Pince & Pints

Pince & Pints
32 Duxton Road

95 East Coast Road

https://pinceandpints.com/

Lobster Thermidor Set (SGD $68)

Consistently Well Executed, Fresh Lobsters, For A Price

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 8
Ambience & Setting: 6
Food & Beverage: 9
Service: 9
Value for Money: 7
Spent about SGD $110 per person.

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Founded in July 2014 by the husband and wife team behind the successful Singapore fashion blogshop Love, Bonito, Frederick Yap and Velda Tan, Pince & Pints is a restaurant dedicated to serving fresh lobsters at reasonable prices. Drawing queues of up to 2-hours nightly at their 1st outlet in the Duxton Hill area, the continuing success of Pince & Pints has led them to open their 2nd outlet in the Katong area in October 2017. Here, they are still consistently serving up their delicious lobsters, with classic favourites and brand new dishes.

Ambience at Pince & Pints is styled like a casual gastrobar. The 1st outlet calls to mind the bespoke hipster-bar look, with warm lighting against shades of red, wood, and white. A long bar occupies the majority of floor space, and seating is closely packed, almost till you can hear your neighbour's conversations. The 2nd outlet boasts a clean and contemporary look, white lights against shades of wood, off-white, and grey. Both places are relaxing, with attractive tongue-in-cheek decor, though I prefer the 2nd outlet over the 1st outlet.

Service at Pince & Pints achieves near fine dining standards. Staff are professional and courteous, quickly greeting and seating guests. They speak politely in crisp English, displaying good product knowledge on dishes if questioned. I particularly like that they can refuse requests in a positive manner. Staff display quick efficiency at clearing empty / dirty tables when diners leave. In addition, they do engage guests during the meal, and will ask for feedback on your dining experience.

Food at Pince & Pints is all about lobsters, done in American, French, and Modern Singaporean styles. Imported directly from sustainable fisheries along the Atlantic Coast, stored live in a warehouse equipped with caliberated water tanks, this ensures that all their lobsters are fresh, and of good quality when served. Consistency is key as well, and the kitchen team serves up these delectable crustaceans with precise execution every time. Portions are sized for individuals, and while prices are high (naturally), you're usually assured of a good dining experience. Budget about SGD $110 per person for a meal here.

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Pince & Pints Signage

Pince & Pints Exterior

Pince & Pints Interior

Seating Indoors

Seating Outdoors

Pince & Pints Facade

Walled Kitchen

Bar

The Beer Tuatara Aotearoa Pale Ale (SGD $18) is an American style pale ale, brewed by Tuatara Breweries in Paraparaumu, in the Greater Wellington region of New Zealand. Also known as 'Kapai', which is Maori for 'It's All Good', this has a dark copper amber colour, with aromas of orange, malt, banana, and grass. The body is medium creamy, oily, and fizzy, with tastes of grapefruit, caramel, mango, and pine resin. Has a herbal sweet undertone, with strong bitter spice flavours. Finish is dry and lingering. Made with Motueka, Pacific Jade, New Zealand Cascade, and Nelson Sauvin hops, this pairs exceptionally well with veal, venison, and shellfish.

Beer Tuatara Aotearoa Pale Ale (SGD $18)

The Garlic Butter Mussels (SGD $18) feature fresh, plump, meaty mussels, in a thin but flavourful broth of garlic, butter, basil leaves, white wine, and chili. Served with toasted garlic bread, which has a lovely crisp edge outside, and a soft inside. The delicious broth lends a savoury sweet herbal note to the natural briny salty sweet flavour of the mussels. Good!

Garlic Butter Mussels (SGD $18)

Garlic Butter Mussels

Instead of the typical French style, the Fried Calamari (SGD $12) here is a Modern Singaporean version instead. The large, plump, bouncy squid rings have a nice chew to texture, with a light sweet savoury flavour. The thin and semi-crisp batter, which is golden brown but oily, is spiced with curry leaves and Szechuan / Sichuan chili, giving it a mild spicy kick. Paired with a cool tartar sauce. Yum.

Fried Calamari (SGD $12)

Fried Calamari

Fried Calamari

The Lobster Chowder (SGD $38) has a rich, creamy texture, akin to the Boston, Massachusetts, New England, United States Of America version of chowder. The base of lobster stock, clam stock, and cream immediately feels different on the palate, having a delicate sweet savoury flavour and a pale off-white colour, as compared to those versions which use solely prawn or clam stock instead (these usually are more intense in crustacean flavour). Garnished with baby clams, leeks, potatoes, onions, fresh deshelled crab, and meaty chunks of fresh lobster, with its briny salty sweet flavour. Completed with satisfiyingly crisp croutons. Expensive for an appetizer though.

Lobster Chowder (SGD $38)

Lobster Chowder

Lobster Chowder

Ah, the signature The Lobster Roll Set (SGD $58), a Boston, Massachusetts, New England, United States Of America classic dish. Served with a fresh Chef's Garden Salad and satisfiying Straight Cut Fries, The Lobster Roll is done traditional style, with a crisp outside, fluffy soft inside hotdog bun that is open at the top. Within is stuffed a liberal portion of chilled fresh lobster chunks, marinated in lemon juice, salt, black pepper, and butter. An elegant diffusion of flavour, briny sweet savoury zesty on the palate. Loved every decadent bite of this. Highly recommended!

The Lobster Roll Set (SGD $58)

The Lobster Roll Set

Chef's Garden Salad

Straight Cut Fries

Garlic Aioli

The Lobster Roll

The Lobster Roll

The Lobster Roll

The Lobster Thermidor Set (SGD $68) is a classic dish from Paris, Île-De-France, France. Served with a fresh Chef's Garden Salad and satisfiying Straight Cut Fries, the Lobster Thermidor features a whole lobster, halved and coated in bread crumbs soaked with egg yolks and cognac, served with an oven-browned parmesan cheese crust and rosemary. This dish, to me, represents the epitome of luxury fine dining. Cut into the soft, crumbly, golden-brown crust, and you get the juicy, succulent, briny sweet savoury lobster meat within. The crust itself lends a herbal salty bready cheesy flavour, complementing the fresh lobster meat. A dish which demands to be eaten leisurely, enjoying every mouthful. Expensive dish, naturally. Highly recommended!

Lobster Thermidor Set (SGD $68)

Chef's Garden Salad

Straight Cut Fries

Lobster Thermidor

Lobster Thermidor

Lobster Thermidor

The Live Whole Lobster Set (SGD $58) is served with a fresh Chef's Garden Salad, satisfiying Straight Cut Fries, and a herbed butter gravy. But the star is the Live Whole Lobster, Steamed, fresh and meaty, succulent and juicy, sweet briny salty savoury in flavour, so luxurious and delicious. An excellent showcase of how simplicity in cooking and respect for this premium ingredient results in a delightful dining experience. Highly recommended!