There is always a good reason to wind down at a bar with your mates over a tipple and great food after a long day at work; you earned it.

As part of Martini’s initiative to celebrate time and to appreciate it with your loved ones, they will be collaborating with a number of bars, bistros and restaurants across the city this racing season, dishing out delectable eats paired with Martini’s refreshing tipples to honour the golden hour. Together, enjoy life and celebrate great moments with your loved ones over a Martini or two!

During the golden hours—typically anytime between 4pm to 8pm—wind down at any one of these locations across the city and allow the harmony between food and drink provide you with an out-of-this-world dining experience.

Here is our guide on 7 cool spots in Singapore for sunset hour Martini drinks after work. Thank you for reminding us that life is wonderful, Martini.

A good pairing of food and cocktail will make or break a meal; for the inexperienced, the wrong choice of either could potentially ruin your entire dining experience. For the uninitiated, a cocktail is essentially an aperitif, or in simpler terms, an alcoholic beverage taken before a meal to stimulate the appetite.

While some people believe that any food can be paired with cocktails, there are several different ways to pair appetizers and meals to balance, contrast or complement the drink’s flavours.

Martini features a wide range of products from their Rosé, Prosecco as well as a variety of Vermouths (fortified wine) that makes it a rather versatile brand when it comes to food pairing.

BARNACLES

At Barnacles along Collyer Quay, you can indulge in the Marina Bay skyline whilst sipping inventive cocktails and indulging in some top-notch fare.

Kicking off this glorious feast, we had ourselves the Potato Mochi with Camembert Cheese (S$14++), Hummus with Cucumber and Crostini (S$14++) and a Parma Ham & Spinach Salad (S$18++).

A glass of Martini Rosso & tonic is the perfect match for something as heavily spiced as the hummus that consisted of warm spices like cumin and paprika. The complex herbal aroma of the Rosso further arouses the palate whereas the crisp and acidic tonic cuts through the dip nicely.

The salad comprised salty and fatty components such as parma ham, feta cheese and pine nuts which may prove a tad over the top for a salad if not for a glass of prosecco to bring it all back to the ground. The brightness and acidity help to offset some of the fat whilst still allowing the subtle sweetness from the parma ham to come through.

Special mention has to be made about the Burdock Sticks With Sour Cream (S$16++) which is not the most common vegetable around. A burdock is a root taken from the burdock plant and it tastes like a cross between an asparagus and an eggplant.

Deep-fried till crispy, it goes beautifully well with a glass of a Martini Royale, a cocktail designed in-house that contains Martini Bianco with a touch of lime juice.

70 Collyer Quay, #01-01,
Customs House,
Singapore 049323
Tel: +65 6532 1011
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon & Tues: 11am – 11pm
Wed to Fri: 11am – 12am
Sat: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

CÉ LA VI

When it comes to cocktail bars in the city with breathtaking views, many would think of Cé La Vi. Think fine culinary creations, innovative cocktail concoctions as well as a stunning ambience.

As with most sparkling wines, Martini’s Prosecco is dry with high acidity; a straightforward wine that is simple and crisp with characteristics ranging from apple, thyme and apricot.

Based on its fruity, effervescent nature and mouthwatering acidity, it pairs best with something salty or extremely rich in flavours like an Salt & Szechuan Pepper Crispy Squid (S$26++) or a Cheese Board (S$35++)

The Tomato -V- pizza (S$22++) comprised a rich and tart tomato sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, chopped up basil leaves and copious amounts of mozzarella cheese. The cheese board comprised artisanal cheeses that were creamy, salty and bold in flavour. And the crispy squid was deep-fried to perfection with a subtle hint of pepper. As the saying goes, you can never go wrong pairing Italian flavours with Italian wine.

On 14th September, be part of Cé La Vi’s Terrazza Martini party, which will be open to the public from 9pm onwards.

1 Bayfront Ave, Singapore
Marina Bay Sands
Singapore 018971
Tel: +65 6508 2188
Mon & Tues: 12pm – 2am
Wed & Thu: 12pm – 3am
Fri: 12pm – 4am
Sat: 11am – 4am
Sun: 11am – 2am
Nearest Station: Bayfront

HARRY’S (ESPLANADE)

Buckle up for a delicious adventure just around the corner with Harry’s featuring delightful snacks and full-on mains as you bask in the beauty that is the Singapore river and the modern marvels surrounding it after a hard day’s work.

Fancy their Crisps Royale (S$17.90++) that comprises potato crisps, breaded calamari and baby horse mackerels. Fried food and a bright, crisp wine—nothing can ever go wrong with a pairing like that.

Hearty mains such as their Creamy Chicken Carbonara (S$21.90++) and their Cold Soba Summer Salad (S$16.90++) are also good to have as they are rich but overly heavy.

For a meal like this, consider either a Martini Bianco & tonic if you prefer having a beverage that is light, fresh and comparatively low in alcohol or a Martini Rosso & tonic if you want something with stronger aromas and bolder flavours.

8 Raffles Ave, 01-05/07,
Singapore 039802
Tel: +65 6334 0132
Sun to Thu: 12pm – 1am
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Esplanade

BEACH ROAD KITCHEN

Ravenous individuals in need of a good feed should definitely head down to Beach Road Kitchen, an all-day-dining restaurant by JW Marriott Singapore South Beach.

Featuring a mouthwatering buffet line featuring fresh oysters shucked upon request and an exciting a la carte menu, diners will be spoilt for choice at this colossal restaurant.

Off their a la carte menu, you can enjoy items such as their Tuna Tartare (S$22++) that comes with a sourdough bread and a bed of avocado, Rucola Salad (S$29++) that has a huge ball of burrata cheese as its main centrepiece, as well as the Kaya Crépe (S$12++).

While a classic Prosecco would work marvellously with dishes like these, we propose having either the Martini Rosso or Bianco with tonic instead. Given that most of them are delicately flavoured so as to maintain the integrity of the fresh ingredients, the complex vermouth coupled with a mild bitter tonic offers a nice contrast to the sweet and savoury qualities of each component.

F1 fanatics pay attention because this is the place to be to witness the full-on action. Overlooking Turn 7 of the circuit, experience the on-track action while indulging in a poolside barbecue and toasting to free-flow beverages. For reservations, please call +65 6818 1908.

Indulge in their party sets going at S$278 nett for Saturday, 16th September from 6pm to 10.30pm and S$348 nett for Sunday, 17th September from 6pm to 10.30pm.

30 Beach Road
JW Marriott Singapore South Beach
Singapore 189763
Tel: +65 6818 1913
Daily: 6am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade

SALT TAPAS & BAR

Sitting right outside Raffles City Shopping Mall, Salt Tapas & Bar is an unpretentious and absolutely authentic Australian-influenced eatery offering a range of tasty small plates creations along with an impressive wine list.

Charcuterie and wine are a classic combination. Salt Tapas & Bar’s Charcuterie Platter (S$29++) includes coppa ham, air-dried beef and truffle salami—a reliable charcuterie fixture. 

The Mushroom Parfait, Pickles, Onion Jam, Garlic Toast (S$9++) is pretty much a vegetarian version of a good old pâté. Rich, smooth and extremely buttery, this makes for an excellent sharing plate, with the onion jam and pickled mushrooms helping to cut through the sheer decadence of the parfait. This dish is best enjoyed with a crisp cocktail like a Martini Bianco & tonic, which works well in getting rid of the intense fattiness.

If you love pies stuffed with copious amounts of cheese and wilted vegetables, then the Spanakopita (S$20++) is a dish you should definitely get. Encased in a crispy, delicate filo pastry are rich feta cheese and nicely wilted Greek spinach. Heavy as it might seem, squeezing some lemon over it will really brighten the dish and keeps it relatively light.

252 North Bridge Road, #01-22A
Raffles City Shopping Centre,
Singapore 179103
Tel: +65 6837 0995
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 11.30pm
Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

BOULEVARD

Set over multiple financial districts in Singapore, Boulevard is a modern restaurant and bar that serves up a classic mix of gastronomic fare and after-hour drinks for the corporate crowd—the ideal and most convenient place to stop by after work for some delicious food and drink.

