Republic Bar – Christmas Drinks Now Available!

It’s that time of year again… & Republic Bar has a Festive Cocktails menu with 5 options (at $26++ a pop) to get your Christmas spirit on. Available daily ’til 31st December 2022, from 5:30pm onwards.

I couldn’t pass up Eggnog (pictured in the tall glass, next to the Negroni), as it is one of my favourite things about Christmas – especially the alcoholic variant. Creamy, sweet drinks deviate vastly from my typical go-to flavour profile for cocktails… But this is probably the only exception.

Expectedly, this is dangerously easy to drink. Quite reminiscent of when I’d put Bailey’s in my milk & cereal, & sit at the back of the LT to inconspicuously slurp it up during class. But this drink is better, in part because it isn’t as sweet as the “cereal milk” left behind post-meal.

The lightness in the whipped texture of cream & egg provides a comforting mouthfeel in every sip. & as you swallow, you get the warm contrasting depth of the dark spirits – Barcadi 8 & Michter’s Bourbon. Of course, there is that touch of nutmeg for a homely Christmas feel… The warm hug that envelopes everything so nicely together.

I enjoyed this from start to finish, but am cognizant that I might be a little bit biased, festival-wise. Try it for yourself & pass your own judgement 😉

Hot Buttered Rum ($26++) was recommended by one of the friendly waitresses. I originally thought I’d stop at 1 Christmas drink, having had a few from the regular menu already… But this sounded too good to pass up.

I was pleasantly surprised.. I loved this even more than Eggnog! Super baffled – because I eat my kaya toast without butter (don’t judge), yet I’d happily drink a litre of this warm, comforting buttery rum…? What sorcery is this!?

Perhaps it was the simplicity of this drink that won me over: Bacardi 8, butter, festive spices. & as I’d mentioned above, it’s served warm. So past the creamy top that gives you a comical moustache, you get that warm fuzzy feeling inside that feels almost self-healing. Mana regen ftw.

Other drinks on Republic Bar’s Festive Cocktails menu:

𝑴𝒖𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝑾𝒊𝒏𝒆 ($26++)
Remy Martin VSOP, Shiraz, Citrus, Festive Spices

𝑷𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒂 ($26++)
Telmont Champagne, Cointreau, Cranberry Juice

𝑷𝒊𝒎𝒎’𝒔 𝑾𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑪𝒖𝒑 ($26++)
Pimm’s No. 1, Lager, Ginger

💳 Accepts credit cards
🌬 Indoor seats only
🖥 Accepts reservations – I used SevenRooms
💦 Water is not chargeable; neither are the dish of nuts served as nibbles
📍 Inside the Ritz-Carlton, Millenia

Tipsy Penguin – They Ran Out of Promo Oysters

Sian. Made a trip to Tipsy Penguin specially for their oysters, only to find they didn’t have the promo ones anymore that day.

Settled for these Japanese oysters (“premium price” they said, hence not eligible for 10% off $100 spend on OCBC cards back when I visited – not sure if this promo is still available)… Which were delicious, but damn – 6 for $24…

Ps: Naked oysters are the best. These toppings here (grapefruit & ikura in the middle; hua tiao ebi at the bottom) don’t do much for how decadent & creamy these oysters are on their own.

💳 Accepts credit cards
🌬 Air-conditioned seats available
☀️ Al fresco seats available
🖥 Accepts reservations on Quandoo (I walked in, though)

Set of Six Before Dark

When I’m alone, I usually sit at the bar for a nice view of the bottles & the occasional chit chat/playful banter. But at Set of Six, it might be a tough call.. Both seem like good options. The seats look quite comfy & yes that is a disco ball 😉

Doesn’t look like something I’d typically order, but looks can be deceiving – Orchard Smash ($25++) is a cognac-based cocktail with citrusy goodness. Deceivingly refreshing with Dry Curaçao & Mint, go slow & savour it in all its cheerfulness, despite the temptation to slurp it all down. It’ll hit you with a fairly nice buzz after.

Didn’t have much time to spend here, but glad I made it & I will certainly be back. Make your reservations early as it gets packed as night falls. Yes lol I was here at 5pm on a Saturday – was able to walk in, but not before they asked me how long I’d be staying.

