A lively night of @habibisansg’s in-your-face Middle Eastern-meets-Japanese flavours and @barstoriessg’s drama-mama #cocktails with larger-than-life folks. Having visited this cosy space before, I was familiar with Chef-owner @jonathanleewe’s style of cuisine, so I insisted on ordering the entire menu. Our group almost achieved this goal save for two dishes but only because we were sent a couple of complimentary off-the-menu items along the way, and those took up considerable tummy real estate 😂. Upon arrival, @barmandave settled us in and sorted our drink orders swiftly. He didn’t quite stop for the rest of the night as he tackled the ever-flowing orders of different cocktails from us. Once Chefs Jonathan and @gdnillancius started sending over their food, it also didn’t quite cease till we figuratively waved our little white flag. Leading the way, insanely crunchy fried chicken skin that had us clucking with delight, as well as a spread of #habibisan’s unique and lip-smacking #mezzes of Babaganoush, Chickpea Hummus, Mentaiko Taramasalata and Pickled Beetroot with Wasabi Cream - to be savoured with warm pita bread. Don’t ask me to pick a favourite as I loved them all. The smokiness of the baby tomatoes worked wonders for the Burrata dish ($15+) which was delicious on my previous visit but managed to outdo itself that evening. We had to order the Brussels Sprouts as well for sure because in my opinion, #habibisan does one of the best tasting versions besides Spago at Marina Bay Sands. As for the Octopus, it boasted an ideal texture but damn, did the accompanying macadamia tahini prove a terrific distraction. Not surprisingly, all three skewers of grilled meats were fantastic. While @lovezhenia went majorly gaga for the Honeycomb Beef Tripe topped with olive leaf gremolata, @szeliang888 carried the torch for the tender Iberico Pork Jowl with fennel spice and bulldog mayo. I myself was very much taken with the Joojeh Kabab (saffron-seasoned chicken mid-joints) slashed with garlicky toum. We were then spoiled by the Chefs with off-the-menu Foie Gras prepared “shirako-style”. I enjoyed the cut-through afforded by the bright dressing. ⬇️Continued in Comments⬇️

Yes, you read right - @habibisansg by Chef-owner @jonathanleewe is a genius mash-up of Middle Eastern favourites with a Japanese twist. And it is a total thrill for the tastebuds! Flavours are sensational - delicious, creative and but never gimmicky. All night long, as each dish came our way, they proved to hit the spot again and again and again with me and my ladies - @iamjaynedoe, @amanda_tan and @fionatingx (who happens to be married to Chef Jonathan). I’m still amazed at how we could wax lyrical with our mouths full 😂😂. But that we simply had to because after @barmandave (#Habibisan is housed together with @barstoriessg so they operate the business as one) sorted out our drinks, the following list of brilliant deliciousness was what we inhaled: 1. Mezzes and Pita - Whatever you know about Middle Eastern food, chuck it aside because this ain’t like anything you’ve had.
First, an appetising “Mentaiko Taramasalata” ($13) composed of housemade “mentaiko X.O.”, housemade labneh, tobiko, crispy shallots and chives.
And if I thought that was good, the Babaganoush ($10) had me floored. Joining the smoked eggplant were kinnogomadare (sesame), roasted sesame seeds and crunchy chicken skin. I was stil thinking of this mezze at the end of my dinner.
The Pickled Beetroot ($10) was delectably beguiling as it had the sharp heat of wasabi crema as well as wasabi peas and furikake.
What took the Burrata di Puglia up a notch were the lightly-smoked cherry tomatoes, smoky yuzu daikon salsa and basil oil. They offset the soft, creamy cheese beautifully ($15). 2. Roasted Brussels Sprouts ($16) - I swear, this was one of the tastiest renditions I’ve ever encountered (the other is at @spagosingapore). The bitter edge which most people dislike about the vegetable was absent. Instead, the balls of tightly-packed leaves were deeply flavourful from kinnogomadare, purple cabbage pickles, jalapeño and bonito ($16). A must-order in my opinion. 3. Honeycomb Beef Tripe ($13) - I can bear witness this skewer of soft, chewy tripe topped with preserved olive leaf gremolata sent Amanda and Jayne into paroxysms of delight. Enough said. ⬇️Continued in Comments⬇️