For something fairly light that will go exceptionally well with most alcoholic beverages, consider their Angel’s Hair Garlic Basil Prawn (S$24++). Flavoured simply with olive oil, garlic, chillies along with sweet prawns, the flavours of this dish are kept supple—the perfect accompaniment to a Vermouth.

9 Raffles Blvd, 01-23,
Millenia Walk
Singapore 039596
Tel: +65 6883 2033
Mon to Fri: 11am – 12am
Sat: 3pm – 12am
Sun: 3pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Promenade

THE BEACON

The Beacon is about good food, the best drinks and excellent music. They serve up hearty Italian fare perfectly paired with a carefully curated cocktail menu. Bid farewell to the ended work day over a glass of sweet Rosé here.

Martini’s sparkling rosé is sweet and features delicate notes of raspberry and rose. It is also relatively light and dry which makes it a good accompaniment to salty and flavourful dishes such as The Beacon Salad (S$13++) as well as the Bacon Salad Wrap (S$18++).

To cap off our simple yet delicious meal, we opted for the Fried Mochi (S$6++). Rosés are not typically regarded as a dessert wine as opposed to a Moscato, however, the dry and crisp wine did well to cut through the dense and rich dessert.

6 Raffles Boulevard,
Singapore 039594
Tel: +65 6883 1155
Sun to Thu: 5pm – 1am
Fri & Sat: 5pm – 3am
Nearest Station: Esplanade

This post is brought to you by Martini.

Located at 297 River Valley Road, Five & Dime Eatery is easily one of the prettiest restaurants in town.

Even though Five & Dime has only been around since the start of the year, it has already garnered a strong following, which is no mean feat considering the number of new restaurants and cafes.

Several of my friends were turned away when they went there without any reservations during the weekdays. And for weekend brunch, they offer three different seating at 10am, 12noon, and 2pm – a testimony of their popularity.

After going there for brunch recently, I can understand why they are so popular. While the food is not out-of-this-world good, I love the dining concept, and I had an enjoyable experience there. I am going to go out on a limb and say that Five & Dime Eatery is one of the best new restaurants in 2012.

I love that Five & Dime has a New York vibe; I love that they have put in a lot of attention to detail in the design of the place; I love that it is a standalone building on a quiet stretch along River Valley Road.

I also love that the restaurant is versatile; bright and airy for a nice Sunday brunch, and when night falls, I can imagine it transforming into a classy and elegant place for a romantic dinner.

The restaurant has a simple menu, with a few choices under each category. The buttermilk pancakes ($15), corn beef hash ($18), and French toast ($15) caught my attention. I was also tempted by the churros ($8) and pandan creme brulee ($12) under the dessert menu.

In the end, we decided to share eggs benny ($16), big brekkie ($22), and mentaiko pasta ($22). The eggs benny is slightly different from the usual ones; the beautifully poached eggs come with seared beef, and a healthy serving of fresh greens. I think it is good enough to be in my list of best Eggs Benedict in Singapore. Do try it and let me know.

The big brekkie  — which you see in the first picture of the post — was reliable. It came with the usual scrambled eggs, sausages, beans, and toast. Not life changing good, but good enough for a lazy brunch.

There are not many places that serve mentaiko pasta, so when I saw it on the menu, I knew that I had to order it. Five & Dime’s rendition was creamy, but not too heavy. The yakitori, on the other hand, was only passable.

In general, I liked it enough for me to order it again on my next visit.

For dinner, Five & Dime has comfort food like mac & cheese, burger, fish & chips, and pasta; most of the items are priced in the acceptable range between $20-30. If you are working in the area, you will be happy to know that they have a pretty decent lunch menu (price ranges from $6 for a soup, to $14 for a sandwich, and $18 for pasta).

Five and Dime Eatery
297 River Valley Road
Tel: +65 9236 5002
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 10am
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 12 midnight
Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

For more recommendations, please read my list of best brunch places in Singapore