Review: Potato Head Folk
Yo listen up Singapore folk! If you like your eats vibey and your flavours tangy, get down to the new Potato Head Folk along Keong Saik Road. We just sampled the lounge bar and the lunch menu at Three Buns Restaurant and here’s the low down in our Potato Head Folk review.
Any luncheon that starts in a lounge bar with an ice-breaking fizzy fruit cup laced with Pimms and laden with dried strawberry slices and miniature roses is off to a good start. (They had us at fizzy). The lounge bar, Studio 1939, is an alluring and intimate bar area modeled on an artist’s studio. This level showcases modern art selected by David Bromley and carries off eclectic glamour with a peppering of Chinese heritage objects and vintage furniture sourced from around the world.
The lounge opens daily from 5pm till midnight. It is the only area you can reserve at Potato Head Folk – and it is recommended you do as they have already been turning hopeful patrons away in droves. Be sure to try the cocktails here as the list features personal favourites of Dre Masso and his team – classics and special creations all prepared lovingly with freshly made syrups and high grade spirits.
Down one heavily muralled stairwell from the lounge, you’ll find Three Buns Restaurant aka ‘The Living Room’ which is buzzing with casual diners and is refreshingly unpretentious. And the same can be said for the food.
We started with sides of ‘Naughty Fries’ and Chicken Wings, two menu favourites that have already got a reputation around town. The Naughty Fries are a mix of potato cuts, spiced béarnaise, hot beef chili, crispy shallots, Parmesan and sesame seeds. Pretty naughty – but the kind of salty, savoury kick you hanker for after a few post work drinks.
There’s an all-natural burger for every taste – beef, lamb, chicken or vegetarian. The burgers are served with artisanal buns and homemade slow cooked sauces, and wrapped in paper. Don’t even dare try and eat these with a knife and fork- the juice running down your forearms is all part of the experience. And probably don’t go here on a first date – there is no polite way to eat these.
We tried the Baby Huey Burger – 150g beef patty, cheese, lettuce, notorious T.O.M sauce, pickles and spiced mayo. We found the patty a little too thick and the T.O.M sauce rather abundant though very tangy and unique. We’re told the tomatoes are a special variety that are juicy and flavoursome but won’t make the bun soggy. Now that’s clever engineering!
There are two dessert ‘pots’ to choose from – we tried the Zesty Lemon Pot Head, which was palate cleansing. A creamy citrus ‘crust’ that gave way to a thinner fluffier texture the further you got toward the bottom of the pot. The other was a chocolate pot, like a ganache, also yummy, not quite as cleansing.
If you’re familiar with the PTT brand, you’ll recognize the lineage. It’s a welcome addition to Singapore and to a street we already love. Go in here with the right expectation – the different spaces and dining concepts allow for different types of occasion. If Tiki and cigars are for you, be among the first to try the rooftop bar when it opens next week. You’re welcome.
Potato Head Folk, 36 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089143, p. 6327 1939. Open Tue-Sun 11am – Midnight.
Psst! Potato Head is directly opposite our friends at COVO Hairsalon – mention Honeycombers for a Wash & Blow dry for $28 (u.p. $35). Perfect pit stop before hitting Potato Head Folk!
All Images: Potato Head Folk
