COCONUTS HOT SPOT — The world of wine production is one we’re keen to explore, from up-and-coming boutique wineries to bottles from established vineyards. So we got pretty psyched when we caught wind of new cellar door concept Winederlust (so named because of Wanderlust, the hotel it’s situated in). Apparently its collection spans more than 300 labels, and so, we had grape expectations.
The 50-seater space itself, which is right by the hotel lobby, is a casual spot to hang. Think brick walls, rustic decor, and laidback vibes — ideal for those times when you’d prefer to sip and relax among good company rather than shouting over loud speaker sets.
Winederlust obviously beckons to wine enthusiasts, with its never-ending shelves of reds and whites from New and Old World regions; organic, natural, and biodynamic wines; rare grape varieties, and ones from lesser-known wine-making countries like Uruguay, Japan, and Morocco.
But let’s be real: One of the most attractive draws of this place is its decent price tags. Glasses start from $6, while bottles range from an affordable $30 up to about $250. All the prices are clearly marked with the cost by the glass and by the bottle, so you know the exact damage to your wallet. (We admit it. We’re cheapskates.)
As if that’s not enough, the bistro bar also hosts regular events, including wine appreciation dinners on Wednesdays and what sounds like a fabulous way to spend weekends: the Bottomless Wine Buffet. Held every Saturday and Sunday, the free flow will set you back $48 for two hours of all the red, white, and sparkling you can drink, plus $10 for small plates, in case your hunger pangs hit.
The dishes we sampled on the wine buffet menu — tuna tataki chimichanga, caprese mozzarella salad, Hokkaido scallop with saffron cauliflower pickles, seared duck breast with charred asparagus, and sous vide pork belly — were frankly on the average side, but the wines were exceptional. Which really shows the focus of Winederlust (no surprises there). We’d hit up the place again for a spot of chilling over wine and small bites, but perhaps turn elsewhere to really fuel up on food.
To be fair, the kitchen also whips up solid value-for-money lunch sets ($24/two courses, $32/three courses), and you can toss in a glass of house pour for an additional $6. Plus, it’s got two things that go best with a good bottle — charcuterie and cheese, with platters starting from $24.
Elsewhere on the small-ish menu, you’ll find snacks like sweet potato fries with mentaiko aioli ($8), guacamole with chips ($10), and fried coconut tiger prawns ($14), as well as mains such as angus burgers with red wine onion confit and jalapeño ($15), chicken pesto risotto ($20), and tiger prawn tagliatelle ($18).
If any of this sounds appealing to you, perhaps it’s time to graduate from Wine Connection and move on to Winederlust for your next vino gathering.
FIND IT:
Winederlust is at Wanderlust Hotel, 2 Dickson Rd.
6298-1188. Daily 7:30am-10am; Tues-Sat noon-3pm, 5pm-11pm; Sun 11:30am-4pm.
MRT: Jalan Besar/Rochor
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