New in town: Freebird, Katong — New spot for booze in Katong Shopping Centre

If you frequent the East of Singapore often, the iconic Katong Shopping Centre may be familiar to you. Beneath its striking blue-and-orange front lies hidden gems of food stalls, rows of agencies and Teo Heng KTV—where many of us made fond memories of belting out pop songs at the top of our lungs. This fifty-year-old establishment may no longer be as updated as the newer heartland malls we have, but it carries an undertone of nostalgia and even to some sense, veneration, over the years. Thus, the opening of Freebird, a casual joint serving up craft beer, nitro coffee and tea, and fusion eats, in its basement, is a breath of fresh air.

Craft beer lovers will be blown away by the gorgeous pipe that takes centre stage in Freebird’s taproom. A brass-painted connecting pipe is fixed onto the countertop, dispensing liquid gold—a selection of twelve craft beers. Framed by wine glasses at the side, Freebird is ready to open its doors, with a soft launch held between 4 & 6 May 2021. They take their booze seriously, with India Pale Ales (IPAs), Stouts/Porters, Sour Beer are all lined up to satisfy booze-loving customers. 

Their bar grub and mains are familiar with their own unique twist, offering fusion food with combinations that are sui generis. We know that variations of fried chicken are a staple across bar menus. A must-order, chicken bites are often atop many tables as patrons pop them in their mouths as a snack filler during conversations over booze. Their variation of this is a sweet and savoury combination, Peanut Butter Chicken Bites (S$6.90), where our common chunky favourite, chicken karaage, is tossed in their house special peanut butter sauce.

If you’re craving for a spicy Japanese or Korean kick, their other iterations of chicken bites come in the form of Wasabi Mayo (S$6.90) and Yangnyeom (spicy Korean sauce) (S$6.90). Since their neighbour, the legendary Delicious Boneless Chicken Rice that won the hearts of many is probably closed when you have your fix of tipple in the evening, Freebird offers their Hainanese Chicken Pasta (S$12.80) which piques our curiosity. It’ll be a wonder to infuse the flavour of the well-loved chicken broth rice into pasta, and we hope they pull it off well.

Did we mention that they sell desserts as well? Well, it’s not any kind of dessert, but the well-acclaimed old-school banana pie from another neighbour of theirs—Dona Manis Cake Shop. It’s recommended to pair the sweet treat with their stout beer, as they complement rich and creamy flavour profiles. Whether you’re having wine or just feeling the cheese, their Charcuterie Board (S$38) serves up a platter of three types of cheese and two types of cured meats. With a range of cuisine, alcohol, and even dessert, what’s there not to love at this new joint?

Right now, they’re having a cheekily named promotion, “May the froth be with you”, where you can purchase five beers (drafts/cans/bottles) at the price of four. Drinking without breaking the bank? Seriously, head down before queues start forming. 

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Dona Manis Cake Shop: Traditional Banana Pie & Other Old-School Pastries Hidden In Katong