PET-FRIENDLY VENUE
Five &2 is our favourite pet-friendly joint of the moment, thanks to its scrumptious grub and initiatives aimed at giving back to society.
Thanks to its lovely waterfront location, spacious al fresco area and satisfying fare, Five &2 ticks all the boxes for pooch paw-rents. But we’d support this pet-friendly bistro anyway, simply for the fact that it goes the extra mile to give back to society.
as dog owners, we certainly approve of Five &2’s prime spot by the Punggol Park lake, its roomy 122-seater al fresco area and the tasty grub. But what really has us on board is the nine-month old bistro’s commitment to serving the community.
The eatery’s name is derived from its social missions: ‘Five’ denotes its initiative to provide one complimentary nutritious meal to a disadvantaged child for every five meals sold, while ‘2’ represents both its missions—feeding the underprivileged and creating a more inclusive workplace by employing marginalised individuals, such as ex-inmates and those with physical disabilities.
In particular, the bistro has integrated unique technologies into its framework to cater to its less able-bodied staff. Ordering is done through a touch-and-pay kiosk, and diners who send their trays and empty dishes back to the kitchen (via a conveyor belt) after their meals will have their $1 deposit returned. Five &2 also features automated cocktail/mocktail machines that have been pre-programmed to shake up drinks at the push of a button.
The restaurant’s ethos of inclusivity doesn’t stop there. In May this year, the bistro officially became pet-friendly to cater to the many dog owners living nearby and to paw-rents who walk their pooches in the park. Not only is there a wash basin outdoors with dog drinking bowls stacked on the ledge above, the establishment is looking to add dog treats to the menu soon. It also plans to roll out activities in collaboration with pet industry partners and dog behaviourists in the months ahead.
Foodie paw-rents will be pleased to know that Five &2’s menu was crafted with input from well-loved local chef and the father of Mod-Sin cuisine, Willin Low, who owns Wild Rocket at Mount Emily and ran Wild Oats for six years in the space that Five &2 now occupies. It’s no wonder the menu’s Asian-inspired dishes are superb; the smattering of continental cafe classics aren’t too shabby either.
A lovely lakeside dining spot that cares for its staff as much as it cares for its
customers—furry or otherwise? Indeed, the community needs more eateries like Five &2.
FOOD AND DRINK
Definite must-tries from the Asian selection include Giam Chye Duck Soup ($10.80) and Sarawak Curry Chicken ($12.80). We have to admit that the latter wasn’t on our radar because, frankly, it sounded boring. But as it turned out, we ate our words (and the curry chicken, gladly) because we couldn’t get enough of the moreish lemak gravy. The comforting duck broth spiked with the mild tang of tomatoes and pickled mustard greens offered balance to the rich curry. We’re also fans of the fresh, juicy Vongole ($18.80) and Norwegian Black Mussels ($18.80)—both molluscs were simmered in a mildly spiced savoury white wine cream broth. Putting a modern spin on one of our favourite local desserts, Pulut Hitam with Coconut Ice Cream ($5.50) substituted coconut milk with coconut ice cream—a clever way to cut the heaviness of the black glutinous rice. Another pleasant surprise was the Popcorn Lover ($7), a concoction of soda, calamansi and popcorn syrup that tasted uncannily like actual popcorn. Who knew machines could be such outstanding mixologists?
AMBIENCE
The bistro is well-spaced out with 74 seats indoors and 122 seats in the al fresco area. As the joint only opens for business in the late afternoon and/or evenings, it never gets too muggy. Furthermore, there are two industrial-strength coolers keeping things breezy. Five &2’s comfortable outdoor seats, married with an unrivalled view of the lake and late operating hours, provide the perfect hangout for families, paw-rents after a stroll, or post-work meet-ups with friends and fur-mily.
PET-FRIENDLINESS
That Five &2 is located in Punggol Park is already a huge boon, since dog owners can drop by after a walk with Fido. But what’s even better is that it’s equipped to cater to folks with furkids in tow. There’s a wash basin in the outdoor area for convenient cleaning up, and an abundance of doggy water bowls. The only thing missing for now is grub for pups, which the bistro is looking to address in the weeks or months to follow.
ACCESSIBILITY
If you feel up to it, Five &2 is a 12-minute walk from Hougang MRT station. Otherwise, hop on a bus for short ride (about three stops) from the train station. For drivers, there’s an EPS parking lot right in front of the bistro.
PRICE
Very reasonably priced, especially for the quality. Sides start from $6.50, mains from $7.80, desserts from $5.50, and drinks from $5.
PAW-RATING:
We may have just discovered our alltime favourite dog-friendly joint. With outstanding fare, a laidback vibe and weekend activities for pooches in the pipeline, Five &2 looks set to become the destination of choice for pooch pawrents—or perhaps it already is. Five&2
PunggolPark
97HougangAvenue8
Tel:62828801 Openinghours:5pm-11pm(MontoThu); 5pm-1am(Fri);4pm-1am(Sat);and4pm11pm(Sun).Lastordersare11pmfromMon toThu,andonSun.LastordersonFriandSat areatmidnight.