East Coast Parkway has stolen my heart and earned the title of the best new Thai restaurant in Singapore (only in my personal opinion) for the year 2015; read about my gastronomic experience here. Delivering the same standards, but on much posher grounds, is Gin Khao Bistro. The two restaurant have the same dishes, in exact replica of its serving style and portions without a price increment of any sorts; props to the team for managing to avoid the discrepancies. 

And as the food hit the table like a whirlwind affair of palate-titillating morsels; you can't help but wonder how do the neighbouring table of Caucasians take to the heat of the dishes? - because in all honesty, the use of chili was liberal through and through. The Som Tam for one, sporting an innocent front of vibrant green mango but carrying a tidal wave of chili padi and spicy dressing in its skirt. The Tom Yum Seafood Soup too, will envelop your body in a cloud of heat, the spiciness hitting a plateau as you accidentally bite into the sneaky little chili padi disguised as capsicum. The Stir Fried Squid with runny salted egg has built somewhat of a rep since Gin Khao opened its doors in east coast parkway and continues to please with its salacious coating of umamified salted egg yolk sauce around perfectly cooked squid. 

For carbs, opt fot the Watermelon Fried Rice or the Crayfish with Glass Noodles. The former, a playground of textures springing from the varied ingredients presented in and around the watermelon bowl. Fried cubes of watermelon exploding with warm exuberance of sweet juices amidst savoury bites of fried rice, each and every grain coated expertly with a film of oil. Dig into the claypot of Crayfish with glass noodles and redirect your attention to the mound of sitting at the bottom. This is where the magic unfolds,  the glass noodles cooked from its dry state to being plump and saturated with seafood broth definitely captures the essence of Thai cuisine in every bite.

Som Tam

Tom Yum Seafood Soup, Stir-fried Squid with Runny Salted egg, Watermelon Fried Rice, Larb Moo

Rainbow Cake, Crayfish with Glass Noodles, Larb Moo

Larb Moo

Another joint worth checking out when in the region is Brussels Sprouts specialising in Belgian beer and mussels - the third outpost of this insanely popular joint. It's name is synonymous with the best place to get mussel pots and Belgian beer on local grounds. And where best to do this then right beside the sea, here at Quayside Isle. Whether you like them steamed in a clear broth perfumed with purely onion, parsley and butter or drenched in a rich blue cheese cream sauce or even tossed in fiery Asian chilli crab aromatics; the extensive menu featuring 12 different varieties will surely have something that would tickle your fancy.

Besides mussels, you can also get an insight into Belgian favourites such as Rollmops (marinated herring),  Belgian beef and Pork Meatball with hunter sauce and Homemade Belgian waffles. If you really want to see what the kitchen is made of, make sure to order the Crispy North Sea Shrimp Croquettes ($20) and the Slow Cooked Leffe Brune Beef Cheek Stew ($28). The latter, the piece de resistance of the night will charm your socks off with its smooth and supple nature having been stewed from hours on end till agonisingly tender, it's the kind of thing you could eat in any mood, and you'd feel comforted.

Then of course, there's the main event, the mussels, which we happily worked our way through a tidy selection of 4 sorts,  proudly presented by the kitchen team at Brussel Sprouts -  The Tom Yam, Mediterranean, Lobster Bisque and Blue Cheese ($32 for main and $22 for starter portions). The Blue Cheese stole my heart and stomach with its creamy broth imbued with the pungency of blue cheese. Perfect for dipping those accompanying thick cut fries into. For a lighter version more suited for the tropical, exotic settings; go for the Tom Yam; aromatics of coriander, galangal, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaf and lobster consomme add to its delight. You'll be scooping your way till the bottom of the barrel with no holds barred; now that i can guarantee you.

The desserts are passable, the Vanilla Creme Brulee ($10) devoid of the usual vanilla bean pods is enveloped in a rather spiffy coat of caramel armour that adds a smoky dimension to it. The Molten Chocolate Fondant ($14) is indulgent and capable of knocking down the strongest of wills bent on skipping their sugary finales. Whilst the Strawberry surprise waffle ($14) may just be the perfect climax to a Sunday lunch; its sturdy waffles playing host to a lip-puckering strawberry sorbet and strawberry coulis.

Belgian Cheese Balls, Beef Tartare on toast, Belgian beef and pork meatball

Mediterraean Mussels and Fries

Grilled Pork Sausages, Creme Brulee

Molten Chocolate Fondant

For those who are already planning their escapades, you'll be glad to know that from the 13th to the 31st December, Quayside Isle @ Sentosa Cove will be hosting a bunch of dining treats at its  various establishments.

This includes

• Christmas Family brunch with live oyster station and giant turkey paella @ Sabio by the Sea available on 25 Dec ($88 - adults; $48 - kid; Kids below the age of 6 - free)
• Surf and Turf combo and Limited edition Lobster Roll @ &Made Burger Bistro L'entrecote Express avalilable from 15th - 30th Dec (Lobster Roll - $42; Surf&Turf - $49)
• Festive Christmas Dinner Set @ Quayside Fish Bar & Bistro available after 6pm in December (2 course dinner - $68)
• Christmas Eve Dinner Set Menu and Christmas Lunch Roast @ Saint Pierre on the 24 Dec and 25 Dec respectively ($188/person - wine pairing; $98/person)

For more information, please visit www.quaysideisle.com

[GIVEAWAY] And just to give you guys an extra booster, I'll be giving away a $100 voucher which can be used at the following merchants

• Blue Lotus - Chinese Eating House
• Brussels Sprouts - Belgian Beer & Mussels
• Cove Stadium
• Earl of Hindh
• Kith
• Miska Cafe
• Museo
• Note di Sicilia
• Oyster Bar and Grill Wharf
• Picotin Express
• Saint Pierre

All you have to do is to follow Fundamentally-Flawed on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/FundamentallyFlawed/ as well as on Instagram and comment on my facebook Quayside Isle post with your preferred f&b outlet for dining at in the Quayside Isle @ Sentosa Cove. One lucky reader will be picked at random. Competition ends on the 13th Dec 23 59 so do make sure to share this with your friends.