At this reservations-only Japanese cocktail lounge, one will require a passcode just to enter. And helming it is bartender Kazuhiro Chii, a Yokohama native with over 20 years of cocktail-making experience spanning Japan and Singapore.
The 10-seater bar epitomises quiet luxury, furnished with dark wood tones, brass accents and timber windows offering lush views of the vicinity. As soft jazz fills the atmosphere, plant yourself onto one of the leather high chairs by the bar where Chii-san awaits.
From his revered three-point shake to the intricate recipes and discreet hospitality, no detail is overlooked in personalising the Kakure experience for each guest. It almost reminds one of Japanese tea ceremonies. While Chii-san’s metier remains rooted in the classics, it is no surprise that he is equally adept at serving up modern reimaginations.
Every gesture is motivated by intent and meaning, even down to the finishing touches. Take the alluring Black Storm Highball ($28) for instance, where he infuses bamboo charcoal powder and pepper to introduce subtle layers of spice and smoke. And to maintain the perfect effervescence of the highball, he carefully pours soda along the rim of the glass and avoids bouncing off the surface of the ice.
Most drinks are presented in understated glassware sourced exclusively from Kagami Crystal and Kimura Glass – enough to impress even the most discerning of cocktail purveyors. There are also a couple of Instagrammable ones too. Finishing with a spray of edible glitter, the enchanting Beauty & the Beast ($32) captivates with notes of pink grapefruit, citrus and rose. The Southern Polar Bear is also an equally stunning creation that drinks of coconut and lime.
Another one of Chii-san’s signatures, the Fresh Fruit Cocktail (from $32) is a harmonious fusion of specially imported Japanese fruits that are available by season. And should you order from Kakure’s own snacks menu, know that they are prepared by omakase joint Ki-sho downstairs. Lollipops of crunchy chicken ($16) laced with aromatic curry powder are a treat, as are the luxurious Toro Katsu ($42) and A4 Miyazaki Wagyu Curry Rice ($48).
Make no mistake, an experience at Kakure is certainly going to cost you. But when a space makes you feel as though time stands still as you watch the busy world go by, it is a sanctuary worth forking out a little more for
