By: Amy Greenberg
With so many eateries and bars popping up on trendy Tras Street, we thought it was high time for an official foodie tour of this popular stretch in Tanjong Pagar. Here’s a look at our favourite hotspots.
Gattopardo Ristorante di Mare
34 Tras Street
Bringing a choice of sustainable seafood to the neighbourhood, Gattopardo is an intimate, upscale Italian eatery featuring a Sicilian-inspired menu that includes squid ink spaghetti ($36), seafood stew ($39) and tagliatelle with spicy lobster ($44), alongside meat dishes such as lamb loin with chickpea hummus and fig couscous ($48) and “open” lasagna with wagyu beef ragú ($44). The beautiful Southern Italian décor and alfresco courtyard will make you feel like you’re on a European getaway.
Bam! Tapas Sake Bar
38 Tras Street
The brainchild of Chef Pepe Moncayo from Barcelona, this casual, modern Spanish-fusion eatery incorporates Japanese elements throughout its menu, creating mouth-watering results that pair nicely with its extensive sake selection. The menu changes daily based on the fresh ingredients available; you can expect creative tapas dishes like cold capellini, Sakura ebi and hazelnut oil ($18), duck gyoza, grue de cacao and mint sauce ($14), and burrata, pasta “a la plancha” and black truffle ($29).
Jekyll and Hyde
49 Tras Street
Known for its selection of beautifully crafted cocktails, this bar is full of dualities, from its contrasting wooden and concrete interior to its drinks menu, separated into the Jekyll range of classics with a twist ($18-22) and the Hyde selection of signature concoctions ($24-25); the Asian-inspired Mr Bean ($23) – sweet soy bean-curd, vodka, butterscotch and hazelnut liqueur and a dash of kaya – is a favourite. They also whip up excellent custom cocktails from $25. Ladies, it’s also the place to get your nails done by day or have a few cocktails by night – in fact, you can do both between 6pm and 8pm, after which the nail salon Manicurious closes shop and lets the tipples take centre stage.
Fleur de Sel
64 Tras Street
A cosy, sleek space featuring an open-concept kitchen, Fleur de Sel is run by French chef-owner Alexandre Lozachmeur, who’s worked with Alain Ducasse at Alain Ducasse Au Plaza Athénée in Paris, and at Singapore establishments like Au Petit Salut and Brasserie Les Saveurs. The menu features classic specialties like slow-cooked duck with braised figs ($39), foie gras ($28) and oven-roasted beef rib for two ($135)
Brassiere Gavroche and Café and Bar Gavroche
66 and 69 Tras Street
Founded and run by chef Frédéric Colin, Brasserie Gavroche (#66) and Café and Bar Gavroche (#69) present authentic Parisian favourites that might make you think for a second that you’re actually dining in the City of Love. While the Brasserie serves up specialties like pâte en croûte au foie gras ($26) – baked pork terrine with duck liver, bamboo clams with garlic, parsley and artichokes ($28), and steak frites ($48), its sister restaurant across the street offers a strong French wine selection, plus tartines ($12-18), fine de Claire oysters ($28-54), cold cut and cheese platters ($25-32), sandwiches ($14-16) and desserts ($10-12), plus a popular weekend brunch.
Violet Herbs
81 Tras Street
A neighbourhood newcomer, Violet Herbs features a charming, bright purple dining space and an extensive menu of modern European fare made from fresh, home-grown ingredients, including plenty of herbs. Among the signature dishes are marinated red miso cod ($33), sous vide “48 hours” wagyu beef cheek ($32), homemade beetroot ravioli ($29) and lobster cappuccino (lobster soup topped with juniper foam, $14), alongside a selection of “herb cocktails” ($19.90) like the Watermelon Mojito and the gin-based Lillet Basil.
This story first appeared in Expat Living’s May 2015 issue.
