COCONUTS HOT SPOT — Here’s a suggestion for your next weekend hangout: Summerlong, the new Robertson Quay eatery that serves up Mediterranean dishes and drinks. Brought to you by the same people behind Neon Pigeon, Fat Prince and The Ottoman Room, this restaurant/bar is all about breezy, casual vibes, beachside style and riverside views. Basically, like its name suggests, you can chillax at the space like you’ve got all summer long to relax, people watch and catch the sunset.
Only open for dinners and weekend brunches, the restaurant features a small menu of dishes that can pretty much all be shared. If you’re there to soak in the night lights, start with a couple dips like the lemon and garlic hummus with Lebanese minced lamb ($10) or the roasted sweet potato and chilli hummus ($7). Then order sharing plates like the creamy Greek-style burratina with tangerine and honey ($16), the crispy sweet corn and goat cheese fritters ($12), or the smoky chargrilled octopus ($19).
When it comes to the mains, the Persian fried chicken with mint honey sauce, harissa and dukkah ($25) is a must-try — it’s perfectly done, with a crisp exterior enveloping juicy hunks of meat.
On the seafood side, the menu offers options like fried calamari with arugula ($17), clams in a white wine sauce ($22), and steamed mussels with lamb sausage and baked pumpkin ($21). But if you prefer your grilled meats, go for the pork ribs with pomegranate glaze ($32), sea salt-crusted rump steak ($34) or chicken with artichoke purée ($22).
To add on to your meal, sides and salads come in the form of fries ($9), charred eggplant ($10) and pear and fennel with rocket ($10).
Dessert fans may be a tad disappointed with the sole option of soft serve ice cream ($4), but trust us when we say it’s melt-in-your-mouth creamy, and not one of those run-of-the-mill versions. Get the mixed yogurt and chocolate one and toss in toppings ($1 each) like fruits, granola, walnuts or chocolate chips for garnish.
As for brunch, expect a couple of similar starters, seafood items, sides and salads, along with dishes such as avocado toast with fried egg ($15), falafel scotch egg ($19), and Persian fried chicken and egg ($22).
Wine connoisseurs will be intrigued to know the selection here offers bottles from Mediterranean vineyards — including those from France, Italy, Spain and Turkey — while cocktail lovers can go for concoctions like the 3 Continents ($21) made with three rums, pineapple and passionfruit, or the Heavenly Stars ($20) with rye, braulio, coffee bianco and spiced maple.
Summerlong is at #01-04, 60 Robertson Quay. Tues-Fri 5pm-midnight, Sat-Sun 11.30am-midnight.
