[Media Invite] Provisions @ 7 Dempsey Road

This is the new kid in the Dempsey block. Opened in July 2017 by the talented Justin Foo and KC Rahmat. Justin takes care of the kitchen while KC is head bartender, crafting locally inspired bespoke cocktails.

Chef Justin has trained at Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts Institute in Ottawa, and his resume included a 2-year stint with Andre Chiang. He became the Head Chef of Senso Ristorante and Bar by the age of 24. Justin is a classically trained French Cuisine chef and at Provisions, Justin is returning to his Asian roots. KC has 14 years of experience in F&B and being half-Thai, he has an affinity in using herbs and spices in the drinks that he crafts.

Provisions

What's up, board?

let's eat

The concept is much like a Provisions store where one could get a knick knack or a snack. Provisions @ Dempsey offers much more and you could chill and relax at this cosy establishment, with hearty Asian foods such as claypot rice, assortment of skewers and a couple of drinks.

No GST, tips are welcome

hello

Feel free to wander in and you might just find that item that reminds you of childhood days. Or, you might catch a glimpse of Chef Justin in his kitchen.

Chef at work

The bar has something interesting and I spied a contained of house brewed makgeolli. Alas, it was still in its experimental mode and yet to be ready. There were also a couple of infused liqueur and perhaps, it could be the base for some of the cocktails? In any case, the bar seemed like a happy place!

smiley crew at the bar

Started off with some cool drinks. From its cocktail curated menu, we had the crowd favourite of Bantai Bandung (pretty in pink), the Passionately Dark and Stormy and the Heard It Through the Grapevine. The Bandung is of aged rum based, similar to Dark and Stormy while mine was the gin-based Grapevine.

(left to right) Heard It Through the Grapevine ($15), Bantai Bandung ($14), Dark & Stormy ($17)

The bandung started on a sweet note and finishes off with that expected liqueur taste. I loved the combination of gin, grapes, rosemary, lemon juice and tonic in the Grapevine drink. Refreshing and suitable on a hot and humid night.

For a salad-like starter, we tried the Scallops & Scallion. Large, sweet pieces of raw scallops tossed in the expected chili, soy, scallion and calamansi. Was there some calamansi peel in there? It carried a hint of bitterness.

Scallops & Scallions @$12

KFC @$10

Order up the KFC, and you might be thinking of Korean Fried Chicken? Nah, this version meant Korean Fried Cauliflower. Definitely finger-licking good and reminiscent of fried chicken but it is still vegetable, after all. Shiok and fills you up, fast. Oh, while it is best eaten hot, do watch out and try not to burn your tongue while enjoying this tasty appetizer.

yep, that's a cauliflower in my KFC

If I'm at a drinking place, and feeling just slightly peckish, most likely I'd go for the skewers. Easy to eat and one could enjoy a variety. The standard order of chicken thigh and chicken heart, please. At Provisions, there's plenty of choices. Purple Taste recommends beef sirloin, sotong, chicken anything and everything, and pork belly.

beef sirloin (@$10), prawn (@$9), Chicken thigh (@$5)

pork belly (@$7), pork jowl (@$7) and chicken heart (@$4)

The best was beef sirloin, which was nicely done with a pink center. Tender meat and seasoned well. The chicken heart tasted of dry rub; chili, cumin and garlic while the pork intestine was of soy-based marinade. Pork belly was a very nice piece of char siew and had a good fats to meat ratio. Yums!

sotong @$8

pork intestines @$5

For something more hearty, there's always the claypot rice. There are a couple of variety and we tried the seafood claypot and the oyster omelette rice. Again, some of us preferred the seafood rice and some the oyster omelette rice. All-in-all, both are quite popular orders at Provisions.

(front) seafood rice @$16 and (back) oyster omelette rice @$18

The rice was tasty and pork meat that was in the seafood rice was really good. Splash a dose of chili sauce onto the rice for a lift of tangy-ness.

If you are in a group of 4 pax, would recommend having at least 2 claypot rice and 4 to 5 skewers to share. Of course, do try the dessert before calling it a night. We had the cempedak and coconut and the pisang sundae.

cempedak & coconut @$8

The grilled cempedak was very sweet and served with gula melaka and crunchy peanut bits. Coconut ice-cream and warm jackfruit makes a good hot & cold duo. The pisang sundae had a small pleasant surprise in-store for us.

Was pretty pleased that sweet ripe banana was used and the vanilla ice-cream ball was huge. Try the batter and tell me what it reminds you of? A very nice touch for this dessert.

pisang sundae @$8

Thank you Jonathan (wom_sgpr) for the invite and Provisions for hosting the tasting.

Chef Justin will be introducing new items in his menu soon, so watch out for it!

Provisions

Location: 7 Dempsey Road, S 249671
Contact: +65 6250 7090
Website: www.unionbridgelifestyle.asia
Business Hours:
Tuesday - Thursday: 4.00pm - 1.00am
Friday & Saturday: 4.00pm - 2.00am
Sunday: 10.30 am - 3.00pm
Closed on Monday