First Round Bar - Awesome Little Chilling Corner with Karaoke

I just found a really awesome Watering Hole where I can just chill, party or sing. Hidden at a corner of the second floor of the quiet, quaint, humble-looking 2 Havelock Building, First Round Bar is like that hidden gem where the owner and service crew are so friendly, helping me with my numerous requests to change the setting of the karaoke system to suit my preferences. In fact, the owner is so chilled that I thought he is a very helpful patron there 😆 And they even have dices here for patrons to play with.

Slightly dark with blue overhead light, luminous cool bar counter and high tables with comfy plush high chairs, the place oozes a cool yet cosy charm. I immediately feel at ease here to start singing despite being here the first time.

The drinks here consisted of a good selection of mixers, classic cocktails and some specials, like the dangerous Long Island Iced Tea. Taste so smooth, with a hint of aroma of tea, this drink is so easy on the palates that one can down several glasses of this awesome drink. But it is very potent where one will get happy very easily after one glass. Highly recommend to try it ... with some caution 😉

Ricky Gin is so good too, with a good balance of sweetness, bitterness and smoothness.

I also love the smartphone menu of the karaoke system where I can easily navigate through it and set my preferences, after getting advice from the owner. I have a blast singing here.

Besides singing, I also have fun playing my favourite songs on the karaoke system to just chill and listen to them.

I want to be back here to sing again, enjoy the vibe here and try the drink Flaming Lambooooo!!

Thoughts: Awesome Place to Unwind, Chill, Drink, Have Fun and Sing

2 Havelock Road

#02-11

Crab Set Go - Hearty Good Food

Enjoying crabs in a frills-free, chilled environment sounds like a great idea to me since it means more wallet-friendly bills while enjoying this delicious premium crustacean. And I found such place in the name of Crab Set Go, set in the quiet, somewhat historic building of 2 Havelock.

The price of the crabs is so affordable that I want to immediately order some without even feeling a pinch on my wallet. But since I have something on later and was with someone, I go for the other faster options available from the menu. There are soft-shell crabs dishes, for some briny goodness of crab at super affordable prices, American style appetizers, various pasta dishes and grilled dishes.

The food here is very flavourful and hearty, especially the Grilled Sakura Pork. I’m so surprised a humble-looking restaurant in a super humble-looking building can serve such awesome grilled food.

And given the nice homely service here, I’m definitely be back to try the main star here: the crabs!

Update: Yes, I'm back for the crab. And it is so fantastically good. This is my top place to go for crabs!

The crab is so big, fleshy and packed with briny goodness. And I love it that there are different options of sauce to choose from, from Chilli Crab, Buttermilk to Laksa. I opt for Buttermilk, which is creamy and zesty, goign so swell with the crab meat. And all the tools needed to crack open the crab are provided, plus gloves, apron and wet wipe. So my hands stay nice and clean 👐 This is so highly recommended.

And the deep fried fluffy sweet buns is perfect to enjoy with the crab sauce.

Grilled Sakura Pork is so juicy and tender, with an iota of firmness for a good bite. The slightly charred exterior juxtaposing with the juicy core makes me go, “Excellent texture!” The taste is great too, being packed with flavours. A must-order here.

Tom Yum Soft-Shell Crab Pasta is unique, in a good way, where it actually tastes refreshing and creamy at the same time. The aroma of lemongrass, the zest and the slight spiciness lift up the creaminess of pasta. Soft-shell crab is soufflé-crispy and briny sweet, going well with the pasta.

Crispy Onion Rings, with the light lovely pungency of onions, go so well with the cheese sauce.

Thoughts: A Good Place to enjoy Good Hearty Meals at a Good Price

2 Havelock Road

#01-02

Nanjya Monjya - Used to be Good

If one wants to savour flavorful, good okonomiyaki, and enjoy the novelty of watching the service staff making one right in front of you, indulge in the best Tori Karage (fresh, crispy, not overly oily, flavourful) or very lightly salted yakimono. This is the place where one can get all these and there are so many types of okonomiyaki available on the menu. Though take note that the service is somewhat confused, in which they have tendency to mess up the orders and seem lost at times.

The place is quite smoky due to all those frying of food at the tables with built-in hot plate. The alfresco area overlooks the river which is scenic, though beware of the mosquitoes! Lastly, don't be intimidated by the menu which on the 1st look, show almost nothing but Japanese words only. English words in smaller fonts are written beside those Japanese words.

I like to come here when I want to enjoy okonomiyaki. Though this place only open at night.

Updates: Went back again after missing out on visiting the place for more than two years, found that the food does not make me go "wow". Somehow, I find the food ordinary. Not sure if it is because the standard changes, or I had become fussier.

My Thoughts: Pretty Okay

Nearest car park: Waterfront Plaza's car park

Nearest MRT: Tiong Bahru

390A Havelock Road
#01-03 Waterfront Plaza
Singapore
Contact No: 67387177