Manhattan Bar in Regent Singapore kicks off a seasonal cocktail and bar bites menu inspired by New York City’s Central Park.

Central Park in New York City’s middle-upper Manhattan district is perhaps one of the world’s most iconic and well-known urban parks, an oasis of calm set deep within a concrete jungle that’s been used as a filming location in many a movie. The last time Manhattan Bar took us on a journey through Harlem; its latest incarnation of its seasonal menu takes diners and drinkers on a cocktail and culinary stroll inspired by the sprawling 843-acre park.

There’s the Rose Club ($24++), named after the famous lounge of The Plaza Hotel on Fifth Avenue that’s been graced by various jazz and pop legends such as Miles Davis, Kay Thompson, Duke Ellington and Liza Minnelli. The combination of Four Roses Single Barrel bourbon, spiced pear and peach liqueurs, rose tincture that’s topped off with Perrier-Jouët Champagne gives this tipple a sexy, sensual yet deeply complex drink.

manhattan bar greensward plan

Greensward Plan $24++, above) on the other hand can come across as somewhat vegetal and green, like the ambitious expansion of the park in 1858 that saw Central Park extend from its initial 778-acre coverage. Made with pisco, Moscato Nonino Grappa with muddled fresh green peas, this herbal tincture is not for everybody, especially if they don’t like the taste of peas like some of us do.

We’re bigger fans of The Blockhouse No.1 ($24++), Manhattan Bar’s take on the New York cocktail classic Little Italy that’s named after a small fort in one corner of Central Park. Like the original this version is a combination of true-blue American with its Rebel Yell bourbon, Italian influences in Cynar and sweet vermouth, but with a slight Czech twist in the use of Becherovka.

But the best drink on Manhattan’s Central Park seasonal menu has got to be the Crystal Room ($29++, main picture), a rich, unctuous concoction that’s sweet, smoky and creamy at the same time. Inspired by one of the famous dining rooms in Tavern on the Green where celebrities hang out, this delicious yet simply drink combines Lagavulin, creme de cacao, with some fresh lime and mint to lift its otherwise heavy flavours.

manhattan bar cabbage cured salmon bagel

Manhattan Bar is also very well known for its food; for its Central Park seasonal menu it also introduces various small bites to accompany your cocktails. For example there’s the Cabbage Cured Salmon Bagel ($20++, pictured above), a hat tip to New York’s kosher delis and its Jewish immigrants with its infused smoke salmon on a crispy bagel chip served alongside homemade cream cheese dip. And while the Barbecued Pulled Pork ($21++) delivers with its American street food cred, it’s really the Strawberries and Cream ($12++) – inspired by the park’s memorial to John Lennon – that takes the cake, the eclairs filled with vodka marinated strawberries and mascarpone cream that’s both a visual and culinary treat.

Manhattan Bar’s seasonal Central Park cocktail and bar bites menu will be available in the months of November and December this year.

You can find Manhattan Bar at 1 Cuscaden Road, Level 2, Regent Singapore.

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