Five Marbles Craft Beer Restaurant Tasting Session
9 Bras Basah Road
#01-00 Courtyard, Rendezvous Hotel
Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 12am
https://fivemarbles.com/
This was an invited media review. I did not pay for the meal during the free hosted tasting session, but I did pay the standard price during subsequent visits.
Attended with representatives from Chubby Botak Koala, Purple Taste, and The Arctic Star.
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| Green Curry Lychee Duck Linguine (SGD $19) |
Craft Beer Aficionados, Gather!
(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 8
Ambience & Setting: 7
Food & Beverage: 8
Service: 9
Value for Money: 9
Budget about SGD $40 per person.
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Opening its doors in May 2017, Five Marbles Craft Beer Restaurant is helmed by the former team behind The RawR Kitchen, which has ceased operations. Five Marbles Craft Beer Restaurant is in an accessible location, within Rendezvous Hotel, and they offer a good range of craft beers on tap, along with Modern Singaporean dishes that are made with said craft beer!
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| Five Marbles Craft Beer Restaurant Signage |
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| Five Marbles Craft Beer Restaurant Exterior |
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| Five Marbles Craft Beer Restaurant Interior |
Ambience at Five Marbles Craft Beer Restaurant benefits from the large, open courtyard of Rendezvous Hotel. Ample natural daylight shines through the sheltered, patterned ceiling, while at night, warm and low mood lighting set an intimate tone. Wide, comfortable, sturdy cushioned chairs and spacious tables, make for great relaxing. The place is kept cool with large fans, and there is some greenery around to offset the white, grey, and stone colours. Love the ambience here, it's easy to have hours just pass by, chatting and drinking with friends.
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| Courtyard Ceiling |
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| Courtyard Kitchen |
Service at Five Marbles Craft Beer Restaurant is efficient and personalised. There are only a few staff, but they're well trained and professional. Guests are quickly attended to upon being seated. While the menu is detailed, staff are able to describe dishes in detail, displaying good product knowledge. They quickly clear away empty / dirty tables when diners leave. I also note that some of them really make the effort to engage diners, and I recommend asking them for advice on craft beer and food pairings. Pretty good service overall.
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| Seating |
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| Seating |
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| See Mead Drink |
Food at Five Marbles Craft Beer Restaurant is Modern Singaporean cuisine, but don't expect pretentious plates here. Their food is hearty and filling, bold in flavour, rustic in presentation, and absolutely delicious. Nearly every dish here incorporates craft beer in its preparation. Portions are medium to large, more than sufficient for an individual, and best shared. However, Five Marbles Craft Beer Restaurant is best known for their craft beer. Offering a range of 12 craft beers, including several local Singaporean brands, they've designed their offerings such that an individual can drink a variety of half pints. Prices are kept affordable, budget about SGD $40 per person for a full meal with several rounds of half pints here.
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| Menu Craft Beer, 1st Week September 2017 |
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| Menu Craft Beer, 3rd Week September 2017 |
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| Menu Food |
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| Menu Beer Floats & Other Drinks |
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| Craft Beer Taps |
The Salted Egg Fish Crisps (SGD $9) are highly addictive! Super crisp and crunchy, the deep fried fish skin is so satisfiying. Lightly coated in the dry style of salted egg yolk sauce, which is a home cooked recipe. Delicate salty savoury flavour, not overwhelming, just enough to entice you to go back for more. Perfect pairing with half pints of their craft beers. Highly recommended!
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| Salted Egg Fish Crisps (SGD $9) |
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| Salted Egg Fish Crisps |
This Craft Beer Mushroom Soup (SGD $9) is like a premium version of mushroom soup, featuring a mix of 4 mushrooms - portobello, shiitake, oyster, and white button (which is less gamey than brown button), infused with craft beer. The result, a rich soup / broth with delicate earthy savoury notes, hearty, warming, and comforting. You taste a little of the bitter wheaty flavour of the craft beer on the back of each mouthful. The large mushroom chunks within lend a tender yet meaty bite. Excellent soul food. Highly recommended!
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| Craft Beer Mushroom Soup (SGD $9) |
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| Craft Beer Mushroom Soup |
The Grilled Yakitori Meat Skewers (SGD $15) is not bad. The chicken meat is soft and tender, moreso than elsewhere. Has a light savoury sweet flavour, but it's also less salty than elsewhere. Pretty decent, but compared to the other appetizers, this was the weakest.
