Inspired by the novel of the same name, Jekyll and Hyde first began as a nail parlour by day and speakeasy by night. And now, after eight years, the dual-concept store is ready for some change. Its metamorphosis, from a watering hole to a cocktail bar and kitchen, begins with a new location: a two-storey shophouse along Neil Road.
Settle down at the alfresco courtyard on the first floor, and tuck into jazzed-up versions of Southeast Asian favourites. Chilli crab nachos ($18) is a piquant dip filled with wild crabmeat and ikura, stirred with fermented soybeans to lend more umami. Also interesting is Jekyll and Hyde’s take on the oyster omelette ($22). While the typical hawker variant comes with tiny bivalves hiding within a pile of egg and starch mixture, the version here flips the ratio around. Freshly shucked Canadian oysters dominate the plate, and are best enjoyed with a topping of some warm, chewy omelette.
Jekyll’s Hua Tiao Bee Hoon ($23) is a novel take on ramen and pork trotter vermicelli; crisped noodles serve as a base to soak up the Chinese rose wine-scented pork gravy. Still hungry? Try Mr Hyde’s Satay ($18), where skewers of Iberico pork are left to marinate overnight; and the sweet-spicy Thai-inspired gula Melaka top shell ($15).
Be sure to save space for cocktails that Jekyll and Hyde was originally known for. The bar comes located on the second-floor space, and shakes up special libations with unexpected flavours. Jungle Bird ($22) is a tropical tiki drink, with pineapple juice, tequila, Campari, and Plantation rum; and PB&J ($22) is a take on peanut butter and jelly, though we wished the flavours could come through a little stronger. Of course, the local inspiration can also be found in some of the drinks. Don’t sleep on the Pandan Valley ($22), which comes rimmed with spicy sambal to bring out the floral notes from the pandan-infused Glenfiddich; and the aromatic, spice-forward Morning Brew ($22) with cardamom-infused Kahlua.
Missing the old Jekyll and Hyde? Good news: we heard that a few of its signature creations, including the spiked soya beancurd Mr Bean, are available on request.