Gone are the days where you can indulge in a mouthwatering western meal without burning a hole in the pocket. Fortunately, 49 Seats exists and has made it a point to keep its fusion gourmet very affordable and accessible amidst the rising costs in this competitive industry. Most of the dishes are priced below S$16.90 and there is no GST and service charge.

From their signature spicy Tom Yum Seafood Pasta (S$14.90) to Cheesy Chicken Chop (S$16.90), 49 Seats may not be any gourmet fine dining establishment but its menu will leave you salivating. Your grandparents will find them comfortingly nostalgic whilst your kids will have no qualms gobbling them up. It is surely a place for everyone, without breaking the bank!

Here’s sharing our favourite dishes at 49 Seats. It is hard to just decide on one, or two.

49 Seats is renowned for their industrial chic ambience, where old-school metallic plates and tin mugs are used. We love that fuss-free, retro-ish touch to the food.

As its name suggests, the founding store at Outram Park sits exactly 49 diners. Due to its increasing popularity, 49 Seats has proceeded to open two bigger outlets at Bugis Plus and Orchard Central to accommodate more patrons. The casual dining establishment takes pride in serving East-meets-West delicacies similar to those served during Singapore’s British colonial era.

Being one of the leading pioneers in Singapore to create fusion dishes with spicy tom yum broth, we have to applaud 49 Seats for their brilliant concept of integrating Asian flavours into classic Italian dishes.

Who would have known that these seemingly contrasting ingredients would actually complement each other so well? We were completely hooked to the Tom Yum Seafood Pasta (S$14.90).

Active foodies on the prowl might have already heard about this highly raved dish that features an exotic cream-based seafood pasta. It packs a punch of sweetness, sourness and spiciness with every bite and is indeed illustrative of Singapore’s diverse ethnicity.

Topped with generous amounts of mussels and prawns, the semi-spicy pasta is the bestseller at 49 Seats and you will not get this unique pasta rendition elsewhere.

The Creamy Smoked Duck Pasta (S$14.90) and Smoked Duck Aglio Olio (S$14.90) also got to us with its simplicity. The smoked duck breasts are so tender and juicy, and either way, we liked both pastas. The former takes on the classic carbonara, while the latter is a traditional aglio olio – the end results are delightful fusion dishes with a notable local twist.

Do note that the Smoked Duck Aglio Olio is not on the menu so one would have to make a special request for it.

Fish options to look out for are the Old Fashioned Fish & Chips (S$16.90) and Pan-fried Fish (S$16.90). The former is a battered seasonal fish, while the latter is a tender dory cooked simply with salt and pepper and lemon juice.

Both fishy mains are generously portioned and served with either an Al Scampi or Tom Yum sauce on the side for dipping. For the uninitiated, the Al Scampi is a seafood dish prepared with sautéed clams, mussels and prawns.

If your briny cravings are still not met, order the deep-fried Fish Bites (S$9.90) that comes in a basket of 10. Damn, these snacks got us hooked and we couldn’t stop munching on them while waiting for our mains! By the way, you would have guessed that the Tom Yum sauce is addictive, right?

49 Seats also offer a few poultry and red meat dishes, such as the chef’s recommendations of Cheesy Chicken Chop (S$16.90) and Sirloin Steak (S$19.90).

Complete your main and make it a set with an additional S$4.90, and you get a portion of soup of the day, and a soft drink of your choice. And the drink choices include their pretty house fizz beverages (S$2.50 for a la carte); we’d say go for these instead of the normal soft drinks!

Should you be a light eater, there is a variety of light bites for you to snack on. Our favourite appetisers is the glorious Cheese Fries (S$7.90).

Need another reason to love 49 Seats? They are open at ungodly hours if you need supper! Ain’t this good news?! There is an ongoing supper promotion for all main courses where 49 Seats’ customers get to enjoy 10% off after 10pm, 20% off after 11pm and 30% off after 12am. Like it cannot get cheaper, nocturnal creatures actually get to enjoy an unbelievable 50% off all pastas after 3am! Partygoers now know where to go after all that dancing.

If you haven’t realised, 49 Seats’ favourite number is evidently number 49. Alcoholic drinks are very affordable, where you can enjoy a bucket of 5 beer bottles for just S$49! Choose your poison from Corona, Heineken, Hoegaarden, Stella Artois and Tiger. And if you fancy some wines, a bottle of red or white wine is reasonably priced at S$60 and S$70 respectively.

This Christmas, customers also get to enjoy a scrumptious festive feast at 49 Seats at just S$49 nett for two. The value-for-money set meal is inclusive of two soups, two mains and a dessert for sharing.

We will definitely head back when those midnight hunger pangs strike, for both their lip-smacking dishes and awesome discounts!

For the latest updates, head over to www.49seats.com and like them on Facebook.

49 Seats Main Outlet
49 Kreta Ayer Road
Singapore 089007
Mon to Thu: 6pm – 2am
Fri to Sat: 6pm – 5.30am
Tel: +65 6225 4332
Nearest Station: Outram Park

Orchard Central #08-08
181 Orchard Road
Singapore 238896
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 2.30pm 5.30pm – 10pm
Sat to Sun: 11am – 10pm
Tel: +65 6509 5895
Nearest Station: Somerset

Bugis Plus #07-04
201 Victoria Street
Singapore 188067
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Sat to Sun: 11am – 10pm
Tel: +65 6884 4633
Nearest Station: Bugis

This post is brought to you by 49 Seats.

Stepping into Ninethirty by awfullychocolate in East Coast Road is like visiting a long lost friend at his/her home. An immediate sense of comfort welcomes you, and your senses will be drawn to the aromatic smells wafting from the kitchen.

