PUBLISHED ONApril 21, 2020 3:42 AM
While staying home may be the new norm during the circuit breaker in Singapore, life goes on and special occasions ought to still be remembered and celebrated - birthdays, anniversaries and even date nights. And there isn't a more Singaporean way to celebrate than with good food.
But is having a special meal even possible when we can't eat out? The answer is yes. Many fancy restaurants are now offering their menus for dabao and delivery, giving us endless choices for nearly every type of cuisine.
Here are some options you can consider to mark a special occasion or simply to give yourself a well-deserved treat.
Violet Oon Singapore
A well-known Nonya food chef and Singapore food ambassador, Violet Oon serves up delicious Peranakan dishes such as Buah Keluak Ayam, Dry Laksa and Beef Rendang, and they can be sent directly to your door.
Orders must be made at least two hours before the expected delivery timing, with free delivery for orders over $100 (a main is approximately $25). Otherwise, delivery fee is $15.
Only want to order a couple of dishes but find the delivery fees too steep? Takeaways are available at their Bukit Timah outlet from 12pm to 9pm, but orders must be placed at least 45 minutes before pick-up time.
Meatsmith
Enjoy barbecue meats but not the hassle of setting up the fire and standing in front of the grill? Meatsmith offers a variety of mouthwatering barbecued meats from well-known American-style smokehouse meats, including pork ribs and beef briskets, to a specialised Indian-inspired menu, with dishes such as Kerala Beef Short Rib and Crab & Tobiko Biryani. You can also choose to add red and white wines to your order to complete the meal.
The full menu is available on their online store, with islandwide delivery available at $5.35, with a minimum order of $60. Otherwise, you can opt to pick up your meal at their Telok Ayer or Little India outlets. Do note that the menu differs at the two restaurants.
Hai Di Lao
There's nothing more comforting than steamboat, especially if it's raining outside.
A hot favourite amongst Singaporeans is Hai Di Lao, where long snaking queues with ladies getting free manicures can be spotted and waiting time averages around 2 hours during peak hours. You no longer have to wait for your meal when you choose to order in.
The online menu is extensive and you can even get your favourite sauces from the condiments bar sent to you. Normally you can rent a pot and stove, even a staff member to help with the cooking, but these services are suspended for now.
A minimum order of $98 is required and the delivery charge varies depending on where you live, capped at $50. Adding all up, Hai Di Lao is on the steeper side, but if you stay with a large group of people, it might be worth getting to satisfy your steamboat hankering.
Want to know what the food tastes like when delivered to you? Our host, Jarvis Quek, tries them out in our latest episode of Unwrapped.
editor@asiaone.com