A trip to The Tippling Club

I started Wednesday at an 8am breakfast meeting, drinking questionable coffee and picking at slightly grotty croissants. I ended Wednesday eating at one of the finest establishments in Singapore, drinking delicious wine, filled to the top with utterly amazing food, and understanding why the restaurant has one of the very best reputations in the city.

            The Tippling Club is one of those places that people talk about, but that you assume you’ll never actually go to unless the receipt is going to be run through your company’s expenses scheme. Or to be more precise, Nick’s company’s expenses scheme.

            With his top client and his wife to schmooze (and me in tow, more than thankful for an invitation but serving no actual purpose, unless you count the “Chief Cocktail Taster” role that I am still attempting to make my official title), we made our way to the 7:30 reservation with high expectations.

Bottles hanging from the ceiling 

I arrived early (standard) and so spent around half an hour entertaining myself at the bar, admiring the amazing layout and getting ready for an almighty dinner. By the time Nick, Phil and Nathalie arrived I had made it to the end of an interpretation of a Dark and Stormy, and was ready to see what else was on offer!

"Old man in the sea" / Dark and Stormy in a tin cup

Once we had tasted a couple of amazing cocktails at the bar we wandered through to the almost empty and heavily staffed restaurant where we would be having the gourmand tasting menu, complete with paired wines and cocktails. It sounds fancy, and it really was!

            There were ten set courses (and drinks) along with a selection of amuse bouche and sweet treats. Everything from quail eggs on straw through to ice-cream and meringue sandwiches served on bizarre metal contraptions. To say that it was excessive would be a major understatement, but it was an incredible dinner and a brilliant night out with friends.

            I’ve had to apologise to my sister for this already, but this was one of those dinners where I couldn’t help but take a stack of photos of the amazing food and drinks. It’s what you do in Asia, and when the food looks this good, why wouldn’t you?!

Thin sliver of sashimi on a fresh seaweed cracker with pea puree, served on a massive bed of salt!

Green curry mousse and puffed rice, served in a baby food jar 

Quails egg, straw and something a bit like seaweed but no idea what it actually was!

Cheesecake, in pill form 

Phil and Nathalie enjoying the ice-cream sandwiches

Fois gras and apple five-ways 

Myself and NB