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WINE&DINE
216
October14
Nutmeg & Clove
17 Ann Siang Road
6423 9885 | facebook.com/nutmegandclove
FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
Modern Chinese, trendy, city crowd.
THE CHOSEN ONE:
The sweet, strong and terribly more-ish
Singapura Sling ($20) includes spiced, hibiscus-infused
London dry gin, cherry Heering, Bénédictine DOM,
goji
and
red date syrup, and a mix of orange cream citrate and old
time aromatic bitters. It’s aged in a barrel for two weeks, then
served in a Chinese cup and placed in a little wicker rickshaw
lined with monkey nuts. If you have friends in town, this is the
place to bring them for a sling; not only is their concoction
far better (and cheaper) than the other place that famously
sells them, but it’s wonderfully quirky – and you still get to
throw nuts around.
THE CHEAPSKATE:
Draught Kirin goes for $10 per glass; wine
starts at $11.
BITE ON THIS:
The Atlantic codfish croquettes ($12), with smoked
cream cheese, crispy anchovies and smoked vinegar powder,
are a must-try. But be warned, you’ll probably fight over these
six little bundles of deliciousness, so order two plates.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST:
This is a local place with local flavours –
you’d be forgiven for walking past as the name is written in
Chinese over the door. Ann Siang used to be a nutmeg and
clove plantation, so many of the drinks here use these spices
as well as others typically found in Southeast Asia. The menu is
divided into four eras – Trading Post, Crown Colony, Sovereign
State and Metropolis – signifying the changes that the country
has been through over the years. The drinks in each of the
eras are based on beverages that were popular at the time.
Head bartender and resident mixologist, Kai, from Taiwan,
came third in the world in the Best Bartender competition,
and was judged best in Asia Pacific. The man is a wizard.
Jade McLean
Ninety Four
94 Club Street
8180 0347 | ninetyfour.sg
FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
Lovely warm interior with high industrial
ceilings, rustic brickwork and spacious seating.
THE CHOSEN ONE:
Any of the martinis ($16, choose from apple,
lychee or vodka), as well as the Bubble Gum shooter – a
combo of Southern Comfort, crème de banana, grenadine
and milk. Bailey’s lovers should not leave without trying the
Squashed Frog ($28 for two).
THE CHEAPSKATE:
$12 for a full pint from a range of Archipelago
draught beers.
BITE ON THIS:
The thin-crust pizza
rucola e prosciutto
($28.80) is
the perfect snack to share after a round (or two) of cocktails,
while the spaghetti carbonara ($20.80) is rich and full of flavour.
WOULD YOU BELIEVE?
Part of the BLVD group, which also runs a
number of bars and restaurants in the city area, this casual
bar and bistro opens up seating by the roadside, alfresco
style, every Friday and Saturday.
Susannah Jaffer
Singapura Sling