SocialHaus

SocialHaus is a couple of doors down from Open Door Policy. Both were part of the first wave of upmarket cafes and bistros that partook in the Tiong Bahru revitalisation project. Walking in, you'd think this was a watering hole that only served dainty bar nibblets, but they do a full lunch and dinner service as well. 

I like this place for its sexy, downtempo cocktail bar vibe, with its romantic low lights and sexy bossa nova ambient music. It's reminds me of Wine Bar (ah, the good old days of hedonistic partying that I can't seem to remember), but with a proper array of food.

We utterly loved the Garlic Shrimp ($12), simply sautéed in loads of olive oil, fragrant garlic and chilli flakes. The small-ish prawns were fresh and sweet, bouncy in texture, and floating in a ridiculous pool of aromatic spiced oil, was great with the toasty crusty baguette. Even after we were done with the prawns, we continued to dip the bread into the oil and lapped it all up. The flavoured oil was that delicious.


The Mushroom Aglio Olio ($11), assorted wild mushrooms tossed with garlic, shallots, olive oil, and a splash of white wine was quite delicious. Spaghetti was al dente and the shitake and white button mushrooms were plentiful. I wouldn't have expected this quality from a non-Italian place like this. Especially since this was ridiculously cheap.


What's a visit to a cocktail bar without partaking in some of their cocktails? All virgin of course because we're responsible drivers. Clockwise from bottom left: Lemony Lychee ($9) lemon juice mixed into a base of lychee juice and soda with a couple of cocktail lychees; Mango Lychee ($9) mango puree with the base lychee juice and soda; and Strawberry Lychee ($9), strawberry puree with the base lychee juice and soda.


SocialHaus
11 Yong Siak Street
Tel: 6557 0286
Open Mondays, Wednesdays & Thursdays from 4pm to 11pm
Fridays from 4pm to 12midnight
Saturdays from 12noon to 12midnight
Sundays from 12noon to 11pm

Comments

Anonymous said…
this looks good! haven't had the chance to come here or open door policy :( too many restaurants!
1.9.13
Bern said…
take your time. for every 10 new restaurants that open everyday, 9 of them will close within the year. let time weed out the chaff so u dont waste your calories on crap.
1.9.13
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The People vs Cheapo Food Bloggers and Bad English

This is a mini rant. Friends know that my one guilty indulgence is reading food blogs ("flogs"). ("guilty" because I read them at work...yes, my boss reads this flog too) And Singapore, despite its little size, has a very developed food blogging scene. A quick surf on the internet will prove that there is an inordinate number of flogs for a country as tiny as ours. I suppose it's really due to the connectivity of our island, its technologically savvy netizens and their insatiable appetite and love for food. But lately, I've noticed a worrying trend. There is a growing number of flogs that I've stopped reading entirely, simply because almost 90% of their posts are all based on invited tastings. Don't these cheapos ever pay for their meals anymore?!? I've always thought that the ( one of the primary ) purpose( s ) of writing a flog is to introduce to the good people of Singapore the various culinary treasures on our little island. An invited ...
Read more

ABC Brickworks Food Centre

Image
싱가포르에 호커 센터 중에서 에이비씨 브릭워케 호커 센터를 우리가 제일 좋아해요. 실제로 싱가포르에서 가장 크고 유명한 호커 센터 중 하나예요. 가끔 외국인 여행자들이 이 호커 센터에서 식사하고 관광도 해요.  호커 음식은 내가 우리 나라 싱가포르에서 제일 사랑하는 것이에요. 호커 푸드는 내 컴포트 푸드여서 내 마음에 들어와요. 음식도 싸고 맛있고 종류도 많아요. 해외여행 가면 그리운 음식이 호커푸드인데 싱가포르에 돌아와서 가장 먼저 먹는 음식이 박초미예요.  박초미은 아마도 내가 제일 좋아하는 호커푸드예요. 나는 식초맛을 좋아하고 버섯볶음이 제일 맛있고 용기가 제일 맛있어요.   =========================   ABC Brickworks is one of the more well-known, and beloved, hawker centres in SG. The fact that tourists can sometimes be seen traipsing down the rows of neon-lit stalls is testament to its fame.  We hit up ABC a couple times a month, at least; the hawker centre is central enough that satisfying a local food craving here doesn't require an hour+-long round trip (unlike with Fengshan Bedok); there's ample enough lots that parking doesn't require the patience of a saint (unlike with Serangoon Gardens); seats are plentiful enough that large groups are able to find a table fairly easily, and ...
Read more

Janggut Laksa vs 328 Katong Laksa, Queensway Shopping Centre

Image
Queensway Shopping Centre , where locals flock to for all things sports and optical-related, is also known for good laksa. There are 2 laksa stalls, within a stone's throw of each other, both claiming to serve up the best. Both tout to be affiliates of world-famous Katong ones, and the accolades, writeups and publicity plastered all the utilitarian facades will attest to the fierce competition. Seating at both eateries is cramped and constrained, so dining is really a touch-and-go affair. Both are manned by efficient, if a little curt, bevy of staff, and so turnover is high. Good news for the 5-minute-on-average long line of diners waiting their turn. The menu is similarly limited, with laksa being the primary dish of choice, and its fixins' like otah and lime juice as regular side orders. Curry chicken, Chinese-style, is also a popular option. Janggut Laksa  The Laksa ($3.50 for small) here was disappointingly lackluster. It was insipid, and the milk had obviously cur...
Read more