Three places to eat, drink, and be merry this month.
Three places to eat, drink, and be merry this month.
Red Tail Bar
Owned by Zouk and conveniently located right next to the club’s new digs at Clarke Quay, Red Tail Bar is the perfect pre-game plan before you hit the dance floor with your squad. Open from 6pm till 2am, the bar serves up fun, imaginative cocktails inspired by Asian nightlife districts like Hong Kong’s Lan Kwai Fong and Seoul’s Itaewon. Try Disco Disco (citrus vodka, yellow chartreuse, sage, pineapple, lemon) or Fancy Uncle (blended scotch whisky, earl grey tea, spiced honey apple syrup, lemon). If you’re feeling peckish, they have a fantastic contemporary Asian menu as well. The Fried Chicken Skin Drenched in Salted Egg Yolk Sauce is to die for, and for old time’s sake, there’s also a snazzier, upgraded version of Zouk’s sausage and mash. Everything on the menu is made for sharing, so come hungry and definitely come with a group of friends.
Red Tail Bar is at 3C River Valley Road.
Alchemist Beer Lab
This isn’t your usual beer joint. For starters, the floor-to-ceiling windows, dark marble counter tops and modernist finery seem more befitting an upscale eatery than a watering hole. And then there’s the beer. On top of their offering of eight locally-brewed craft beers, Alchemist Beer Lab is also the first in Asia to serve beers infused with spices, fruits, nuts and even candy. Highlights include 50 Shades of Pink, a piquant cider and pink guava concoction; and Obama, a chocolatey stout infused with toasted marshmallow, vanilla pod and mint leaves. If you want something to munch on between swigs, the mod-European tapas-style menu has lots of tasty options, including the Smoked Wagyu Brisket Tortilla, $16, and the Duck Fat Chips served with lemon aioli, $12.
Alchemist Beer Lab is at South Beach Avenue, 26 Beach Road.
Little Bastard
Little Bastard is quite literally Jalan Besar’s latest best kept secret. Accessible via an unmarked door inside cafe/restaurant The Refinery, it’s impossible to find if you don’t know what you’re looking for (hint: ask the staff). After climbing a spiral staircase, you’re greeted by what looks like an old school gambling den, complete with dim lighting and mahjong tables. The food is all about Asian favourites with an Euro twist, and our faves include One Night in Tom Yum (udon noodles with crab meat served with cold Tom Yum consommé ) and Duck Confit Penyet (crispy duck confit served with homemade sambal). The Asian vibe extends to its cocktails, many of which are boozed-up versions of local desserts like Cheng Teng and Cendol. Our pick is Simply Yeo’s, which brought to mind a chilled glass of lemon barley but with a gin kick.
Little Bastard is at 115 King George’s Avenue.
Date Night Inspo!
Running out of places to go? Here are two non-boring places you should check out.
If you want a culinary experience…
Cheek by Jowl
Let’s be honest – for those of us who are not serious foodies, the whole fine dining experience can be a little confusing, or intimidating even. But at Cheek by Jowl, a homely restaurant that serves modern Australian fare, Chef Rishi dishes out an epicurean adventure in a setting that’s so cosy and relaxed, even the most novice of diners would feel right at home. For the full experience, come during dinner service and go for the Chef’s menu, which consists of five snacks and five courses, including dessert. The items on the menu are subject to change, depending on the chef, but the faves from our visit include Chicken Liver Parfait Cigar and Date Jam, Roasted Quail, and the locally-inspired dessert, a coconut semifreddo served with laksa leaf-infused ice cream, fresh pomelo, and green chili. At only $88++ for the Chef’s menu, we’d say it’s a very good bang for your buck.
Cheek by Jowl is at 21 Boon Tat Street.
If you’re looking for a laugh…
Hard Rock Café
Sick of the same old dinner, drinks, and movie routine? Switch things up with Dinner With Kumar, happening every Saturday night from 9:30pm to 11pm at Hard Rock Café. Tickets are $60, inclusive of food and drinks from the a la carte menu. Hey, if a drag queen doing stand-up comedy can’t spice up your dating life, nothing will.
Hard Rock Café is at 50 Cuscaden Road.
