Gem Bar and Kitchen introduces a new dinner menu and as well as exciting cocktails
Arguably one of Club Street’s mainstays, Gem Bar and Kitchen has been around for more than five years — considerably long in the fickle world of drinking bars.
Known for its laid-back vibes and unpretentious cocktails, it has launched a new dinner menu with an Asian twist.
New Drinks to Perk You Up
The Subtle Star is a refreshing cocktail made with Kyoho grape juice, pear vodka and starfruit.
The bar exudes a cosy vibe, showcasing a Victorian-themed interior design, complete with plush high-back armchairs, ottomans and parodied Mona Lisa paintings. Feeling harried from a day’s work, I opted to start with a cocktail from the revamped menu.
The Subtle Star ($16) was served in a goblet-like glass and was a refreshing mix of pear vodka, cucumber and starfruit, finished with a hint of Kyoho grape juice — altogether light and easy, with the right amount of sweetness.
My companions opted for the fiery Ron Halia in a Bowl ($16, pictured above) . The blend of spicy rum with ginger, cucumber and citrus proved to be rather robust.
New Menu: Hits and Misses
Thai Style Tanghoon Salad
For the new dinner menu, Chef Brandon Teo adopted various local hawker favourites such as Tauhu Goreng, Thai Tanghoon and Chilli Crab, putting his own spin to it.
The Thai Style Tanghoon Salad ($12) failed to capture the balanced sweet and sour flavours expected of the springy glass noodle dish, and was a tad too spicy.
Thankfully, the other items such as Bacon Mac ‘n’ Cheese with Mysterious Cheezy Crust ($15) impressed with great execution. The morsels of macaroni were a delight to chew on. When cloaked with a hearty dollop of silky melted cheese as well as crushed Cheezels, it was a winner.
Gem Bar and Kitchen has some good options, especially in cocktails. For now, though, I won’t particularly be making dinner plans there.
By Samantha Francis
Gem Bar and Kitchen, 8 Ann Siang Hill, Singapore 069458, Tel: 9646 6160
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