I wanted to try this place when it first opened but the friends and I couldn’t find a date to meet so after many attempts to find a slot, we finally made it down one day. The place is located near Promenade mrt station exit so you wouldn’t miss it. There’s a visible traditional medicine storefront with a small counter at the side and there’s where you go to be brought in
Details on point
The interior once you see when you enter. It felt like you were being transported to the past. Love the decor here
But when you walked into another space, it felt so different again. I thought I was in a club with all the music going on
I looked through the drinks menu while waiting for the friends and I must say their cocktails all sounded really interesting
Basilicious Kaya $24
White Rum, Clarified Milk, Coconut Custard (Kaya), Basil
I wasn’t expecting such a small cup. That being said, there was evident taste of Kaya in it. It was easy to drink and if you are looking for something light to start, you could give this a try
Tiger’s Eye Pu Erh $22
Gin, Pu Erh Tea Blend, Gula Melaka, Cream, Pandan
The friend had the pu erh inspired cocktail and it had a nice concoction of tea with gula melaka. The tea taste with the fragrance of pandan lingered in the end
Date w Jia Jia $24
Cognac, Red Date, Jia Jia Herbal Tea, All-spiced Liqueur
We also had the herbal tea which had the sweetness and bitterness of the herbal tea but was balanced with the red dates
Dang Gui Shaker Chicken Bites $18
We got some snacks to go along with our drinks. The Dang Gui shaker chicken sounded interesting at first and it worked like shaker fries, where you had to pour the powder in and shake it. But we felt the taste of the Dang Gui was too mild, so it just tasted like fried chicken after awhile
Laksa Prawn Tartare $22
Laksa Gelato, Chips in a Can
We were attracted by the laksa icecream. That being said, the laksa tartare was decent too. But the icecream was better. Though I wasn’t too sure with the combination of the potato chips
‘Xia Hua’ Charcoal You Tiao $18
Prawn Paste, Rojak Sauce, Ginger Flower
I actually liked this. The charcoal youtiao was done well without the dough being too hard. And the cucumbers went nicely with the rojak sauce. If there was a snack I had to choose, it would be the rojak among the 3 we had ordered
Iberico Pork Meatballs $24
Bak Choy, Brazilian Mushroom Sauce
The meatballs weren’t what we were expecting. We didn’t expect it come with a broth. Also, the meatballs were Chinese-style marinated. You could taste it in them. Even the broth tasted somewhat familiar. That being said, they were tasty, just very unexpected. Lol
Giam Sng Tee Highball $22
Sour Plum Infused Vodka, Pink Guava, Lime, Soda
I really liked the giam sng tee highball, if you like sour plum that is
Roselle Gin Highball $22
Gin, Calamansi, Roselle, Soda
The friend wanted something else, but was served this instead. Nevertheless, we took the drink and gave it a try. It’s sweet, floral and easy to drink
Goji-Roni $24
White Rum, Goji Berry, Italian Vermouth Blend, Campari
Then she got what she wanted and regretted. Lol. It took her a very long while to finish this cos the liquer was pretty strong
Pan Seared Barramundi $28
“Xia Hua” Taupok, Silver Sprouts, Quail Eggs, Laksa Foam
The barramundi was disappointing. It was overdone and was rather tough. I had doubts if I actually ordered fish. The laksa foam was decent, just probably too much as compared to the portion of the protein
Herbal Emperor Chicken $68
Roasted Chestnuts, Fried shallots, Garlic, Shitake mushroom
This caught our eye the moment we saw it on the menu and it did not take as long to arrive. It was decent. You could taste the herbs in the broth and the chicken was tender. But we agreed our parents would not like this cos the herbs were not that strong. We call this the modern herbal chicken
Uncle Tom’s Kopi-O $24
Whisky, Mr Black Coffee Liquer, Butter Foam
The cocktail was on the stronger side. It took me awhile to finish this. I thought this was average at best, though the presentation did make up for it
Rainbow Bread Sandwich w Honey Osmanthus Ice cream $6
Wasn’t quite what we were expecting. The bread came in the form of biscuit which was honestly abit tough. I suggest you give this a pass
‘Tau Huey’ Panna Cotta $16
Cognac Syrup, Crispy You Tiao
The panna cotta fared much better. You really really taste the soya bean in it and the panna cotta was smooth and silky. The crispy you tiao was a little strange in my opinion but the dessert as a whole was quite tasty
I felt like this place focused a little too much of novelty. It’s modern yet trying to be traditional. While there were hits and misses, there’s no doubt this place was probably more for the gram. And the cocktails just didn’t impress us enough
Synthesis
3 Temasek Blvd, #01-643
Suntec City Tower 4
Singapore 038983
Easily satisfied, Hard to please 