PUBLISHED February 17th, 2014 01:33 am | UPDATED April 17th, 2016 09:49 pm
Located along a non-descript patch of Bukit Timah Road not far from Turf City you would be forgiven for overlooking this unassuming monochrome bottle shop containing a few small tables…. No – wait – you would NOT be forgiven, because despite its simple décor and unpretentious atmosphere, this little off licence-cum-restaurant, Ribbery & Wine Co, is the secret home of some of the best ribs in Singapore (and on our visit, a cracking 80s pop soundtrack)!
We started with the Original BBQ Pork Ribs ($20) which come slathered in a rich smoky sauce with the perfect acidic tang to it. These ribs are like Daisy Duke: hot southern beauties that are just the right amount of filthy.
For those craving an open fire and a thick knit sweater, look no further than the Braised Beef Ribs ($32), run through with seams of tender melty fat which arrived in a hearty red wine sauce, so perfectly slow cooked that the meat had already fallen off the bone.
What happened next was an unexpected delight – the Dry-Rub Lamb Ribs ($30). To be presented with something so delicate next to the big bold ribs that preceded them was a revelation. The lamb ribs were light, fragrant (thanks to the house blend of 5 herbs and spices) and raised to a thing of beauty by the accompanying mint mayo, like a gastronomic stroll through the rolling Grecian hills.
We didn’t have time or room to try all 12 of the amazing ribs on offer but feel confident they would all be equally good. Top of our wish list for next time are the N’awlins Spicy Pork Ribs ($20) which we saw being delivered to the next table, covered in chilli sauce with plenty of visible seeds, we reckon these will pack a serious punch!
All of the ribs come with a choice of two sides, we recommend the mash (which is unabashedly garlic-ridden) and the sweetcorn. Anyone who can make sweetcorn – the working man’s veg and the tin kept in case of vegetable-based emergencies – so rich, smooth and buttery is quite frankly a genius in our book.
It’s not often wine comes second in my life, but the ribs were so glorious it has taken me this long to get around to it. For in addition to world class ribs, RAWC also offers a wide selection of wines with a pleasing number in the $30-$60 range – the happy hunting ground of the casual diner. You can order them with your ribs, or just pick them up to take home, picking yourself up a 10% discount in the process.
Great for: mid-week munch; hungry rugby boys fresh from a match at Turf City; raucous gatherings (the upstairs has room for larger parties). Not so great for: romantic dinners or anything where you are supposed to look elegant. You won’t. You will be shoving those ribs in your face like a fat kid with cake.
Written by Lady Libertine
On this occasion the meal was compliments of Ribbery & Wine Co