Tucked in the heart of W Singapore Sentosa Cove, SKIRT stands out as the must-visit address for aficionados of high-end grilling. In a chic and intimate setting, this iconic restaurant reinvents wood-fired cooking with rare elegance, combining technical mastery, exceptional products, and contemporary creativity. A true tribute to the flame, SKIRT offers a bold and refined gastronomic experience, where each dish reveals the depth of taste and the nobility of the material.
W Singapore: Between Glamour, Design and Dream Marina
Perched on the edge of the South China Sea, W Singapore Sentosa Cove embodies bold and contemporary luxury, nestled in a green setting opposite a sparkling marina. Located in the exclusive Sentosa Cove district, this iconic lifestyle hotel offers a unique sensory experience, between dazzling design and tropical atmosphere. Its 240 glamorous rooms and suites open onto a vibrant and elegant decor, while its relaxation areas, refined restaurants, and inviting ambiance call for rediscovering luxury in a new light, at the heart of Singapore's most coveted island. We visited to discover Skirt, one of its iconic restaurants.
Intimate Ambiance and Open Fire at SKIRT
Fully redesigned, SKIRT unveils a new chic and sophisticated decor that blends warmth and elegance. The deep shades of plum and cherry add a cozy touch to the room, flooded with natural light through large windows that offer an unobstructed view of the peaceful Sentosa marina. At the center of the space, the spectacular open marble kitchen captures all eyes: surrounded by dry-aging fridges and grills, it turns each service into a true culinary performance. In this intimate, contemporary, and refined atmosphere, SKIRT perfectly embodies the art of high-end grilling.
Exceptional Grilling and Committed Expertise
SKIRT subscribes to a powerful and uncompromising culinary philosophy: that of fire, flame, and raw material. A true homage to wood cooking, the restaurant celebrates the tradition of parilla grilling, enriching it with contemporary techniques and singular refinement. Each piece of meat, carefully selected from exceptional breeders, is crafted with artisanal precision, from house dry-aging to the final cooking on almond wood or binchōtan charcoal. This unique expertise gives rise to deep aromas, controlled textures, and bold flavors that elevate grilling to the rank of culinary art.
More than just a restaurant, SKIRT is the theater of committed gastronomy, focused on sustainability, traceability, and absolute quality. Its redesigned menu offers a creative take on wood-fired cuisine, with dishes and desserts as innovative as they are delicious. The kitchen team continuously pushes the boundaries of the possible, combining traditional techniques and a modern approach to offer a unique sensory experience.
A Feast of Refinement at SKIRT
Nothing like opening this dinner in style with a glass of Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2015, an elegant prelude to the starters, accompanied by a 2023 white wine: Reguta Di Anselmi Ca’stele, Pinot Grigio from Friuli, Italy.
The Vendace Roe immediately stand out as an elegant and refined starter. Presented in a small metal box stamped with the restaurant’s logo, the eggs’ bright translucent orange rests on a delicate crème fraîche, topped with a crispy raraka pancake – finely grated and grilled potato – which brings a savory texture, creating a perfect balance.
The tasting continues with the dry-aged Hamachi ceviche, a sophisticated reinterpretation of a classic Peruvian dish. Arranged on a dark-hued plate that beautifully contrasts with the delicacy of the ingredients, the dry-aged hamachi is topped with almost translucent thin strips of salted kohlrabi. The leche de tigre adds a vibrant acidity that enhances the melting texture of the fish. A few fresh herbs complete the dish, adding a subtle aromatic touch.
Seafood lovers will be delighted by the scallops from Iwate Prefecture, hand-harvested and just seared. Their golden, caramelized surface delicately contrasts with a pearly, soft, and juicy flesh. They rest on a bed of smoked peas, punctuated by discreet herbal notes, while an intense X.O. sauce envelops everything in a savory depth.
The main courses, this time accompanied by a Spanish red wine, Torres Celeste 2021, Crianza Ribera Del Duero. The dry-aged duck is bold and sophisticated. The meat, perfectly cooked, offers a tender texture, enhanced by a subtly melting and caramelized layer of fat. An orange gastrique elevates the ensemble, providing an acidic and elegant shine, while the fermented blackberry juice balances the flavors between acidity, sweetness, and umami. A medallion of pan-fried foie gras completes the dish, adding a melting richness of great delicacy.
Another signature dish: Skirt's Selection of Steaks. Seared to perfection, it features a golden crust that contrasts with a juicy and tender flesh. The seasoning, discreet yet precise, highlights the exceptional quality of the product, while the grill marks reveal the passage through the open fire grill, a signature of the restaurant. A raw, direct, and elegant plate, true to Skirt's philosophy: magnifying pure taste through impeccable technical mastery. The beef pieces are aged on-site for 28 days, while the hamachi and duck are respectively aged for 4 and 8 days — a clear commitment to flavor, texture, and authenticity.
On the side, the grilled Hispi cabbage offers a texture that is both tender and crunchy. Golden croutons add crunchiness, while a generous cloud of grated cheese wraps it all in a savory and subtly salty note. A meticulously crafted dish that reveals the richness of a humble ingredient. The Lobster Mac & Cheese embodies a comforting luxury: al dente pasta coated in a creamy cheese sauce, enhanced with generous pieces of lobster. The marine sweetness of the crustacean contrasts beautifully with the creamy richness of the dish, for a result as elegant as it is delicious. Finally, the grilled broccolini plays the card of simplicity: grilled slivered almonds add crunchiness and a touch of roundness, while a delicate seasoning underlines the purity of this sublime vegetable.
The meal concludes with a flourish with two desserts as original as they are masterful. The Pistachio Kunafa, an airy version of this Eastern dessert, rests on a generous base of whipped mascarpone of remarkable lightness. It is topped with a bright green, shiny, and creamy pistachio ganache, for an explosion of rich and delicate flavors.
The Smoked Cheesecake, meanwhile, captivates with its boldness and finesse. Crowned with roasted pineapple, lightly caramelized, it blends fruity and grilled notes with the richness of the cheesecake. A smoked whipped cream adds an airy lightness, while dried fruit shards add color, acidity, and texture. The whole rests on a crispy shortbread, for a perfectly balanced finale. These desserts are accompanied by a glass of Grappa Nonino, the ultimate touch of panache to conclude this exceptional dinner.
My Review
SKIRT completely won me over, both with its intimate atmosphere and the impressive mastery of its kitchen. I was captivated by the accuracy of the cooking, the finesse of the seasonings, and especially by the attention to every detail, from the choice of products to their enhancement. Here, meat becomes a true field of expression, sublimated by impeccable technique and genuine culinary sensitivity. I recommend it to anyone looking for a unique gastronomic experience, driven by the flame and the taste of the real.
Practical Information
A big thank you to SKIRT for the invitation to discover their establishment. Naturally, I remain free in my remarks in this article!
About Florence Consul
Editor of Experiences Luxe since 2015, I love discovering new exclusive and authentic experiences all over the world. I left my home country (France) 6 years ago to become a global citizen, traveling 365 days out of the year. I am a foodie person and I make a point of tasting local specialities.