45 mins, I laughed. Hehehe.

Everyone takes a photo here (outside the bathroom)

💳 Accepts credit cards
🌬 Air-conditioned seats only
🖥 Accepts reservations online/by phone
💦 Water is not chargeable

Evening Oyster Happy Hour at Beurre

Beurre’s Oyster Happy Hour: Mon – Sat, 5-7PM. With a minimum order of 2 drinks, you can get these babies at $2++ a pop. Do read the fine print, though – with a minimum purchase of 6 oysters & maximum of 12 per bill, there isn’t much wiggle room IMHO. I reckon a table of 2 diners would optimize this perfectly…. Or a single solo yolo diner like myself 😂

So these oysters… They are the bomb, man. While not the plumpest, they are juicy enough for my liking. Slightly creamy & with a tinge of brineyness – which is the flavour profile I enjoy. I ordered 6 oysters for myself & tbh as I sit here typing this, I’m tempted to order 6 more to finish on my own…

I enjoy my oysters best with a squeeze of lemon & a nice glass of wine. Pleased to find that Beurre’s drinks menu has some pretty affordable options. I chose the Delle Venezie Pinot Grigio. A light & fruity one, it has hints of pears & apples, which sounds easy to drink – & that it was. It also complemented the oysters nicely, warranting a double thumbs up from me 👍🏻👍🏻

💳 Accepts credit cards
🌬 Air-conditioned seats available
☀ Al fresco seats available
🖥 Accepts reservations – I used Chope
🍽 Burpple Beyond Partner (1-for-1 set course menu)

That Coffee and Beer Place – Affordable Breakfast Sets

Tucked in a corner of Onze @ Tanjong Pagar, an inconspicuous condominium nestled in a cul-de-sac, I don’t think That Coffee and Beer Place gets much passerby traffic. It was Burpple Beyond’s 1-for-1 deals that brought me here.

The Entrance to That Coffee and Beer Place

Burpple Beyond Premium Membership gives you 2 Coffee/Tea deals, 2 Set Meal deals. I originally wanted to just get a coffee, but the breakfast set (served 8 – 11AM, Mon – Sat) deal was pretty tempting.

Breakfast Set = 1 Baked Good + Coffee/Tea. There are 2 different price points: $6.90 or $5.90 per set. I bought the more expensive one, choosing both options for baked goods to cover all ground:

Turkey Ham & Cheese Croissant
Smoked Salmon Quiche

Both of these are $5.90 on their own, so this set is really worth it. & when you swipe Burpple Beyond’s 1-for-1 deal, you save even more!

My croissant was deflated by the time I reached home, probably from being heated up before being packed away 😢 It looked sad, but was surprisingly delicious! Sufficient saltiness from the turkey ham, harmonized with the slight creaminess of the emmental cheese. The croissant wasn’t crispy anymore, but if you saw this as a light & flaky piece of bread, I guess that’s ok 😂

I thought I’d like the quiche more, but I wasn’t a fan of the mushyness of the salmon. I’d prefer larger flakes of chunky fish.. But that’s my preference. Taste wise, it was okay. It is pretty dense, with a good crumbly crust.

Which one would I order again? The croissant, actually. Even though the quiche is substantially more filling. I just liked the flavours a lot better.

What I liked best, though, was the Cafe Latte. It was creamy & smooth. Started my day off on a good note. I’d head back here again just for this when I next drop my sister off at work!

Or maybe I’ll try the $5.90 breakfast sets: Butter Croissant, Chocolate Danish, Jalapeño Cheese Brezel… Which one sounds good?

Ps: As you can infer from their name, they also serve beer here! I also love how they have a cute bottle opener mounted where the cash register is 😂

💵 Cash/NETS only
🌬 Air-conditioned seats only
🍽 Burpple Beyond partner
📶 Free WiFi available
💦 Water is not chargeable
🙋🏻‍♀️ No service charge
🚫 No GST

GUDSHT Bottled Cocktails by Elite Bar Solutions

If you can’t go to the bars.. Let the bars come to you. Been seeing a plethora of bottled cocktails offerings pop up everywhere since circuit breaker measures were introduced in Singapore. Quite apt because I think most of us are going crazy staying at home.

