CLARKE QUAY. Coriander Leaf combines the cuisines of many cultures, yet carefully avoids the "fusion" tag. Interesting set menus successfully cross borders: you might have a Mediterranean mezze platter followed by tandoori chicken or steamed snapper with bonito flakes, and finish up with a peanut butter parfait with caramelized banana and coconut milk chocolate. A la carte options range from vichyssoise, crab cakes and Vietnamese rice paper rolls to five pepper crusted Australian lamb, palak paneer and tea smoked duck breast. The old-meets-new décor is a perfect complement to the cuisine.

ORCHARD ROAD. Esmirada does an admirable job of bringing the sunny ambience and cuisine of the Mediterranean to Singapore. Whether you dine inside or on the beautiful patio, you'll be surrounded by a charming and comfortable rusticity that will instantly put you in the mood to sample classics like couscous with chicken or lamb, paella, bouillabaisse and moussaka. Fresh mussels can be prepared five different ways, and the swordfish carpaccio is simply fantastic, as is the mezza platter (with hummus, baba ghanouj and stuffed grape leaves). Pasta dishes are creative and satisfying, and there are lots of vegetarian options. The adjacent wine bar is ideal for a post-meal drink.

HOLLAND VILLAGE. Executive Chef/Owner Marisa Bertocchi worked under Angelo Sanelli of Michelangelo's until 1997, when she struck out on her own with this adjacent restaurant, a perennial favorite with Singapore's expatriate population. The specialty is international vegetarian cuisine, with dishes like herbed polenta with chargrilled Portobello mushroom, zucchini, asparagus, cherry tomato sauce and shaved parmesan; and tagine, a Middle Eastern stew of chick peas and veggies with couscous. Daily risotto specials and pizzas are fabulous. And if it's a non-standard salad you're after, this is the place. The fully loaded Pricipessa Salad, with some eight or ten unusual ingredients, is especially good. Notable wine list.