The highly anticipated opening of the Gardens by the Bay drew thousands of eager visitors to this latest attraction. Pollen is the only restaurant located in the stunning Flower Dome. With climate control environment of about 22 deg C within the dome, it's reminiscent of spring time in Europe. You can even smell the fragrance from the blooms in this beautiful, one-of-a-kind setting. There are two levels - the lower main dining hall with a nine-metre-long dessert bar, and the upper level terrace with a sommelier bar. The latter offers a lovely ‘al fresco' setting flanked by old olive trees, a herb garden and flowers.

Food-wise, the restaurant serves simple yet elegant Mediterranean-inspired Modern European cuisine, crafted by culinary director, Jason Atherton of London's Pollen Street Social. Helming the Singapore kitchen is Executive Chef Collin Clague formerly from London's Zuma.

Kick off with the refreshing crab vinaigrette paired with crisp nashi pear and cauliflower. This appetiser is livened up with sweet and sour dressing and a sprinkling of delicate peanut powder. Alternatively, go for the succulent scallop carpaccio juxtaposed with crunchy radish, cucumber, apple, and a surprise element of icy-cold horseradish ‘snow' which lends a welcome pungency to the creation.

Well-executed mains to try include roasted seabass, served with slow-cooked peppers, olive, and fennel, and drizzled with a tangy smoked tomato dressing. For meats, sink your teeth into the incredibly tender marinated lamb cutlets, presented with artichokes and asparagus and a touch of prickly ash. After your meal, move over to the dessert bar where Executive Pastry Chef Andres Lara will whip up a dessert of your choice. The chef's version of PB&J (peanut butter and jelly) comprising roasted peanut parfait served with cherry yuzu sorbet, cherry puree, pomegranate and berries is a lovely end to the meal.

As there are some teething issues with the service when we were there, we suggest giving this place a few more weeks (or couple of months) before heading there. When we were there, service was incredibly slow, and at times awkward and clumsy (an empty mineral water bottle was left on our table, while a glass was not filled up).  If you can't wait to go though, do make a booking beforehand, and if you don't want to walk too far, the restaurant has buggies that will transport you from the gardens' entrance to the restaurant.

Flower Dome, Gardens By The Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Drive #01-09, 6604 9988