PUBLISHED June 12th, 2019 05:00 am | UPDATED May 18th, 2020 03:14 pm
With the addition of Homeground Grill & Bar, you can visit Jalan Besar in the fringes of Singapore’s city centre for more than coffee and dim sum now. The neighbourhood restaurant bar, co-owned by childhood friends Nellie Tan and Chrystal Yeong, was established in a bid to provide a welcoming space for convivial nights out peppered with drinks and their signature charcoal-grilled dishes.
Upon entering the restaurant, you’ll be greeted by a brightly-lit hall which serves as the main dining area. The concrete walls, accentuated by wooden accents and touches of green, injects somewhat of an industrial charm. If you prefer more intimate seating, head behind the bar counter. That particular corner is draped with fairy lights, casting a warm glow over the room, which heightens the feeling of coziness.
Kick off your meal with alcohol-infused starters such as the Grilled Chicken Wings (S$10) cooked with your choice of malt or gin, and the succulent Whisky Beef Cubes (S$12). Marinated alongside fresh herbs, the latter carries a spicy edge and features New Zealand ribeye that’s melt-in-your-mouth tender. Then for something that can’t go wrong, there’s the chef-recommended Grilled Portobello Mushroom (S$7), topped with cheesy goodness.
Spoilt for choice? We recommend going for the signature Homeground Mixed Platter (S$72) that includes a little bit of everything on the menu. The portion is massive and perfect for sharing between two to three. Seafood lovers will be salivating over the combination of buttery garlic tiger prawns and juicy Norwegian salmon, whereas carnivores are in for a treat with the whisky steak and Bratwurst sausage.
With each homemade sauce specially-designed to complement a specific food, be prepared for a fusion of flavours with each bite. Dip red meats into the Red Wine Sauce, and seafoods into their Thai-inspired Garlic Chilli, which goes particularly well with the grilled salmon by adding a spicy kick and a slight zestiness.
Tthe tipples on the menu here are deliberately light-bodied to accompany the richness of the food. Go on an imaginary tropical getaway with the vodka-based Moondust ($16), garnished with a dusting of its exotic namesake. Desire something more herby and sharp-flavoured? Go for the Safehouse ($17), a vamped up version of the classic gin and tonic. We’re told that it’s up to personal preference, but we suggest incorporating sour plums that will also help you cut through the greasiness of the grub.
Homeground Grill & Bar is located 1088 Serangoon Road, Singapore 328188, p. +65 8774 9278. Open Tue-Fri 6pm – 12am, Sat-Sun 1pm – 12am. Closed Mon.