Elite Bar Solutions took it a step further to pay it forward, & I was fortunate enough to receive a free GUDSHT cocktail of my choice, delivered to my home! I picked the Unicorn Barf ($48.00 nett), a glittery cocktail of Roku Gin with homemade Yuzu Rose Infusions & Butterfly Pea Syrup Infusion.

It’s quite unlike my usual drink choice.. Deeznuts ($54.00 nett) would be more aligned with my default. But I wanted to try something different, & Unicorn Barf sounded quite refreshing & floral.

Yo guys this kept me quite happy in the 2 nights that I drank it over. I wanted it to last longer (lol) so I served it over an ice ball – happy to report that it wasn’t too diluted at the end. I loved the citrus from the yuzu & also the sweetness (think sweet plum & honey) that was just right for me. I dislike insanely sweet cocktails, but this was fine.

Elite Bar Solutions‘ cocktails are free of preservatives, so they should be consumed within 10 days from bottling. Generally not a problem for me 😛

I usually float around to different bars to drink their cool cocktails (obviously), but also to appreciate their ambiance, as I’m mostly alone & enjoy it this way. Can’t do the latter anymore, but with a nice jazz playlist in my bedroom, cocktail in hand… I’m not really complaining. Yet.

Happy to be able to pay it forward myself by nominating someone to receive a bottled cocktail as well. I think I shall nominate the most extroverted extrovert I know, whom I’m certain is quite miserable during this circuit breaker period. & who also is an alc– I mean, who also enjoys tasty adult beverages, just like me. Yes, that’s what I mean.

The Elephant Room – Cocktails Paying Homage to Indian Heritage

As I entered The Elephant Room, I got seated at the bar I was served a Welcome Drink on the house. It was a clean & refreshing one of gin, green mango & sour plum. It gently woke my taste buds up.. I was ready to explore.

My Welcome Drink – gin, green mango & sour plum

The Elephant Room’s cocktails & nibbles are “inspired by Indian heritage” – cool concept, but I only truly understood this when I flipped through their menu. Reading through each drink’s descriptions & details, I learnt that each one has a story behind it. The stories are centered around Indian culture & childhood experiences, & iconic landmarks/experiences around Little India.

While these stories don’t necessarily resonate with me, I was captivated listening to the bartender tell them. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, this will be quite the novel & special experience for you.

My drink of choice was Mogul’s Sweets ($22++), which alludes to the nostalgic memory of the local childhood sweet shop. I picked this because of the unique use of savoury, nutty ingredients: Salted cashews & roasted chickpeas. They sounded like they would go well with the characteristic spicyness of the Amrut, an Indian single malt whiskey.

& by golly, they did. This was delicious in a buttery-smooth & creamy way. It felt like I was drinking a nutty alcoholic milkshake. Despite the slightly oily notes it had (which I generally am not a fan of), I enjoyed it through & through til the very end.

If that doesn’t sound like your kind of thing, don’t worry. The Elephant Room has other cocktails like Tekka (Old Monk rum, spiced palm & banana skin), Jothi’s Flower Shop (Jasmine gin, davanam tinture, lime & honey) & Beeda Man (sour mango rum, caraway & jeera goli).

Whilst sipping on my drink, I was introduced to the other Amrut whiskey variants on the shelf. Being very new to Indian whiskey, I listened intently while being schooled about them. Service here was attentive & warm, & the bartenders are friendly & chatty. I did feel a bit bad having to work on my phone from time to time, but I was glad to be left alone when that had to be done. Appreciated 😉

Different types of Amrut Indian single malt whiskey

I ended off my night by sipping some of their Ghee liqueur neat. Honestly, it smells ordinary, but tastes AMAZING. It’s like liquid butterscotch on steroids!!! I don’t like ghee in my food, but I’d happily drink this all day. Totally blew my mind.

The Elephant Room has sold me on these crazy funky infusions. I am sure it’s not easy to get the perfect balance, but I do hope they continue to reinvent their infusions & cocktails in fresh ways to keep things exciting. They already have these cool ones – ghee liqueur, briyani whiskey, chickpea whiskey!? Daaaamn son. Keep them coming.

