NEW! Chill-Out Spot @Jiu Zhuang 酒庄, Dempsey Road

Thanks to my informant cum dear Sister, Janice for bringing me to this new joint (as she has a girlfriend working there).  I heard it is about 3 months' old only!

Jiu Zhuang
6C & 6D Dempsey Road
Singapore 247664
Tel: 6471 1711

Well-hidden and secluded from the main blocks in Dempsey Road, one must walk passed the "IN" CM-PB (Contemporary Melting-Pot and Bar), all the way to the back and you will find Jiu Zhuang on the right-hand side.  Refer to location map# below (#Source: jiu-zhuang.com).

 
 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ THE INTERIOR ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The interior of the bar (Block 6D) is strongly influenced by the Shanghai style in the 1920s era.  Exudes a certain elegant air and lavish of opulence in the atmosphere.  The ambience is cosy and intimate, with the entire place dimmed with warm yellow light shining through antique side lamps and hanging Chinese lanterns.  Listening to the remix versions of Chinese songs (some of which are songs we are familiar listening to growing up) in jazzy tunes under such ambience, and couching into those comfortable leather chairs, enable one to fully relax (provided no big groups present at the same time for laughter are unavoidable).

I exceptionally like the owner's choice of the bar counter, breaking away from the conventional type of bar counter with liquors displaying at different heights of shelving.  To enhance the appreciation and feel of 1920s' Shanghai, replica pictures of Chinese women dressed in cheongsam (typically featured in calendars and posters during the old days) adorn the area.  If you look closely, you can also detect the slight European flair introduced in some of the furniture chosen.

 

On the other side of the bar (Block 6C), there is alfresco and private dining area, with a walk-in wine cellar.  A nice, quiet corner for couples and friends who prefer more serenity.

 

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ THE MENU ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Their thoughtfully designed Dining Menu (left) and Drinks Menu (right) resemble the Chinese Kungfu manuals and scripts.  The little lock on the Drinks Menu intrigued my Hubby and kept him entertained for a while..hee

You will be spoilt for choices with their extremely wide selection of wines and liquors.  Jiu Zhuang also carry award-winning Japanese Sake from Iwamura Brewery.

  

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ THE TASTE ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Home-made Lotus Root Chips - The first time I have ever heard and tried this snack.  Only salt is lightly used to add some flavour.  The first few bites may seemed saltish, but after that you will be hooked to it.  It is liked extremely crispy thins in the form of lotus root.  Commendable on how the Chef came up with this healthy snack and slicing the lotus into such insanely fragile thickness.

 

Complimentary bite-size prawn chips with chilli powder and black sesame seeds sprinkled over it.  Goes very easy with drinks.  Super addictive!

 

Pinot Grigio (white wine handpicked & recommended by our girlfriend) - Sweetness at right amount!  Also, very smooth down the throat.  Good quality wine!

  

Fried Chicken Wings in Prawn Paste - Scotching hot on our fingers when we attempted to eat it.  Beat the standard of many Chinese restaurants and "Zi Char" eateries!  Normally I will stop at 2 pieces the max., but this dish got me wanting for more (eyeing my Hubby's share)!  *2 thumbs up!!*

  

Jiu Zhuang Xiaolongbao, infused with Whisky - This traditional Shanghainese soup dumpling has taken a new different twist.  I was surprised by the slight bitterness brought onto my taste buds due to the whiskey.  Somehow I still prefer the traditional xiaolongbao with flavourful soup.

 

Guo Tie with Minced Pork Filling & Foie Gras - I love foie gras and guo tie (pork dumpling) but first time eating them together is something new.  A pity that you can't really taste the foie gras, perhaps a waste on this luxurious ingredient to go with such strong taste filling like pork.

 

Shrimp Dumpling with Baby Abalone - This is one dish you have to gobble it up as a whole.  Splendid to add in the baby abalone and fish roe in elevating the usual taste of a shrimp dumpling.  May not be my favourite but it's a "can-try".

 

Jiu Zhuang Wanton Dumplings with Dried Scallops, in Superior Broth  - "Power" is the word for this dish.  For I am a Cantonese who grew up eating dianxin and boiled soup on a regular basis, fresh ingredients and long hours are crucial to extract the essence of a good soup.

 

Felt so pampered to be able to enjoy fresh, piping hot dianxin cooked with the most extravagant ingredients during wee hours.  What a premium gourmet experience!  Definitely something new and worth trying out!  I last heard from the Management of Jiu Zhuang, that they are coming up with Sunday brunch menu and improvising the menu with more dianxin items.  Hence this could be an alternative dianxin spot to bring my family for gatherings. 

To end this review, I urge you to share with me other dianxin spots which you may have known and worth recommending, as good (& not-so-oily) dianxin is hard to come by in Singapore.