With the passing of each hour, the bar got busier as tables were gradually filled up with reservations. The bar within is dark and sexy, with ample, spacious seatings. It’s like you’re stepping into a different world! Walk past it, and you’ll be surprised by the stark contrast between both spaces. The magazine shelf on the left doubles up as a secret sliding door, leading to the real entrance of the speakeasy. But if the sun is unrelenting, retreat indoors for air-conditioned comfort. Sit outside if the weather permits, so you get the best lighting for the ‘gram. This one’s a winner! Ambience at Mama Diam It wasn’t too dense or cakey like many other variants I’ve tried, and didn’t have that greasy mouthfeel commonly associated with churros, either. Light and crisp on the outside, the dough had just the right amount of bite. Served warm with a house-made caramel kaya dip, these churros were surprisingly good. Rounding up the night was a side of Homemade Churros ($12+), which came highly recommended by Sebastian-for good reason. But if you’re a huge fan of pandan-flavoured concoctions, this might be up your alley! We also tried the Pandan Sour ($16+), which turned out rather lacklustre and one-dimensional despite its pretty presentation. A few sips were enough to give me a much-needed caffeine kick, so go slow and easy if you’re not used to strong coffee! This punchy number is Mama Diam’s rendition of an espresso martini, featuring Sailor Jerry Rum, Smokey Monkey Whisky, and fresh espresso, sweetened with honey, and topped with a torched mashmallow. Kopi lovers will enjoy Mama’s Kopi ($16+) as a pick-me-up. Smooth and easy to drink, this tipple was one of the highlights of my night. You get to choose from lychee or oolong tea we went for the latter, which combines oolong tea-infused Hendricks Gin, with notes of citrus and white chocolate. Good for a party of four to five, this tea-infused cocktail is served in an IG-worthy pot and teacups. We then headed indoors for some evening drinks, starting with the aptly named Is It Tea You’re Looking For? ($28+). Complete with toasted sesame chimichurri, sautéed buttered veggies, and fries, the Australian striploin was juicy and flavourful despite its medium doneness. While the waffle wasn’t the best I’ve had, it went amazingly well with the duck meat, and a smear of apple jam for a slightly sweet finish.Īnother noteworthy mention is the Beef Striploin ($24+), which happens to be the priciest main on the menu. Well-seasoned and fork-tender with a delicately crispy exterior, the duck leg tasted exquisite. I’d personally recommend diving straight into the Duck Confit ($20+) from the Large Plates instead. It wasn’t as tender as I’d liked it to be, but if you’re not as picky as I am, you can choose to let it slide. While I applaud their incorporation of house-made Gong Bao sauce in this dish, the beef was, unfortunately, lacking in flavour. Those who love their meats can try the A4 Wagyu Aburi Beef Nigiri ($19+ for five pieces). Considering how hefty and filling the bun was, I think you’re getting bang for your buck at $5 a pop. Offset against a lettuce leaf, each bite was a sweet and savoury delight. Nine bite-sized snack pieces sit on a majestic-looking stand, making it a photo-worthy display. To get a taste of what you’re getting here, go for the 9 Bites of Wonder ($38+). There are a few signature items on the menu, which refreshes every three months. Mama Diam offers familiar flavours inspired by local dishes, with a contemporary twist. I’m not surprised, considering how identical it looks to the actual thing. According to Sebastian, this specially custom-made set came with a hefty price tag as they had to replicate it from scratch. There’s even a blue-and-white table and stool set paying homage to old-school void deck seatings of the yesteryears. Props to the team behind the design and concept, which is headed by owner Sebastian Ang, as they’ve really gone all out with the setup. Vibrant colours are splashed across the wall in the form of a mural painted by visual artist Jaxton Su, depicting a throwback memory of a typical mama store back in the good ol’ days.Ģ0 Nostalgic Primary School Snacks We Grew Up Loving Upon stepping in, my attention was immediately drawn to an actual mama storefront right smack in the centre, with some of my favourite childhood snacks lined up exactly how I remembered. It’s hard to miss the entrance at Mama Diam. I’ve had many fond memories of exploring neighbourhood mama stores when growing up, so I was super excited about this launch. Newly opened this month is Mama Diam, a speakeasy that aims to recreate that iconic setting. An important element of Singapore’s rich cultural heritage, a mama store refers to a small, often family-run provision store commonly found under HDB blocks back in the 1980s to early 2000s. Hands up if you remember what a mama shop, or mamak store, looks like.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |