Contemporary Middle East cuisine & reinterpreted cocktails – inspired by Istanbul cafe culture
November 16th, 2016
Taking inspiration from contemporary Middle Eastern cuisines and the localised cafe culture of Istanbul, Fat Prince introduces a unique casual dining and drinks experience to Singapore. Recently opened in the inner city Tanjong Pagar precinct, Fat Prince and its sibling restaurant The Ottoman Room occupy an atypically spacious shophouse premises. At Fat Prince, guests can relax in the casual sophistication of the glass-fronted cafe, with the enticing menu of New Middle Eastern cuisine complemented by traditional Turkish black coffees heated in small cezve pots over a hot sand pit. At the bar, Lebanese and Moroccan wines add authenticity as accompaniments to the Middle Eastern cuisine, and a tight list of signature cocktails feature classic cocktails reinterpreted with the distinctive spice and flavour profiles of the region. Open from 8am for coffee, Fat Prince is a popular lunchtime destination, while later transitioning into a sociable space for evening drinks and casual dining.
Design Located within a nondescript row of shophouses in the gentrified Tanjong Pagar neighbourhood, the Fat Prince interior is distinguished by the voluminous, high-ceilinged space and contemporary, Middle East-inflected cafe decor. Spacious seating across the open-plan space includes a large communal table, plush leather banquettes, and traditional round cafe tables. A handsome white marble-topped bar counter extends across the back of the room – with elegant brass inlaid timber cabinetry extending to the ceiling.
Cuisine Centred on casual kebab dining, the menu showcases contemporary interpretations of traditional kebabs by accomplished Canadian chef-partner Hunter Moyes. Taco-sized kebabs are created from freshly baked Turkish bread, filled with traditional roasted and spiced meats, poultry or seafood, as well as a vegetarian option. Standout kebabs include the Duck & Pistachio Kofte with fig compote, duck jus, rocket, and lemon vinaigrette; and the Spicy Adalar Prawn with buttered soy, pickled chayote & pear salad, spring onion. A separate weekend Brunch Menu includes wholesome breakfast dishes such as the pizza-like Turkish flatbread Pide dishes, and a selection of hot skillet dishes like the Roasted Mushroom Menemen – with scrambled egg skillet, shaved Antep cheese, candied fennel, and crispy kale.
Drinks In addition to the signature cocktails, the bar also serves a curated list of Mediterranean craft beers and wines, flavourful non-alcoholic house-made sodas, and gourmet white coffees and teas. Premium spirits are house-infused with regional spices and culinary ingredients to create distinctively Middle Eastern flavour profiles in reinterpreted classic cocktails – exemplified by The Constant Gardener – a twist on the classic pisco sour – with lavender & pineapple infused Pisco, apricot, lemon, and egg white.
Fat Prince and The Ottoman Room were conceived by the astute partnership behind the nearby izakaya-styled Neon Pigeon restaurant – one of Singapore’s most hip dining venues. Fat Prince opens Monday to Sunday – serving coffee, lunch and dinner – with weekend brunches served from 10:30am.
Fat Prince Interior
Fat Prince New Middle Eastern Cuisine
Fat Prince Cocktails
(food images courtesy of Fat Prince)
