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.

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

Fat Belly’s Tasting Menu – 6 Courses of Delish

I still remember my first trip to Fat Belly, before Burpple Beyond even existed. Fond memories, & glad to be back here again. They still have their regular menu, but the Tasting Menu ($80++) is something new.

You get 6* courses in this tasting menu, & if you’re a Burpple Beyond member you can swipe to redeem the 1-for-1 deal on this here. The Consommé & Starter Duo were served together, so I consider this as 1 course on its own.

Scallion oil was drizzled over the Consommé, which is made from clarified beef bone broth. Delicious & comforting, it was a good way to warm my tummy by waking it up gently.

The Starter Duo was a savoury tart & a financier. I preferred the former; the tart base crumbled nicely in my mouth with the softness of the truffle mascarpone. & the air dried beef, aged for 24 months, added a nice saltiness to it. The financier was a bit dry, its saving grace was really the foie gras mousse & duck fat to give it flavour & moisture. But I’m still not really a fan.

The Short Ribs were served with a Potato Pavé; both were easy to cut through, I enjoyed these cute cubes together very much. In fact, the greedy devil in me wished the cubes were bigger.

I appreciated the thinly sliced layers of potato that gave the Pavé good texture, & the little bit of Crème Fraîche balanced it out fairly well.

The meat was juicy & tender – & to be honest, I didn’t need the smoked sea salt flakes, as it was flavourful enough on its own already. I did dip it in the chimmichurri on occasion just to switch it up, but it was mighty fine on its own.

The Char Siew is one dish I’d kick the habit for – that is, my habit of always peeling fat away from my food. Nicely charred, the beef rib fingers were a little bit sweet & pretty dang orgasmic with the fats melting slowly in your mouth.

Served on a bed of wilted kale that does not have the characteristic bitterness of kale that most don’t enjoy. In fact, it was slightly crisp & I polished the whole plate of it clean!

Fat Belly’s Bikini was served quite quickly after the Char Siew – but don’t be mistaken, these are actually separate courses. I can’t decide what the best part of this dish was – the cheese (which you can see), or the bak kwa (which is hidden but is sizeably thicccc).

I actually don’t like bak kwa, but I loved this. Maybe because it’s wagyu beef. Maybe because it wasn’t dry or tough. Maybe because it was tasty. Probably all of the above. Enveloped by the melty emmental cheese, & sandwiched with 2 slices of crispy bread. I’ve probably just had pretty nasty bak kwa all my life. I’m glad this is one of the good ones!

We waited a while for the Tri Tip Wagyu to be served. The timing in between courses was quite inconsistent, but it might not matter to you if you’re dining with someone you can make good conversation with.

Tri Tip Wagyu. Hot damn.

Just look at that beauty. AusKobe F1 Wagyu Marble Score 4-5. If none of that matters to you, just know that this was hunky juicy tasty. The smoked king oyster mushrooms were also juicy, but had an unusual tangyness to them which raised an eyebrow or two.

I will preface this that it isn’t the best steak I’ve ever had. But I was fairly happy at the end. It paired nicely with the pomme puree – super creamy mashed potatoes, & the fragrance of the sprinkle of burnt shallots on top.

The last dish in this tasting menu – the Sweet. I was worried this would actually be too sweet, but my fears were unfounded. I surprisingly enjoyed it! It wasn’t too sweet. The pistachio mousse was smooth & light; the 2 little cherry cubes & 2 meringues on the side provide good variety between sour & sweet that you can alternate between.

Thanks Fat Belly for the hospitality, & Burpple for the invite! 💕

💳 Accepts credit cards
🌬 Air-conditioned seats available
☀ Al fresco seats available
🖥 Accepts reservations on their website
📱 Accepts GrabPay
🍽 Burpple Beyond partner

The Feather Blade – Proper Steaks Here Indeed

Finally. I made my way down to The Feather Blade. Shopback GO may or may not have a part to play in this….. There was 10% cashback boost til a couple of days ago, I knew I had to visit! That promotion’s done with, but their usual 5% cashback is still pretty bomb.

Queued for 15 mins slightly past 8PM on a weekday; got a seat at the bar counter for myself. Not too shabby.

Popcorn to snack on while I waited

Wasn’t asked how I’d like my steak ($21++), but it was done medium rare, which is how I’d like it to begin with. Very pleased with the steak as much as the side of Mushrooms ($7++) that I ordered.

Juicy steak with a side of mushrooms

If you’re looking for #propersteaks, this is the place to be. Yes, it reminds me of Flat Iron in London, but so what? Give me a delicious steak & you’ll make me very happy. 🥩

#propersteakshere


💳 Accepts credit cards
🌬 Air-conditioned seats available
☀ Al fresco seats available
🍽 Shopback GO partner
💦 Water is not chargeable