Anti:Dote

Anti:Dote
80 Bras Basah Road
#01-00 Fairmont Singapore

https://antidotebar.com/

Award Winning Antidotes At Anti:Dote

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 8
Ambience & Setting: 8
Food & Beverage: 8
Service: 8
Value for Money: 7
Spent about SGD $55 per person.

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The resident hotel bar of The Fairmont Singapore hotel, in Raffles City, Anti:Dote bar is a stylish, modern, bespoke cocktail bar, located at the ground floor lobby of the hotel. Helmed by award-winning mixologists / bartenders Tom Hogan and Bannie Kang, Anti:Dote bar, which opened in January 2014, offers more than just creative cocktails, but surprisingly decent bar food and high tea, all in a sleek, sophisticated setting.

Ambience at Anti:Dote bar is modern, classy, sleek, and sophisticated. With a colour theme of black and gold, comfortable and plush seats, clean lines, Peranakan batik print motifs, and the open show kitchen, Anti:Dote bar offers a lot to look at, beyond the good-looking folks! The beautiful 26,000-piece crystal chandelier and fully-stocked liquor display is eye-catching, and lends a touch of luxury.

Service at Anti:Dote bar is efficient and professional, as befits its classy feeling. Staff are quick to greet and seat guests, and have basic working knowledge if asked about cocktails, drinks, or food. The menu cards are informative and detailed, though the low ambient lighting makes reading slightly difficult. Staff do take off-menu requests, if you know what you want, the bar will attempt to recreate it!

Food at Anti:Dote bar mostly consists of modern, contemporary light bar snacks / tapas, and desserts, both Western and Asian style. Portions are designed for sharing. And while Anti:Dote bar has various types of liquor, the stars here are their creative, hand crafted, award-winning cocktails, made with fresh ingredients, some of which are from their very own herb garden! Prices are comparable to other bars, budget about SGD $55 per person for 2 drinks and a snack.

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Love the elegant splendor of the bar, which allows for long, relaxing sessions. Alternatively, engage the friendly bartenders / mixologists over the open show kitchen!

Anti:Dote Bar & Seating Area

Anti:Dote Menu - Snacks & Tapas

Anti:Dote Menu - Mains & Desserts

Complimentary bowls of Potato Chips & Green Olives are served for each table. The potato chips are barbecue flavoured, just salty enough to make you want to keep eating and drinking, and is refillable. The olives still have the seeds within, and is nicely juicy with a slight tart sourness.

Potato Chips & Green Olives

Bannie Kang may have only started out in bartending / mixology in 2010, but this petite, easy on the eye native of Busan, South Korea, has already clinched several awards in the international circuit. Drawing inspiration from Korean culture and heritage, her creative and innovative concoctions with Asian flavours remain a big hit. She regularly makes the lists of top female bartenders / mixologists in Singapore.

Bannie Kang, Source Credits

For the Hwa Chae Cocktail (SGD $23), Bannie Kang has drawn inspiration from the traditional South Korean fruit punch. Her version is made with Bacardi Carta Blanca rum, lemon, maple syrup, pineapple juice, watermelon, and beer! The result is a light, fruity, refreshing, and thirst quenching beverage; sweet and fruity in taste, yet complex with the malty, smooth fusion of rum and beer. With no bitterness and no lingering alcohol burn, this works both as an apertif / starter, or as a dessert beverage.

Hwa Chae Cocktail Description

Hwa Chae Cocktail (SGD $23)

Hwa Chae Cocktail

The Corpse Reviver #2 Cocktail (SGD $23) is fruity and refreshing cocktail, made with absinthe, gin, home made orange liqueur, lemon juice, and home made vermouth, topped with orange peel and a sprig of rosemary from their in-house herb garden. This aptly named concoction is a great starter cocktail, perking up the palate, and pairing surprisingly well with the dishes here!

Corpse Reviver #2 Cocktail Description

Corpse Reviver #2 Cocktail (SGD $23)

Corpse Reviver #2 Cocktail

A glass of The Dainty Man's Attire Cocktail (SGD $23) may look plain and dainty, but this unassuming cocktail packs a decent punch! Made with gin, blanc vermouth, pear brandy, pear liqueur, and absinthe. Initally clean tasting, the heady strength of the alcohol follows to give a nice buzz. Good, feels totally elegant and dapper sipping this!

