George Town Tze Char And Craft Beer Tasting Session 2020
81 Boat Quay
Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 11pm
https://www.facebook.com/georgetowntzechar/
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 Jennifer Yeo Lifestyle, and Esth3r Esth3r.
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| Marmite Ribs (SGD $18) |
Delish Malaysian Thai Zi Char
(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 8
Ambience & Setting: 7
Food & Beverage: 8
Service: 7
Value for Money: 8
Budget about SGD $27++ per person.
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Opening in September 2020, George Town Tze Char And Craft Beer is a casual gastropub specialising in Malaysian Thai fusion Zi Char dishes. Situated at the end of Boat Quay, beside the Singapore River, George Town Tze Char And Craft Beer offers a relaxing atmosphere with full-flavoured dishes that will satisfy and delight, all at wallet-friendly prices.
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| George Town Tze Char And Craft Beer Signage |
Ambience at George Town Tze Char And Craft Beer is casual and relaxing. The place is mostly open with an overhead shelter, decorated with Oriental lanterns that lend an Asian feel. The comfortable furnishings are neatly spaced thanks to COVID-19 safe distancing measures, and the warm lighting lends an intimate feel. Perhaps the biggest draw is the tranquil Singapore River just beside, great for watching the sunset.
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| George Town Tze Char And Craft Beer Facade |
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| Wings Up |
Service at George Town Tze Char And Craft Beer is friendly and efficient. Staff are quick to greet and seat guests, and display cursory knowledge of dishes, briefly introducing them when serving. I note they are quick to clean up when diners are done. However, only the owners have sufficient knowledge on the range of wines and sake available, the general staff don't quite seem to possess the same aptitude yet.
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| Seating |
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| Seating |
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| Seating |
Food at George Town Tze Char And Craft Beer consists mostly of fusion Malaysian Thai cuisine, done Chinese Zi Char style. Think bold flavours, with heavy use of sauces or spices, and ingredients either being stir-fried or deep-fried. Chef "George" heads up the kitchen, and consistently produces well-executed plates. Portions are sized for communal group dining, and prices are more affordable than other restaurants in this area. Budget about SGD $27++ per person for a meal.
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| Bottles Of Sake |
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| Craft Beer Sampler |
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| Craft Beer Sampler |
The Sake Tsuchida-Shuzo Homare Kokkou Gold (SGD $78 per 720ml bottle) is brewed by the Tsuchida-Shuzo Brewery in Kawaba, Gunma prefecture, Kanto region of Japan, using Hanafubuki rice. This clear transparent sake is served chilled, and has a 60% polished rate, resulting in a crisp, smooth, dry texture. It has a delicate grainy sweet flavour, tasting of rice crackers, banana, spring water, and barley. So easy to drink.
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| Sake Tsuchida-Shuzo Homare Kokkou Gold (SGD $78 per 720ml bottle) |
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| Sake Tsuchida-Shuzo Homare Kokkou Gold |
The Sake Kinshihaii Shuzo Yukikage (SGD $68 per 720ml bottle) is brewed by the Kinshihaii Shuzo Brewery in Gosen, Niigata prefecture, Chubu region of Japan, using a blend of Gohyaku Mangoku rice and Koshiibuki rice. This clear transparent sake is served chilled, and has a 58% polished rate, resulting in a light, smooth, soft texture. It has a mild fruity grainy sweet flavour, tasting of steamed white rice, green apple, maple syrup, and apricot. Has a long finish, gently lingering on the palate.
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| Sake Kinshihaii Shuzo Yukikage (SGD $68 per 720ml bottle) |
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| Sake Kinshihaii Shuzo Yukikage |
The Chendol Gin (SGD $12) is a bespoke Gin & Tonic Cocktail, crafted in partnership with Compendium Singapore distillery. First distilled from fermented gula melaka / palm sugar, then re-distilled in a pot still with juniper berries, pandan / screwpine leaf, and coconut. The result is a smooth, vibrant, and soft cocktail, tasting mildly of the iconic Chendol dessert, with boozy earthy floral sweet flavour.
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| Chendol Gin (SGD $12) |
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| Chendol Gin |
The Oysters (SGD $1 per piece, limit of half-dozen pieces) are fresh and juicy, with lovely briny sweet salty flavour. Served over ice with lemon slices, these Canadian oysters are large and plump and succulent. Good!
