Showing posts with label bar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bar. Show all posts
HRVST Vegan Restaurant and Bar
Labels:
bar,
cocktails,
restaurants,
shenton way,
vegan,
vegetables,
vegeterian
·
Healthy vegan food. Never have I in my wildest dreams would have imagined signing up for something like this and eventually coming out from the other end of the tunnel, convinced that this is a much needed subculture movement.
HRVST restaurant and bar located on the 5th floor of the OUE downtown gallery shares its space with Kilter Avenue, a gym that's driven by movement. In the big picture , the restaurant is a holistic extension of the healthy lifestyle concept - touting vegan food and beverages to both gym users and the general public alike.
[KL] Knowhere Bangsar opens with some excellent boozing options
Labels:
bangsar,
bar,
cocktails,
hidden finds,
kuala lumpur,
large groups,
overseas,
restaurants,
will return
·
Dining options may come and go in the Bangsar precinct, and with the spectrum of international cuisine offered, diners are spoilt for choice. It's the same in the boozing scope of things. However, a new kid on the block might just pique your curiosity. In fact, the azure of luminescent lights will cajole you into the debauchery of the drinking den. For which I implore you to take the plunge.
[Messed up Mondays]: Newsletter for the Thirsty
Labels:
bar,
barolo,
bartender shifts,
cocktails,
drinks,
gin,
guest bartender,
round up,
tanjong pagar,
telok ayer,
wine pairing,
worlds best bars
·
As we are deep in the third quarter of 2018, new year resolutions start to wane, and you find yourself pressing against the gas pedal on the topic of 'debauchery'. Don't fret if you're haven't had the chance to indulge in all the good things the city has to offer - the rest of the year's wine and dine line-up is just around the corner.
Here are some of my favourite events of the season (mostly alcoholic related). So if you're on a pursuit of drinking pleasure, this might just be your shtick.
~~~
Damilano Wine Dinner at Zafferano Italian Restaurant and Lounge
on 26 July from 7pm
"Not all grapes are destined to become Damilano wines", and to only represent the 'King of Wines and the Wine of Kings', Barolo, is to take it one step further in exclusivity.
On the 26th July and for one night only, experience the jewels of Barolo's terrior in a five-course dinner curated by Head Chef Emanuele Faggi at Zafferano together with wine pairings from Damilano Wine Company. You'll be placed in the good hands of Brand Manager, Thomas Cuni, who will guide you through the beautiful journey of heritage wines, which include the Barolo Lecinquevigne 2013 and the elegant Barolo Cannubi 2012.
Dinner highlights include delicate pillows of veal tongue Raviolo and the well-executed pan roasted venison served with oven baked quince apple and broccoli.
The Damilano Wine Dinner is available on 26 July 2018 from 7pm at $98++ per person
Events Page: Zafferano
Reservations: here
~~~
Tippling club launches its first ever Sons of Tippling Gin
The craft distillery boom has recently tainted the youngest, most talented minds in the Food and Beverage scene in Singapore. While some wait three years to distill their whisky, some are dabbling in gin - cue, the newest gin to grace the market, founded by three experts in the field, Ryan Clift, Joe Schofield(recently awarded International Bartender of the Year at the 12th annual Spirited Awards) and master distiller James Young.
Made from Botanical ingredients such as juniper, coriander seed, angelica root, liquorice, aniseed, cardamon, lemon and orange peel and lemon myrtle - this does sound like a typical modern gin with a crisp citrus edge, but when does Tippling Club ever the trod the path of the commoners?
Come Saturday 28 July, the inquisitive will be treated to a sneak preview of the small batch gin (limited quantities of 300 bottles only). Tippling club will be dishing it out in 3 signature cocktails priced at $22+ each. Peripheral activities included complimentary canapes and complimentary tattoos by Joe Wang from 8 Volts Tattoo.
~~~
Global Bartender Exchange: CK Kho of Coley guest shifting at Cin Cin
on 25 July from 7 - 11pm
Here's where you should go to get your midweek fix this week.
Gin specialist bar, Cin Cin will be playing host to CK Kho of Asia's Best 46th Bar 2018, Coley in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. From 7 to 11pm, be entertained with quirky mannerism (if you see him breaking out the angostura bitters, RUN!) and a quick show of hands stirring up two exclusive cocktails using Bulldog Gin - an English gin that advocates wanderlust in its global sourcing of botanicals.
If you're one to inhale the peanut snackage when at bars, the Nutjob made to replicate that bar snack will be up your alley. Otherwise, Paradise Lost is set to tickle your palate with its effervescent mix of Strawberry and Ginger Shrub and Bulldog Gin finished with a healthy splash of sparkling wine for good measure.
