NEW MENUS WORTH THE WAIT
Local bars have stepped up their creativity in response to challenges faced by businesses today. More than just cocktails, these new menus take us on a journey through their inspirations and spirits.
Studio 1939 has brought in an ambitious programme of all-new cocktails as well as five desserts by Janice Wong. The desserts can be enjoyed up till midnight, on their own or perfectly paired with cocktails (until the currently mandated 10.30pm cut-off). Head bartender Gavin Teravasan plays subtle with the bar’s tiki concept, as seen in the Bartender ($24), where fino sherry, mezcal, vermouth and grapefruit brine is combined in a spirit-forward modern punch. It’s matched with the showstopper 2am:dessertbar signature, Chocolate H20 (solo $22, pairing $42), an airy chocolate mousse punctuated with yuzu sorbet and salted caramel. Also, check out the matcha-infused Jasmine Oasis (solo $24) paired with the aromatic gin-based Make Her Feel Good (pairing $40). 36 Keong Saik Road. Tel: 6327 1939
Volume Three, the new menu from
MO Bar, is once again styled as your passport around Asia Pacific. Through it, discover the ingredients and styles that characterise each of their collaboration partners. The White Rabbit ($24) brings you to Seoul, where tomato, kimchi and black garlic with tequila make for a complex, savoury and highly intoxicating creation. For pure pleasure, the Milkyway ($24) modelled after a whisky bubble tea hits the spot, while Sarimanok ($24) continues the eye-catching rice paper printed cocktail made popular since Volume One. L4 Mandarin Oriental Singapore, 5 Raffles Ave. Tel: 6885 3500
The new menu, its third iteration, at Manhattan is frankly a game-changer. Its fold-out pages tell the stories of six famous Manhattanites: Eleanor Roosevelt, Robert Downey Jr, Anthony Bourdain, The Ramones (the band), Vera Wang and Ella Fitzgerald. Milkorno ($26) is the must-try, a mezcal and Michter’s blend silkily brought together in a corn and pepper milk punch. Room for more? Sip on the naughtily dessert-like Cigarette Break ($26), with Bowmore whisky, hazelnut and espresso liqueur.
Regent Singapore, 1 Cuscaden Road. Tel: 6725 3377
Junior The Pocket Bar is striking out independently, under proprietor Joe Alessandroni and bartender-in-residence Peter Chua, at a roomier new location with expanded food options. The current Washi concept interprets Tokyo’s 1980s Bubble Era, where the saketini Panda ($25, all cocktails) tickles your senses with genmaicha vermouth, sparkling sake, botanic vodka and pickled bamboo shot. For a comfort drink, Rabbit delivers misoroast carrot aqavit, honey and Junmai sake. 6 Ann Siang Hill. Tel: 8121 1462
Atlas Bar, which just clinched the fourth spot in the World 50 Best Bars ranking, takes us on a tour of 1925 Paris, through the fictional journey of journalist Cecil Beaumont, told in four chapters. Indulge in a crisp Pearl Revival ($24), homage to jeweller Suzanne Belperron, which layers fruity and savoury with gin, spiced pear and Calvados, finished with thyme tincture. Head bartender Jesse Vida offers the smoky A.M.’S Alliance ($27), redolent with tomato-infused mezcal and oloroso sherry finished with chilli tincture. Parkview Square, 600 North Bridge Road. Tel: 6396 4466