Part art gallery, part restaurant, part bar and part after-work party space, Telok Ayer Arts Club makes for the most interesting addition to the CBD. Brought to you by the same people behind SPRMRKT, expect good vibes on the dance floor, French-Mediterranean cuisine from the kitchen, Asian-inspired drinks and a revolving series of art exhibitions at this space that refuses to be pigeonholed.
Leading the kitchen is chef Bertram Leong, formerly a sous chef at SPRMRKT STPI, who whips up a mean menu of French-Mediterranean dishes with hints of Asian-inspired flavours. Start with small plates of diced tomatoes and tofu marinated with a housemade miso and topped with parmesan cheese ($14), slow-cooked octopus and shrimp coated in traditional Chinese Shacha BBQ sauce ($18), and crispy pork and chicken dumplings ($11).
Move on to main dishes such as the slightly charred cauliflower steak paired with bechamel sauce made from melted scamorza cheese ($19), the locally-bred spatchcock smothered in herbs and spices inspired by the Portuguese-style Carne Assada ($28), and the seafood fettuccine modelled after the traditional French bouillabaisse ($25). Salad bowls such the tuna nicoise salad ($17) and Mediterranean couscous ($15) are also up on the menu.
Wrap up the dishes with the baked chocolate pudding which comes with salted jaggery, coconut crumble and French vanilla ice cream ($10). If you're feeling adventurous, try the Arts Club specials which rotate every month. This month's specials include Snap, Keropok, Pop! – crackers topped with fried tapioca pearls, squid ink, shredded crabstick, pickled carrots and cucumber, prawn mayo and chili oil caviar ($10).
Head to the bar after where Din Hassan, an industry veteran with over 20 years of experience shakes up Southeast Asian classic cocktails such as the Singapore Sling ($22), Junglebird ($20), as well as tippled inspired by the artworks on display. Don't miss another sweet special – the tau huay chui is a mix of reyka vodka, frangelico, butterscotch, kaya and soya beancurd ($20), making it the perfect drink for the sweet-toothed.