~~~
Bartenders battle it out for the Black Cow Vodka Gold Top Cup
on 1st August from 6 30pm onwards at Fancy
Forget about conventional bartending competitions, the Black Cow Vodka Gold Top Cup finals is happening on the 1st August and you'll be able to get up close and personal with the ten finalists as they battle against each other for a chance to compete in the world finals where a trip to UK, home of the Black Cow Vodka is up for grabs.
The ten finalists are:
Michael Mendoza - 1864 Bar and Lounge Sofitel
Tim Chew - 1180
Leonard Lim - 1880
Bannie Kang - Anti:Dote
Russell Ong - Atlas
Dave Koh - Bar Stories
Sashi Satiyaseelen - Pollen
Nina Kong - Sugarhall
Yadhaven Santheran - The Guild Singapore
Don Henry Miranga - The World is Flat
The finalists will be shaking up a storm at a public event on August 1st at Fancy, 35 North Canal Road from 6 30pm. So come show some support!
~~~
The Last Shake: Farewell party for Sugarhall on Amoy Street
27th and 28th July (all night long)
If you follow my feed on @thedrinkseeker, you would know of my devote penchant for rum. And its with the heaviest of hearts that I have to bid farewell to my favourite bar in Singapore (Yes, I said it) If you haven't heard (which rock have you been hiding under?), Jigger and Pony as well as Sugarhall will be uprooting themselves from the Amoy street precinct as of this weekend. Come by, eat, drink and be merry. No tears allowed though. Afterall, it's not goodbye. It's farewell.
~~~
Rasa Fiesta Singapura: How we survived a Rum fueled 5-Bar Crawl (Adventure)
Labels:
bar,
cocktails,
festivals,
food festival,
rum
·
Ways to survive a bar crawl. Number one, have an exit strategy.
The odd thing was, there was no need for such a excuse the night of our epic bar crawl organised by Accela.Asia and Destination Beverage in conjunction with Rasa Fiesta Singapura - the rambunctious vitality of the crew (some of whom were already intoxicated at this stage) giving no excuses to wiggle out of the room. Then again, there was the rum.
Atlas Bar: More than just that Gin Tower
Labels:
bar,
barfood,
cocktails,
girls night out,
must go,
restaurants,
sgcocktailfest,
will return
·
With Singapore Cocktail Festival out of the way, life dulls down to a certain state of normalcy and I can finally catch a breath or two without having to sip on my fancy old fashioned in between.
Still, life and food revolves around the general bar-hopping practices, and if there's one thing I've noticed in terms of bar trends - standard of food is of paramount importance to the viability of the bar. Especially if you're looking to retain your drinking cliente for longer periods. Some of my recommendations for good tipples paired with equally satisfying nosh, include Tippling Club, Employees Only, new kid on the block, Cracker Jack, Neon Pigeon, 28HKS and Sugarhall. What's next?
For drink chasers whose bank accounts are more of less self-replenishing, there's a gleaming gem in the Gotham building that has just opened up to stupendous response. For realms of pleasure that extend beyond the regular truffle fries, look to Atlas Bar.
Singapore Cocktail Festival 2017: Chasing Stars (or Guest Bartenders) Part 2
Labels:
bar,
bartender shifts,
cocktails,
must go,
sgcocktailfest
·
Took a day's breather from the roll call as yours truly is currently winging SGCF duties on barely 4 hours of sleep. *groans*. If I could be an inanimate object, it would be a piece of rotting wood, a little bit of moss on the side to elaborate on the fermentation process. BUT, I'm back with a vengeance! 3 days into the festival and we've hit the halfway mark. If you've been reserving your liver, or if you've got the means of a back-up generator, here are some of the guest shifts and events that you should definitely drop in for!
Singapore Cocktail Festival 2017: Chasing Stars (or Guest Bartenders) Part 1
Labels:
bar,
barfood,
cocktails,
festivals,
food festival,
sgcocktailfest,
sgcocktailweek
·
The pivotal moment for me in my cocktail foray came when I first took a deep incestuous whiff of that Kaya Toast Cocktail at Bitters and Love (as if recreating scenes of smothering myself in Naz's smooth locks. I think I'm going to need a moment). That was many moons ago, my love for sweet things dwindling down to a dull but omnipresent mode; the fixation switching tides to tipples that are a bit more persuasive, more lethal. But, you're not here to listen to the story of my journey to alcoholism. You're here to read up about my recommendation for this 6 mad days of a journey to a thousand tipples.
