The areas between Stanley Street and Gemmill Lane have seen so many openings of late, it’s absolutely crazy. We want to try them all to give you the inside scoop, so to start we went on a littleUrban Journeythrough the enclave last week. The whole process was actually tons of fun because you can hop from one spot to another for different bites and drinks.
Kabuke
Our UrbanJourney started at Kabuke, a new sake gastrobar above My Awesome Cafe. The space is small and cozy with kabuki-inspired decor and seating either at the bar under or sleek tables with cushioned stools. We came for their $7 sake special that takes place every day between 5pm and 7pm. They also do sake flights for $24++ with a wide selection of sakes from all over Japan. We were tempted to try a few dishes like theCrispy Goma Goma Wings ($12)with wasabi yuzu dip and theTakoyaki Fries ($12)with diced octopus, but this visit was all about the sake. We’ll definitely be back though, as they’re just around the corner from our work hub at the Working Capitol, and we hear theirLunch Bowls ($15 – $28)are absolutely delicious and decently sized.
200A Telok Ayer Street
Tel:+65 8822 5525
Hours:Mon – Fri: 11:30am – 2pm, Mon – Thurs: 5pm – 11pm, Fri -Sat: 5pm – 12am
La Pepa
Next stop was La Pepa, a new tapas spot located on Gemmill Lane that actually reminded us of some of the tapas bars we’ve visited in Spain. It was empty when we stopped by, but we could see this being a great Saturday night spot if you grabbed a few friends, as the space is conducive to sipping, snacking and socializing. Come during happy hour and order a bottle of wine and you get complimentary tapas to go with your vino. We opted for theTortilla with Chorizoand then theJamon Croquetas, both of which were very tasty. They also have heartier dishes like theSquid Ink Paella ($28 – $38)and theRoast Baby Chicken ($22), as well as a market where you can stock up on Spanish staples like olive oil and cured meats.
10 Gemmill Lane
Tel:+65 9830 0908
Hours:Mon – Fri: 12pm – late, Sun: 6:30pm – late
Blackwattle
For the main event we headed to Blackwattle where we had booked super last minute, so were seated at the bar upstairs. If you’re looking for a buzzy atmosphere, we recommend booking earlier and requesting seating downstairs. However, if you want more of a private dinner with friends, the table next to the bar upstairs is a good bet. Between the three of us we split a bottle of wine, (bottles start a little high at $128++) and tried a few dishes with the winner being theBlack Angus Rib ($85)with sides of cabbage and asparagus. The beef was so tender it was falling off the bone and melted in our mouths, and the veggies came in ample portions. Blackwattle is definitely pricey, but if you’re looking for a quality spot on Amoy Street, this is a good option.
97 Amoy Street
Tel:+65 6224 2232
Hours:Mon – Fri: 12pm – 3pm