There’s plenty to like about Botanico, part of The Garage, 1-Group’s latest F&B concept at Singapore Botanic Gardens. Housed in a 1920s Art Deco conservation building, Botanico is a 120-seater with an air-conditioned al fresco bar and outdoor seating for romancing the stars. But its lush, dreamy setting aside, the real draw here is the food. The dedicated team of chefs serves up an impressive modern menu that’s seasonal, produce-driven and creative in its pairing of textures and flavours.

Winning dishes to take note: sweet crunchy carabinero prawns cooked in an Inka grill and paired with saffron-scented bomba rice topped with pork crackling; plump Hokkaido scallops served with Jerusalem artichokes and spiked with Iberico lardo for a sinful oomph; and lamb tartare with mustard ice cream, tangy pickled onions, black olives arlette and its unexpectedly delicate melange of flavours. For lovers of the hog, the char-grilled Iberico pork belly will surely appeal with its rich unctuous flavours. The star of the show, however, has to be the house-smoked Japanese sardines served on a bed of salty chorizo bits, crispy croutons fried in Iberico fat and Kyoho grapes for a sweet note that lifts the dish. It’s not fine dining of the linen tablecloth variety, but the flavours are hearty and the prices, friendly.