If you haven't already heard (where have you been?), Singapore Cocktail Festival comes back with a bang this year, with the same mad-house antics of International guest bartender shifts and workshops happening all around town with the exception of the Festival Village on 99 Beach Road working as the heart of the festivities. No more wristbands. Good God!!! Just good old bar-hopping sans the restrictions of having to manage expectations with $14 cocktails. That being said, most bars will be running promotions on the specialty cocktails curated just for the festival, so do keep a look out at all the 45 participating establishments dotting the island.
[NEW] Philly Shack: Home to the Philadelphia Cheesesteak
Labels:
affordable,
american,
bar,
barfood,
burgers,
clarke quay,
comfortfoods,
may not return,
milkshakes
·
It's been awhile folks, and I apologise for my absence. Here to make up for me playing hooky, I'm going to tell you about this new joint in the Clarke Quay precinct that I've had the privilege of suffering the weight of its entire menu. (Then again, this only came to mind whilst preparing to head out to Zouk's Official Opening Party over the weekend, so that's a blessing in disguise!)
Philly Shack arose when the owners of now defunct Butchers Club decided to take matters in their own hands and do a spin-off on their own concept. As a result, a new fast food joint, Philly Shack was born. Touting the Philly Cheesesteak as it's MVP, the rest of the menu highlights the regular American fast food joint fare, everything from Buffalo Wings, Onion rings to Burgers and Boozy milkshakes. Making it the ideal pit stop for a hunger-pang-busting lunch, chillax after-work spot to convene over drinks or a late-night closer when one is intoxicated.
[NEW] The Wall: pairs sumiyaki with wall to wall of Whisky
Labels:
bar,
expensive,
hidden finds,
must go,
romantic,
whisky,
will return
·
'They packed up in here wall to wall' - now, that would be an understatement.
The newest kid on the Tanjong Pagar road, The Wall, expounds its beliefs in breaking down 'walls' and pre-notions to the the concept of whisky drinking in Singapore.
You enter the warmly lit bar and walk through what is suddenly a stunning juxtaposition of conservation shophouse brickwall on one side, and a striking floor-to-ceiling collection of whiskys on the other. It's a gorgeous room and all you'll want to do is sink into an armchair with a solidly built dram in your hand. Unfortunately, you won't find that here, the elimination of clichéd scenes of whisky drinkers wrapped in mists of cigar smoke in private rooms presents the opposite truth here -The Wall hosts a typical bar set-up with high stools and a rather excellent bartender behind the counter, willing to transform your choice of whisky into a quintessentially urban imbibe experience that most regular whisky lounges don't provide.
Manhattan Bar presents a walk through Central Park
Labels:
american,
bar,
barfood,
birthdays,
cocktails,
date night,
must go,
orchard,
regent hotel,
romantic
·
Alright, so my favourite Black Tuesdays (pictured above) has been wiped clean off the menu at Manhattan Bar, but hey.. the new Central Park menu does prove to contain some gems in its sprawling green realms. Representing the 843-acres of public park, Central Park provides a piece of tranquil serenity in the midst of the concrete jungle it is located in; the alcoholic libations and accompanying snacks do walk in the same relaxed stride.
The HungryGoWhere Awards 2016 & my vote for 'Best New Restaurant' - KITE
The HungryGoWhere awards are back with an exciting season this year in search of crowning Singapore's best food and drinks in over 21 categories ranging from 'Best Buffet' to 'Best Bar/Lounge' and a more expansive Hawker category including specific dishes such as 'Roti Prata', 'Laksa' and 'Hainanese Chicken Rice'.
This year, aside from voting via their website (link here), the public can now cast their votes via social media by posting a public post on facebook, twitter or instagram with these two hashtags: #HGWawards and #(business name). Note that voting ends on the 26th June'2016 11:59pm so speak your mind quickly! Bonus reasons for casting your votes includes the chance to win a pair of tickets to $100Gourmet, a dining event which sees Michelin Starred chefs collaborate with local talents happening in August and September 2016 - you could be one of the lucky 50 voters!
Freehouse: Stairs to Beer heaven
"No Strangers Here" shines in neon lights from the headboard above the gleaming tap system at newbie craftbeer joint Freehouse. Here, there is not such a thing as "VIP" treatment., the mandatory greetings and introductions with the friendly staff on deck, the only rite of passage to access the incandescent streams of cold beer flowing through their glycol cooled beer dispensers.
