The Bank Bar + Bistro @ One Shenton

At One Shenton, it is not difficult to spot the The Bank Bar + Bistro, standing tall with its beautiful full height glass façade. It's been 6 years since it started building its presence in the business district and has established quite a few classic favourites among the CBD crowd. It has recently launched a brand new menu, with 20 brand new items up on board while retaining some classic favourites.

We ordered a couple of The Bank's signature cocktails to pique our tastebuds. The Millionaires Espresso is indeed an ideal post 9-5 perk me up drink.The concoction is quite simple but I really enjoy its bitter-sweetness. I was surprised that no one really orders this drink. Whereas for the seemingly more exciting Godfather's Offer, the alcohol is simply too overpowering.

Spicy Prawn Salad 3/5 

Spicing up your regular light and healthy option is the Spicy Prawn Salad ($18). The consistency of the dressing is surprisingly light on the palate as it isn't too starchy and thick like those Thai chilli sauces. I love the crunch and nuttiness from the roasted cashew nuts which is necessary to make it a more satisfying salad. There could be more variety of greens mixed in, rather than just plain lettuce.

Butter Chicken 4/5

One of the latest Mains is Chef’s secret recipe Butter Chicken ($22) using chicken thigh in butter and rich tomato gravy served with warm pita bread and crispy corn chips. This is not your usual pub-style food but it's way better than one. It's India style butter chicken but a lot more appetizing with the tang lent from tomato. Although it doesn't carry the heat, the kick of eating this curry is nothing less with its aromatic spices. The chicken cubes are extremely tender. It's definitely less oily than the original, you might be hoping there are more corn chips to clean up the gravy.

BBQ Baby Back Pork Ribs 2.8/5

Ribs is always ideal for sharing which makes the BBQ Baby Back Pork Ribs ($24) a mainstayer. The meat is tender but not the fall-off-the-bones kind.

Oriental Seabass Pasta 3.8/5

Pasta – Oriental Seabass Pasta ($20) is like an Asian alio olio with pasta dry tossed in spicy XO sauce. This is a much better thought through Asian fusion pasta which I have tried. The seabass has a layer of torched soybean glaze. It tastes a bit like miso mayonnaise which reminds me of the mentaiko glaze of aburi sushi. The best part is the charred portion which is sweet and savoury, with a tinge of smokiness. The fish fillet could be thicker so as to better support the strong flavours of the glaze.

Salted Egg Prawn Sandwich 2.8/5

Riding on the trend is the Salted Egg Prawn Sandwich ($18). Given that there are so many exuberant sandwich joints in this area, this somewhat pales in comparison and lacks appeal.

Homemade Fruity Plum Yogurt Popsicle 3.5 and Oreo Baileys Cheesecake 3.5

The new desserts here are a bonus. I had both Homemade Fruity Plum Yogurt Popsicle ($4.50) and Oreo Baileys Cheesecake in Jar ($5). The popsicle is packed with berries and fruits and I wouldn't hesitate to choose this over a Magnum. For something more indulgent, the cheesecake has baileys embedded in it, elevating its X-factor.

For an introductory period, you get to enjoy selected new menu items (main course, pasta, sandwich and salad) with The Bank Bar’s 1-for-1 dinner promotion from Saturday to Tuesday including public holidays from 5 p.m.


Words and photos by Si An. A girl who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food. Note: This is an invited tasting.


[CLOSED]
The Bank Bar + Bistro
One Shenton
1 Shenton Way
#01-01
Singapore 068803
Tel: +65 66362188
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Downtown (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon: 11am - 11pm
Tue-Sun & PH: 11am - 12midnight

Direction:
1) Alight at Downtown MRT station. Take Exit E. Walk to junction of Commerce Street and Marina View. Cross the road and turn right on Commerce Street. Walk down Commerce Street towards Shenton Way. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

Miffy x Kumoya Pop-Up Café @ Jalan Klapa – The First Miffy Café Opens In Singapore

Kumoya Cafe. First of its kind in Singapore, this halal-certified Japanese-French cafe with a pop-up concept introduces a brand new character theme this season. Can you guess which? Following its previous successful collaboration with the Sanrio character Cinnamoroll, another adorable character hops in and takes over Kumoya. It's none other than the Dutch Artist Dick Bruna's cartoon bunny Miffy!

Fans of Miffy rejoice, as from 5th October to 31st December, Miffy x Kumoya Pop-Up Café opens in Singapore. Here, one can expect a wide range of Miffy-inspired dishes and drinks in the menu, meticulously curated and creatively styled by food artist Shirley Wong (@littlemissbento), as well as whimisical interiors decked out in Miffy-themed decor to create an inclusive experience for diners to immerse themselves wholly in the world of Miffy.