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| Grilled Yakitori Meat Skewers (SGD $15) |
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| Grilled Yakitori Meat Skewers |
With the Beer Grilled Honey Wings (SGD $9 / $16), a half-dozen or dozen meaty chicken winglets are served alongside a fresh, crunchy salad of cucumber, lettuce, and cherry tomatoes. The recipe draws inspiration from the Hong Kong style coca-cola chicken wings, but here, they're marinated in craft beer, honey, and black pepper instead. Each tender, juicy bite has a bit of sweet, a bit of savoury, and a bit of peppery flavour. Not bad, though I've also had just as good elsewhere.
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| Beer Grilled Honey Wings (SGD $9 / $16) |
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| Beer Grilled Honey Wings |
You know exactly what you're getting with the Portobello Chicken Cheese Baked Beer Rice (SGD $16), because it's right there in the mouthful of a name. A bed of fluffy white rice, layered with strips of tender chicken, fresh tender portobello mushroom chunks, coated with craft beer infused bechamel sauce. The dish is covered in golden brown, gooey mozzarella cheese, and just for added points, plated on a chicken-shaped serving board. Poke through the golden blanket and watch the steam waft upwards, carrying the appetizing aroma within. I like that it's not too heavy on the palate. Shiok.
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| Portobello Chicken Cheese Baked Beer Rice (SGD $16) |
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| Portobello Chicken Cheese Baked Beer Rice |
This isn't your normal Singaporean Chicken Rice. Created as a homage to the Beer Can Chicken, the Craft Beer Chicken Rice (SGD $16), features a large chicken thigh, marinated in a light cajun spice, grilled till succulent, tender, and juicy. The chicken meat is lightly sweet savoury spicy, coming clean off the bone, so tasty. Served with a fresh house salad (lettuce, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes), roasted baby potatoes, and their take on chicken rice, which has a delicate savoury flavour. The rice isn't too buttery, but has an al-dente bite to it. Overall decent dish, but when compared to the other offerings, this falls behind in being notable.
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| Craft Beer Chicken Rice (SGD $16) |
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| Craft Beer Chicken Rice |
The Bolognese Linguine (SGD $16) differs greatly from other versions elsewhere. Most notable; it's made without tomato sauce, and served as a dry pasta. The minced beef is slow stewed with herbs for 6 hours, resulting in each mouthful being a burst of savoury with a hint of sweet salty flavour, yet it's not overwhelming. Even without sauce, the chewy linguine pasta noodles don't clump together, and while the texture was on the softer side, it's also possible to get this al-dente. Bold meaty flavours here, can see this appealing to the gentlemen.
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| Bolognese Linguine (SGD $16) |
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| Bolognese Linguine |
The unique Green Curry Lychee Duck Linguine (SGD $19) was our favourite dish of the session. The chewy linguine pasta noodles are tossed in a herbal spicy green curry sauce, which is rich and creamy in texture. It's garnished with pretty halved quail eggs, juicy cherry tomatoes, sweet lychee chunks, and slices of tender grilled duck breast that is deeply smoky savoury in flavour. The delicious layering of flavours and textures is completely delicious, and makes you crave more. Most Singaporeans will like this for the kick of spicy chili heat at the back. Highly recommended!
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| Green Curry Lychee Duck Linguine (SGD $19) |
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| Green Curry Lychee Duck Linguine |
The Plain Jane Gelato (SGD $4.50 for 2 scoops) here is very good, with quality gelato that is rich, creamy smooth, and luscious. The Dark Chocolate is bold with a sweet chocolate flavour that blankets the palate, while the Coconut Cream has lovely floral earthy sweet notes that is so refreshing. Good!
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| Plain Jane Gelato (SGD $4.50 for 2 scoops) - Coconut Cream, Dark Chocolate |
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Five Marbles Craft Beer Restaurant offers a range of 12 craft beers on tap, several of which are brewed by local Singaporean breweries. Half pints are wallet-friendly, and staff will recommend the half pints, because the goal is to allow diners to try a few different varieties each visit. On my return visits, I realise they'll change the list of craft beers available, swapping them out for other brews, which makes repeat visits worthwhile.
The Brewdog Dead Pony Club Session Pale Ale (SGD $5 Half Pint / $10 Full Pint) has a clear amber colour, with aromas of lime, toasted malt, lemongrass, and hops. The body is thin, smooth, and resinous, with tastes of pineapple, grapefruit, caramel, and mango. Has a medium bitter sweet flavour, with a lingering bitter finish. Not aggressive, this is an entry level brew.