Freehouse, as the name states is a pub that isn't tied to just one brewery. A sight not so prevalent overseas but more predominant on local shores given Singaporean's thirst for variety. Located a flight of stairs up from Cheek by Jowl on Boon Tat street, this craft beer and cider haven is a labor of love from the same folks of The Mad Tapper, Singapore's first craft cider distributor to rally up the sweet-carbonated-alcohol loving crowds since early 2015. With a distribution representation throughout several breweries in NZ, Australia, United states and UK; it's not surprising to see them diversifying and fitting in the role of a tap-house with 16 beers on demand.
[Singapore Cocktail Week special]: The Vagabond Bar
Labels:
bar,
barfood,
cocktails,
girls night out,
hidden finds,
jalan sultan,
must go,
romantic,
sgcocktailweek,
will return
·
Singapore Cocktail Week kicks off to a roaring start this weekend with a great many events, workshops and guest bartender shifts to please both the novice drinkers and industry peeps alike. Amidst a flurry of activities and slurred words to ensue, there is Vagabond Hotel, tucked away in the seemingly forgotten part of Jalan Sultan. This ostentatious boutique hotel needs no introductions, it's seductive yet clearly artsy direction scoring points on my staycation chart, earning it a place in the Top 5 Trendiest staycations in the City list. Similarly, the resident bar veers away from the textbook, hotel lobby bar. No tiki cocktails nor cliched alcoholic punches are insight here. Instead, the bartenders dig deep, procuring brands that are hard to find and beyond the comprehension of most common tastebuds, till a sip of the forbidden potion reveals that inner snob in most of us.
Specially for cocktail week this year, Vagabond bar has churned out a grand 5 cocktails for at a reasonable $14++ only. With the usual suspects stripped off from the regular cocktail menu and a few exciting additions to make up the coveted list, you'll be assured a exciting if not gustatory experience at the bar, honed by ostentatious mad men vibes and a 'monkey on your back'. Unfortunately, only holders of the wrist-bands will reap the rewards, so if you haven't laid hands on the set of 8 bands, you had better jump on the bandwagon soon!
Gemmills: Hole-in-the-wall wine bar
Labels:
bar,
barfood,
desserts,
good eats around tanjong pagar,
hidden finds,
romantic,
tanjong pagar,
tart,
telok ayer,
will return,
winebar,
wines
·
I've kept a secret for way too long. A hidden find,waiting like a wild child to pounce on the hearts of the free spirited and the closet introverts. Newly opened Gemmills, a drinking hole celebrating the best of affordable wines and dapper bar grub has inched its way into my heart, stealing snippets of my sorrow away as its' mischievous red trickles down my parched throat.
With wildly successful backing under its wings, (think Maggie Joan's and its wonderfully rogue cuisine); its easy to see how the new bar venture runs in the same tangent, exuding a kind of 'too-cool-for-school' vibe with patrons eagerly cradling glass vessels of ruby red or sweet crystal over jaunty conversation.
Gemmills, inspired by its namesake John Gemmill; who apparently was a successful auctioneer and banker in the 1840s donated the Gemmill fountain, a drinking fountain, and first of its kind in Singapore - in a bid to quench the parched throats of the public with nothing but the gift of sky juice. Likewise, the new all-day dining concept pushes in the same direction, except with more frivolity and a slightly exclusive conception.
Manhattan Bar: Do the Harlem Shake
Labels:
bar,
barfood,
cocktails,
date night,
must go,
regent hotel,
romantic,
will return
·
The Manhattan bar ranks amongst the world's top 50 bars. As a homage to old-world cocktails, it serves up an impressive list featuring the many iconic boroughs of - where else - New York City. It's famed barreling program eschew the common spirits, focusing on classic and once-forgotten creations. A trailblazer amongst hotel bars, it focuses on barrel-aged Negronis and revered by visiting mixologists. Add in the quintessential weekend "adults-only cocktail brunch" that harnesses the staying powder of Bloody Marys, and you have an opus magnum to the African-American neighbourhood of Harlem, north of Manhattan borough.
Merdandy Raffles Place: let's focus on the grub.
Labels:
affordable,
alfresco,
bar,
barfood,
beer,
lunch,
may return,
mocktails,
pasta,
pork chop,
raffles place,
rendang,
setlunch
·
'It's a daily struggle, especially the part where we have to turn down guests who come in looking for an after-work tipple,' Alvin says, 'initially, it's heartbreaking, but after a while, it becomes normalcy.'
I hear you Alvin.
