Colours By the Bay is actually a group of restaurants: fusion cuisine from Urban East, Korean barbeque at Jang Shou, Thai Express, spicy Asian food from 2 Hot Halal Café, and Italian from Al Dente. A special wireless ordering system enables diners to choose items from any of the restaurants' menus. One of Singapore's hottest nightclubs, DXO, is located here as well.

FINANCIAL DISTRICT. In an elegantly renovated shophouse, this estimable Italian is strikingly decorated in warm Mediterranean hues, with impeccably set tables and mood enhancing lighting. Even the courtyard is attractive and cozy, an ideal spot for a romantic dinner for two. Seafood and house-made pasta take pride of place ­ try the squid ink spaghetti or tagliolini alla aragosta (pasta in light tomato sauce with lobster). The owners have several other restaurants in Singapore, including Da Paolo La Terrazza and Pizza Bar (Chip Bee Gardens, 44 Jalan Merah Saga), Da Paolo Bistro Bar (3 Rochester Park), and Da Paolo Il Giardino (501 Bukit Timah Rd).

Garibaldi regularly snaps up "Best Italian" awards from the local press, and regulars love the atmosphere just as much as the food. It's contemporary and classy without being the least bit pretentious. Chef Roberto Galetti imports special ingredients from Italy, and creates traditional dishes that show a touch of modern innovation. The gourmet set menu includes crab salad with avocado, pan-roasted foie gras, angel hair pasta with lobster, beef tenderloin with porcinis, molten lava chocolate cake with hazelnut ice cream.

SENTOSA ISLAND. Opened in February 2006, Il Lido quickly shot to prominence. It's run by charismatic former Garibaldi manager Beppe De Vito. Stylish and modern, the restaurant boasts an absolutely stellar view, especially at sunset. The menu is populated by Italian dishes you won't find at every other Italian restaurant, such as crab and watermelon salad with fennel, veal ravioli with sage and truffle sauce, champagne risotto with prawns and sweet peas, and lamb chops in pig's caul with basil and rosemary. Il Lido also has the most extensive champagne list in Singapore.

HOLLAND VILLAGE. Dine in the Sistine Chapel! Well, almost. This wonderful restaurant pays tribute to the great artist with copious reproductions of his work ­ look up for a little taste of the famous cathedral murals. Try the gravalax of beef to start ­ carpaccio of beef tenderloin with lemon confit, roasted tomatoes and a white truffle balsamic glaze. It's a divine creation. Chef/Owner Angelo Sanelli knows pasta, and regulars swear by his spaghetti frutti de mare (seafood pasta) and penne vodka. The selection of over 1800 wines earned the restaurant Wine Spectator's Best of Award of Excellence in 2007.