The Spot has enough going for it that it could be the spot. It’s the newest outlet from 1855 F&B, the sister company of 1855 The Bottle Shop, which also operates Wakanui Grill Dining and Bistro 1855.

The Spot is its own entity though, with – wait for it – breakfast from 7.30am, set lunches, a varied dining menu, a decent cocktail bar, a sommelier and an accompanying wine retail shop, a cigar lounge, and bar snacks that continue till 10.30pm. 

The food by Executive Chef Lee Boon Seng (previously Osia and Curate) melds European sophistication with South-East Asian ingredients – with an emphasis on sauces – to achieve a menu of motley delights. This spot could’ve been called The Sauce (©Parched), as that’s the highlight of almost every dish; familiar ingredients like tropical fruit buah long long, laksa leaves, chrysanthemum blossoms and Java peppers are all transformed into sauces to swipe right with dishes, making for a happy union.

Dishes I liked: Scallop Carpaccio (with jicama rémoulade, buah long long vinaigrette, green apple); Atlantic Salmon (with citrus, plum sesame dressing); Pan Fried Red snapper (with green curry emulsion; and the Local Skate (with pearl rice risotto, dried sole coriander broth, salmon roe).

Set lunch is available: two courses $30 ++; three courses $38++; and five courses $68++.

The 1855 The Bottle Shop is located next to The Spot, and carries over 800 labels of fine New and Old World wines and spirits, including some exclusives. There is a dedicated corner featuring wines with visual tasting notes to further enhance the wine experience – as of post time, there is no corkage if you buy wines from the retail outlet to complement your dinner at The Spot.

The cocktails are surprisingly good value for money, defying the trend of rising prices. The signatures (or Crafted Cocktails) are all $20; I can’t even tell you where to start – pick a base spirit you like and go from there: Tagay if you like rum; Lorong 214 if you like tequila.

Then there are the classics (Timeless here), which are even friendlier at $18 each (the Jim Beam Highball is $10). No surprises then, I opted for the Dirty. It’s briny and brisk, just the way I like. It, er, hit the spot.

There are also various single malts from The Macallan’s Connoisseur Selection on the menu, with drams starting at $22. For sure it’s because the The Macallan Boutique @ 1855 is right next door. (80s indie legend The The is staging a comeback.)

Snack attack: The Eclair Sandwich will absolutely make your day.

So think about this: You can have breakfast here, do a quick set lunch (with wines from the retail outlet), have a cigar instead of tea (whisky optional), then settle for dinner with some cocktails. The Spot is almost like a country club, without all the fuss.

Definite do.

The Spot, 5 Straits View, Marina One The Heart, #01-26/27, tel: 6284-2637.

Like this? Say Hello to The Swan Song Whisky Bar

Like this? Winederlust Should Be Your New Little India Hang

3