3 Singapore dinners worth blowing your per diem on

These are three of the best restaurants in Singapore. Book in advance.

1. Jaan par Andre -- the hot table
Dining at Jaan Par Andre, perched high atop the 70th floor of Swissotel The Stamford, is a mesmerizing experience for a couple of reasons. First, there’s that amazing postcard-perfect view. Patrons can gaze out over the ever-changing Singapore skyline in plush comfort -- as opposed to suffering on that overgrown ferris wheel in the distance.

Second, there’s chef Andre Chiang’s Modern French cuisine. Trained by the best in the biz (Robuchon, Gagnaire, the Pourcels, to name drop a few), chef Chiang creates mind-bendingly delicious and meticulously-plated compositions that showcase the very best seasonal ingredients, as well as his team’s pretty amazing knife skills. Having recently been hailed by The Miele Guide as Asia’s 4th Best Restaurant, this is the hot table in town.

70F Equinox Complex, Swissotel The Stamford, 2 Stamford Road, Singapore, tel +65 6847 3322
www.equinoxcomplex.com

2. Tatsuya -- power sushiJudging by the combined number of Japanese patrons and suited businessmen (in a country where it’s hard to find a gentleman in a proper jacket) that throng the long pinewood counter, you know when you step into Tatsuya that you’ve entered a serious, power sushi shop. Chef-owner Ronnie Chia has been serving Singapore’s finest -- both customers and food -- for decades.

Having moved Tatsuya to new digs in the Goodwood Park Hotel in late December 2008, Chef Chia has firmly established his elegant, small sushi restaurant as the place to go for the best quality fish, prepared and served by the best team in town. Regulars never open their menus; they either order favourite dishes or call out “omakase,” which gives the chefs free reign to choose for them. Just be careful with the latter. An all-out extravaganza at Tatsuya could cost you a few days worth of your precious per diems.

GF Goodwood Park Hotel, 22 Scotts Road, Singapore, tel +65 6887 4598
www.goodwoodparkhotel.com

3. Forlino -- Dangerously seductiveWant to impress someone? Your boss, a client, the delegate in the short black dress? Forlino is Singapore’s most dangerously seductive restaurant. The interiors are a sensual and dreamy mix of old-world charm -- black and white checkered marble floors, hand-painted wood molded walls -- set off against strong modern design pieces -- Starck Gun Floor Lamps and Flos Skygarden Pendant Lamps. for example.

The service is, as you would expect in a Beppe deVito-owned restaurant, smooth, efficient and discreet, perfect for tete a tetes where privacy is paramount. Chef Giuliano Dacasto excels in modernizing classic Italian fare, delivering customers fabulously tantalizing dishes that won’t leave you too full (just in case you have friskier post-meal activities on your agenda). And since it is November, Forlino will be serving several courses designed to showcase white Alba truffles. One whiff of those and your guest will be putty in your hands.

#02-06 One Fullerton, 1 Fullerton Road, Singapore, tel +65 6877 6995
www.forlino.com