Exterminate thirst with extreme prejudice at Heart of Darkness on Keong Saik

An array of the bar’s food. Photo: Heart of Darkness
An array of the bar’s food. Photo: Heart of Darkness

Go a few clicks up the Keong Saik Road and, rather than menace and madness, find a revamped food and drink menu at a year-old bar imported from Vietnam.

Heart of Darkness, one of Tanjong Pagar’s many watering holes, revealed an extensive new menu packed with sharing platters, tapas, and a buffet of cocktails, sake and even more beers.

The craft beer brewery from Ho Chi Minh City now offers more than 25 beers on tap with up to five hailing from dedicated local breweries. Their new cocktail Year of the Ox (S$19) is a peculiar addition to the menu with it being made with Remy Martin VSOP Cognac, beef broth and peaches. Their flavorful signatures like Dream Alone Pale Ale (S$19) and the refreshing Futile Purpose Cucumber Pilsner (S$19) are still available. 

The bar’s selection of craft beers. Photo: Heart of Darkness
The bar’s selection of craft beers. Photo: Heart of Darkness

Incorporating their Vietnamese roots to the menu, Heart of Darkness has also come up with a selection of bites that combines Asian with American cuisine. 

Bar snacks include their must-try Banh Bao Ga (S$14), or minced chicken dumplings with Thai sweet chilli sauce, and Nachos (S$14) served with vegetarian chili, house-made guacamole, sour cream, jalapenos, with a choice to add on pulled pork or smoked brisket.

If you’re looking for some alcohol-infused meat delights, their Char Siew Beef Short Ribs (S$38) are slow-cooked 14 hours and steeped in imperial stout sauce; and the IPA Crispy Pork Belly (S$22) is marinated for three days in beer, cooked sous vide overnight and then deep fried.

Shared platters are available for bigger groups. The Fruits and Vegetables platter (S$38) comes with eight spring rolls made with assorted fruits and vegetables like prunes, strawberries, and grapes; while the Meat Platter (S$95) has sausages, beef brisket, char siew beef short rib, and pork belly.

The bar also offers seven different sakes to sip on, some of which have won multiple awards. The Kato Kichibee “Born” Gold Muroka Junmai Daiginjo which finishes light comprises of green apple, sweet rice, plum skin, and peach aromas; and the Yoshikubo Ippin Junmai Daiginjo is sweet with aromas of grapes and apples. 

The bar’s Banh Bao Ga. Photo: Heart of Darkness
The bar’s Banh Bao Ga. Photo: Heart of Darkness

FIND IT
Heart of Darkness
1 Keong Saik Road
2pm-10:30pm, Monday to Wednesday; 12pm to 10:30pm, Thursday to Sunday

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