The Dainty Man's Attire Cocktail Description

The Dainty Man's Attire Cocktail (SGD $23)

The Dainty Man's Attire Cocktail

Bannie Kang made me another cocktail, the rum based Hock, Hoof And Cannon Cocktail (SGD $23). With a strong, stiff shot of rum, sweet vermouth, cherry heering liqueur, luxardo maraschino liqueur, absinthe, and garnished with cinnamon and orange peel, that gave it a slight sweetness, and some fruity zest. Suitably strong!

Hock, Hoof And Cannon Cocktail Description

Hock, Hoof And Cannon Cocktail (SGD $23)

Hock, Hoof And Cannon Cocktail

Fellow bartender Tom Hogan, an award-winning mixologist in his own right, served up a Bunny Hop Cocktail (SGD $23), a mix of pisco brandy, amontillado sherry, lime juice, and a distinctly Asian twist of sour plum syrup, all poured over crushed ice. Garnished with basil leaves / mint leaves, this cocktail is oddly refreshing yet sour at the same time. The taste is definitely unique, and I quite liked it, but it may not appeal to everyone.

Bunny Hop Cocktail Description

Bunny Hop Cocktail (SGD $23)

Bunny Hop Cocktail

The State Of Seow Cocktail (SGD $23) is aptly named, for this strong, stiff cocktail will leave you tipsy, in a well, state of seow! Made with cynar liqueur (a bittersweet artichoke and herb Italian liqueur), creme de cassis liqueur (a sweet blackcurrent French liqueur), becherovka liqueur (a Czech herbal bitter), and jenever liqueur (a Dutch juniper-flavored gin). Strong and potent, love this!

State Of Seow Cocktail Description

State Of Seow Cocktail (SGD $23)

State Of Seow Cocktail

The modern Artisan Potato Chips, Joselito Ham Infused Truffle Potato Foam (SGD $10) features hand cut, extremely thin yet super crisp potato chips, with the skin on. Very satisfiying even if eaten on its own! The creamy dip of ham and truffle infused potato foam is savoury and utterly delicious, you get the smoky hint of the ham, the earthy taste of the truffle, and the thick richness of the potato foam, similar to a cream in texture. So good, I ended up dipping other stuff into it! Quite value for money too.

Artisan Potato Chips, Joselito Ham Infused Truffle Potato Foam (SGD $10)

Artisan Potato Chips, Joselito Ham Infused Truffle Potato Foam

Artisan Potato Chips, Joselito Ham Infused Truffle Potato Foam

The creative Pineapple Cheesecake, Hokkaido Milk Ice Cream, Yuzu Gel (SGD $12) dessert arrives on a marble pillow, with the pineapple cheesecake itself shaped like Lego building block and figures, in vibrant red and yellow colour hues! Garnished with a crunchy soil of green tea / matcha and chocolate crystals, the pineapple flavour takes the form of a sweet, fruity gel insert, within the soft, moist cheesecake. Creamy smooth in texture, the zesty pineapple taste helps cut through the richness of the cheesecake. The blobs of yuzu gel also lend a zesty, fruity, slightly sour flavour, while the Hokkaido milk ice cream lends a full, creamy, milk taste. All around excellent dessert, I kept going back for bite after bite! Highly recommended!

Pineapple Cheesecake, Hokkaido Milk Ice Cream, Yuzu Gel (SGD $12)

Pineapple Cheesecake, Hokkaido Milk Ice Cream, Yuzu Gel

Pineapple Cheesecake, Hokkaido Milk Ice Cream, Yuzu Gel

Pineapple Cheesecake, Hokkaido Milk Ice Cream, Yuzu Gel

Pineapple Cheesecake, Hokkaido Milk Ice Cream, Yuzu Gel

Despite its small serving size, the Beef Bone Marrow, Wild Mushroom Duxelles, Puff Wild Rice, Sourdough Bread (SGD $18) is considered a substantial dish, because of the rich, creamy, fatty texture of the soft bone marrow, full in savoury, meaty, beefy flavour. The wild mushroom duxelles (in black) lend an intense earthy taste, which helps to cut through the fatty texture of the marrow, while the puff wild rice (in white) lend some crunch as a contrast to the gelatin-like texture of the marrow. Spoon over the crisp sourdough bread, and enjoy! Not very filling as a dish, but super decadent! Good!

