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)
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?
Chilli Vodka!? Sign me up.
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
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.
Bar seats available
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.
Kungfu Hustle Cocktail
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.
Chilli Lobster Tagliatelle
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
Bui Bui Eats 