The ancient Greeks believed that there were many forms of love. What we’re most familiar with is eros or passionate love, the kind that makes your blood burn. But perhaps what’s less familiar is how the ancient Greeks also believed that rather than eros, the ideal form of romantic love is pragma or longstanding love. It’s the kind that’s overcome the erosion of time and the pettiness of everyday, that’s grown and matured into a deeper commitment.

Plato, on the other hand, believed in philia or the love borne out of deep friendship, built on mutual understanding. Storge or familial love is sometimes seen as a sort of extension, though rather than mutual, it is a instinctive affection, sometimes unilateral – such as that of a parent for their infant.

All these loves deserve being celebrated, and we have the perfect places – no matter if you’re looking to commemorate:

• Pragma or lifelong love
• Philia or your friends and family

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PRAGMA

As Charles M. Schulz once said – through his famous Snoopy comics: “All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.”

AMI Patisserie

In a beautiful black and white bungalow sits a Kyo Machiya where an experience like no other can be found: AMI Patisserie’s physical concept, modelled after a Kyoto-style wooden house, offers both a café wherein guests can gather over fine a-la-carte sweets, savouries and viennoiseries; and a Tsudoi Dining Room where one can enjoy a deeper gastronomic pleasure through the pastry-led Chef’s Table Discovery Experience. In AMI, the Chef’s Table experience is a clear articulation of his unique approach: pastries need not be confined to certain roles but can be enjoyed anytime. What better moment to share this special experience and a little chocolate than Valentine’s Day?

L-R: Born – chef counter; AMI Patisserie – Tsudoi Dining Room

Born

Born won its Michelin star in the very first year of its opening for Chef Zor’s Contemporary Cuisine that marries masterful French gastronomy and a broad knowledge of Chinese ingredients and flavours with deep personal inspirations. The cuisine’s ‘stage’ is gorgeous: Born is housed in the Jinrikisha Station, an iconic conservation building circa 1903; its interiors pay homage to the architectural history embodied in its locale while incorporating exquisite, delicate patterns, shapes and colours – meticulously attending to every detail for a fluid space that awakens every one of the senses. Now serving the third iteration of its menu, Born is the perfect spot if your beloved has a wicked sharp palette and a preference for delicate, Chinese-inspired flavours that are precisely executed. 

Cloudstreet

The two Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant is inspired by the compelling personal journey of chef-owner Rishi Naleendra; he considers it an extension of his home and every detail – from the food to the service and from the interiors to the music – speaks of Chef Rishi’s aesthetic eye. The front of house is headed by his wife, Manuela Toniolo. To the couple, they want to “extend the very same hospitality as when you cook and host guests in your home”, and “to have guests relax the moment they step into the restaurant”. The food of Cloudstreet is an expression of the disparate influences and experiences distilled through Chef Rishi’s culinary mastery to create a vibrant Contemporary Cuisine that lingers in the memory. If your object of affection enjoys a more relaxed atmosphere where every moment is “without stiffness” as envisioned and accomplished by Chef Rishi and his team, then bringing them to Cloudstreet is a foolproof plan!

L-R: Ichigo Ichie - interiors; Cloudstreet - Comte Custard, Pickled White Asparagus, Oxtail, Caviar (close-up)

Ichigo Ichie

Since its founding, Ichigo Ichie has been a place where food, philosophy and art intersect. Named after a Japanese proverb that translates to “one life, one moment” – referring to the idea that every encounter is a precious moment that can never be repeated, the restaurant is an intimate space for meaningful personal connections. The concept is also physically manifested. Fine Japanese artwork and craft specially selected by Chef Akane Eno – once an art history student with dreams of becoming an art curator – is carefully set up around the graceful space. Each dish under Chef Akane’s hands, while driven by the seasons, have also become an artful composition, with her education and sensibilities serving to add depth to her creations. For an artistic soul, the transient becomes an unforgettable memory with a meal at Ichigo Ichie.

Esora

An exquisite representation of the four seasons on a plate – distilled through the masterful hands of Head Chef Takeshi Araki; each bite bringing out the finest flavours of that ingredient: modern Japanese Kappo restaurant Esora – meaning Painting in the Sky – serves a kisetsukan-led cuisine inspired by nature and the harmony of flavours. Each and every plate is an expression of shun, capturing the beauty of the season and the moment when nature reveals its finest gifts. Located in a conservation shophouse, the elegant, timeless interiors round out the experience, paying tribute to the concept and the location with natural materials such as timber and stone, rounded lines and subtle foci around the lightwell-turned-skylight. If your one and only is an avid nature lover and believes in eating according to the seasons, a meal at Esora will be unforgettable.

PHILIA & STORGE

American labour leader and civil rights activist Cesario Estrada Chavez once said that "The people who give you their food give you their heart." Here’re some of the best places to set your heart on the table.

Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro

How could your foodie squad resist an evening out at Singapore’s sole specialist in Chūka Szechwan Ryori? Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro is the third-generation heir’s tribute to the original Japanese restaurant by his grandfather and his way of carrying forward the family legacy. For all of Kentaro’s efforts, it was awarded two Michelin stars in 2016 – making it the highest Michelin-rated Chinese restaurant in Singapore until 2023. Relaunched at the end of 2024, it seamlessly connects Chinese Sichuan, Japanese and Singapore culinary traditions, offering an enriched, refined experience for diners in luxuriously transformed interiors adorned with stunning pieces of commissioned art. To ensure authenticity, quality, and peak seasonality, ingredients are sourced from skilled artisans in China, Japan, and other regions, and turned into exquisite dishes that combine the complex flavours of Szechwan cuisine with the delicate nuances of Japanese culinary techniques.

L-R: Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro; YÀN

YÀN

The Cantonese restaurant has always stayed true to the spirit of its Chinese name (宴): serving soulful Cantonese cuisine inspired by traditional recipes, it’s a feast for the stomach, eyes and soul. Their current menu pays homage to the 1980s, a time when culinary techniques were explored and developed to uncover the full potential of fresh ingredients; the results are occasion-worthy, yet still comfortingly familiar. The spectrum of culinary pleasures is matched by the softly elegant interiors and versatile seating; blonde and taupe walls and floor-to-ceiling windows serve as background to cosy booth seats and larger round tables partitioned by colourful screens inspired by silk weaving. There’s no better place than YÀN if “heartwarming” is the theme for the evening!

ADDRESSES

AMI Patisserie: 27 Scotts Road, Singapore 228222

Born: 1 Neil Road, #01-01, Singapore 088804

Cloudstreet: 84 Amoy St, Singapore 069903

Esora: 5 Mohamed Sultan Rd, Singapore 238964

Ichigo Ichie: Claymore Connect, #01-16/17, Singapore 238879

Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro: Hilton Singapore Orchard, Level 35, Singapore 238867

YÀN: National Gallery, #05-02, Singapore 178957