Bar Stories @ Haji Lane

Have you heard of Bespoke Cocktails? It means walking into a bar and the mixlogist will customise your drink depending on your mood and taste. I have not been to one until recently when I met Maureen for a drink at Bar Stories before our tasting session in the evening.

Located among the rows of shophouses at hip Haji lane, the quirky bar located at the 2nd floor maybe a bit difficult to spot. Upon settling down in the bar, we were wondering what to do as there was no menu around. The owner who was a table away spotted us and probably he could tell from our confused face, came over and asked whether it is our first time at Bar Stories.

After giving us a brief introduction of the place and checking what sort of taste/flavours we like, the owner asked the mixologist to mix a cocktail for each of us.

Maureen who is crazy with Ispahan requested for her cocktail to come with lychee and rose syrup. As we are not really an alcohol person, the cocktail is a bit too strong in alcohol content for us. We preferred it to be sweeter.

(photo credit: www.misstamchiak.com)

Noticed that Maureen did not finish her drink, the owner made her another glass of cocktail that was more refreshing and sweeter with berries and grapes flavours partying in the glass.

As I preferred sour taste, the mixologist made me a passionfruit inspired cocktail. The cocktail was much refreshing and easy to drink compare to Maureen's Ispahan inspired cocktail.

I really like the concept of bespoke cocktails. The excitement and thrill of a different customised cocktail depending on one's mood and taste. The hidden cocktail bar is a nice chill out place away from the crowd with each cocktail ranges from $20 to $24.


Bar Stories
57A Haji Lane
Singapore 189248
Tel: +65 62980838
Website: http://www.athousandtales.com/
Nearest MRT: Bugis (EW Line, DT Line), Nicoll Highway (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Sun-Thu: 3pm - 1am
Fri-Sat: 3pm - 2am

Direction:
1) Alight at Nicoll Highway MRT station. Take exit towards The concourse. Follow the overhead walkway all the way to Keypoint. Turn right into Jalan Sultan Road. Turn left into Pahang Street. Proceed on into Baghdad Street. Cross Arab Street onto Haji Lane and walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes.

2) Alight at Bugis MRT station. Take exit B. Cut across Raffles Hospital. Turn left onto North Bridge Road. Cross the road at North Bridge Road and turn right into Haji Lane. Journey time about 10 minutes.

Nana's Green Tea Cafe @ Plaza Singapura

Matcha or finely ground and powdered green tea is known for its numerous health benefits. Changing the traditional way of appreciating matcha, Nana's Green Tea Cafe well known in Japan as the "Japanese Starbucks"offers a varieties of tasty and artistic matcha creations. Apart from the offering of tantalising matcha tea, the cafe also offers a range of delectable Japanese cuisine and delightful desserts.

If I am not wrong, Nana's Green Tea Cafe used to be at Jcube but it has closed and moved to the new location at Plaza Singapura new wing. Do correct me if I am wrong. However, I am sure that this is their first outlet outside Singapore.

Matcha Latte Hot 3.5/5

The combo of matcha green tea and milk was quite pleasant. Maybe I should switch from my normal caffe latte to Matcha Latte Hot ($7.00) for the obvious health benefits. Second thought I shall wait a bit longer when they have more outlets before converting.

Salmon Don 4/5

The Salmon Don ($14.80) came with fresh salmon sashimi served over warm Japanese rice garnished with sesame oil, nori, Japanese pickled ginger, spring onion, daikon sprout and a drizzle of mayonnaise sauce.

Locomoko Don 4/5

The Locomoko Don ($15.80) is another hearty and comforting dish. The beef patty was served over warm Japanese rice garnished with lettuce, tomato, broccoli and an egg sunny side up.

Mushi-Dori Goma Dare Udon 4.2/5

The Mushi-Dori Goma Dare Udon ($13.80) was the favourite among the group. The star definitely is the special sesame sauce for the cold nooldes. It was beautifully paired with the imported udon which has a nice chewy texture.

Matcha Shiratama Parfait 4.2/5

The Matcha Shiratama Parfait ($11.80) brought a smile to everyone's face. Like a kid in treasure hunt, we dug into the parfait to discover layers after layers of surprises. The artisan dessert bottom is a layer of kanten jelly (tradtional Japanese herbal jelly) and matcha syrup topped with vanilla ice cream, corn flakes and garnished with a scoop of match ice cream, red bean paste, mochi and whipped cream.

The modern Japanese restaurant and match tea bar, Nana's Green Tea Cafe introduces hip fun and flavourable good quality matcha tea and Japanese cuisine to Singapore with its flagship store outside Japan at Plaza Singapura new wing. Keeping the essence of the Japanese tea drinking culture, the cafe is suitable for social gatherings. I also understand most of the items in the menu is not available in their Japanese outlets. It has been customised to suit the local taste.


Nana's Green Tea Cafe
Plaza Singapura
68 Orchard Road
#03-80/82
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 66844312
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NanasGreenTea
Webiste: http://www.nanaha.com/
Nearest MRT: Dhoby Ghuat (CC Line, NE Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Dhoby Ghuat MRT station. Take Exit D, E or F. Walk to Plaza Singapura Level 3. Journey time about 5 minutes.