Hot off the press from their most recent opening of Poisson, award-winning chef and restauranteur Geoffrey Weckx and Pierre Bolly are back again. This time, with NOIR – a wine lounge with an alfresco cigar garden. Tucked away on the second floor above a restored Telok Ayer shophouse, the dark ambient indoor space exudes posh sophistication yet is cosy enough for a laidback afternoon lounging on plush leather furniture with a glass of wine in hand. Cigar aficionados can also look forward to toking away with absolute privacy in the alfresco garden.
With an extensive wine list and modern tapas to pair, expect to savour premium ingredients such as uni, otoro, caviar, and wagyu beef. Split between hot and cold tapas, the former features dishes like a 48-month aged Iberico Blasquez ($25) and Oto ($39) which sees heaps of maguro tartare, uni and caviar crowned atop a buttery kuro (black) brioche. In contrast, the latter highlights Gambi ($15); black prawns in a tomato dip with leeks, and a smoky Iberico Pluma with a moreish chestnut sauce ($18). Fret not, assorted cheese platters ($30/$45) are also available for those who’d prefer to keep the session light and easy.
As a wine lounge, it comes as no surprise that wine consumption is obligatory. Not looking to drink? This wine lounge surely isn’t for you. Otherwise, for anyone who is up for a glass of wine or two after a tough day's crack at the corporate rat race to even serious oenophiles, this might very much be your new after-hours hangout.