Reviewed by : Stephanie Lim
With its name inspired by a Venetian island very much like Sentosa, il Lido has built a reputation for itself as a dining destination for romantics and connoisseurs of Italian cuisine alike. Located within the Sentosa Golf Club, the establishment boasts spectacular views of manicured greens melding seamlessly into the Strait of Singapore and picturesque sunsets quite unlike any you will find on our sunny island.
Decked in designer finery, both the interior and the verandah of the restaurant are indeed a sight to behold. Kept modern with the classy use of black and white, splashes of neon green and orange adds a dash of stylish flair to the trendy eatery. For a well-deserved vacation away from the hustle and bustle of city life, the verandah will be the perfect choice with its stunning view and gentle sea breeze. On the other hand, if the possible insects are not quite your cup of tea, head on inside and enjoy the luxurious dining booths in air-conditioned comfort.
While waiting for the chef to work his culinary magic on your meal, try their bread crisps with some of their olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Thinly sliced and baked with olive oil and a variety of herbs, the crisps are subtly fragrant and totally addictive, a definite treat.
The style of cuisine served is best exemplified by our first dish sampled, the Oyster & Mascarpone Cheese Ravioli with Sea Urchin Sauce, part of the “Modern” menu that costs $180 for 5 courses. Topped with summer truffles, the oyster and cheese in the ravioli was surprisingly light, with the sea urchin and sauce highlighting the freshness of the oyster. The combination of ingredients is novel, yet the execution is near faultless, save for being a tad too savoury.
Amongst the main courses available in the ala carte menu, the Braised Wagyu Beef Cheek, Truffle, Mash Potatoes and Tarragon ($50) stood out distinctly. Served layered within a glass jar of “space technology”, joked our server; the novel presentation certainly whetted our appetites. As tarragon is akin to the anise in terms of its aroma, the braised beef is familiar in flavour, yet interestingly different. Braised for hours prior, the cubes of wagyu beef are tender, perfect when enjoyed with the accompanying truffles and creamy mash potatoes. Totally addicted to the velvety smooth mash potatoes, the Atlantic Cod with Lobster Sauce, Baby Spinach, Confit Tomatoes and Creamed Potatoes ($42) came in a very close second. The cod fillet was remarkably moist and tender, indications of a very skillful chef. Resting atop a bed of sautéed spinach, the accompanying lobster claw is sweet and succulent, testimony of the quality of seafood served at il Lido. To truly experience the Grilled Veal Chop, Pancetta Bacon and Porcini Mushroom Sauce ($50), try the veal and bacon together. The smoky, crisp bacon contrasted the tender texture of the veal, bringing out the latter's delicate taste.
Desserts at il Lido are definitely in a class of their own and this is undoubtedly so with the Coffee Bavaroise with Chocolate Heart and Saffron Sauce ($15). Dark chocolate flavoured with a strong dose of coffee, the resulting mousse is a pleasant deviation from desserts we are familiar with. Oozing with dark chocolate, the bavaroise is utterly enjoyable, especially with some of the accompanying raspberries. Experience the wonder of what a bit of butter and sugar can do to simple fruits in their White Peaches Cartoccio with Moscato Wine Jelly ($15). Warm, comforting and laced with a slight tang, the cubed peaches are a delight on the palate, but the wine jelly is reminiscent of unremarkable agar-agar. While I would not recommend the Fig Tartlet with Raspberry Sorbet and Vincotto Sauce ($15), the sorbet is refreshingly light and pleasing.
The service provided is indeed impeccable, exemplified by our very professional and yet, very entertaining server, James. Rest assured that you will be pampered right down to every detail and the staff will do their best to ensure a perfect afternoon/evening.
For the ultimate experience of luxury, be sure to enquire about the exclusive il Lido yacht and on-board catering, taking your gastronomic adventures to the high seas. While the food fell a little short of the high expectations reaped from rave reviews, the overall dining experience at il Lido was still very pleasant indeed. The establishment has worked its inaccessibility into an advantage, exuding distinctiveness and exclusivity, all with a touch of class. A great location for special occasions or even when you just need to get away from the city buzz; il Lido is certainly turning heads with envy and awe.
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