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| Oysters (SGD $1 per piece, limit of half-dozen pieces) |
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| Oysters |
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| Oysters |
The XO Signature Hor Fun (SGD $12) is delicious with its smoky wok hei / breath of the wok. The stir-fried slippery flat rice noodles garnished with crunchy bean sprouts, tender Spanish mackeral fish, wispy garlic chives, and crispy fried shallots with baby shrimp, has a wonderful enticing aroma. Along with the rich gravy, this has lovely sweet savoury salty flavour. Pair with some house-made sambal belachan for added spicy kick. Good!
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| XO Signature Hor Fun (SGD $12) |
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| XO Signature Hor Fun |
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| XO Signature Hor Fun |
The signature Rendang Beef Cubes (SGD $18) feature tender moist cubes of diced beef coated in the house special rendang spice paste. The result is rich taste on the palate, bold and meaty savoury salty spice in flavour. Best paired with white rice. Easily our favourite dish of the visit. Highly recommended!
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| Rendang Beef Cubes (SGD $18) |
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| Rendang Beef Cubes |
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| Rendang Beef Cubes |
The Marmite Ribs (SGD $18) here are milder in taste compared to elsewhere, but remains pleasant enough. The pork meat comes off the bone with a light chew, while the thick marmite gravy lends sweet savoury flavour to the natural meaty savoury salty flavour of the pork ribs. The outstanding element for me is the texture, consistently tender throughout. Worth ordering!
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| Marmite Ribs (SGD $18) |
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| Marmite Ribs |
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| Marmite Ribs |
The Thai Floss Soft Shell Crab (SGD $15) features crunchy spongy deep-fried soft shell crab, tossed with crisp curry leaves and wispy pork floss. A definitive and unique bar snack, this holds deep savoury salty spice flavour, making it perfect when paired with drinks. Worth ordering!
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| Floss Soft Shell Crab (SGD $15) |
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| Floss Soft Shell Crab |
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| Floss Soft Shell Crab |
Loved their signature Thai Assam Curry Fish Head (SGD $28). While it looks like a typical fish curry, the addition of tamarind gives it a unique twist. The white snapper fish head is large and meaty, with tender fish meat that comes clean off the bones. Garnished with tender vegetables and fruits, including lady's fingers / okra, brinjal / eggplant / aubergine, tomato, pineapple, white onions, and spongy dried tofu puffs. The assam curry gravy is rich and thick, lending bold sour savoury sweet spice flavour to the ingredients. Highly recommended!
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| Thai Assam Curry Fish Head (SGD $28) |
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| Thai Assam Curry Fish Head |
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| Thai Assam Curry Fish Head |
The Penang Thai Style Squid (SGD $15) was our other favourite dish, and we ordered it again on a return visit. The large squid is bouncy with a good bite to texture, and the crisp spiced batter lends an addictive salty savoury sweet flavour. Pair with the sticky Thai chili dipping sauce for a sweet spicy kick. Highly recommended!
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| Penang Thai Style Squid (SGD $15) |
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| Penang Thai Style Squid |
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| Penang Thai Style Squid |
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| Penang Thai Style Squid |
The Black Pepper Crab (SGD $15 per 500g crab, limit of 1 for every 2 diners) features a decent sized crab, with a good amount of meat. But it's the black pepper sauce that makes this righteous, lending a fiery savoury salty peppery spice flavour to each bite. Messy, but so yummy. The current promotion limits 1 crab for every 2 diners, and is well worth it. Highly recommended!
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| Black Pepper Crab (SGD $15 per 500g crab, limit of 1 for every 2 diners) |
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| Black Pepper Crab |
We loved their rendang gravy, so we ordered the unique Rendang Crab (SGD $15 per 500g crab, limit of 1 for every 2 diners) to try. While the crab is decently sized with a good amount of meat, the rendang spices are much more full flavoured here, with robust salty savoury spice flavour... perhaps a tad overly salty too. But it pairs well with drinks. The current promotion limits 1 crab for every 2 diners, and is well worth it. Worth ordering!
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| Rendang Crab (SGD $15 per 500g crab, limit of 1 for every 2 diners) |
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| Rendang Crab |
The Barbecue Stingray Wing (SGD $18) is a little more expensive than elsewhere, but is well executed. The stingray wing is large and meaty, with the tender flesh coming easily off the bone. The sambal gravy imparts a deep spicy savoury flavour, and the excellent barbecue grilling lends a smoky aroma. Good!
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| Barbecue Stingray Wing (SGD $18) |
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| Barbecue Stingray Wing |
The unique flavour profile of dishes at George Town Tze Char And Craft Beer is a good enough reason to visit. Coupled with their affordable pricing and consistently good quality, I expect that George Town Tze Char And Craft Beer will be drawing in the crowds soon enough. I've actually returned several times for more of their delicious Zi Char dishes.
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CONVERSATION