Chapters By Drinks & Co. Tasting Session 2024
3D River Valley Road
#01-08 Clarke Quay
Opening Hours:
Sun - Thu: 12pm - 11pm,
Fri - Sat: 12pm - 2am
https://drinksandco.asia/pages/chapters
This was an invited media review. I did not pay for the meal during the free hosted tasting session.
Attended with representatives from Her Pen And Fork, msginginly, Epicurious Caniggia, Chubby Botak Koala, and Purple Taste.
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| Meal Flat Lay |
Journey Into Deliciousness
(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 9
Ambience & Setting: 9
Food & Beverage: 9
Service: 9
Value for Money: 8
Budget about SGD $102 per person.
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The latest addition to the Drinks & Co. portfolio, Chapters By Drinks & Co. opened in August 2023. Conceived as a sophisticated yet relaxing dining destination with a storybook theme, Chapters By Drinks & Co. invites guests on a gastronomic journey that's mysterious and mesmerizing.
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| Chapters By Drinks & Co. Signage |
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| Chapters By Drinks & Co. Exterior |
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| Chapters By Drinks & Co. Interior |
Ambience at Chapters By Drinks & Co. is attractive, drawing from fantasy elements, and designed to resemble a storybook. Step into the surreal spotlit great dining hall with a gleaming golden bird cage over plush booth seats, black and white striped marble floor tiles, and book pages floating overhead. Next to the neon-lit batik print arch is a book case with a secret private chamber, while the dramatic rainbow bar exudes elegant sophistication. The al-fresco treehouse with comfortable lounge seats offers a view of the waterfront, and is the most popular space here.
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| Decor Books |
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| Decor Books |
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| Decor Ceiling Book Pages |
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| Decor Enshrined Whisky |
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| Decor Fortune Cat & Bottles |
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| Decor Gleaming Dog & Bottles |
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| Decor Gleaming Dog & Bottles |
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| Decor Neon Batik Arch |
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| Decor Neon Batik Arch |
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| Decor Neon Batik Arch |
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| Decor Neon Batik Arch |
Service at Chapters By Drinks & Co. is superb, with staff according each table good attention. I note they quickly greet and seat guests, and clean up efficiently when diners leave. Staff display good product knowledge on the menu, able to describe dishes as it's served, and also offer to clear finished plates proactively. Requests are promptly fulfilled, and I understand they're able to host business meetings and events here. We were hosted by the owners, Amanda and Henry, and the experience was impeccable, a big thank you to the Chapters By Drinks & Co. team!
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| Bar |
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| Bar |
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| Seating Main Dining Hall |
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| Seating Main Dining Hall |
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| Seating Main Dining Hall |
Food at Chapters By Drinks & Co. is Modern Singaporean cuisine, a fusion of Western and Asian influences, wholly unique and fantastic. Dishes are made from scratch, consistently well executed with good quality, but this also means some waiting time before it's served. Ingredients and sauces are combined intelligently, never overwhelming each other, but pairing perfectly within each bite. Portions are large and hearty, and may either be consumed individually, or shared amongst others (sharing is recommended). As with their other outlets, the wine shelf boasts a good range of drinks. Prices command a premium for the gourmet quality, budget about SGD $102 per person for a full meal plus drinks.
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| Seating Outdoors |
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| Seating Indoors |
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| Seating Private Room |
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| Seating Private Alcove |
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| Seating Terrace |
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| Seating Terrace |
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| Seating Terrace |
The Cocktail Whisky Sour (SGD $28) features a blend of bourbon whiskey, lemon juice, white sugar, water, and optional chicken egg white, shaken with ice then strained into a coupe glass, garnished with angostura bitters and lemon zest. This cocktail is smooth and almost creamy in texture, with a rich foam head, and carries bright zesty tangy sour boozy sweet bitter flavour. Nicely refreshing.
