It was a quiet Sunday evening when we dropped by Shutters at Amara Sancturary Resort.

Tucked away in a tranquil part of Sentosa, this restaurant seemed an ideal place to escape to for a quiet weekend dinner. And since we had a Groupon which entitled us to a Deluxe 3-Course Set Meal, all the more for us to check out this potential hidden gem! 😀

Stepping into its glass-encased premises, we were greeted by a handful of diners and resort guests tucking into its continental fare. The lush decor, coupled by a team of chefs working tirelessly in an open concept kitchen, put us in an indulgent mood for our meal. 😉

While their chefs got down to work, Amara’s waiting staff served up a Bread Basket that got our appetites raring and ready to go. Warm and with a hint of sesame, the rolls were a delight to nibble on while waiting for the entrée.

The other two were a tad hard, dry even, so I decided to skip them and save more room for the star of the show, so to speak. 😀

Our entrée, Salad de Buffalo Mozzarella with Tomatoes, Proscuitto di Parma and Balsamic Reduction arrived at our table looking like a work of art. I love how Amara’s chefs departed from the traditional way of layering the mozzarella and tomatoes, and just topped it with another layer of parma ham and rocket salad! 😀

The amount of mozarella and tomatoes was just right, and the parma ham just hit the spot. Plentiful and served in an enticingly compact package, this savoury treat made for a perfect accompaniment to the salad.

Equally generous in serving was the rocket salad, which, when doused in balsamic reduction, gave our entrée an added kick. 😀 I would have preferred it to be a little more crispy, though, but it was a great start to our meal. 😉

One of Shutters’ offerings, Crispy St Magret Duck Leg Confit, Butternut Puree with Wild Mushrooms and Morello Cherries, a definite must-try. The meat was absolutely tender, and had that coveted melt-in-your-mouth quality. There was also that smoky taste which overpowered the natural duck flavour.

It was a tad salty, though, and had me reaching for my glass of water more than once after tasting a mere mouthful. Still, there’s no deying the fact that Shutters’ Duck Leg is going on my list of favourite duck dishes! 😀

I expected more from the Pan Seared Baby Red Snapper, Leek Crushed Potatoes with Glaze Vegetables initially. Portions wise, it looked like one of those classic instances where restaurants serve up three mouthfuls of food and peg it as a premium offering, but once I had a bite, I changed my mind about it.

It was surprisingly filling!

Warm, buttery crushed potatoes and flavourful vegetables that I could not get enough of. And on top, a delicate fillet seared to perfection. While the duck leg burst with flavour, the taste of the snapper flesh was subtle. Its crispy, peppery skin crunched with every bite and added a visual thrill.

It was only right to end a lip-smacking good meal on an equally delectable note, and our dessert did just that. 😉

Our Warm Chocolate Lava Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream was sinfully indulgent, with its molten chocolate center oozing out and mingling with the cold, vanilla cream and fresh fruit. Definitely one of those to-die-for desserts. 😀

Shutters might not have the fussiest of gourmets roaring in glee, but it’s a nice place to dine in if you’re seeking a getaway from the weekend crowd. It would be nice if the management at Shutters could generate more publicity, too, if the lull in patronage is anything to go by. No harm in getting more folks off the crowded mainland! 😉

Do note there’s a shuttle bus going to and from Harbourfront MRT Station (Exit D) if you’re not driving.

Address: 1 Larkhill Road, Sentosa Island

Website/ Facebook: http://sentosa.amarahotels.com/shutters / https://www.facebook.com/AmaraSanctuaryResort

Contact: 6825 3866/ shutter.asrs@amarasanctuary.com

chueonit.