Timbre Group is celebrating its 18th anniversary (wow how time files)!
To mark this momentous occasion, Timbre X S.E.A located at the iconic Arts House along Singapore River will be rebranded to Timbre Signatures and they’ll also have a brand new menu which features dishes inspired by local favourites like Hokkien mee, satay, curry puff, alongside quirky cocktails and more.
If you’ve ever been to any of the Timbre locations in Singapore, you’d be familiar with the super vibey atmosphere with live music and amazing food. Well, at Timbre Signatures, you’ll get to enjoy hearty mains with live music playing in the background and the gentle breeze from Singapore River blowing in your hair — it doesn’t get any better than this.
On the menu are some of our favourite local dishes — hence the name Singapore Signatures — made with a slight twist.
Starting with everyone’s favourite, Kaya Toast. But unlike your regular kaya toast set, the kaya toast set you get here is slightly more atas. The Kaya Croissant with Seared Foie Gras (S$32) comes with a side of truffle paste mash and softly poached eggs.
I loved the truffle mash and egg combination, and when paired with the kaya croissant, it elevated the flavours of the dish. The seared foie gras also added an extra creamy texture to the toast. I’m definitely ordering this again, without a doubt.
Of course, no kaya toast set is complete without some coffee. Here, each kaya croissant set comes with a coffee cocktail (Kopi Jiu) which has a strong coffee taste and is very creamy — very much like your kopitiam kopi but the alcoholic version.
Another highlight on the menu is the Char-Grilled Pork Satay (S$18). To me, what makes a good satay is the sweet and tender skewered meats and the savoury and spicy peanut sauce. Here, the skewers of pork chunks are well-marinated and are super flavourful. There’s also a charred fragrance to the meat.
However, I felt that sweet peanut sauce could have been slightly nuttier and spicier. What’s unique here is they’ve swapped out the ketupat rice — that typically comes with every serving of satay — for crispy risotto cakes which reminded me of a crispy hash brown.
Other unique locally-inspired dishes include Chilli Crab Kueh Pie Tee (S$20), Reversed Roasted Duck Popiah (S$16), Curry Chicken Delight in Vol-Au-Vent (S$18) and Truffle Oyster Omelette (S$26) which is Timbre’s take on the classic fried oyster omelette found in hawker centres.
For mains, Timbre has zhng-ed up some of your favourite local dishes like Grilled Garlic Jumbo Prawn Hokkien Mee (S$30) which is inspired by none other than Hokkien mee. The dish comes served with crispy pork lard, tender pork belly along with grilled garlic jumbo prawns.
What I loved the most about this dish was the strong wok hei fragrance which is a must-have in any hokkien mee. However, flavour-wise, the dish tasted a little flat. I would have preferred if the dish had a stronger prawn flavour and the chilli could have been a spicier belacan.
My favourite dish on the menu was definitely the Broken Spaghetti with Prawn Broth Fideo (S$28) — I wonder how the Italians feel about this one.
This was actually my first time trying broken Spaghetti, which is basically spaghetti cut into smaller pieces. I don’t know if broken spaghetti really is a thing but the smaller pieces really made it much easier to eat.
The spaghetti is immersed in a rich and super umami prawn broth and then topped with seared Hokkaido scallops and prawns. I loved the rich and garlicky flavours of the broth, along with the sweetness of the fresh seafood.
Drinks-wise, Timbre’s new menu also features some very quirky drinks with equally quirky names that we are all very familiar with. Think: Jialat Liao, Tak Shiok and more.
That’s right, they have fresh new cocktails like Jialat Liao!, Singapore Sling, No Chilli, Tak Shiok! (S$20 each) — I love all the very punny names. My personal favourite was the No Chilli, Tak Shiok! Cocktail. When I first saw it on the menu, the spice lover in me just had to get it.
It comprises vodka infused with raspberries and basil, topped with a fresh chilli padi (yes a real chilli padi) for a fiery kick. It was a great blend of sweet and tangy flavours coupled with a lightly spicy finish. If you’re daring enough, you’re free to eat the chilli padi for an extra spice kick.
If you’re looking for a vibey and chill place to unwind after a long work day, Timbre Signatures at The Arts House is the place to be. After all, it’s hard to say no to yummy food along with quirky cocktails while enjoying the sounds of live music playing in the background.
Are you feeling jialat liao? Drink your sorrows away at Timbre Signatures! Reservations can be made here.
Timbre Signatures
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📍 1 Old Parliament Lane, #01-04 The Arts House, 179429
🕑 5pm—12am (Mon to Thu), 5pm—1am (Fri & Sat), Closed on Sun
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Photos by Marcus Leong
I'm either mean or a meme, there's no in between.