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| Brewdog Dead Pony Club Session Pale Ale (SGD $5 Half Pint / $10 Full Pint) |
The Zeffer Apple Crumble Cider (SGD $6 Half Pint / $12 Full Pint) has a deep golden colour, with aromas of green apple, blackberry, cinnamon, and vanilla. The body is lively, juicy, and light, with tastes that match the aroma, rather like apple pie or apple crumble, served with ice cream. Has a medium sweet bitter spice flavour, with a rounded sweet finish. Like a dessert in a beverage.
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| Zeffer Apple Crumble Cider (SGD $6 Half Pint / $12 Full Pint) |
The Gosnells Citra Sea Mead (SGD $7 Half Pint / $14 Full Pint) has a pale yellow colour, with aromas of straw, biscuits, lemon, and cereal. The body is soft, smooth, and composed, with tastes of honey, bread, white grape, and tarragon. Has a medium sweet salty flavour, with a short tangy finish. This can put you under quickly, as it's deceptively light. An entry level mead, strong in alcohol.
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| Gosnells Citra Sea Mead (SGD $7 Half Pint / $14 Full Pint) |
The Innocence Kranji Kakis Ginger Beer (SGD $6 Half Pint / $12 Full Pint) has a clear copper colour, with aromas of galangal, palm sugar, bread, and lemongrass. The body is thin, lively, and juicy, with tastes of ginger, caramel, hops, and grass. Has a medium herbal sweet spice flavour, with a light bitter finish. Being a ginger beer, not a ginger ale, it's much lighter on the palate.
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| Innocence Kranji Kakis Ginger Beer (SGD $6 Half Pint / $12 Full Pint) |
The Stockade Hop Splicer Grapefruit Extra Pale Ale (XPA) (SGD $6 Half Pint / $12 Full Pint) has a pale straw colour, with aromas of orange, lime, pineapple, and hops. The body is thin, bright, and refreshing, with tastes of lemon, grapefruit, wheat, and banana. Has a light zesty sour sweet flavour, with a quick bitter finish. This is fruity and easy-drinking, very light.
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| Stockade Hop Splicer Grapefruit Extra Pale Ale (XPA) (SGD $6 Half Pint / $12 Full Pint) |
The Brewlander Love India Pale Ale (IPA) (SGD $7 Half Pint / $14 Full Pint) has a hazy orange colour, with aromas of pineapple, mango, straw, and gooseberry. The body is soapy, silky, and tart, with tastes of passionfruit, honey, orange, and wood. Has a yeasty sweet sour bitter flavour, with a lingering bitter hoppy finish. As with all loves, it has its odd quirks, but remains appealing.
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| Brewlander Love India Pale Ale (IPA) (SGD $7 Half Pint / $14 Full Pint) |
The Lost Coast Indica India Pale Ale (IPA) (SGD $6 Half Pint / $12 Full Pint) has a deep amber colour, with aromas of orange, pine cone, grass, and toffee. The body is full, prickly, and lively, with tastes of tangerine, caramel, pine resin, and hops. Has a herbal sweet bitter flavour, with a clean and refreshing dry finish. Great balance of flavours and aroma, typical of an American West style IPA.
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| Lost Coast Indica India Pale Ale (IPA) (SGD $6 Half Pint / $12 Full Pint) |
The Stockade Mysterio Double India Pale Ale (DIPA) (SGD $7 Half Pint / $14 Full Pint) has a deep copper colour, with aromas of lemon, lime, mango, and jelly beans. The body is thick, resinous, and smooth, with tastes of orange, biscuits, grapefruit, and peach. Has a robust fruity sweet flavour, with a light and watery finish. Almost drinks like a dessert beer, this is a polarising brew; either you love it or hate it.
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| Stockade Mysterio Double India Pale Ale (DIPA) (SGD $7 Half Pint / $14 Full Pint) |
The Brewlander Respect Porter (SGD $6 Half Pint / $12 Full Pint) has a dark brown colour, with aromas of caramel, malt, roasted coffee beans, and smoke. The body is medium thin, silky, and lush, with tastes of liquorice, toffee, chocolate, and toasted barley. Has a rich nutty toasted sweet flavour, with a short creamy finish. A solid, robust, balanced porter, a classic example.
