By: Emily Finch
Situated in one of my favourite parts of town, this is a wine bar, liquor store and café rolled into one – a real hybrid, marrying an old-school coffee shop with speakeasy vibes. It’s open from 8am for morning coffee (those working in the area, take note!) and into the wee hours for post-dinner drinks, if you happen to find yourself in Maggie Joan’s just next door (these guys also own nearby Moosehead Kitchen-Bar).
The Chosen One:
A bottle of Astrolabe Chardonnay ($70) from New Zealand. It’s all about wine here, largely from the New World, and this bottle really hit the spot: one of those whites that’s as full-bodied as a red and not at all acidic.
The Cheapskate:
All the wine is pretty well-priced – bottles range from $50 to $120, and are incredibly well chosen by the team.
Bite on this:
There’s no official menu here, which only adds to the charm. The wonderfully chatty and bubbly chef creates a range of moreish offerings, served on vintage plates of all shapes and sizes.
We tried a bunch: The cheese board ($18) with homemade breads, the charcuterie platter ($22); and the salmon carpaccio ($12), which was the stand-out for me: freshly smoked salmon with shavings of fennel and slices of avocado.
We also devoured the Caprese salad ($18) – a gorgeous mix of buratta cheese, Roma tomatoes, and basil – and we made room for the asparagus salami and egg platter ($16). Desserts include a selection of homemade cakes, among other delights – however, we simply didn’t have the tummy-space.
Last but not least:
Gemmills is available to hire out as a venue for private parties. The manager tells us they recently hosted a special birthday bash with pretty fairy lights lining the alleyway just outside, a live band, plenty of food and drink, and lots of dancing!
Gemmills
110 Amoy Street, #01-02
6221 5564 | facebook.com/gemmillssingapore
This article first appeared in the July 2016 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase a copy for the full article, or Subscribe now so you never miss an issue!
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