Iggy’s Gastrobar

Iggy’s recently launched mini gastrobar has a small but well-curated bar menu that showcases some of the best Burgundian wine appellations paired with exquisite modern European tapas.

Iggy’s needs no introduction; the 12 year-old award-winning institution has been a gastronomic mainstay in Singapore’s fine dining circles, and is particularly known for its comprehensive and extensive wine programme. Founder Ignatius Chan, after all, is himself a wine connoisseur and an award-winning sommelier to boot, and personally put together a vast collection that can be the pride of any collector. Ignatius has a particular affinity for the wines of Bourgogne, but especially for those that are lesser known, but prized village wines.

That love affair with Burgundian wines extend to Iggy’s new gastrobar space. Previously occupied by acclaimed pastry chef Andrés Lara – who left to become a brand ambassador for chocolate maker Cacao Berry – the space has been turned into an intimate bar area that seats less than eight people.

The wine and food menu is similarly bite-sized compared to what’s offered at the main restaurant, but in this case, less is really more. What’s especially impressive here is the wide range of Bourgogne wines by the glass – you’re able to get single 125ml serves of wines (with prices ranging from $19++ to 69++) from appellations ranging down much of the Côte d’Or. You’ll find famous Burgundian Grand Cru and Premier Cru appellations such as Puligny Montrachet, Chassagne Montrachet, Meursault, Savigny-lès-Beaune from Côte de Beaune, and those of Marsannay, Chambolle-Musigny and Charmes-Chambertin from the Côte de Nuits. Where it’s currently lacking – and surprisingly so – is in the districts of Chablis, Côte Chalonnaise and Mâconnais; lovers of French wine know that there are many top quality village and communal vintages being produced there.

That said you can’t quite go wrong here with the likes of the 2009 Meursault Genevries 1er Cru Cuvee Baudot ($58++) from Hospices de Beaune, or the 2004 vintage of Michel Lafarge Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Duc ($25++), both of which are showing up very well now. The best way to experience the wines here is through Iggy’s wine flights – you can opt for a vertical red flight, a horizontal red and white flight, or even a blind flight if you’re feeling adventurous.

In the food department, Head Chef Aitor Jeronimo Orive puts out an amazing array of small bites to accompany the wines. It’s really rather difficult to make a poor choice here; the Egg & Eggs ($39++, main picture) of sous vide egg topped with truffle potato espuma and Kaluga Queen caviar is a heavenly combination, while the Croquette ($16++) are jamon iberico-studded potato balls of perfect crispness on the outside and melting moistness on the inside.

Those who love their pasta must order the Bucatini ($26++/34++) or the Capellini ($26++/34++, below), the latter a classic Italian-Japanese fusion mash-up of delicate capellini tossed with sakura ebi that many have copied but few have matched. We’d recommend you stay away from the Fish Tacos ($22++) and the 2017 Iggy’s Burger ($38++), but mostly because they are messy to eat and you’re likely to leave fingerprint stains on your wine glasses.

“We wanted to create an experience that diners can keep on coming back to time and again. With this mini gastro-bar, we’re able to show our craft in a more accessible way,” shares Ignatius Chan, founder of Iggy’s. “We’ve always been known for our gastronomic food — which we’ve made more approachable for every day eating, and our fantastic wines— specifically presented by the glass so that diners can taste more and discover the bounties of Burgundy.”

Over the past 15 years Iggy’s has established a stellar reputation for fine dining with a fabulous wine cellar that’s the envy of many. But if you’ve never dined there, Iggy’s new gastrobar is a good way to experience its culinary excellence and wine pairing ways until you’re ready for prime time in the main dining area.

Address 581 Orchard Road, Level 3 Hilton Singapore, Singapore 238883
Opening Hours 12pm to 13.30pm on Tuesday to Saturday for lunch; 7pm to 9.30pm from Tuesday to Saturdays for dinner; closed on Sundays
Tel (65) 6732 2234 / 8188 3200
Web www.iggys.com.sg
Facebook iggys.sg
Instagram @iggys.sg