"i feel like having an emo drink," was all i could come up with when ordering a bespoke cocktail on one of my recent visits to SLATE, and Jay, the creative mind behind the bar, did not disappoint at all.
in fact, i was pleasantly surprised when this unique creation arrived - comprising a pomelo-infused gin, green chartreuse, manzanilla and a dash of absinthe, this close relative to the hair of the dog turned out to be just what i wanted (without realising it). this creation was strong on the alcohol yet easy to drink, deep in character yet lightly refreshing, and moodily contemplative all around.
as if their cocktail menu wasn't enough to leave one spoilt for choice, their bespoke cocktails are really something, the kind that results in heads turning and other diners curiously asking to "have one of whatever that is". i didn't get all the ingredients that went into my friend's bespoke cocktail from a previous visit (apart from the fact that it involved red wine in some form) but just look at how stunning this is:
good drinks need good nibbles to go with, and the offerings at SLATE were quite something. i mean, i don't usually post about food on here, but these ones were so satisfying to both the stomach and camera that i couldn't resist showing them off a little.
their Kopa Grilled Duroc Pork Belly with sweet annatto soy glaze and a house-made vinegar dip (S$22) was absolutely amazing. the first time i tried this, the luscious layers of fat on the pork belly were rendered to perfection, a mouth-watering delight that made it simply impossible to resist going for another piece... and another... and another. seriously, just look at the beautiful fat on this one...
another dish worth mentioning is their Butterflied Mid Wings with an asian spice mix and smoked salt (S$15), with a satisfying char on the outside and tender, juicy meat inside that just falls off the bone. the marinade is fantastic and the spice rub packed with rich umami goodness. this goes well with anything, be it a cold beer, a sweet cocktail, or a smoky whisky.
i'm always partial to sweet treats and their dessert special - featuring a vegan chocolate brownie sandwich with vanilla ice cream, caramel, ginger meringue and toasted mixed seeds (S$12) was a wonderful surprise to round off the evening.
the brownie had just the right texture - firm enough on top to support a mountain of cream and crumble, yet with a cake-like softness within that allowed the rich chocolate to shine. i liked the novel use of ginger in the meringue to give it that extra kick of spice in contrast with the dark chocolate and rich coconut. it's a pity that this one is only available as a seasonal dessert special; i would be glad to see it on their menu all year round.
with their selection of both food and drinks being a great experience that's pretty good value for money, i can confidently say that SLATE's now definitely one of my go-to places for catching up with friends.
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this review is of products that i had purchased at regular price with my own money. i wasn’t asked to review this as a condition of purchase and didn’t receive any incentives for writing this. i’m not affiliated with SLATE and as always, all opinions remain my own.
SLATE is at 24 Purvis Street, #01-00, Singapore 188601.
all information correct at time of publishing.
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