Beef Bone Marrow, Wild Mushroom Duxelles, Puff Wild Rice, Sourdough Bread (SGD $18)

Beef Bone Marrow, Wild Mushroom Duxelles, Puff Wild Rice, Sourdough Bread

Beef Bone Marrow, Wild Mushroom Duxelles, Puff Wild Rice, Sourdough Bread

Spotted the Chillax Bar Hop Bus, with its colourful disco lights and jumping beats!

Chillax Bar Hop Bus

Saw these pretty art pieces around the area!

Rainbow Heart In Space

Ladder Of Success

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Update May-2016: Returned to Anti:Dote for the weekend high tea! Their high tea is only available on Saturdays and Sundays, from 3pm - 5pm, and costs SGD $48++ per person. Advance reservations are a must, as they only prepare the high tea set when you book in advance.

High Tea Set (SGD $48 Per Pax)

Each high tea set comes with 1 pot of tea (naturally) per person, though you can also choose to have coffee. Only 1 refill is allowed. I chose the Tibetan Secret Tea, which is a unique blend of green and black tea leaves, delicate in taste with sweet and spicy overtones, rather soothing and calming.

Tibetan Secret Tea

The only difference between the Western High Tea set, and the Asian High Tea set, is the choice of starters. The Western High Tea set features a Organic Egg, Sea Urchin, Salmon Roe, Caviar. This was decent, with the creamy scrambled eggs overwhelmed by the salty, briny flavours of the salmon roe and caviar. Even the sea urchin is somewhat bland here. The Asian High Tea set features a Selection Of Steamed & Fried Dim Sum. This was all-around excellent, the tender yam cake was savoury salty, with a flavourful XO sauce, the siew mai / steamed pork and shrimp dumpling is meaty and moist, with a nice chunk of shrimp within, and a savoury sweet scallop on top. The prawn stuffed beancurd skin has a crisp exterior, and a moist, flavorful interior of fresh prawn / shrimp.

Organic Egg, Sea Urchin, Salmon Roe, Caviar

Selection Of Steamed & Fried Dim Sum

The main High Tea is beautifully presented, in High Tea Drawers. This pretty, but heavy in weight, set of drawers is custom-made, and is incredibly photo-worthy!

High Tea Drawers

There are a total of 7 Savouries, and 11 Sweets. And this portion is all for 1 person! Each High Tea Drawers feeds 2 - 3 people, so plan your visit with an even number (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12) of people, or in a group with multiples of 3 (3, 6, 9, 12).

Sweets

Savouries

I love shortbread biscuits, so I have a fondness for their Sugared Shortbread Biscuit, with its light, sugar crystal studded surface, and crumbly, buttery texture. Loved the sour tartness of the Home Made Raspberry Jam, and the smooth zesty taste of the Home Made Lemon Curd. The thick Devonshire Clotted Cream was decent, with a milky taste, but this wasn't to my liking.

Sugared Shortbread Biscuit, Home Made Raspberry Jam, Home Made Lemon Curd, Devonshire Clotted Cream

The star of the day was the Parmesan Cheese Square Scones, with its cheesy salty savoury flavour, it was delicious! So good I wished there was more! The single best item we ate here, with the majority of us agreeing on this! The Warm Chia Seeds Bun was pretty good as well, fragrant and soft, lovely with some of the spreads.

Warm Chia Seeds Bun, Parmesan Cheese Square Scones

The best savoury item for me was the Iberico Ham, Seasonal Truffle Tart, with its flaky pastry shell, salty flavour of the cured ham, and earthy aroma from the truffle oil. The Smoked Salmon, Lemon Cream Cheese, Ikura Roe was good, with nicely smoky, salty salmon, and briny fish roe, but the chia seed cracker base was limp and grainy in texture, with an odd earthy taste. I thought the Wild Mushroom Duxelle Vol Au Vent was decent, as was the Boston Maine Lobster, Pickled Cucumber, Dill Brioche. The Duck Confit, Foie Gras Terrine was possibly the weakest savoury item here, as the delicate taste of foie gras is lost in the intense flavour of the duck.

