Little Bastard: This Restaurant-Bar in Lavender Leaves Us Lusting for More

PUBLISHED April 27th, 2017 07:30 am | UPDATED May 3rd, 2017 03:18 pm

Along King George’s Avenue, somewhere in an alcove above The Refinery, a love child was conceived. Born to test the boundaries of culinary arts and cocktail mixology, Little Bastard serves up an irresistible intercourse of Asian flavours that one inadvertently lusts over. Splendid for an after-work rendezvous, this well-concealed ‘mahjong den’ gives a nostalgic twist to each dining experience, setting the mood for a night of culinary seduction.

Doors open at 6pm, making this the ideal spot for an after-work drink or two, especially since the entire range of cocktails inspired by childhood favourites is available to help ease the pains of ‘adulting’. Simply Yeo’s ($18) is a special mix of sous vide gin infused with lemon peel, barley and bird’s nest; a potion targeted at transporting each customer back to their good ol’ days. My personal favourite was the Cheng Tng Gao ($18) – mixologist Big Shah’s cheeky, unapologetic take on a traditional Hokkien dessert. Born and raised in Singapore, it’s no surprise that his drinks are deeply reminiscent of his island roots.

Food wise, it’s the Shanghainese comfort grub that Chef Gabriel lived on while growing up, together with the various dishes he sampled during his frequent travels to Northern Thailand, that were integral in the making of Little Bastard’s eclectic menu. Focusing on traditional South East Asian flavours, he applies an array of modern techniques to achieve a wholesome but unique palette, while challenging the norm.

One Night in Tom Yum ($20) is evidence enough. Essentially cold Japanese Inaniwa udon dunked in tom yum consommé and topped with fresh crab meat, the unconventional dish first arrives as a bowl of noodles and a glass bottle of icy cold soup. The cold broth hides a zest that would satisfy a diehard spice junkie (like myself). What this tom yum doesn’t have is the fiery burn, making it perfect for those who can’t quite handle the kick.

Another delightful dish is the Duroc Pork LuRou Fan ($18). While maintaining the signature charred taste and feel of a claypot dish, the rice comes without the hazardous scathing pottery. Instead, the dish is presented on a plate complete with a handsome serving of pork belly, quail egg, and shallots.

In the mood to share the love? Sharing plates include the Little Bastard Beef Tartare ($20), a flavourful entrée sure to leave you hungry for more. Look out for the spicy Szechuan seasonings and dollop of century egg puree nestled beneath a layer of roasted nuts and pickled cucumbers. In similar fashion, the Swee Kueh ($12) is shaped to look like the breakfast staple we all know and love, and a bite of the tofu medallions soaked in salted bean soy and chilli oil is enough to transport you back in time.

My favourites, however, are still the large, meaty servings of Duck Confit Penyet ($20) and Shadow Leg ($24). If you’re a fan of the classic ayam penyet, you’ll probably adore the former with its homemade sambal and kecap manis. The latter, on the other hand, features a tender thigh marinated with lemongrass for 12 hours before putting it on the grill.

Little Bastard is a place that juxtaposes the traditional with the taboo. From spiking grandma’s favourite dessert with brandy, to using cold udon in an equally cold tom yum broth, the restaurant is a treat for the senses.  If you’re looking for an adventure, why not try searching for this hidden joint? Have your dinner on a mah-jong table and toast to cocktails infused with bits and pieces of your childhood. A note of warning to the prudes though, you might want to leave the judgement out in the back alley.

Little Bastard is located at 115 King George’s Ave, Singapore 208561, p. +65 8459 9893. Open Tues-Sat 6pm –  12am, Sat 10am – 12am.