A hidden gem in the heart of the Arab Street vicinity, Maison Ikkoku (named after a Mangga comic) is an unpretentious and charming bijou three-storey shophouse, operating as a speciality cafe (1st floor), menswear boutique (2nd floor) and a semi-alfresco cocktail bar (3rd floor.) Literally translated as "House of the moment", Maison Ikkoku opened its doors in 2011 and so far it has proven itself to be the happening spot for locals and expats alike. The cafe is the only place so far in Singpapore that I've seen that sells actual spam musubis. There is no nori wrapping, but the core elements are still there. The cafe has a industrial/minimalist theme going on with pin-cushioned seating and dark wooden panels that provide a nice contrast to the whitewashed concrete walls, and copper piping that shimmers under the warm lighting. The suspended cupboards dotting the ceiling gives you a other-worldly feel like you've just entered into a realm of a Haruki Murakami novel. The bar is my favorite part (no wonder why) because of the dedication to providing the best cocktails in town. Each cocktail is freshly-made with only the best ingredients making a hangover virtually impossible to achieve—unless of course you blindly drink your way into a coma. There is no per se—menu because the waiters and waitresses go off on your palette. They ask you questions like "Do you prefer sweets or sours?" or "Do you like fruit or vegetables better?" When you give them an answer they "create" the perfect cocktail for you. The Long Island Ice Tea (personal favorite) comes with a choice of tea leaf, and while at first taste it may seem too sweet, the true essence of the vodka and gin reveal themselves soon enough and begin to politely clash with the Earl Grey and lemon turning the volume down on the sugar, resulting in a perfect mixture of sweet, sour and kick. Other must-tries are the Dream Catcher which is pineapple/pomegranate cocktail, and the Fabulous Diana V, which has red apple, mint, lemon and pomegranate. The only turnoff is the price. Each cocktail is in the $28-$40 range, so for a double-date out with friends, you can easily spend upwards of $200. But, there's certainly no complaints on measure nor quality. As the saying goes, "you get what you pay for" and with MI, you get brilliance. Maison Ikkoku is located at 120 Kandahar Street Singapore 198885; Tel: 6294 0078. Open Mon-Thurs 9am-7pm; Fri & Sat 9am-10pm; Sundays 9am-8pm. http://www.maison-ikkoku.net
Word to the wise: Perfect place to take a date, try a different cocktail until you find the perfect one!
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