With overseas travel plans being flung far out of the window at this point of time, it looks like we’re stuck in Singapore for the time being. However, that doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing — why not seize this opportunity to rediscover our little red dot?
To help you along, there are plenty of unique experiences popping up all over the country. And if you’ve always been enthralled by the mysteries of the deep blue sea, you’re in for a treat!
Check out ‘Aqua Gastronomy’ by Resort World Sentosa, comprising a fantastically mesmerising pop-up dining experience that has more than just a few surprises up its sleeve. You’ll be seated at the S.E.A. Aquarium’s Open Ocean Habitat, which will be transformed into a surreal fairyland. The area will be dotted with eight futuristic pod-like structures, each holding a table that can seat up to five people.
This is no ordinary experience, mind you; besides each other, your dining companions will be none other than over 100,000 marine creatures that will swim right by you! Think: plenty of hammerhead sharks, giant groupers, staggering reef manta rays, and more.
Dig into a delectable four-course menu lovingly created by Marvas Huang and Tony Choo, chefs of the acclaimed Ocean Restaurant and Forest Restaurant in Sentosa’s Equarius Hotel respectively.
This Chinese-fusion menu ($118++; from $98++ for RWS members) looks every bit as good as it tastes, with each dish boasting a somewhat theatrical element to it. With names such as ‘Misty Morning Sea’, ‘Treasures of the Ocean’ and ‘Ocean’s Reflections’, each dish is exquisitely crafted and elevated with multi-sensory effects such as smoke from dry ice, a sauce that glows when exposed to UV light, and so on.
The chefs also sourced the seafood from local fisheries such as Ah Hua Kelong and Barramundi Asia, where the seafood is exclusively farmed using sustainable practices. No costs are spared; expect to find star ingredients such as Norwegian langoustines, Vietnamese prawns, Kuhlbarra seabass, and Canadian scallops.
They also have non-seafood and vegetarian menus available — view them here. If you wish, you can also put the finishing touch on your meal with one of their signature cocktails or mocktails, which are available at an extra cost.
On top of all that, a special playlist has been curated to offer diners a unique oceanic soundscape, with changing lights to match. Depending on the weather, you might also be treated to a feeding session of the manta rays by divers who will swim alongside the majestic creatures!
Resorts World Sentosa has also collaborated with local artist Wu Yanrong, who has helped to create a series of postcards depicting the S.E.A. Aquarium’s marine life. Diners will be able to bring a set of these postcards home, alongside a bottle of homemade kelp sea salt — allowing the magic to be continued long after dinner is over.
For those concerned about safety measures, the S.E.A. Aquarium has taken extensive steps to provide a safe dining experience for all. Designated as an SG Clean accredited venue, the aquarium will only accommodate up to 50 guests per seating, with each pod spaced more than 1.5 metres apart. The aquarium is equipped with high-efficiency filters in all of their air-conditioning units, as well as an ultraviolet germicidal irradiation system that will help to further disinfect the air and kill germs. This is also done with the help of plasma air ionisers, which are strategically placed all over the dining area.
Plus, did we mention that this spellbinding extravaganza is Southeast Asia’s first and only underwater dining experience? Ongoing from now to 31 October 2020, Aqua Gastronomy will be available from Fridays to Tuesdays, with one seating per night from 7pm to 9pm.
Do note that reservations are strongly encouraged to secure your seats. Let the magic begin!