Smoked Salmon, Lemon Cream Cheese, Ikura Roe; Wild Mushroom Duxelle Vol Au Vent; Iberico Ham, Seasonal Truffle Tart; Boston Maine Lobster, Pickled Cucumber, Dill Brioche; Duck Confit, Foie Gras Terrine

The best sweet item for me was the Mini Strawberry Cake, Vanilla Chiboust, with its creamy, sweet, floral taste. The Green Apple Tartlet was outstanding as well, with a sour fruity flavour, and a crumbly buttery pastry shell. I also liked the Traditional Paris-Brest, the Pistachio Layer Cake, Smoked Tea Cream, and the Chocolate Coated Strawberry, all these 3 items were decent for me. The 4 weaker items were the Strawberry Cream Cone, the Black Sesame Macaron, the Chocolate Praline, and the Dark Chocolate Cake, Shortbread, Nougat Chip, not that good. The worst item was the Lemon Sable, Grapefruit Parfait, with a weird, chemical-like, sour taste.

Chocolate Coated Strawberry; Strawberry Cream Cone; Green Apple Tartlet; Black Sesame Macaron; Chocolate Praline; Pistachio Layer Cake, Smoked Tea Cream; Mini Strawberry Cake, Vanilla Chiboust; Dark Chocolate Cake, Shortbread, Nougat Chip; Lemon Sable, Grapefruit Parfait; Traditional Paris-Brest

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Update Jun-2019: More than 3 years later, and nearly 4 years since I first visited, had a work event nearby, so visited Anti:Dote for drinks. Ambience at Anti:Dote remains modern, classy, and sophisticated. Service at Anti:Dote is still efficient and professional, maintaining the good standards I remember from before. Food at Anti:Dote is still focused on modern, contemporary light bar snacks / tapas, and desserts, with Head Chef Tryson Quek serving up dishes that are a fusion blend of Western and Asian influences. Drinks remain the star here, with Head Bartender Bannie Kang mixing up creative tipples / cocktails with flair. Portions are sized for individuals, and prices remain comparable to other gastrobars, budget about SGD $55 per person for 2 drinks and a snack.

Anti:Dote Bar Decor

The 2 types of Snacks (SGD $Complimentary) are served when guests are seated. The Pitted Green Olives have a juicy firm bounce to texture, with a light chew, and a bold sharp tangy sour earthy bitter flavour. The Cassava Chips feature thinly sliced tapioca chips. These are super crisp, seasoned with either salt or barbecue flavoured seasoning, resulting in a bold salty savoury earthy sweet flavour. Really addictive, you keep reaching for more!

Snacks (SGD $Complimentary)

Pitted Green Olives

Cassava Chips

The Cocktail Philoso'sle (SGD $25) features a blend of Diplomatico Mantuano 8-year blended and aged dark rum, Amontillado sherry wine, Campari herb & fruit liqueur, Muscovado sugar cane syrup, and Mina Real blanco mezcal. Classified under the 'Elixir Of Life' section of the cocktail menu, this is a strong, potent beverage, with a pronounced smoky woody aroma. Served cardboard covered with a chocolate ganache on top, it has a smooth sipping body, and a robust boozy herbal earthy bitter sweet smoky flavour. Complex and bold, I love it. Highly recommended!

Cocktail Philoso'sle (SGD $25)

Cocktail Philoso'sle

Cocktail Philoso'sle

The Cocktail Chicha Morada (SGD $23) is served on a stand with LED lights, which illuminates and draws the eye to its vibrant beauty. It features a blend of BarSol pisco puro / pure fermented red grape brandy, house popcorn syrup, and purple corn juice, served with ice cubes, garnished with baby corn and thyme. Classified under the 'Antidote' section of the cocktail menu, this is a light, refreshing beverage, with a delicate earthy grainy sweet flavour. Like a cross between corn and caramel popcorn, with accompanying aroma. A light and cold body, with a touch of herbal notes on the finish. Personally didn't quite work for me, rather an acquired taste.