💳 Accepts credit cards
🌬 Air-conditioned seats only
📱 Accepts reservations via Chope

Rookery’s 3rd Outlet Serves Up Good Mains, Plentiful Tapas & Drinks

In the last year, I’ve patronised Rookery’s other outlet at Capital Tower fairly frequently, & it was packed each time I went. They must be doing well because they now have a 3rd outlet at China Square. Congrats guys!

There is a live band that plays on Thursdays, & it was a little too noisy for me to chat properly while they’re playing. However, it’s nice if you are dining solo or aren’t trying to make conversations with anyone. The band played a good mix of classic songs.

Regrettably, I forgot to take a photo of my drink after taking a few sips. That’s a Tokyo Martini hanging out in the back. My drink – the Old But Not Forgotten (Happy Hour $13++, U.P. $17++) – is in the foreground.

This well-rounded drink had much to offer, & is in line with my drink preferences. The smokeyness from the Laphroaig whiskey (ohh my love) & the burnt butterscotch, caramelized sweetness of brandied cherries, & citrus hints from the flamed orange peel.

If cocktails aren’t your thing, you can choose from their extensive menu of spirits. There’s bound to be something for everyone. I picked a Lagavulin 16 ($15++) on the rocks.

I usually order & enjoy pasta dishes at Rookery’s other outlets, so I was eager to try their mains. These mains are available from 11:30AM onwards, great for the CBD crowd to drop by for lunch & dinner. Being so used to their pasta & as noodle lover in general, I was surprised how much I enjoyed these mains.

I eat sooo much chicken at home that I rarely order chicken when I’m dining out. However, it delights me when I’m served up a good chicken – & that’s what the Roast Chicken & Stuffing ($25++) was. The cranberry stuffing made this dish slightly sweet, & you get your fill of carbs with the creamy mashed potato underneath & roasted pumpkin.

We unanimously decided that the Miso Glazed Norwegian Trout ($28++) was the best dish of the night. No wonder there’s a chef’s hat next to it on the menu! Served medium, it’s super moist inside & is a highly forkable piece of fish. It practically melts in your mouth.

Sliced cherry tomatoes & asparagus drizzled with garlic yuzu oil keep this dish light & fresh. The zucchini noodles underneath are tossed with a creamy pesto mayo that compliments the natural flavour of the trout. I do wish there were more zoodles to match the proportion of fish, as they were quite addictive.

If you’re all about the nibbly life, Rookery has a Tapas menu (available after 3PM) you can choose from. I can’t say much about the Har Cheong Gai Wings ($16++) as I don’t eat chicken wings, even more so when they are fried… But damn this smelled hella good.

The other tapas we had:
᛫ Wagyu Beef ($25++)
᛫ Meatballs ($17++) – these are made of beef, btw
᛫ Iberico Pork Ribs ($18++)
᛫ Sakura Ebi Capellini ($14++)
᛫ Crispy Pork Belly ($17++)

As a seafood lover, the Scallops ($22++) is totally my kind of tapas. Nicely seared Hokkaido scallops that are plump & juicy, served in a pool seaweed & miso butter. As I chomped down on my first scallop, I liked how firm its texture was without being rubbery. I dipped the crispy thin toast into the butter & was impressed. It’s pretty good; I had to go for seconds.

You might think the Vongole Alla Blanc ($16++) is served with the same sauce as the Scallops, but they tasted different to me. The Korean clams are swimming in a broth made from garlic, white wine & chilli flakes for a nice kick. I preferred to dip my toast into this one!

Thanks Rookery for the hospitality & Burpple for the invite! 💕

💳 Accepts credit cards
🌬 Air-conditioned seats only
🖥 Accepts reservations on Chope
🎶 Live Band on Thursdays

No.5 Emerald Hill’s Crazy Chilli Vodka & Happy Hour

I’ve been here before, but this was my first time at No.5 Emerald Hill when the sun was still up 😂 Sitting at the bar alone, my eyes wandered around & couldn’t help but notice the tank of vodka with lots of chillis in them.

Introducing…. No.5 Emerald Hill’s Grey Goose Chilli Vodka Infusion 🤯 The fiery red chillis sit in the vodka for 3-4 months, really lending their spicy flavour to the liquor. I had to have a shot of this or at least try at 1 of their cocktails.. But which one?

