COCONUTS HOT SPOT — Maggie Joan’s may be named after two grandmothers of the restaurant’s co-owner, but there’s nothing matronly about this place. First off, it’s too cool to sit next to all the other shop houses along Amoy Street, so to enter, you have to make your way to the back alley and step through a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it nondescript door. Inside, the narrow, dimly-lit space boasts industrial chic vibes, complete with exposed brick walls, wooden tables and an open kitchen at the back. Most of all, the food here is anything but traditional.
Having been around for about a year, the hip Mediterranean eatery is now shaking things up with a new and bigger lunch menu that — don’t worry — won’t expand your waistline (too much). Whether you’re here for a business meeting or a casual gathering with friends, Maggie Joan’s will play host to your lunch date just as well.
Start off with an appetiser of melty cheese arancini ($9) — they’re unassuming-looking fried risotto balls stuffed with various cheeses that will make you go, ‘where have you been all my life??’ — nestled on a bed of tomato chutney.
Alternatively, get the gooey baked egg mixed in an aromatic chickpea stew studded with chunks of chorizo ($16) to share, ’cause you’ll wanna save room to try pretty much everything on the menu. This is the type of dish you’ll find yourself reminiscing about on dreary, rainy days when all you want is a piping hot bowl of happiness. Good thing it comes with slices of milk bread for you to mop up any remaining sauce from the plate.
For a refreshing palate cleanser, order the cured salmon tartare speckled with bits of pickled cucumber and dill, as well as dollops of Greek yogurt and little sourdough croutons for an added crunch ($17). You could also share this, or opt to have a light lunch if you so wish.
Now on to the mains. We recommend the hearty dish of homemade pappardelle with 12-hour roasted lamb shoulder ragu and flecks of parmigiano reggiano ($26) for the ultimate savoury comfort food. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the presence of tiny, still-crunchy sourdough croutons hidden within the layers of pasta — trust us.
If you’re a fried chicken kinda person, the burger ($18) is all yours. Think juicy panko-crumbed chicken slathered with green harissa coleslaw and flakes of pecorino, sandwiched inside a homemade joujou bread bun. It’s best enjoyed when accompanied by a side of fat chips ($9) that have been steamed, blanched, deep fried and flavoured with rosemary salt, then served with ricotta dip.
More expensive options on the menu include grilled Mediterranean octopus with Persian potato salad ($45), half roasted duck with carrots and feta ($68) and Stockyard strip loin with salsa verde ($88) — for when you’re feeling indulgent.
It’s just as well the appetisers and mains are too enjoyable to let even the last crumb go to waste, ’cause there’s only one type of sweet treat here — the dessert of the day ($10), which actually rotates weekly. Previous creations include lemon tarts and chocolate tarts. Or you could choose to end off your meal with a selection of cheeses, crackers and fig jam ($12) — either way, there’s a good chance you’ll leave a happy diner.
Maggie Joan’s is at #01-01, 110 Amoy St (enter from Gemmill Ln), 6221-5564. Mon-Fri noon-2.30pm, 6pm-11pm; Sat 6pm-11pm.
