[Tasting] Rookery @ Capital Tower

Rookery is a cafe and bar located right in the CDB area. Founded by 3 individuals – Daniel, Michelle and Sue-shan, this casual joint with a cosy vibe, consolidates their respective love for whisky & beer, wine and coffee into one place.

Was invited to a tasting there recently and coincidentally, it was Ladies Night (Wed). For the blokes, not to worry as Rookery has got ya covered as well. Happy Hour (HH) runs daily till 8pm! After scanning through the drins' menu, it was observed that the price difference (for selected beers and wines) during HH is between $3 to $5. A pint of Asahi for just $9.90? Yes, please!

Ladies Night on Wed @ Rookery

Live band on selected days (not Wed!)

For the tasting, we got to try the brunch items, some tapas and dinner items.

Brunch

What's brunch without eggs? How do you like yours? Poached or scrambled? Whichever way that you choose, Rookery has it. I'm with the scrambled eggs camp, for sure.

Smashed Avocado on Toast

Smashed Avocado Toast @$15

The smashed avocado toast came with perfectly poached egg topped with furikake, sitting gently on top of the toasted sourdough bread lavished with guacamole of tomatoes and corn.

runny yolk

Signature Scramble

Signature Scramble with Smoked Salmon @$20

Wow. Loved the way the scrambled eggs are cooked and presented here. So inviting and can't wait till all the photo taking are over to sink my teeth into that delicious mound of eggy pillow.

If you are not adverse to pork, don't waste time and just go get the Signature Scramble with Glazed Bacon Chop. But why stop at one though? Heck, order another one of those deliciously thick, satisfying sweet glazed savoury bacon chop. Regrets are only when one haven't had enough!

Signature Scramble with Glazed Bacon Chop (yums!)

Fried Chicken Sandwich

That's a misnomer as the fried chicken sandwich is one part fried chicken and one part glazed bacon chop. One could have two yummy meats in one bun!

Fried Chicken Sandwich @$21

Best of both worlds: Fried Chicken Thigh and Glazed Bacon Chop

Succulent double meat with honey mustard mayo, gouda cheese and lined with crisps lettuce and tangy sliced tomatoes.

Fuel up with this power combo!

Marmite Mushroom Toast

Marmite Mushroom Toast @$16

Ahhh, you do not prefer meat? Not to worry, as the marmite mushroom toast makes a delectable brunch item too. High in flavours, yet lighter on the tummy. Perfectly toasted crispy baguette, loaded with earthy savoury flavours. Pretty yummy!

Roasted Cauliflower & Quinoa

Oh, you'd prefer something lighter without the bread and meat? Then, the roasted cauliflower & quinoa dish would be perfect for you.

Crunchy, sweet cauliflower in sesame dressing served with grilled halloumi cheese. Good flavours and quite filling.

Roasted Cauliflower & Quinoa @$17

Lunch/Dinner

Grilled Mackerel @$24

Listed under 'Seasonal Specials', the Grilled Mackerel is served with baby potatoes (underneath), garlic and tomatoes in white wine stew. The baby potatoes were a tad under-cooked.

Scallops @$22

Five (5) Hokkaido scallops seared to perfection with its balanced bouncy, firm chew that exalted the sweetness of the seafood. Served with plenty of seaweed and miso butter sauce. Oily? Yes, but it was too darn delicious! We used up all the toast provided to scoop up the sauce because it was simply divine. And then, we broke off some parts of the sandwiches and the marmite mushroom toast to finish off till the last drop of the seaweed and miso butter. So satisfying. Yes, we'll worry about the calories later!

The flavours of the sauce are strong but it was so good with an alcoholic drink.

Meatballs

Meatballs @$17

Beef meatballs in tomato based sauce, with parmesan and herbed breadcrumbs served with toast (yes, I 'used' these toast for the seaweed & miso butter too!)

Surprisingly, the meatballs had less of a 'beefy' taste. Texture was dense and firm. The tomato sauce was lighter than expected.

Gambas al Ajillo

Tiger prawns (halved), grilled and loaded on garlic and chili oil. Fragrant and reminiscent of the zichar steamed prawns with garlic. The prawns were cooked just right and loved the colours of this dish!

Gambas al Ajillo @$18

US Kurobuta Bone-in Pork Chop

US Kurobuta Bone-in Pork Chop @$29

The pork chop is of a thinner cut and served medium with a side of curly fries and mesclun salad. Enjoyable, tender meat with light seasonings of salt and pepper.

Crabmeat Pasta 

For those who loved their noodles, we tried two variations; the Crabmeat Pasta in tomato cream based sauce and the dry tossed Sakura Ebi Capellini in kombu and decorated with furikake and chives.

Crabmeat Pasta @$24

The blue swimmer meat was cooked into the slightly sweet tomato cream sauce and liked that the tagliatelle was not too al-dente.

Sakura Ebi Capellini

Sakura Ebi Capellini @$14

I'd go for the Sakura Ebi Capellini for its stronger flavours and overall umami-ness of the dish. Perhaps, this preference could also be due to the cocktails that I was imbibing...

Signature Cocktails @$13 (Happy Hour) / $17

Elderflower Mojito (rum, mint, lime, elderflower liquor, brown sugar)

Tokyo Martini (vodka, choya umeshu, dry vermouth, sour plum)

The Elderflower Mojito was refreshing and not too sweet. Lovely to have this for brunch as well. The Tokyo Martini tasted predominantly of umeshu.


Thank you Ivan for the invite and Jereme Liang and Rookery for hosting the tasting. It was a good introduction to Rookery and its delectable array of dishes available for brunch, lunch and dinner. Not forgetting the happy hour cocktails and drinks!

Rookery @ Capital Tower

Address: 168, #01-08 Robinson Rd, Capital Tower, 068912
Website: http://rookery.sg
Contact: 6327 9369
Business Hours:
Mondays to Fridays - 8am to 11pm
Closed on weekends (Sat and Sun)