Unusual food and drink pairings in Singapore

Celebrate the end of yet another working week by hitting up one of the city-state‘s F&B establishments for a few bites paired with the perfect tipple.

Take your pick from two rooftop bars that have both launched new food and drink offerings; an opulent speakeasy that’s finally reopened its doors following the circuit breaker exercise; and a new restaurant that houses a 3,000-strong vinyl collection and serves up dishes dreamed up by a Michelin-starred chef.

Although the beloved White Label Records shuttered its doors earlier this year, there’s another place in town where analog aficionados can socialise the company of more than a few vinyl records (3,000 to be exact). Situated on the second floor of a Chinatown shophouse, Appetite is a sophisticated yet homey multi-concept space brought to you by the team behind Michelin-starred Nouri, which holds court on the building’s first floor. Take a seat on one of the plush couches and feast on dishes from top chef Ivan Brehm as you sip on an intriguing array of global wines. The food menu spotlights a fusion of Japanese, Indian and Peranakan inflections, such as the Bunuelo de Viento with Hokkaido scallop that comes in a kueh pie tee-like shell, while the wine offerings include cult-favourite natural wines from the likes of Austria’s Gut Oggau and more.

For top-notch tipples and a solid view of the sunset, you can’t go wrong with Mr Stork, the rooftop bar at Andaz Singapore. Following a six-month hiatus, the venue is once again serving guests from its perch high above the city skyline, armed with a brand-new food license and exciting array of new dishes and cocktails to boot. Guests can snack on a rotating array of bites including truffle fries, Impossible sliders and chicken or beef satay. Meanwhile, the cocktail menu is inspired by the establishment’s on-site greenery and features fruity and herb-focused fare. We recommend the Ruby, a citrus-forward drink made with Ceylon Arrack, lemon, ginger, fresh mint and vermouth that’s served out of an elephant mug.

Another classic rooftop establishment that offers sweeping views of Marina Bay and beyond is LeVeL33. Known for its excellent local craft beer, the restaurant and microbrewery has launched a new dining menu that celebrates local flavours and producers. Diners can feast on the Ah Hua Kelong Seafood Bouillabaisse, which makes use of local mussels, prawns, clams and fish that are delivered fresh each day from Ah Hua Kelong; as well as the Local Barramundi from Kuhlbarra – inspired by local grilled stingray – in which the fish is marinated in fragrant spices and aromatics such as turmeric, lemongrass and chilli. In a bid to do their part to help reduce food waste, the outlet also makes use of “ugly vegetables” (produce with cosmetic imperfections) to create its dishes. Don’t forget to pair your meal with one of their highly quaffable beers.

Barbary Coast Ballroom, the elegant Boat Quay speakeasy on the second floor, has a revamped menu where you’ll find a number of quirky and creative libations such as the Pea-Ness Pea-Ness, which is made with gin, lacto-fermented apple, pea water and lemon; The Weird One, an intriguing mixture of rum, makgeolli, strawberry wheat and oak moss; and the Getting Figgy With It, an herbaceous tipple with Campari, vermouth, rooibos tea and fig leaf water. Their bar bites – which includes an indulgent mac and cheese with smoked Gruyère, butter-poached lobster and mushrooms – are certainly worth a try as well.

Please check the establishments’ respective websites for opening hours before visiting, and remember to adhere to safe-distancing measures while out and about.

SEE ALSO: Best cocktail and food pairing tips for a perfect meal  

This story was first published on 18 September 2020.