By the same husband-and-wife team behind Turquoise Bistro, now closed with the renovations to Big Splash at the East Coast, The Turquoise Room entices with its rustic appeal and Modern European cuisine. Located in Gilman Village, best known to the expatriates for its furniture stores, The Shophouse and Originals, this quaint little restaurant is well-loved by both locals and foreigners alike.

• The Vibe
  Be transported away from the hustle and bustle of Singapore city-life and indulge yourself in an imaginary vacation in the outskirts of Greece . With custom-made furniture and an interior intentionally left unfinished, an unassumingly casual setting is achieved for the 180-seater eatery. The large space on the ground floor of the old longhouse is accentuated by glass doors and simple lighting, giving diners a beachside feel, relating back to the coining of the initial Turquoise name, “where the blue sky meets the green sea”.
• The Food
  An extensive menu is available, providing diners with a wide variety of choices, ranging from light bites to hearty meals. These include salads, gourmet sandwiches, pizzas, pastas, main courses and a selection of coffee and alcohol. On Sundays, diners can also select from a Sunday brunch menu between 10am and 3pm. The Turquoise Room is also particularly popular with private functions such as wine dinners and weddings.

  Start off with a recommended selection from their range of salads, the Smoked Duck Breast with Citrus Peel Dressing ($14). Be prepared to wait 15 minutes for it to be served as the duck is smoked in-house from scratch, sliced and served atop a bed of sliced oranges and greens. While the duck had a slightly unpleasant taste, common to most duck dishes, it was cleverly masked by the accompanying orange slices and citrus dressing.

  Diners who love their thin-crust pizzas will appreciate the Proscuitto and Porcini Pizza ($19), served with generous helpings of mushrooms hidden under layers of ham. With mild mozzarella and a tangy tomato base, the blend of flavours is almost seamless, save for the proscuitto being a little too salty. Another tomato-based dish would be the Crab Meat Pasta ($22), where the linguine is cooked al dente providing a nice bite to the otherwise average dish.

  Highly recommended is the Lamb Rack with Caper Sauce ($32) accompanied by grilled baby potatoes. Done medium, the lamb iss remarkably tender and flavoursome, making it the highlight of the meal. The pairing of caper sauce with red meat is both novel and bold, but the end result is surprisingly delightful on the palate.

  There is no better way to end your meal than with a serving of their house specialty, the Tiramisu ($6.80). Served in little glasses, the portion is admittedly small but the grasp of proportions is perfect as the dessert is creamy and filled with liqueur, without being overwhelming. It could, however, do better if it was not overly chilled when served.

• The Service
  The staff is attentive to your needs, making sure water glasses are refilled promptly. Dressed casually in polo t-shirts, they ensure diners a pleasant dining experience without being too invasive.

SD Food Advisor's take on The Turquoise Room
With recipes painstakingly concocted by the owners, Rivy Soh and Jason Goh, The Turquoise Room captivates diners with its ambience and cuisine. Even though most of the dishes presented are not the house specialties, they still possess a delectable quality and standard, evident of the effort and sincerity behind each dish. A commendable list of wines, champagnes, cocktails and beer, makes it an ideal hang-out location, an escape from the worries of everyday life. At the same time, its understated style and casual demeanour make it versatile enough to host the most romantic of dates and the rowdiest of families.