Merdandy, Haji Lane's biggest player alongside the groovy Blue Jaz cafe has decided to venture out of its comfort hipster zone and don a business suit instead. Situated on Chulia street in the midst of Raffles Place, the 2nd outlet retains its too-cool-for-school alfresco settings, but ramps up the front in the food department with a more concrete menu. Unfortunately due to a certain sort of recklessness, the granting of the alcohol license has been severely delayed, hence a trip to the joint would mean giving your liver a lovely respite from the daily damage. I speak on my part mostly; but for one, I was glad to be able to savor the quality of bar grub in absolute clarity.
JOO Bar: Bringin' Korean sexy back.
Labels:
affordable,
bar,
barfood,
big groups,
bugis,
drinks,
family friendly,
korean,
must go,
pork belly,
soju,
will return
·
Having had a stint in Sydney, I'm no stranger to Korean food; the convenient trips to Korean supermarkets in the dead of the night; the camaraderie that build around a table of Korean fried chicken and imposing beer towers with friends - all familiar experiences in my book. Yet, truly Korean restaurants - good ones - are woefully limited here in Singapore. One reason is that, as with so many ethnic cuisines, there's too much competition and strife; the local palates usually tend towards a more Western flavor in pursuit of idealism. Another, is that Korean food is always associated with the smoky stench of barbecued meats sticking to your hair, the folds of your favourite cotton sweater and just about everything, that puts people off. While the spills of having to pay hefty price tags for enormous dishes fit for a party of 6, when there's only the 2 of you is vaguely a dampening factor; fret not, that's where Joo comes into the picture.
Ding Dong: New menu that takes you down memory lane
Labels:
affordable,
bar,
barfood,
cocktails,
dinner,
fusion,
girls night out,
lunch,
modern,
southeast asian,
special occasion
·
I shuffled, no, rolled out of the restaurant, uttering an endless string of words in contentment in the midst.
My tummy lucked out on a recent media tasting at Ding Dong, Ann Siang Hill's gem of playful mod-Asian cuisine. In the recent month, the establishment has injected an air of nostalgia into the menu with a series of eclectic culinary creations and the team was proud to showcase their new lineup in true peacock fashion; the resulting protestation of my exploding belly seemingly irrelevant in this situation.
Bumbo Rum Club: Love in the Caribbean
Labels:
bar,
barfood,
beer,
big groups,
caribbean,
churros,
cocktails,
fusion,
happy hour,
quesadilla,
rum,
spice
·
Causing quite a stir in the rather mundane tiny town of Club Street, the new Bumbo Rum Club has unleashed some Caribbean heat upon the rather jaded fusion tapas scene in the vicinity.
The newest concept of Deliciae Hospitality Management which manages a slew of rather successful restaurant concepts such as LÉntrecote, Sabio and Forlino (just to name a few); Bumbo Rum Club prides itself on dishing out authentic Caribbean fare, boosted by a rum centric bar and inspired cocktails. Don't be intimidated by the extensive selection of rums here as their claim to fame is the whopping collection of 76 rums from more than 20 countries, this includes 7 homemade infused rums such as Passionfruit & Banana and Cinnamon & Orange. take heed that you can actually take home a bottle of this handmade infused rum for a nominal fee! Perfect for parties or home consumption.
Nassim Hill: Where I go to for my Reubens
I shall expound the truth.
The story I tell people is that the only place where I've had a decent reuben sandwich here in Singapore is at Nassim Hill. Truth is, I've only had one locally, this one, and my heart was sold on the subject matter. Period.
My partner relished in the Nassim Hill Double Decker burger ($21), one that sought special attention with a gargantuan poster beckoning from the walls but mellowed in size in reality. With a swish of house made special sauce, 2 beef patties with grilled balsamic onions, lettuce and tomatoes squished between two lightly toasted buns; this was a lukewarm attempt at a burger. Save for the bread, the entire affair was at best, homely - pedestrian.
My Hot Reuben ($18) on the other hand, satisfied all of my wildest dreams. Corned beef made even sexier with a draping of melted emmental cheese, sauerkraut galore, onions and creamy Russian dressing on the signature Asahi Kuronama beef bread. I attacked the sandwich with a vengeance so hard, unhindered by lingering negative thoughts of carbohydrate control. We'll leave that to some other day, the beer bread is just too hard to pass up. *cheeky grin*
On a side note, check out their happy hour deal which run from 8am-8pm daily. Don't say I didn't let you in on this!
Nassim Hill Bakery.Bistro.Bar
56 Tanglin Road
Tanglin Post Office #01-03
t: 6835 1128
Opening Hours:
Tues-Sun: 8am - 11pm
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