Words by Raphael Koh
COCONUTS HOT SPOT — A restaurant/bar complemented by a luxury watch retail space? Well, that’s one concept we’ve not heard of before. It certainly feels like a strange combination, but it is what it is, and prepare yourself to rip a hole in your wallet (okay, we exaggerate, but you get the gist), because luxury doesn’t come cheap.
As its name suggests, The Carbon Collective is made up of three concepts under one roof — Mod-Asian restaurant Muse, cocktail bar Amuse and a watch retail space displaying timepieces from brands like Louis Moinet, Grieb & Benzinger, and Bernard Favre. Basically, that means you can order a cocktail crafted with “oriental flavors”, browse the watch collection and hang out at the cozy two-level colonial shophouse that’s designed to feel like a home.
The minimalist-looking dining room is decked out with communal wood tables and a bar counter overlooking an open kitchen, while the rooftop garden houses the culinary team’s home-grown herbs that are used for garnishes in dishes and cocktails. Near the garden is a private dining room and lounge decorated with bookshelves full of books that act as a display for the timepieces on sale.
Restaurant Muse serves up a selection of interesting creations — from the mildly-flavored uni pie tee ($15/two pieces) that’s probably the most expensive rendition of the local delicacy, to the BBQ baby back pork ribs ($16) that are twice-marinated with a pocketful of spices. For more meaty plates, try the chicken roulade ($15) with cauliflower purée and fried potato strips, or the 200-day grain-fed wagyu steak tartare topped with Korean honey pears, red chilli and a raw egg yolk.
If you absolutely can’t get enough of uni (sea urchin), we recommend the tasty concoction of melt-in-your-mouth gula melaka panna cotta with sea urchin ($12) for dessert.
Muse regularly introduces a new menu every couple months, so by the time you decide to return, you’ll probably be treated to something different. Oh, and if you pop by for lunch, take advantage of the affordable set meals ($15) for mains like chilli crab croissant or beef rendang briyani rice.
At Amuse, resident mixologist Isz whips up cool cocktails like the devilish Tom Yum Bloody Mary ($25), which is garnished with tom yum broth ingredients like kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass and bird’s eye chilli. If you’re into sweet stuff, go for the floral-tasting Bandung Blush ($25) or the rum-based Mango Sticky Rice ($25) that doubles up as a dessert, with glutinous rice and mango slices served on the side.
The Carbon Collective is at 289 South Bridge Rd, 8500-0588. Muse: Mon-Sat noon-midnight, Amuse: Mon-Sat 3pm-late.
