In the CBD full of fast lunch sets and rushed service, Cygnet by Sean Connolly slows things down and serves food that delivers on flavours.
You can find the restaurant and bar located within QT Singapore, bringing a Manhattan steakhouse vibe to the heart of Raffles Place.
Set lunches start at $48 for two courses or $58 for three, offering well-executed dishes with value.
Why “Cygnet”?
Cygnet means little swan, a name that hints at grace, elegance, and quiet confidence.
Some background on Chef Sean Connolly, the creative force behind Cygnet: He is a Yorkshire-born chef with a career spanning over 40 years.
He is behind a long list of restaurants across Australia and New Zealand, including Gowings Bar & Dining at QT Sydney and Esther at QT Auckland.
Chef Connolly’s cooking philosophy starts with sourcing the best ingredients from around the world, cooking with French influence, bringing authenticity to the table, and most of all, having some fun.
I would recommend the Cygnet’s CBD set lunch, for diners who want quality and indulgence without breaking the bank.
At two courses for $48 or three for $58, it’s positioned somewhere between a weekday indulgence and an upmarket business lunch.
If you are wondering what to order, start here:
Prawn Cocktail (Entrée)
The prawn cocktail is one of the most recognisable starters on the menu.
Fun fact: This was the first dish Chef Connolly ever learned to make.
It arrived in a chilled coupe glass with a curl of peeled prawns and shaved fennel over a bed of blush-pink mayonnaise.
Took a bite, and I found the prawns very fresh, firm and sweet. Well worth the order and reputation.
Charcoal Baked Squid (Entrée)
Another entrée choice, the charcoal baked squid arrived laced with pistachio pesto and small leaves.
Some squid can be a little chewy. But this was tender, lightly smoky from the grill, and had a clean, springy bite.
The pesto added a nutty lift and a grassy brightness that played well against the char.
Cygnet New York Burger (Main)
Moving on to the mains, options include Crab Linguini, Steak Frites, Crumbed Chicken, Cygnet New York Burger, Cauliflower Steak, Tuna Steak, Ricotta Gnocchi, Spaghetti Vongole, Grilled Lamb Rump, and Roasted Sea Bass.
My recommendation is the Cygnet New York Burger. The bun arrived glossy and warm, lightly toasted, and soft enough to compress without falling apart.
The patty is made with an eight-ounce wagyu blend, seared with a firm crust and cooked medium unless requested otherwise.
I took a big bite and found that the patty held its juices without being sloppy, with the cheddar melted evenly and giving just the right salt hit.
Crab Linguini (Main, +$5 on top of lunch set price)
The Crab Linguini turned out to be one of my favourite mains, combining sweet crab meat with a generous serving of ikura.
The pasta was cooked in a buttery sauce, with a touch of spice and a hit of lemon to brighten the rich flavours.
The result? Warm, creamy indulgence.
The crab meat was sweet and fresh (definitely not the stringy frozen kind), and what really lifted the dish was the roe which popped.
Cygnet’s Steak Frites (Main, +$10 on top of lunch set price)
The signature main features a 200g grain-fed minute steak from Portoro, New South Wales, served with shoestring fries.
The steak arrived pre-sliced, lightly charred, with clear grill marks and a pink centre.
It had a full beef flavour and leaned firmer rather than fatty. The red wine jus on the side was deep, glossy, and sharp enough to cut through without overwhelming.
The shoestring fries are also worth a mention, served in a polished copper cup. They were crisp, golden, lightly salted, and well portioned.
This is the best-selling main during lunch.
Crumbed Chicken (Main)
The Crumbed Chicken is served with mustard mayo on top, resting on a bed of creamed spinach.
At first glance, it looked simple: a crisp, golden cutlet topped with a smooth yellow sauce.
But when you cut in, the crust gave way with a clean crunch. While it looked dry, the inside was surprisingly tender and juicy, without being greasy.
The mustard mayo was sharp and creamy, with a slight tang and a warm finish.
Strawberry Romanoff (Dessert)
Get the three-course set. Trust me, you will want this dessert.
The Strawberry Romanoff showed up like it knew it was the favourite. It arrived in a glass coupe, with soft-serve-style cream piped high and juicy strawberries folded through.
Refreshing, smooth, and lightly sweet. Exactly what you want when it is hot outside.
Chocolate Fondant (Dessert)
Order this if you like your classic chocolate lava cake with soft, molten centre.
On the side, vanilla bean ice cream and maraschino cherries cut through the richness with cold cream and sharp cherry bite.
At street level, Cygnet blends into the corporate feel of the CBD. But once you walk in, the shift is immediate.
The restaurant has dim lighting, spacious and polished with an Art Deco style.
The ambiance at Cygnet is elevated by an expert service team.
Hosts are dressed by Singapore’s Studio HHFZ, the playlist is curated by QT, and the service strikes the right balance between polished and relaxed.
Cygnet has a calm confidence. It feels refined without being showy and delivers a meal that respects both your time and your appetite. Well worth a visit.
Cygnet by Sean Connolly
35 Robinson Road, Singapore 068876
Breakfast: 6:30am – 10:30am (Mon – Sun)
Lunch: 12pm – 3pm (Mon – Fri), Dinner 5:30pm – 11pm (Mon – Sat)
Reservations: https://eu.sevenrooms.com/explore/cygnetrestaurant/reservations
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* This entry is brought to you in partnership with Cygnet by Sean Connolly.
