Reviewing OCEAN Restaurant by Cat Cora: The Perfect Date Night Spot

Elegant. Sophisticated. Tantalising.

These are just some of the words that come to mind when you step into Ocean Restaurant’s foyer, for behind the doors, a truly magnificent scene awaits. Ocean Restaurant by Cat Cora – the only lady Iron Chef – is situated in the S.E.A. Aquarium in Resorts World Sentosa, part of the world’s largest oceanarium, and is Cat Cora’s first foray into Asia. Impeccable service and attention to detail are the norm here, and the ambience perfectly complements the incredible works of gourmet art.

Ocean is the perfect venue for an intimate date night or a special celebratory family night with kids. Imagine endless views of the deep blue marine habitat, with more than 100,000 marine creatures effortlessly gliding by the full-length viewing window. When making your reservation, mamas, be sure to request window seating, as they are naturally the most sought-after tables in the house with completely unobstructed views of the aquarium.

Besides the alluring giant observation window, soft lighting and simple touches – such as a table centrepiece of white, silver and blue shells, baubles and stars – further bolster Ocean’s nautical theme in a way that’s charming, not kitschy.

Each of the Iron Chef’s dishes showcase her Mediterranean-Californian influences with an Asian flair, whilst strongly adhering to her farm-to-table sustainability philosophy that utilises only the freshest ingredients and produce from around the region.

Ah, the food! Whilst the a la carte menu is laden with gorgeous seafood and meaty mains, there are also two tasting menus, as well as a special vegetarian menu for you to choose from. We opted for the 4-course ($138) and 5-course ($158) tasting menus, but if you’re in the mood for a la carte, try the signature Seared Seafood Risotto – think crab roe risotto with chunks of fresh fish, lobster and scallop, finished off with a sea urchin cream ($62) – or the luscious Beef Wagyu Ribeye ‘Rossini’, with smooth seared duck foie gras, sautéed wild mushrooms, confit potatoes and black truffle ($108). I promise you will not be disappointed with either!

While everything (seriously, everything!) on the tasting menus was incredible, perfectly seasoned and visually stunning, a few dishes were in a class of their own. For starters the amuse bouche, the classic 65 degree Sous Vide Egg with bacon and onion relish, was deliciously smooth and simultaneously textured.

Next was the 42 degrees Sous Vide Salmon on the 5-course menu – fresh salmon tartare with a citrus minestrone, ikura and shaved fennel, topped with a piece of fried salmon skin, and delicately garnished with salmon roe. Quite refreshing.

Another must-do is the Smoked Eel set on sunchoke jelly, with duck liver terrine, and finished with a crispy sunchoke chip. So smooth and perfectly complemented by the rich terrine, I couldn’t believe it was eel! Lovely. If you’re on the 4-course menu, definitely opt for the Roasted Lamb Neck as your main – the lamb is unbelievably soft, a result of it being pureed beforehand, rolled back into a sausage, cooked sous vide and then finally grilled to order.

Finally, the Pan Seared Toothfish is definitely a force to be reckoned with in my book, finished off with a chorizo & passion fruit vinegar reduction, and garnished with a simple piece of grilled lettuce. There’s a reason Cat Cora’s philosophy on simplicity and sustainability has made her an international superstar.

Given its setting, Ocean is a huge hit with the little ones as well – and why wouldn’t it be? I highly recommend getting the Fish ‘n’ Chips here, for apart from perfectly crispy fish fingers, the chips come in their own individual ‘deep fryer basket’. Refreshingly cute and elegant in my book, because that’s certainly not how we do fish ‘n’ chips at my house!

But with Valentine’s Day just around the corner, I say bring the kids another time, mama. This is the perfect spot to spend a romantic evening with your man, especially because of the specially crafted 4-course menu (see below)!

First seating (6pm-8pm) is priced at $418++ per couple whilst second seating (8pm-10pm) is just $428++ per couple. Both prices are inclusive of two glasses of Champagne and a box of Joël Robuchon Macaroons (6pcs).

Can’t make it on the 14^th itself? No problem, Ocean’s Valentine’s Day special runs from February 13-15, so pick whichever night suits you best. Ocean promises to be THE restaurant for this amorous night. Leave the hectic pace of the city and drive across the bridge to this underwater retreat for a night I think you’re going to remember for a very long time.

Happy Valentine’s Day, mamas!

Valentine’s Day Menu

Amuse Bouche

……

Tuna & Beet
Yuzu, Soy Reduction & Goma
Smoked Chorizo

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Oyster Cream
Black Daikon-Oyster Dumpling
Sautéed Sunchoke

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Wagyu Beef
Roasted & Braised

Or

Glacier 51 Toothfish Fillet
Sous Vide
Herb Potato in Brick Pastry & Mushroom ‘Sphere’

……

Sengana Strawberry Terrine
Rose Champagne Sorbet, Rose Meringue & Balsamic Gel

Hours: Open daily. Lunch: 11:30am-3pm (last order at 2:15pm); Dinner: 6pm-10:30pm (last order at 10pm).

Ocean by Cat Cora, S.E.A. Aquarium, Level B1M, 8 Sentosa Gateway, Sentosa Island, Singapore 098269. Tel: (+65) 6577 6688 or [email protected]