Three Buns Quayside is Potato Head Family's first stand-alone location in Singapore for their award-winning burger and cocktail brand. This new home in Robertson Quay features a newly curated menu with a combination of exclusive items and popular signatures, alongside with weekend brunch menu and crafted tropical cocktails.
Aligned with Potato Head Family ethos of “Good Times, Do Good”, the 80-seat burger bar is fitted with upcycled interiors from bottom up. You will find yourself walking on eco-friendly cement, sitting and dining on sustainably made furniture handcrafted by Indonesian artisans.
All burgers here are made from scratch, and by that they mean 95% of the menu handmade including ketchup! That's possible because Executive Chef Adam has honed his craft at Lonsdale in London which is known for making burgers from scratch. Each patty is made from two prime cuts of grass-fed Australian meat, seasoned with kosher salt and that's it. What bind the buns and patties together are the homemade sauces such as the piquant Three Islands Mayo (mayo, ketchup, sriracha), premium cheeses from US, UK and Greece, and really interesting relish which you will find out as you make your way into the burgers.
Bun DMC 3.8/5
The new burgers are exclusive to this outlet, and there seems to be a head-to-head battle between Bun DMC ($16) and Da Cheese Master ($15). Bun DMC stood out with its refreshing home-made watermelon rind relish and bore an interesting identity with the layer of bawang goreng (fried shallots) sprinkled on top of the onion puree. The Three Islands Mayo (mayo, ketchup, sriracha) is creamy, sweet with a hint of spice, bringing all the ingredients together with the help of the sharp melted cheese.
Da Cheese Master 3.8/5
Da Cheese Master was fun and messier with gooey double cheddar and homemade ketchup. The double cheddar wasn't too strong, it only made this burger hearty and finger-linking good. The humble ketchup really brought the ingredients together. It was sweet and tangy, and worked well with the charred onions in supporting the black Angus beef patty.
Red Man 3.8/5
There is a reason why Red Man Burger (Beef Rendang) ($28) is priced much higher than the rest. Between the special coconut buns is a slab of beef cheek which has been sous vide for 24 hours in a sweet and spicy blend of over 10 spices and ingredients that has been stewed for 2 hours. My teeth sunk through the beef cheeks as I took a bite. The sauce was robust but not at all overpowering. I love the pickled cucumber and slaws at both side of the beef cheeks which brighten up the taste. However, at some point, I felt the meat had lost a little of its natural juice and flavour, perhaps as a result of sous vide. I couldn't really taste the coconut profile of the buns either, which is a pity. Overall, beef cheeks may still be best to stand as a dish in its own rather than in a burger.
Smokin-B-Boy 3.5/5
Smokin-B-Boy is Potato Head's signature burger with the classic combination of smokey bacon and beef patty. Again, the sauce in between heighten the profile of the meat. My vote still goes to either Bun DMC and Da Cheese Master, for that piquancy which is missing in this classic.
Truffello 3/5
Truffello ($15) is a meat-free burger with Portobello mushrooms replacing the beef patty. As much as I like the pickled onions and cold slaw in between, it hasn't changed my mind towards a meat-free burger. I still see it as a healthy, mushroom sandwich.
Truffle Hound 2.8/5
Seng Dog 2.8/5
A few new bites to go with your drinks. Truffle Hound ($15) and Seng Dog ($12). Once can choose between beef or chicken sausage. If you really want to try a hotdog, then the latter may be a better choice with its matcha bun.
Miso Dirty Fries 3/5
What's more exciting than those hotdogs are these Miso Dirty Fries ($9) and Naughty Fries. The fries are fried potato slices, first comes dressed in miso béarnaise, smoked chicken sausage, chicken floss, chives, scallions and pickle chilli, while the latter is topped with ayam chicken, marinated in a spicy and tangy Korean BBQ sauce. Albeit the overly seasoned potatoes, both are great change from the usual bites.
Crackalacka Corn 3/5
As for the Crackalacka Corn, you can throw that in if you want to boost your vegetables intake.
Somebody told me that burgers and milkshakes together is one of the best marriages ever, and Three Buns’ elevates that with two new boozy milkshakes – the bananas-based 3 Monkeys ($18) and chocolate-filled Aye Sailor ($18) made with house-made vanilla ice cream. 3 Monkeys is definitely sugar overloaded hence i would recommend Aye Sailor for its rich chocolaty taste enhanced by chocolate bitters. Non-alcoholic version is available as while, great for the kids for families coming for their weekend brunch.
Sticky Icky Wicky 3/5
A few desserts available to sweeten up your meals, though I feel I rather have my indulgent milkshake. Never mind the rest and go for the Sticky Icky Wicky, a sticky pudding that comes piping hot with a layer of caramelized gula melaka which cools and releases the sweetness in your mouth as the ice cream melts.
As mentioned, brunch is available as well, on every Saturday and Sunday from 11am-4pm. What caught my eyes was Beet It. The striking pink hues atop of the salmon toast is beets & horseradish, which is really rare to find in Singapore and it costs a premium to bring fresh horseradish in. Blueberry Basic ($15) is buttermilk pancakes with not your maple syrup but a special housemade sauce made with vanilla salt, vanilla pods, thyme and coffee ground. So, nothing here is that basic afterall.
Photos and words 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.
Three Buns Quayside
60 Robertson Quay
#01-01
Singapore 238252
Website
Nearest MRT: Chinatown (DT Line, NE Line), Fort Canning (DT Line)
Opening Hours:
Tue-Fri: 5pm - 12midnight
Sat-Sun: 11am - 12midnight
(Closed on Mon)
Direction:
1) Alight at Chinatown MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to bus stop along Upper Cross Road, Opposite Subordinate Court (Stop ID 06171). Take bus number 51 or 186. Alight1 stops later. Cross the road. Cross the river and walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]
2) Alight at Fort Canning MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to junction of River Valley Road and Clemenceau Avenue. Cross the road. Turn left and walk to the river. At the river, turn right and walk down the river. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]
