Dining ideas for your foodie Valentine aka when bae is also your makan kaki

If love is a game, its winning sport might be getting reservations at all the right places. So don't leave your Valentine's Day dining destinations to the last minute, because you know how reservations run out fast in this foodie town.

Black Tap

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When one of you must document your V-Day celebrations for the Instagram, head to Black Tap where the CrazyShakes are always picture perfect. On Feb 13 and 14, Black Tap is busting out Red Velvet Cake Shakes ($24), featuring red velvet cake batter, a vanilla-frosted rim with red and white sprinkles, a wedge of red velvet cake, whipped cream, and chocolate drizzle.

Edge

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If eating large is your love language, buffet restaurant Edge never disappoints. The Valentine's Day buffet ($118 per person from Feb 10 to 13 — $178 per person on Feb 14) has seafood in spades.

Think salmon Wellington, lobster thermidor, and classic buffet faves snow crabs, freshly shucked oysters and sashimi. Go to town with the pan-fried foie gras and then activate your second stomach for the slew of desserts. On Feb 14, the meal includes a welcome drink and a rose for the lady.

Ippoh Tempura Bar by Ginza Ippoh

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For a proper splurge, book the six-course meal at Ippoh Tempura Bar by Ginza Ippoh ($258 per person, available Feb 13 and 14). Crafted by fifth-generation tempura specialist Masaru Seki, expect exquisite dishes like shrimp temari-style sushi, ten-bara (tempura rice bowl) with black truffles, and sea urchin tempura with Kaviari Kristal Caviar.

Sol & Ora

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Designed for sharing, Sol & Ora’s three-course dinner ($98 per person, on Feb 10, 11, 12 and 14) begins with a Petit Mezza Platter laden with pita, smoked taramasalata, Norwegian salmon tartar, freshly shucked oysters, Padron peppers, falafel, and Sicilian olives.

A hearty platter of main courses follow — wood-fired wagyu bavette, roasted octopus, tiger prawns, and pan-seared barramundi served with the likes of asparagus, white corn and tomato, truffle jus and mint chimichurri. For dessert, white chocolate and rose mousse with balsamic strawberries. To up the romance quotient, this meal is served under the stars, by the pool.

The Gyu Bar

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Despite what anyone says about ignoring Valentine's Day because #commercialism (according to the results of a recent YouGov survey, 45 per cent of the 19,000 polled in 18 countries and territories believe the occasion is celebrated due to commercial pressure), it's always a happy surprise when your better half brings home a little something to make you feel special anyway.

So, if you're in the market for surprises, The Gyu Bar’s Valentine's Day Maki ($48) is just the ticket. The heart-shaped rolls feature buttery cubes of A5 Miyazaki wagyu nestled amongst grains of Hokkaido rice. For good measure, it is served with 20 grams of uni on the side. Available from Feb 10 to 19, for dine-in or takeaway.

TWG Tea

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If you can't take your amore to Paris, there's always the transportive experience of a TWG Tea salon. Book your Valentine's Day set menu ($60 per person, from Feb 10 to 15) and you can treat her to a meal comprising pan-seared scallops drizzled with Sweet France Tea-infused beurre blanc, coconut panna cotta with Bain de Roses Tea-infused sorbet, and a choice of tea. Add $18 for a tea cocktail or $13 for a tea mocktail.

This article was first published in Wonderwall.sg.

ALSO READ: Best Valentine's Day experiences: Romantic dinners and staycations to love