Club Street Social: Share Plates, Big and Small at Gemmill Lane

Been to Club Street Social lately, mama? There’s a new chef and a new menu, but the same hip vibe remains. Find out which dishes to seek out!

In Singapore, if a restaurant has been around (in the same spot) for more than 5 years it’s nearly an ‘old-timer’. Particularly in the constantly evolving Club Street neighbourhood. I’d been to Club Street Social in my pre-mama days for a drink or three; the cool Soho watering hole vibe is still there, and it’s still a top choice for post-work (or post-baby bedtime!) drinks. However, it’s also hoping to up its food game with a new chef (David Philpot, formerly Head Chef at Paternoster Chop House, a D&D London restaurant) and a revamped food menu of small, and big plates.

Do not yawn at the mention of ‘share plates’! Gather up a few girlfriends and plan a girl’s night — there ARE a few winners here, mamas.

The Beef Short Rib Fritters ($15) are currently topping our #cheatday lists. Marinated US beef short ribs have been coated in breadcrumbs, perfectly fried and are served alongside a not-too-tart horseradish sauce made in-house. Also good are the Seared Scallops served with house made (fermented in the kitchen for 6-8 days) kimchi ($18) that is chopped up into tiny pieces into a relish of sorts. It’s such a clever combination, we are totally planning to try this at home. After we convince chef to share his recipe, that is!

What else is good? Dessert, of course. We know that every place in town is serving churros, and CSS is on that bandwagon too. Theirs are not the ‘same old’ though – rather they are barely dusted with sugar, evidently fried-to-order and look like a giant curly fry, served with vanilla mascarpone and a berries glaze.

Apart from these, there are share platters of cheese and cured meats, pita and chips, and the usual bar snacks like spiced olives, and parmesan and rosemary fries. They serve lunch sets (comes with a coffee/tea, priced at $19 onwards) too, and I’m told there is always a vegetarian option.

There is a brunch menu in the offing, and I quite like the idea of having brunch on Club Street. Why? Because it is always quiet on weekend afternoons. You know we could do with some quiet brunch time, mamas!

Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday, 11am to 12am; Sunday 11am to 4pm

Club Street Social, 5 Gemmill Lane, 01-01, Singapore 069261, Tel: (+65) 6225 5043, www.clubstreetsocial.com