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Brass Lion Gin Distillery

40 Alexandra Terrace

Stacked behind habitat by honestbee, is this unassuming little distillery brewing up Singapore-made gin. You would never guess from the pair of lone brass lion that adorns its entrance.

  • Rawr

Speakeasy Bar

We flitter up the stairs, and arrived at this old world bar on L2.

The bartender introduced us to the Three Musketeers of the house. These spirits are born and bottled in this very building.

The Three Musketeers
Butterfly Pea, Singapore Dry, Pahit Pink

The Butterfly Pea and Singapore Dry are both available for sale at $88 a bottle, and we are told that the Pink Pahit will be available soon once production is up to scratch. These are small batch production, therefore you won’t be finding them in volume at any duty free. A quick look at the menu reveals their spiritual possibilities:

  • Happy hours from 5-8pm weekdays

We decide to summon for a trio of Brass Lion ($16), Butterfly ($16), and Pahit ($16), the latter which was had on the rocks. Our attention quickly turned to the bartender’s quick work. The bartender first doses the glass with some Butterfly Pea gin, which has a distinctive peaflower blue glow. Upon touching the Indian Tonic water, it quickly morphs into purple.

Butterfly

The end result is both alien and mesmerising. The Butterfly takes on grapefruit with subtle floral hints.

(L) Brass Lion and (R) Pahit on the Rocks

The next of our companions, the Brass Lion, is slightly more laid back in appearance and tone. It makes up for that understatement with a ginger flower and juniper berries, which add quite a spice. The favourite for this eatvestigator was the Pahit, which reminded one of an Old Fashioned contorted out of gin. This was certainly an interesting experience and we hope to be back to check out the rest of the menu. Until then…

We were also told about an alternate hands-on experience, a certain gin school, where one can concoct up your own gin flavours.

40 Alexandra Terrace, Singapore 119933

Tasting Room:
Tue-Fri – 5pm – 12am
Sat – 2pm – 12am
Sun – 2pm – 7pm
https://brassliondistillery.com

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Off The Grid


The story goes that this eatvestigator’s party were mere innocent tourists wandering around Fort Mason where we had stayed. We were then attacked by waves of steaming charcoal interacted with animal fats. That prompted a closer investigation which led to our discovery of this syndicated crime scene: Off The Grid.

These guys organize a weekly gathering of food trucks, renowned and experimental sorts, who get to unleash their sensory overload upon us mere hungry mortals. If you are interested in the economics of food trucks, you may find this article of interest. Behold the formation of food trucks that awaited, alongside of live entertain as we drink and chow down the slaughter into the night.

We were senselessly assaulted by the thugs like “The Chairman” whose long queues mercilessly tormented our bellies. Nor did we fare any better with “The Whole Beast” who held promise that we could chow down an entire animal. Closer examination of their menu revealed that such a prospect was unlikely.

These wonder “Smokey Yukon Potatoes” quickly filled the void that had ensued from our earlier torment, thereby allowing us to slog down bite sizes of ”Cinco de Mayo Nachos”.

Behold, what do we find? Malaysian food, but hell no way is this cheapskate eatvestigator gonna ever pay $10 for laksa. Maybe in 20 years time…

Live music quickly ensues and people chow leisurely on these assorted seats. The performance was pretty good, and the eatvestigator was able to work on a piece of beef ribs (USD4) from “Cedar Hill” tent. You will also be able to find a good racket of alcoholic drinks and desserts being peddled in the background.

This eatvestigator was very pleased with this San Francisco take on organized street food. With a group of friends, it was possible to try a whole assortment of foods for under $20. Do pay this racket a visit if you are ever in the foggy city, you will be robbed smiling.

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Little Part One Cafe


Little Part One is a perennial long time favorite of this eatvestigator, but strangely it is only now that a review is being written. Tucked away in the row of shophouses behind Thomson Plaza, is this gem of a cafe where one could simply order a pot of tea while reading a book the entire afternoon.

Whilst reading, you could order some nibbles like the curried fries or buffalo wings to share with your companions. The fries were tamed by the accompanying mayonaise and great finger food. The wings were available in 3 levels, and came with some cucumbers to quench the heat. However the size and spiciness paled in comparison to places that do wings as their specialities, plus it was a tad expensive near $12.


After working on these appetizers and resisting the urge to lick your fingers, you would be strolling to the restroom. Perhaps you might want to check out the al fresco area at the back. Behold an entire shelf of emptied beers and spirits. No doubt from nights of indulgences.

So if you are in for some main courses, there’s chicken kiev and beef stew that apparently had traces of Guinness stout. They did decent mains, but not particularly impressive that I would head there for them. If anything, its for the drinks and laid back ambience.


Thereafter as nightfall approaches, drinks are in order. Now this is what I like the cafe and the ambience it offers, a place for good company and a good chat over drinks. They have a hearty selection of Belgian trappist beers you would never expect to find all the out of town from the likes of Rochefort 10 to belgian wit beers. If you are not in the know, Belgian beers are typically artisan beers that have a more flavorful expression of fruits and spices and even chocolate! Definitely a change from the common man’s lager. Ladies may like the Delirium Tremens for its sweetness.

The artisan beers here are just perfect accompanions for desserts. For your sweet tooth, there is a rendition of apple crumble which is brimming with apple chunks and not just cheap sugar, topped off with vanilla ice cream. Or you could also choose from the daily cakes selection that go for around $6.
I can’t emphasize how much I love this place and its cozy embrace. I always wonder when I will be back, since as it nicely sums up on the way out, I’m almost always hungry!



15 Jasmine Road
Adelphi Park Estate

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Buyan Russian Haute Cuisine & Caviar Bar


Do you seek adventure? Little did you know but it’s right near our doorstep, a Russian restaurant. A vintage $50000 bottle of 1841 wine lives somewhere in the premises that imagines itself in a far flung meadows and seas. Underneath the vintage European look, the menus are entirely modernized and presented on iPads (sadly they are not using Square payment system).
We chance upon the Singapore Restaurant Week special of lunch for $25++. What transpires is a melody of Borsch Soup followed by Herring in cream sauce and a Raspberry shortcake.


A real test of whether the premises are Russian would be whether they serve kvas ($8), a lightly alcoholic malt drink found commonly on the streets of ex-communist bloc countries, a drink of the common man. Heavily sedimented and freshly brewed on the premises. Water of life.

9/10 Duxton Hill, Singapore 089593
Mon–Sat: 12pm – 12am

http://www.buyan.sg/

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Zsofi Tapas Bar

Rooftop lofts aren’t just home to pigeons. They are also home to this little hideout of a Spanish bar in Little India. On the second floor, the cool sensuous air beckons you: to set your heart free from the monotony of the concrete city. Now we must begin proper with a communal sharing of Spanish tapas: mega platter ($36.00). Select up to 10 different varieties: patatas bravas, chorizos, tortillas etc to melt your appetizing hearts.

Delighting us even more, every (alcoholic) drink ordered comes with one free tapas. We ended up with a carousel of Sangria ($28), good for 4 glasses. Oh sweet red. It was harmony when paired with our main star, the paella valencia ($36). A healthy dose of Spanish medium grain rice simmered with seafood.



Naturally, we were nourished and it was time to leave the magic of this loft Little India. But who knows, maybe we will be back to meet again.

68 Dunlop Street

Mon–Thu: 5pm – 1am
Fri–Sat: 5pm – 2am
Sun: 5pm – 11am