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| Cocktail Whisky Sour (SGD $28) |
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| Cocktail Whisky Sour |
The Cocktail Premium Singapore Sling (SGD $29) features a blend of Hendricks gin, fresh lime juice, cherry liqueur, grenadine syrup, cointreau triple sec orange liqueur, DOM bénédictine herbal liqueur, pineapple juice, and angostura bitters, shaken and poured over ice into a poco grande glass, garnished with a wedge of pineapple and skewered maraschino cherries. This cocktail is medium thick and almost viscous in texture, and carries robust fruity sour tangy herbal bitter sweet boozy flavour. A suitably tropical punch. For this premium version, they've garnished the glass with rose flower petals and raised a mini Singapore flag.
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| Cocktail Premium Singapore Sling (SGD $29) |
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| Cocktail Premium Singapore Sling |
The Cocktail Margarita Frozen (SGD $23) features a blend of tequila, lime juice, cointreau triple sec orange liqueur, water, and white sugar, blended with ice cubes, then poured into a margarita glass and garnished with a lime or lemon wedge. This cocktail is chunky soft smooth in texture, and carries lovely fruity zesty sour tangy sweet herbal boozy flavour. Very versatile, this is also available with raspberry juice or passionfruit juice.
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| Cocktail Margarita Frozen (SGD $23) |
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| Cocktail Margarita Frozen |
The Cocktail Pina Colada (SGD $23) features a blend of white rum, pineapple juice, and coconut cream, blended with ice cubes, then poured into a poco grande glass decorated with grated coconut and garnished with a wedge of pineapple and skewered maraschino cherries. This cocktail is grainy thick viscous in texture, and carries bright fruity sweet tangy sour zesty earthy milky boozy flavour. Feels like a beach.
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| Cocktail Pina Colada (SGD $23) |
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| Cocktail Pina Colada |
Inspired by the Spanish Gambas Al Ajillo Con Chorizo, the Appetizers Prawns And Chorizo (SGD $28) features crunchy partially deshelled prawns and chewy pork chorizo sausage, tossed with crisp spring onions, crunchy fried garlic, and soft bird's eye chili / chili padi, in fragrant extra virgin olive oil. The result is a burst of salty savoury sweet spicy earthy flavour, enticing the palate. Served with a large slice of crisp baguette bread on the side, lending bready sweet flavour. Good!
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| Appetizers Prawns And Chorizo (SGD $28) |
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| Appetizers Prawns And Chorizo |
Inspired by the Malaysian Boxing Chicken or the American Chicken Lollipop, the Appetizers Boxing Chicken In Teriyaki Sauce (SGD $34) features chicken drumettes boxing or lollipop style, coated in a corn flour and all-purpose flour batter and deep-fried, then dressed with teriyaki sauce and toasted white sesame seeds. The result is a crisp tender juicy sticky texture to the chicken meat, with bold smoky meaty savoury salty sweet flavour, easily coming off the bone. Served with a fresh crisp mesclun salad (baby spinach, curly endive / frisée, chard, mizuna) that lends vegetal herbal bitter sweet flavour. Highly recommended!
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| Appetizers Boxing Chicken In Teriyaki Sauce (SGD $34) |
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| Appetizers Boxing Chicken In Teriyaki Sauce |
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| Appetizers Boxing Chicken In Teriyaki Sauce |
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| Appetizers Boxing Chicken In Teriyaki Sauce |
Inspired by the Chinese Salt And Pepper Squid, the Appetizers Salt And Pepper Squid (SGD $30) features tender chunks of calamari squid, coated in a thin, crisp all-purpose flour batter spiced with salt, black pepper, garlic, sugar, and red chili. This results in a deep and robust savoury salty spice sweet flavour. Served with a drizzle of lemon juice for added zesty tangy sour flavour, and a fresh crisp mesclun salad (baby spinach, curly endive / frisée, chard, mizuna) that lends vegetal herbal bitter sweet flavour. Highly recommended!
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| Appetizers Salt And Pepper Squid (SGD $30) |
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| Appetizers Salt And Pepper Squid |
Inspired by the Malaysian or Singaporean Satay, the Appetizers Satay (SGD $38) features a dozen sticks of marinated meat on skewers (chicken and beef), grilled till tender and juicy with smoky meaty savoury salty spice flavour. Served with juicy cucumbers with vegetal sweet flavour, crisp red onions with vegetal spice earthy flavour, juicy pineapple with fruity sweet flavour, and soft steamed ketupat / compressed rice cakes with grainy sweet flavour. The highlight is the chunky thick crushed peanut gravy with its nutty savoury salty spice sweet flavour. Highly recommended!
