28HKS is one of those places that got me sold even before I checked out the place though nothing much about it has been said except for the mystical - a website that barely says anything and reviews that let slip of its celebrity followers. Fact is, I was sold on the decor - the non existent signage, even the companion was duped into thinking the art gallery next door could pass off as a swanky bar. And of course, the alumni bartenders originally from 28HKS that made it big elsewhere - the power of word of mouth.I could be one of the few who would track down where these bartenders originally started out from, well just to have a sip of their brilliance.
Enter the dimly lit doorway and please be mindful of the registration counter on the left; the perfect position for a halloween entrance. Friendlies aside, curtains were pushed open for our entrance - just a table of two and another by the counter. At 730pm, it is every customer's dream - barely crowded, spacious and cosy.
Cocktail dreams come alive.
Thoughtful menu lights.
Not sure what got me looking above me - interesting lights!
South Side ($18)
Off the menu, the bartender concocted a lovely "sweet cocktail" with gin as a base and tangy notes to finish. I love how the alcohol does not kick in so early but only in the aftertaste - a beauty then is deciphering what went into this silent killer.
Clark County Cousin ($22)
Another off the menu, I usually steer clear of whisky based cocktails yet these were powerful creations. The mild hints of whisky only came in much later.
Tropic Thunder ($20)
Leblon cachaca, mango, lime and spicy beer foam
This cocktail plays tribute to one of their bartenders, Peter Chua who calls this a "star-studded summer blockbuster". Spicy beer foam was the bomb, layers of wonderfully conjured flavours to execute one amazing cocktail.
28 Burger ($16)
I have a thing or two about burger sliders and the portions and the rest of it that usually gets me leaning towards a proper messy burger as opposed to a miniature that gets me caught between chomping it full or having demure bites.
The beef and lamb combination worked for the burger, as did the pickle fritter. Thumbs up for the remaking of a junkie's dream.
Po Boy Sliders ($16)
Prawns and tuna do go together, or so I discovered in the first bite. Crunchy and creamy and the realisation how darn good their food is.
Truffled Mac and Cheese Balls ($12)
I love a good mac and cheese and this would have been the macaroni cousin of risotto balls, a nacho cheese dip could have been more ideal.
Fried Ravioli ($13)
Four cheese nailed our order for us but this ended up an overload with Mac and Cheese. Crispy cheese parcels with a molten cheese filling and topped with parmesan cheese - death by cheese? You bet.
Apple Fritters ($8)
We were called princess for not using our hands but requesting for serving plates that never came - nevermind the forthrightness of the waitress but she was audaciously right - food does taste better eating with our hands. While I yearned a sweet finish, these fritters bore no semblance nor taste of an apple fritter more of a dough nut laced with apple essence. Loved the caramel sauce too.
I love this place to bits and have my schedule set on a Halloween date booked here. One year back it was a Peter Pan's night, I look forward to more details!
Easy to love, 28HKS redefines what bar culture should be - happening yet in a discreet manner. The only other place that displays such complexity in cocktails is CUT Bar and perhaps Bacchanalia, and I could be jinxing the rest of my bar visits but these three have made it to my favourite bars for 2013 (Cityspace does warrant a visit soon to sort the rankings out).
We stepped out wandering if it was all the whimsical world inside, the juxtaposition of the inside and outside world was indeed mind boggling.
28HKS
28 Hongkong Street
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