Restaurant Jag is best known for its celebration of produce from the Savoie region. And beyond just the dinner table, the wild-foraged ingredients can also be found in cocktails at Flow Bar.
The one-Michelin-starred French restaurant has converted its second-floor space into a drinking hole, one that defies the expectations of a usual bar set-up. Away from the usual darkened atmosphere, head bartender Ricky Paiva wanted to create a place that felt open and inviting. That means turning up the light switches, splashing the walls with hues of tangerine and pine, and curating a menu that is easily accessible to everyone.
Cocktails ($24) are now divided into four different sections: Living Room, Garden, Playground, and Office. And being neighbours with Restaurant Jag comes with its perks, too. The bar taps into the pantry of the kitchen to work in seasonal herbs from Savoie in the Garden-inspired section. Traipse around the Garden for light and refreshing high ball-style creations, including the sugar-free Bell Pepper (pictured above) that surprises with a fresh burst of herbaceous notes.
Then ease into the evening with the familiar range of Living Room drinks; each a playful spin on the original recipe. Get the burnt lemon whisky sour, an easy-to-love creation where the citrus fruit is first charred to enhance the flavours, resulting in a tart and highly appetising option. If spirit-forward is the name of your game, take respite in the Office where the peat smoke from sips of Jesse James will soothe and delight.
Switch things up at The Playground, where drinks come served with a splash of creativity. Cinnamon Girl is a must-get; apple bourbon, caramel, and lemon come together in this well-balanced concoction. Prefer a little umami? Quaff on the She so Shiso: a gin martini-esque stiffer laced with the vibrance of shiso, sweet rock melon and a touch of saline. Another hot favourite: the addictive espresso martini (pictured above), crowned with a torched dulce de leche foam for a sweet, creamy finish.
Even the bar bites menu, designed by chef Jeremy Gillion, comes infused with his signature touch and heavy play on textures. Seasonal produce used exclusively at the restaurant is incorporated in the pumpkin hummus ($19), layered with pumpkin seeds, studded with chestnuts and served alongside toasted sourdough triangles.
Certain items from the degustation menu downstairs are also made into heartier portions for snacking. And Jag’s signature croque monsieur ($42) is truly in a league of its own. It is all but an indulgent luxe grilled cheese oozing with an exceptional trio of gruyere, emmental and raclette. For a sweet end to the night, dessert lovers can enjoy a double chocolate gateau ($18) bejewelled with pieces of poached pear.