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| Appetizers Satay (SGD $38) |
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| Appetizers Satay |
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| Appetizers Satay |
Inspired by the American Waldorf Salad, the Salads Chilled Waldorf Salad With Wagyu Beef (SGD $48) features a medley of red grapes, green apple, celery, cherry tomatoes, roasted walnuts, and curly endive / frisée, dressed in a thick sesame sauce. The chilled salad has crisp juicy crunchy texture, with bright vegetal earthy herbal bitter fruity sweet nutty flavour. Served with strips of tender wagyu beef flank grilled till medium rare, nice smoky meaty savoury salty fatty flavour. Highly recommended!
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| Salads Chilled Waldorf Salad With Wagyu Beef (SGD $48) |
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| Salads Chilled Waldorf Salad With Wagyu Beef |
Inspired by the Indian Bhindi Masala and the Italian Saffron Risotto, the fusion Salads Mixed Vegetables Curry Risotto (SGD $38) features risotto infused with curry leaves and saffron, garnished with fried tofu bean curd, okra / lady's finger, brinjal / aubergine / eggplant, carrots, potatoes, and curly endive / frisée. This has combined soft juicy tender crunchy crisp texture, with addictive vegetal spice sweet savoury earthy herbal bitter salty flavour. Feels wholesome and healthy, among my favourites here. Highly recommended!
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| Salads Mixed Vegetables Curry Risotto (SGD $38) |
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| Salads Mixed Vegetables Curry Risotto |
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| Salads Mixed Vegetables Curry Risotto |
Inspired by the Italian Bruschetta, the Salads Tomato Bruschetta (SGD $14) features crisp toasted baguette bread, topped with juicy diced tomato, crisp basil leaves, and a dash of balsamic vinegar. This carries lovely bready sour vegetal earthy sweet herbal flavour. A satisfying appetiser where simplicity and the quality of ingredients shine. Highly recommended!
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| Salads Tomato Bruschetta (SGD $14) |
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| Salads Tomato Bruschetta |
Inspired by the Italian Shrimp Spaghetti Aglio E Olio, the Pasta Tiger Prawns Aglio Olio (SGD $48) features silky al-dente spaghetti pasta noodles tossed with garlic, white wine, bird's eye chili / chili padi, and curry leaves, garnished with bouncy black olives, juicy cherry tomatoes, and crisp shredded nori / dried seaweed. The result is a fragrant and pleasing aroma, with bold grainy vegetal sweet spice salty earthy sweet savoury flavour to the pasta. Paired with large pan-seared shell-on tiger prawns, crunchy and juicy in texture with bold smoky savoury sweet flavour. A popular favourite amongst diners here. Good!
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| Pasta Tiger Prawns Aglio Olio (SGD $48) |
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| Pasta Tiger Prawns Aglio Olio |
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| Pasta Tiger Prawns Aglio Olio |
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| Pasta Tiger Prawns Aglio Olio |
Inspired by the Japanese Yaki Niku Udon, the Pasta Wagyu Beef Stir-Fried Udon (SGD $58) features thick chewy soft udon noodles stir-fried with crisp bell peppers / capsicum, thick black pepper gravy, crisp nori / dried seaweed, and tender wagyu beef flank, then garnished with wispy katsuobushi / fermented skipjack tuna flakes / bonito flakes and crunchy white sesame seeds. Combined, this carries robust smoky meaty vegetal salty savoury nutty sweet peppery spice flavour. Rather filling and completely addictive, yum. Highly recommended!
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| Pasta Wagyu Beef Stir-Fried Udon (SGD $58) |
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| Pasta Wagyu Beef Stir-Fried Udon |
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| Pasta Wagyu Beef Stir-Fried Udon |
We also tried the Pizza Mentaiko Tiger Prawns Pizza (SGD $38), though we were really full at this point.
