What it is: Recently opened on Neil Road, L’Aiglon is the latest cocktail bar to enter the Chinatown fray. Owner Pierre-Emmanuel Plassart is something of a man for all seasons, having worked in fashion, film and photography across four continents and hailing from a family with its roots in the French art scene and noted for its connection to the 24 Hours of Le Mans race. The bar’s concept is inspired by Plassart’s adventures and experiences and its name comes from a sobriquet given to him during his childhood; a name also bestowed on Napoleon’s son (it means “baby eagle” in case you were wondering).
What’s hot: With former Horse’s Mouth mixologist Louis Tan manning the bar, you have little to worry about when it comes to cocktails. There are eight signature concoctions on the menu (priced between $18 and $22) including the Tiger Tail Sour (rum, honey water, fresh passion fruit, fresh lemon juice, fresh pineapple juice and Amargo bitters), Asian Beauty (gin, fresh pomegranate juice, fresh lime juice, grenadine and pandan tincture) and Paris to Milano (rye whiskey, Fernet Branca, fresh lemon juice, mint syrup and Angostura bitters). Of course, he’ll also tailor drinks to suit whatever you need.
L’Aiglon can also claim to have one of the most impressive bottle service menus around. It features plenty of Grand Cru champagnes, iconic Bordeaux wines, rare single cask whiskies and artisanal spirits (costing anywhere between a conservative $110 and a cool $6,000).
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What’s not: While their bar bites are also evocative of travel with small plates like spiced nuts and green olives, crab cakes with curry salsa and lentil rosti with raita sauce ($8-$18), we think there’s room for expansion in this department. A few suitably exotic beers and ciders wouldn’t hurt either.
Verdict: Hot — while cocktail bars just keep popping up, L’Aiglon has managed to find a niche that makes it a welcome addition to the circuit.
L’Aiglon is at 69 Neil Rd., +65 6220 0369. Open Mon-Sat 5pm-1am.
