From a young age, wine was only ever something my imagination reserved for ‘cool adults’ only. It was like forbidden fruit, where the most eloquent and refined individuals would proudly clink wine glasses amidst their hearty conversations. Fast forward to the present, I find myself taking every opportunity to manifest elegance and grandeur, this time at Drunken Farmer along Joo Chiat Road.
If there’s one thing I sorely miss from my days in Australia, it’s the plethora of outdoor dining concepts that filled the streets. So, you can only imagine how thrilled I was when I saw how beautiful Drunken Farmer designed the place to provide a breezy, al fresco space.
By day, it goes by the brunch and coffee concept, Common Man Coffee, and by night a wine and dine bar, Drunken Farmer.
What I tried
Always, always, ALWAYS, trust the experts when it comes to wines. Drunken Farmer carries a selection of 18 natural wines by the glass and over 100 labels by the bottle. The spectacular range includes Sparkling, Rose, White, Red and Orange Wines (no, they’re not made from oranges…).
Pictured on the left is the rose Patrick Sullivan | Pink Pound 2017 from Victoria, Australia, and on the right, the orange wine Smallfry | Barossa Tangerine Dream 2021 from South Australia.
Entrusting our pairings to the team, we had the Farmer’s Selection (S$50), with three specially curated glasses. The orange wine (pictured left) was perhaps the most enjoyable glass of the night. Not too dry, semi-sweet and pleasantly refreshing— the perfect balance of Moscato meets rose.
It’s always a yes when it comes to fried chicken so when our host Janet mentioned the popular Sourdough Karaage (S$20), we nodded even before she could finish her sentence. Served with a large side of kimchi mayonnaise, we knew we were in for a treat.
For the price point, we got four large chunks of deep-fried chicken thighs with what looked like the crispiest, crunchiest sourdough batter. There’s no glamorous way to savour this so I’d suggest getting your hands dirty to dig in.
Tender and juicy on the inside, what sealed the deal for me was the tangy kimchi mayo, which came in a small bowl instead of a sauce dish. Pro tip: save some of the sauce for later to dip with pizza crust!
Next up (and arguably one of my favourite dishes to order whenever I see it on a menu)— Creamy Stracciatella Dip (S$18). There’s just something about the refreshing, earthy flavours from the mix of tangy mixed tomatoes, pistachios and light, creamy cheese that just hits the spot.
Served with three thick slices of sourdough rosemary bread, this was utterly enjoyable to start the night with before we dived into richer pairings of sourdough pizzas and strong cheeses.
It’s worth noting that all the pizzas here are made using sourdough. To kick us off, we went with the Shrooms & Goat Cheese Pizza (S$22)— a rich tomato-based pizza topped with a light goat’s cheese, grilled portobello, kale and pancetta, drizzled with sweet chilli honey.
The savouriness from the pancetta and portobello blended well and while the goat’s cheese was a tad heavy on the palate, it was a refreshing medley of flavours in a bite. Personally, I felt like it could do without the sweet chilli honey and all the umami glory to take the spotlight.
Our second pizza of the night was the Four Cheese Pizza (S$28) which as the name suggests, could be detected from a mile away because of its poignant aroma.
The ricotta-based pizza featured a bold mix of mozzarella, manchego and blue cheese, topped with a sprinkle of fresh parsley. Now, we all know how blue cheese can be a little iffy for most diners, but I thought otherwise. Surprisingly, I preferred this vegetarian option over the other pizza we had.
Altogether rich, sharp and umami-laden, I found this slice to pair best with the selection of wines we had throughout the night. If there’s one thing I’d put my money on here at Drunken Farmer, it would be their immaculate pairing of cheeses with their world-class pizza crust.
On to sweets, we had Sourdough Waffles (S$12/small, S$18/large). Interestingly, the batter is made from a 160-year old starter. Now, that’s not something you find or try easily!
Served with vanilla ice cream and a coffee toffee caramel, this is one for adventurous eaters. Personally, I prefer fluffy, buttery waffles however, this rendition at Drunken Farmer was uniquely crispy and tangy. It’s definitely an acquired taste that’ll impress if you fancy sourdough.
I must give a shoutout to Janet for recommending a sweet and sparkly finish to the night to the final glass of the night Testalonga | I Wish I Was A Ninja 2020 from South Africa. The white wine was satisfyingly sweet, fruity and floral— everything I adore in a drink. I’d say, definitely opt for the Farmer’s Selection instead of ordering individual glasses to get the most bang for your buck.
ChopeDeals: Save 25% at Drunken Farmer @ Joo Chiat
Final thoughts
The evening was resplendent; drinks a delight and food mighty as it could be. There’s no doubt in my mind this would be my go-to for a glass or two to unwind after a long day at work, especially if I’m in the East.
And you can take my word that the first thing I’m ordering will be the Sourdough Karaage and the Farmer’s Selection of wines. One can always do with more glasses to clink on a soothing, dreamy evening.
Expected Damage: S$30 – S$50 per pax
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Price: $ $
Our Rating: 4 / 5
Drunken Farmer
185 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427456
Drunken Farmer
185 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427456