The novelty was just too good to pass up! I had to get the 5pice Me Up ($12+) once I heard it’s reminiscent of an Old Fashioned. I don’t eat crazy spicy food (not a Mala lover), but this cocktail pushed all the right buttons for me.

I was impressed not only by the zing of the heat/spice from the chilli, but also how smoothly the drink goes down. It also helps that, like my favourite Old Fashioned, this isn’t saccharine sweet!

5pice Me Up, with a complimentary bowl of peanuts

Surprised at its affordable price, I was tempted to get a 2nd one, but I resisted 😂 I’ll try some of the other options next time: the Hi-5 ($12+) highball with soda, Cherry Snap ($17+) a sweet treat, & Bangkok Martini (2 for $20+).

I have many fond memories after dark (9PM – 1AM, specifically) here, where their extensive Martini menu goes at a sweet 1-for-1. & practically all day before that (12 – 9PM), housepours start from $8 — & that’s a gentleman’s pour of 45ml, not the regular 30ml.

You truly get your money’s worth here. Just like I did with my Hennessy on the rocks 😍 So if chilli vodka isn’t quite your kind of thing, don’t worry about it… You definitely have other options here.

Ps: Also love nibbling on the peanuts & throwing the shells on the floor…. Who’s with me?!

💳 Accepts credit cards
🌬 Air-conditioned seats available
☀ Al fresco seats available
🖥 Accepts reservations on Quandoo
🙋🏻‍♀ Service charge applicable
🚫 No GST

Hopscotch – Unique Cocktails & 1-for-1 Mains with Burpple Beyond

I remember the days where Hopscotch was a cosy bar inside the Red Dot Traffic Building, whipping up a good variety novelty cocktails. They haven’t deviated from this specialty, but the vibes here now are quite different in the hipster/artsy enclave of Gillman Barracks.

Walking to Hopscotch (don’t park illegally like these cars!)

They still keep things interesting, changing their menu up once in a while. They’re on their 5th menu at the moment, with Singapore or Asian themed cocktails.

My cocktail of choice: Kungfu Hustle (U.P. $22++/HH $15++), which has a base of Chrysanthemum infused scotch. It’s exactly what I look for in a cocktail: Strong, & not sweet. A harmonious balance of floral rose honey, fragrant Gunpowder Tea (珠茶), with a hint of heat from young ginger. Also, check out the bottle it’s served in – soooo aesthetic.

Happy Hour is 5:30 – 8:30PM daily, & yes I could get HH prices on my cocktail ($15++) despite redeeming a Burpple Beyond deal on the same bill. I always make sure I check, & never to assume. I appreciate it when restaurants are flexible like that, so thank you Hopscotch!

Shelves of games you can play – fun idea

The Ribeye Steak ($26++) is part of the Burpple Beyond 1-for-1 menu options. 220g of New Zealand Grass-fed Black Angus Ribeye. It’s a simple hunk of steak, with not much else to the dish. It lies on a light swoosh of Purple Potato Mash that wasn’t very carby, & has a small side of sauteed baby spinach for you to get your veggies & fibre in.

I opted for my usual medium rare, but was afraid that at this thickness it’d be a little tough. But it wasn’t! It was also seasoned pretty well; I didn’t need to dip it in the veal jus served on the side – though that was tasty too. (My dad lapped it up quite eagerly…)

Ribeye Steak, eligible for Burpple Beyond’s 1-for-1 deal

Hopscotch’s Chilli Lobster Tagliatelle ($28++) pays homage to local flavours with a chilli sauce of local spices & a lobster-based stock. The chewy homemade tagliatelle pasta was firm to the bite, & the half a Boston lobster it comes with is fairly meaty. The heat isn’t unbearable, in all quite pleasantly tingly on the tongue with a subtle sweetness.

Being a pasta & seafood lover, I would order this again. Exceptionally pleased that I got this at “half price” thanks to Burpple Beyond’s 1-for-1 main deals, too!

💳 Accepts credit cards
🌬 Air-conditioned seats available
☀ Al fresco seats available
🖥 Accepts reservations on Chope & Quandoo
🍽 Burpple Beyond partner
🏃🏻 Shopback GO partner
💦 Water is not chargeable