PUBLISHED February 7th, 2018 06:00 am | UPDATED May 14th, 2018 11:50 am
The Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day vibes are coming in fast and furious, and in the spirit of festive gathering, this week we have great cocktails, Sunday brunches, and hot dog specials to anticipate the upcoming Year of the Dog.
Try the Cocktails of Bacardi Legacy Singapore Finalists
Singapore has been sending a bartender to compete on the global stage of the Bacardi Legacy cocktail competition for the last three years. The last stretch in-country is crowning a local champion, so the three finalists have put their Legacy cocktails on their home bar’s menu for public. The grape-chamomile syrup in Benedict Poh’s (of Employees Only) Ramillete ($28) has a decidedly Ribena quality but works well with Bacardi Carta Blanca, champagne, and lavender. Helena ($18) is a well-balanced concoction of Bacardi 8 Reserve, lillet blanc, honey-ginger cinnamon syrup, lemon, and Peychaud bitters by Martin Villareal of Chihuly Lounge (The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore), but those who love spirit-forward will fall for Sim Sze Wei’s The Golden Eight ($24), an equal parts cocktail of Bacardi 8 Reserve, Bacardi Carta Oro, Benedictine DOM, and lemon juice.
Ash & Elm Refreshes Sunday Champagne Brunch Offerings
Looking for a free-flow bubbles brunch this weekend? You’re in luck, ‘cause Ash & Elm’s Executive Sous Chef Philippe Duc is launching nine new à la minute petit plates that feature the best of spring’s bountiful produce to go with the free-flow Tattinger Brut, house wines, and Bloody Mary cocktails. Look forward to uplifting dishes like the Basil Risotto with umami mushrooms and shavings of parmesan, Grilled Prawns and Squid with sautéed spinach and crustacean sauce, and Pan-Fried Duck Foie Gras on toasted brioche drizzled with a spiced rhubarb sauce alongside the curated buffet line. Don’t miss the cheese and charcuterie room!
Ash & Elm is located at InterContinental Singapore, 80 Middle Road, Singapore 188966, p. +65 6825 1008. Priced at $138++ per adult ($98++ without champagne and wines, $48++ per child), the Sunday Champagne Brunch is available every Sunday 12pm-3pm.
Have a Reunion Over Cocktails at Nutmeg & Clove
One of the things we’ve started looking forward to annually, once the Chinese New Year (CNY) season starts, is the specials menu at Nutmeg & Clove. This year, they’ve created another three cocktails for the occasion. A personal favourite is Fifteen; the nutty combination of roasted peanut fat washed bourbon, osmanthus, lemon, and roasted black sesame foam is a twist on the Whiskey Sour that is also a nod to the tradition of eating glutinous rice balls on the last day of CNY. Those who enjoy herbaceous tipples will do well with Reunion – ingredients include red dates-infused gin, Chinese mushroom, wolfberries, and angelica root (also known as dang gui) – while folks who want something more refreshing can opt for 旺, an amped up version of Dark & Stormy with oyster sauce, ginger reduction, coriander, lime, and soda water.
Nutmeg & Clove is located at 10A Ann Siang Hill, Singapore 069789, p. +65 9389 9301. Open Mon-Thu 6pm-1am, Fri-Sat 6pm-2am. Closed Sun. Priced at $18++ each, cocktails are available at $14++ during Happy Hour, all day Mon & Tue, 6-8pm Wed-Sat.
Nutmeg & Clove is located at 10A Ann Siang Hill, Singapore 069789, p. +65 9389 9301. Open Mon-Thu 6pm-1am, Fri-Sat 6pm-2am. Closed Sun.
PS Café Ann Siang Hill Launches Free Flow Wine Brunch
Known as a space for brunches and lazy afternoon teas, PS Café’s Ann Siang Hill establishment is adding another element to make your weekend a perfectly laidback one. Whether you’re a fan of their pastas or brunch plates like the Salmon-Dill Potato Cakes ($29) or the Chargrilled Portobello Burger ($26), an additional $70++ will get you three-hours free flow of the greatest hits from their wine collection. Carefully curated to complement their brunch offerings, look forward to Villa Sandi’s Valdobbiadene Prosecco as well as Spanish vineyard Marques de Riscal’s ‘Airenzo’ Tempranillo, vibrant Rueda Verdejo white, and the Rosado Rosé.
PS Café Ann Siang Hill is located at 45 Ann Siang Road, Singapore 069719, p. +65 9797 0648. Free-flow wine brunch is available 12pm-3pm, weekends and public holidays.
Hot Dog It with Three Buns
The folks at Three Buns (the burger restaurant of Potato Head Singapore) have launched five hot dogs that are inspired by the five feng shui elements. Available now till 20 February 2018 at Three Buns and on Deliveroo, choose between beef or chicken franks before selecting a combination of toppings and sauces. Highlights include Fire – gochujang ketchup, watermelon & red pepper relish, and goat’s cheese, Water (BBQ sauce, sautéed shiitake, dashi mayo), and Earth, featuring a matcha demi brioche bun with salsa verde, wasabi mayo, and crisp leeks. Prices range from $12 to $13 per hot dog.
Available on Deliveroo or Three Buns, located on Level 2, Potato Head Singapore, 36 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089143, p. +65 6327 1939. Open 11am till late.
Top Image: Reunion, Nutmeg & Clove