Wonderfully Waffles with Karaage Chicken 4.2/5

The first main course I had, also pegged as the most popular main item in the menu, is the Wonderfully Waffles with Karrage Chicken ($21.90). The dish arrived in a tempting pile of bite-sized karrage chicken sitting atop a thick waffle, a side of fresh garden salad, and an array of star-shaped cheese and cute miffy-shaped potato cakes and carrots. Fried to a golden brown, each crispy shell encases juicy and tender pops of chicken meat which goes wonderfully well with the fluffy, buttery waffle. Drizzles some of those house-made sweet shoya glaze in apposite addition to that sweet-savoury combination, and it strikes the perfect balance between flavors, textures and richness that I really enjoyed. Essentially the traditional Chicken & Waffles dish, done cuter but right.

Splashing Good Fun Japanese Seafood Curry Rice 4/5

The next recommended dish that I had was the Splashing Good Fun Japanese Seafood Curry Rice ($24.90). It comes in the form of a huge miffy face-shaped Japanese rice, and served with fish Kamaboko, cheese stars, steamed broccoli, breaded calamari, breaded ebi and scallop, and fresh tempura salmon, all of which swimming in a plate of flavourful Japanese curry. The dish bears a sweeter rendition of its curry, perhaps a hint of spiciness that is barely detectable, yet exudes a subtle aroma of spices that is not overpowering as well. Proceed to mix it all in with their generous portion of fluffy Japanese rice and it suffices as an enjoyment on its own. While the fried toppings are not as greasy, the breaded casing gives a nice crunch to the firm flavorous meat within.

You, Me & Miffy Makes 3 Chicken Katsu Burger 3.8/5

The You Me & Miffy Makes 3 Chicken Katsu Burger ($18.90) comes with a piece of chicken katsu sandwiched in between Miffy face shaped mantou buns, served with fries in BBQ dip, and fresh garden salad with cheese teddy and cheese star. The breaded fried chicken cutlet boasts a plumpier juicy texture within its crispy exterior. When eaten with those soft and fluffy buns, every elements come together as a decent burger which is well executed. I am actually quite impressed with it.

Matcha Moutain Azuki Shibuya Toast 4.2/5

This Matcha Mountain Azuki Shibuya Toast ($23.90) was pegged as the most popular dessert dish in the menu, and rightfully so. Slicing the huge shibuya toast apart reveals several cubes of buttery and crispy toast within. The smooth creamy swirl of Hokkaido softserve atop added a delicious icy milkiness to the warm buttered toast cubes. The other elements - dollops of matcha cream with fruits, dango balls, azuki, matcha sticks and a sprinkling of crunchy pistachio bits proved to be needful supplements that contribute to the entirety of the dish. Complete this with a drizzle of the slightly bitter matcha sauce for maximum pleasure.

Miffy Original Orange Soda 4/5

From the drinks menu, I had the very instagrammable Miffy Original Orange Soda ($14.90). It arrives at my table in a huge fluffy cloud of cotton candy, again Miffy-shaped, perched precariously on top of a glass of orange syrup drink with nata de coco and orange slices. It also comes with a cup of fizzy soda for me to pour and mix in with the syrup, melting the cotton candy in the process as well. I was initially skeptical about its taste but the melted cotton candy adds a sufficient sweetness to the tangy soda drink, giving it a non-cloying, refreshing and balanced taste to the overall drink. Do remember to whip out your camera and snap those photos fast though, as the cotton candy may melt a little too quickly.

Bunny Yuzu Delight 4/5

The Bunny Yuzu Delight ($10.90) is a lovely bunny tangy drink made with yuzu, cold butterfly pea-flower tea and nata de coco. Not as tangy, slightly sweeten with a hint of yuzu aroma, it is a refreshing drink perfect to wash down the food I had. Also, do note that every order of the butterfly pea-flower beverage comes with a limited edition Miffy coaster too (while stocks last!)

While cutesy character-themed cafes may be deemed over hyped with its lovely aesthetics yet mediocre food, the experience at Miffy x Kumoya pop-up cafe did not disappoint. Those irresistibly cute dishes are a feast to the eyes, and fare pretty well tastewise too. Also, do remember to check out the various Miffy merchandise on display at the counter and the Miffy-themed cookbook written by @Littlemissbento while you’re there. Note: The Miffy x Kumoya pop-up cafe collaboration will be ongoing till 31st December, so remember to head down before it ends!

Words and photos by Crystal. A girl who likes to eat, photograph, and write about food, and dreams about travelling around the world one day. Note: This is an invited tasting


Miffy x Kumoya Pop-Up Café
8 Jalan Klapa
Singapore 199320
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Nearest MRT: Bugis (EW Line, DT Line), Lavender (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Thu, Sun: 12pm - 930pm
Fri-Sat: 12pm - 1030pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Bugis MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn right and walk down Victoria Street. Walk to Jalan Klapa. Turn right onto Jalan Klapa. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Lavender MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk down Victoria Street.  Walk to Jalan Klapa. Turn left onto Jalan Klapa. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]