SINGAPORE RESTAURANT

Luke's Oyster Bar & Chop House

4
Average: 4 (1 vote)

Travis Masiero’s oyster bar and chop house has a few branches around town, but we're eternally partial to the tuckd away flagship on Gemmill Lane. The chic brasserie is classy yet relaxed—everything from the marble topped-bar, to the crisp white linens, to the vest-wearing servers recalls a lighter version of Old World elegance, while the food includes American retro-glam classics, including iconic East Coast dishes like the clam chowder and Boston lobster pot pie. Or order the lobster mac and cheese to go with your bone-in tenderloin au poivre The three sommeliers on staff bring an extra focus on the wines of the US, South America and the Loire region in France.

For those in the know, Travis Masiero needs no introduction. Formerly the founder and owner of the ever popular Spruce in Phoenix Park, his newest baby is Luke’s Oyster Bar & Chop House set just off Club Street. If the name wasn’t enough of a giveaway, the display counter of oysters on ice in the front should make things clear. The feel of the place is classy yet relaxed, everything from the L-shaped marble top bar to the crisp white linens to the vest-wearing servers channels a chic brasserie, while the food is inspired by comforting American classics (think along the lines of pot pie, mac & cheese, and crab cakes), with an emphasis on East Coast favorites (it’s no coincidence that most of the seafood’s sourced from there). A perfect example is the clam chowder ($17), done in a creamy New England-style with nuggets of littleneck clams and potato cubes; one of the best in the city. Pass on the pedestrian tomato salad with feta, cucumber and beetroot ($23) and opt instead for the spectacular M.F K. Fisher’s Oyster Pan Roast with bottarga ($21), served alongside sea urchin buttered-toast (Masiero’s not pulling any punches with this one). But it’s not all about the seafood here, the meat is good too. The fennel-spiced bone-in pork chop ($60) was an easy choice, a substantial enough portion and complemented beautifully by house-made apple jam; although we’ll be the first to admit that 60 bucks for a pork chop (yes, we know it’s Kurobuta) without any sides is a little much to shell out. Throughout the meal, we were impressed by the attentive and well-trained service. We didn’t even make it to dessert (despite how tempted we were by a slice of key lime pie), but if their other offerings are anything to go by, we doubt we’ll be disappointed. It’s also open till late, a real bonus in our book. Our one gripe—Travis, just turn down the music several notches, please.


Don't miss: Clam chowder. It's one of I-S Magazine's 50 things to eat in Singapore before you die (2012).

Venue Details
Address: Luke's Oyster Bar & Chop House, 22, Singapore, 069256 Singapore
Phone: 6221-4468
Website: www.lukes.com.sg
Cuisine: American
Price Range: BBB
Open since: June, 2011
Opening hours: Mon-Wed 11am-9:30pm; Thu-Sun 11am-11pm
Nearest trainTelok Ayer
Parking available: at Club Street car park
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