Ninethirty also doubles up as the flagship Awfully Chocolate store, and it is the only concept of its kind in Singapore.

It is a casual bistro that is suitable for a night out with a group of friends, or a date with your partner. It is nothing too fancy, just a simple and unpretentious space that serves a reasonably-priced menu of comforting Western food with Asian touches, chocolate cocktails as well as the most amazing chocolate desserts.

ONE EGG SOUP

This should be no stranger to those who frequent Everything With Fries at Holland Village, as it was one of the most popular starters there. The One Egg Soup (S$11) is a comforting bowl of soup that is, well you guessed it, prepared with one egg. Topped with a delicious egg white soufflé, it is so simple a dish, but so so good.

Flavourful when served warm, with the addition of truffle oil, the One Egg Soup is what we’d like to think of as unadulterated joy. The warmth and taste of this soup really reflects humble comfort food, elevated with the use of truffle oil.

BRAISED BEEF KARUBI

The Braised Beef Karubi (S$23) was extremely tender and well seasoned. And even though the beef was the star of the show, we couldn’t stop munching on the roasted garlic fries served on the side. This rustic dish is certainly calling out to all you beef lovers out there!

CHARGRILLED PORK CHOP

Look at that glistening beauty! We were blown away just looking at Ninethirty’s stunning Chargrilled Pork Chop (S$21). You see, pork chops can easily be overcooked, but thankfully, when we cut through our piece, the meat inside was still moist and tender.

The browned butter and garlic sauce, generally drizzled on top with more on the side, was what sealed it for us. Oh, we sure enjoyed the caramelised onion relish on the side too. And yes, more fries, please!

LAKSA TAGLIATELLE

With the famous Katong Laksa stalls in the vicinity, we were close to writing this out. We can be skeptical at times, but we were speechless when we sunk our teeth into the al dente tagliatelle with the laksa sauce. Damn, the Laksa Tagliatelle (S$20) is the perfect marriage of European and Asian styles and flavours, and boy was it amazing!

The mussels were fresh and generously offered with the pasta. The addition of crisp okra really delighted us as it added a nice bite when eaten all together. Now, we should have known better than to be too quick to judge and write things off. This Laksa Tagliatelle, you have to try.

MAC & CHEESE

We can’t be the only ones who get all excited when we see Mac & Cheese on the menu, yes?

This Mac & Cheese (S$18) here at Ninethirty sure had us jumping in joy; we are not even kidding. Rigatoni pasta is used for a more substantial texture, and the chunky pasta does its job in absorbing the cheeses. You would want to eat this warm to enjoy its best flavours.

MUSSELS & FRIES

Yup, you heard us right. Mussels & Fries (S$20) are a thing and they are here to stay. But this is not your usual Western mussels, guys. The distinct taste of lemongrass and spices used for the mussel broth had us reminded of Thai green curry. Comforting like that.

We were delighted to find a generous serving of mussels used and also a mountain of fries on the side. And you know what is the best way to enjoy the fries? Dunk them into the mussel broth, guys!

PINK SALMON

Nothing screams comfort food like a tomato-based spaghetti dish. The Pink Salmon (S$20) is a sophisticated take on the traditional Bolognese. The seared salmon perched on top of the pasta features a massive portion cooked to perfection – still slightly dark pink on the side and extremely moist on the inside.

The tomato-based spaghetti really felt like something an Italian grandmother would dish out – rustic, hearty and oh-so-addictive. It is something that we wouldn’t mind coming back again for more and more. Some things stay gold like that.

BRIOCHE FRENCH TOAST

This dish is so delicious, we wish it wasn’t only served on weekends and public holidays (from 10am to 10pm). A creamy peanut butter spread (yes!!!) is slathered generously in between in-house baked brioche toast. The bun itself is soft on the inside and lightly toasted outside.

Look out for the almond streusel tossed all around for the crisp texture really complimented the intense flavours well. It is official – we are addicted to Ninethirty’s Brioche French Toast (S$16).

MARTINIS & DRINKS

If you are a huge fan of awfullychocolate’s decadent Rum & Cherry whole cake, you will be happy to know that they now have a Chocolate Rum & Cherry (S$8) drink that is out to satisfy you just as much. Can’t finish the whole cake yourself? No biggie because this drink is a great alternative to curb your cravings.

And yes to local spin on milkshakes. The Gula Melaka Jackfruit Shake (S$8) is a sweet milk shake with rich gula melaka notes. You can taste the perfect weave of coconut ice cream, jackfruit, gula melaka and coconut milk altogether in one unassuming cup. Extremely refreshing!

Now, if you can’t decide between having a cocktail or a dessert, the Dark Chocolate Martini (S$15) is a perfect after-dinner drink. Have the best of both worlds this way, we say! Rich chocolatey goodness and alcohol sounds like a match made in heaven.

AWFULLY CHOCOLATE SIGNATURE DESSERTS

Any meal at Ninethirty wouldn’t be complete without a single scoop of the iconic Hei Ice Cream, traditionally served in an adorable takeaway box. However, here at Ninethirty, you can have it on a tall metal glass when you dine in. Rich and extremely concentrated in chocolate flavours, we dare say you can’t find a decent dupe of this ice cream anywhere else.

Apart from Hei ice cream, don’t forget to try the cake that started it all – the Awfully Chocolate All Chocolate Cake (6” at $34). Also available in 2 other flavours – Chocolate Banana Cake ($36) and Chocolate Rum & Cherry Cake ($38).

Ninethirty by awfullychocolate
131 East Coast Rd
Singapore 428816
Tel: +65 6345 2190
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 11pm
Fri: 12pm – 1am
Sat: 9.30am – 1am
Sun: 9.30am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Dakota

This post is brought to you by Ninethirty by awfullychocolate.