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| Pizza Mentaiko Tiger Prawns Pizza (SGD $38) |
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| Pizza Mentaiko Tiger Prawns Pizza |
Inspired by the Thai Tom Kha Pla and the British English Fish And Chips, the Mains Pan-Seared Lemongrass Halibut Fish (SGD $45) features fresh boneless fillets of halibut fish, coated in an all-purpose flour batter and deep-fried, dressed with a rich cream gravy infused with coconut cream, capers, and lemongrass. This results in the halibut fish having a tender crisp flaky soft texture, and carries lovely floral earthy herbal sweet salty savoury milky flavour. Served over a bed of creamy smooth mashed potatoes with starchy salty sweet buttery flavour, and crunchy tender grilled baby carrots with smoky vegetal sweet earthy flavour. On the side is a fresh crisp mesclun salad (baby spinach, curly endive / frisée, chard, mizuna) that lends vegetal herbal bitter sweet flavour, and juicy sour plum infused cherry tomatoes that burst with vegetal sour fruity sweet flavour. Loved every bite of this dish. Highly recommended!
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| Mains Pan-Seared Lemongrass Halibut Fish (SGD $45) |
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| Mains Pan-Seared Lemongrass Halibut Fish |
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| Mains Pan-Seared Lemongrass Halibut Fish |
Inspired by the British English dish of the same name, the Mains Beef Wellington (SGD $65) requires a 30-minute preparation time, and features beef tenderloin coated with pork bacon bits and button mushroom duxelles, enveloped with a buttery puff pastry then slow baked. The result is a crisp golden brown exterior to the flaky puff pastry with buttery sweet savoury flavour, and a tender juicy grainy chewy interior to the beef tenderloin, pork bacon bits, and button mushroom duxelles, that carries smoky meaty savoury salty vegetal earthy flavour. On the side is crunchy tender grilled baby carrots with smoky vegetal sweet earthy flavour, and fresh crisp mesclun salad (baby spinach, curly endive / frisée, chard, mizuna) that lends vegetal herbal bitter sweet flavour. Best eaten quickly when hot out of the oven, certainly worth waiting for. Highly recommended!
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| Mains Beef Wellington (SGD $65) |
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| Mains Beef Wellington |
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| Mains Beef Wellington |
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| Mains Beef Wellington |
Inspired by the Australian Sticky Date Pudding, the Dessert Home Made Baked Red Dates Sticky Pudding (SGD $22) features a soft pudding filled with red dates paste, dressed with thick caramel sauce. This red dates sticky pudding carries gentle floral earthy honeyed sweet flavour. Served with juicy strawberries, blueberries, and red grapes, all with fruity sweet flavour. Crushed pistachio nuts lend a nutty crunch, while a scoop of creamy smooth vanilla ice cream with floral milky sweet flavour completes. Good!
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| Dessert Home Made Baked Red Dates Sticky Pudding (SGD $22) |
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| Dessert Home Made Baked Red Dates Sticky Pudding |
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| Dessert Home Made Baked Red Dates Sticky Pudding |
Inspired by the French Basque Burnt Cheesecake, the Dessert Home Made Burnt Cheesecake (SGD $22) features a crumbly soft torched cheesecake with cheesy sweet smoky flavour. Set within a decorated arrow of sticky chocolate fudge with chocolatey sweet flavour, topped with jammy quince paste with fruity sour sweet flavour. Served with juicy strawberries, blueberries, and red grapes, all with fruity sweet flavour. Crushed pistachio nuts lend a nutty crunch, while a scoop of creamy smooth vanilla ice cream with floral milky sweet flavour completes. Good!
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| Dessert Home Made Burnt Cheesecake (SGD $22) |
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| Dessert Home Made Burnt Cheesecake |
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| Dessert Home Made Burnt Cheesecake |
Overall, I loved the dining experience at Chapters By Drinks & Co.. The attractive ambience, superb service, and fantastic food, are a win despite the premium prices. Have recommended Chapters By Drinks & Co. for a memorable experience, and will continue to do so.
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CONVERSATION