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| Brewlander Respect Porter (SGD $6 Half Pint / $12 Full Pint) |
The Innocence Calamity Coffee Ale (SGD $6 Half Pint / $12 Full Pint) has a bright brown colour, with strong aromas of roasted coffee beans, cherry, caramel, and chocolate. The body is light, creamy, and rounded, with tastes that match the aroma, as it's made with freshly ground specialty Guatemalan coffee beans (Finca Pancum) from Papa Palheta. Has a nutty smoky sweet flavour, with a low bitter hoppy finish. Coffee dominates here, almost similar to a cold brew style.
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| Innocence Calamity Coffee Ale (SGD $6 Half Pint / $12 Full Pint) |
The Tiny Rebel Stay Puft Marshmallow Porter (SGD $7 Half Pint / $14 Full Pint) has a deep black colour, with aromas of banana, roasted coffee beans, black cherry, and cedarwood. The body is crisp, creamy, and sticky, with tastes of marshmallow, malts, vanilla, and espresso coffee. Has a cloying sweet bitter flavour, with 2 distinctive tastes. Controversial, either you love it or hate it.
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| Tiny Rebel Stay Puft Marshmallow Porter (SGD $7 Half Pint / $14 Full Pint) |
The Young's Double Chocolate Stout (SGD $5 Half Pint / $10 Full Pint) has a jet black colour, with aromas of vanilla, dark chocolate, white chocolate, and toasted malts. The body is smooth, creamy, and balanced, with tastes of milk chocolate, roasted coffee beans, caramel, and dates. Has a subtle roasted sweet bitter flavour, with a long, dry, and complex finish. Big fizzy tan foam head too, quite a classic.
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| Young's Double Chocolate Stout (SGD $5 Half Pint / $10 Full Pint) |
The Adnams Jack Brand Clementine Pale Ale (SGD $5 Half Pint / $10 Full Pint) has a cloudy bronze colour, with aromas of wheat, hops, orange, and grass. The body is light, metallic, and resinous, with tastes of clementine, nectarine, bread, and caramel. Has a heavy fruity sweet flavour, with a short dry finish. Being heavily fruity, it will only appeal to a particular segment.
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| Adnams Jack Brand Clementine Pale Ale (SGD $5 Half Pint / $10 Full Pint) |
The Pirate Life X Ballast Point Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) Strong Pale Ale (SGD $7 Half Pint / $14 Full Pint) has a vibrant orange colour, with aromas of lime, pine cone, orange, and hops. The body is smooth, lively, and clean, with tastes of passionfruit, malts, pine resin, and coriander. Has a hoppy herbal sweet flavour, with a short clean finish. A unique, hoppy blend that is lively and exciting.
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| Pirate Life X Ballast Point Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) Strong Pale Ale (SGD $7 Half Pint / $14 Full Pint) |
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The Calamity Affogato Beer Float (SGD $15) features a blend of Innocence Calamity Coffee Ale with golden vanilla gelato. The result is fiendishly addictive, rich and full on the palate, comforting like a hug, yet strong and lively. Good!
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| Calamity Affogato Beer Float (SGD $15) |
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| Calamity Affogato Beer Float |
The Crumble & Tumble Beer Float (SGD $15) features a blend of Zeffer Apple Crumble Cider with coconut cream gelato. The result tastes remarkably similar to the best apple pie, like unicorns galloping in a field under a thousand rainbows, with spectacular fireworks in the sky, dancing amongst the cotton candy clouds. Very nice.
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| Crumble & Tumble Beer Float (SGD $15) |
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| Crumble & Tumble Beer Float |
With The White Princess Beer Float (SGD $17), it features a blend of Gosnells Citra Sea Mead with coconut cream gelato. The result is coy and teasing, shyly working its tender, enticing charms, yet is also rich and refreshing. Like a burst of youthful vigour. Worth ordering!
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| The White Princess Beer Float (SGD $17) |
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| The White Princess Beer Float |
It was a pleasure dining at The RawR Kitchen, and I'm glad to say this new concept is even better. With Five Marbles Craft Beer Restaurant, they've managed to bring back that great dining experience; friendly and personalised service, casual and relaxing ambience, delicious and affordable Modern Singaporean food, and a good range of unique craft beers. I've since returned to patronise Five Marbles Craft Beer Restaurant, and to support the local Singaporean beer brewers.
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 Reserve a table now @ Five Marbles Craft Beer Restaurant |
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CONVERSATION