Malaysia
Singapore
Thailand
Calling all lovers of mussels! A new joint in town, specifically at Duxton Hill, has opened, and it caters to avid fans of mussels. BTM Mussels & Bar serve their European mussels in large pots that are ideal for sharing—or you could have it all to your hungry self—and the mussels come with broths that vary from simple Marinières to spicy Thailandaises, and even pungent (but apparently a crowd favourite) Au Roquefort.
They come in servings of 500g (S$36), 750g (S$48), and 1kg (S$58).
Our favourite of the evening was the familiar sweet-sour profile of the Thailandaises which packed decent heat, and really soaked into the plump mussels’ flesh. Every serving of mussels comes with a side of fries, which you can either enjoy as-is, or together with the leftover broth after clearing out all the mussels.
We threw in a handful into the pot, and allowed the fries to imbibe the rich and fragrant broth before fishing them out. It was a novel method of consuming fries, but we loved it all the same; the salt made the flavour even bolder!
Mussel purists will simply love the Marinières, which is made simply with white wine, onions, parsley, and butter, while those in favour of aromatic and strong flavours would naturally gravitate towards the Au Roquefort.
It sure smelled potent as it arrived at our table, but once we actually dug into it, the taste didn’t seem as imposing.
They also serve plenty of sharing dishes, like the Escargot Tartes Flambées (S$26), which sees a scattering of escargot (snail), garlic, parsley butter, and onions. I personally love escargot, so to see it peppered all over was a delightful sight to behold.
Their Truffled Porcini Croquette (S$12) was also an attention-stealer, with its hot, cheesy middle and aromatic bite. The crusted exterior provided a great mouthfeel to this easy and delicious one-bite treat.
Just as they do their savoury dishes well, they also ace the desserts. You should set aside tummy capacity for Waffle “BTM” (S$18). These warm waffle pieces come with vanilla ice cream, chantilly cream, and an ample drizzle of chocolate sauce.
It may seem like a pedestrian dessert, but it’s such a comforting, familiar dessert that’s well-executed.
I say it’s a great alternative for the next time you and your friends are looking for a seafood place. The pots are great for sharing, and the sharing plates ensure everyone is well-fed for the evening!
Dates & Times: 5pm – 11pm (Mon & Tue), 12pm – 11pm (Wed & Thu), 12pm – 2am (Fri & Sat), Closed on Sun
Prices: S$30 – S$60 per pax
