Loof wants to change things up. After more than a decade of good vibes and wicked parties, the rooftop bar is welcoming one of Singapore’s brightest culinary names, Bjorn Shen (of Artichoke and Bird Bird), to craft a bold new menu focused on ‘Dude-Sin’ cuisine.
What’s that, you ask? Dude-Singaporean is basically Shen’s modern, local twist on typical bar bites whipped up in a no-frills style. So expect loads of crazy combinations you wouldn’t normally find on a standard bar menu.
Separated into four categories — skewers, chips with dips, buns and bowls — the new line-up features hearty fare like the B.C.M. grilled cheese ($18) of sourdough bread packed with minced pork, mushrooms and cheese (no points for guessing it’s an update on a hawker favourite, bak chor mee).
Equally massive is the Pork Chopper ($19) — it’s a cream cracker-encrusted pork chop cutlet topped with salted veggie slaw sandwiched between fluffy brioche buns. And don’t worry, they haven’t forgotten about all you veggie lovers — there’s the Kimcheeseburger ($18) of grilled haloumi patty, kimchi and caramelised onions.
Even if you’re not into lollipops, this savoury bacon version ($16) of pancetta nuggets coated with maple syrup, groundnuts and Vietnamese pho herbs will change your mind. Otherwise, snack on Twisties charred corn ($13), a curry mayo corn cob sprinkled with shaved cheese, cheeseburger yakitori meatballs with marmite honey ($18), or California crackers ($14), a bowl of crispy wanton skins served with an ebiko, avocado, nori and mayo dip.
Of course, if you’ve already got a winner on your hands, you don’t mess with it. And that’s why Loof’s signature chilli crab fries ($15) is cemented in the menu with just a slight change — the revamped plate is piled high with waffle-cut fries smothered in housemade chilli sauce and a blue crab dip. Other fries options include truffle black pepper ($11) and furikake sweet potato ($13).
As for the revamped cocktail list, it’s filled with Asian flavours like pandan, Milo, sour plum and jackfruit — all presented beautifully in the form of drink concoctions. If you love your kaya toast in the morning, try the Kaya Lumpur ($19), a mix of pineapple rum, kaya, citrus, soda, house bitters and Thai basil.
Alternatively, go for something a little stronger with the Kopi Cat ($19) of salted caramel-infused vodka, coffee, hazelnut, condensed milk, orgeat and black salt.
For Milo addicts, the Stylo Milo ($19) of spiced rum, Milo, roselle, hazelnut oil, orange and vanilla is always a good choice. And if you’re feeling sort of patriotic, the Little Pink Dot ($19) will do the trick. It’s a blend of marshmallow gin, mandarin rice wine, dark plum, orange, pink grapefruit, egg white and lavender bitters.
The new menu is available now, but debuts officially on Oct 1, with a party at 9pm at Loof.
