The hype: Don’t be put off by the generic sounding name and lack of focus on a singular concept at this venue by the guys behind the 1855 chain of F&B outlets in Singapore. It may seem like they’re trying to do too many things at once, but at The Spot, the total is genuinely more than the sum of its parts.
The vibe: You’ll find a grab-and-go breakfast and coffee (from Toby’s Estate) section, a main restaurant area, a large oval bar in the center, an adjoining 1855 The Bottle Shop, a The Macallan Boutique @ 1855 (Southeast Asia’s first, opening June 2018), and a plush cigar lounge all in this 5,000 square feet space. It sounds like a lot, but we’re happy to have more than less in this case.
The food: Definitely come for the food. The kitchen, helmed by Executive Chef Lee Boon Seng, leverages his fine dining chops well to form a casual but complex menu. A clear standout is the local skate ($25). Here, the fish is pan-fried and served in a bowl of risotto and homemade broth, where the magic of the dish mostly lies. You’ll find that Lee puts a lot of effort into his broths and sauces, and at The Spot, they’re all made in-house.
For mains, other must-trys include the appetizing char-grilled octopus ($25), satisfying glazed local duck breast ($28) and the piquant pan-fried red snapper ($28). Desserts aren’t an afterthought nor are they outsourced here, and are worth saving stomach space for. Get the malty-good licorice root ice-cream ($15). Your tastebuds will thank you for it.
If you’re not in the mood for a full meal, the appetizers and bar snacks are creative and pack a punch. The fried squid steamed pizza ($18) and salted egg smoked salmon eclair sandwich ($18) look mighty promising.
The drinks: The bar is full-fledged, perfect for afterwork drinks for all you Marina Bay area workers, but also offers concoctions good enough that it warrants a spot on Singapore’s cocktail map. Have the Curry Oh ($20), essentially an old fashioned, which has just the right tinge of spice to make the drink differentiate itself from the classic without being overpowering. Or try the Lorong 214 ($20), that’s just as fruity and flavorful as the neighborhood it derives its name from.
Do not forget the bottle shop and Macallan boutique spaces too, found on the right side of the entrance. You get plenty of options here (over 800 labels from 1855 plus Macallan’s full core range), and wine connoisseurs will appreciate that a selection of ultra-premium vinos are also available by the glass, thanks to the use of the Coravin system.
Why you’ll be back: The fact that the place caters to all our food and drink desires any time of day is reason enough to warrant multiple visits here. We’d also defo be back for intimate gatherings at the cigar lounge, or for whisky flights at the Macallan boutique tasting bar.
