Newly opened Asian-Western casual eatery & lounge bar- by renowned Jim Thompson Thai Restaurant
July 17th, 2013
UPDATE: February 2014- Cafe Saladaeng has closed
A recently launched (June 2013) offshoot of the perennially popular Jim Thompson Thai Restaurant in Singapore, Cafe Saladaeng & Club Sala are housed together in a separate building just down the hillside from the main Jim Thompson Restaurant- amid the parklands of Dempsey Hill. Offering a more laid-back and casual setting, the concept for Cafe Saladaeng / Club Sala embraces relaxed all-day dining and evening drinks in an open-air, outdoor environment (and taking inspiration from the original Cafe Saladaeng in Bangkok that was also owned by the Jim Thompson group). Under its dual identity, Cafe Saladaeng serves breakfast, lunch and light snack menus during the day, and around sunset time, the venue transforms into the Club Sala mode as an evening destination for after-work, pre-dinner drinks, casual dining, or late night libations and music.
Set into a gentle slope of the historic Dempsey Hill heritage zone, the restaurant building is surrounded by broad expanses of verdant green lawns and magnificent towering trees, providing a uniquely tranquil setting so close to the heart of downtown Singapore. The open-air layout of the restaurant has been designed to capture the essence of the natural setting, but also offering adequate shade and shelter from the tropical elements.
The culinary concept is themed around an assemblage of popular Western and Asian dishes- well-executed, uncomplicated and attractively priced. Hearty dishes include the breakfast serving of Ragadio Westasian Hash- named after the Chef, Arnulfo Ragadio, comprising Beef Sirloin with fried egg on top, red and green capsicum, onions, jalapeno, tossed with Tabasco sauce, and served with tomato salsa. Other satisfying signature dishes are Sala Kebab- Beef and Chicken marinated with Thai spices, grilled, served with Special Chef’s sauce; and Carne Asada– a Mexican dish of Beef Sirloin marinated in Tequila, grilled and served with tomato salsa. The cafe menu also offers salads, sandwiches and Thai dishes such as Thod Man Pla– curried fish cakes, deep-fried and served with chili sauce, crushed peanuts and cucumbers; Tom Yam Goong– classic Thai hot and sour soup with prawns; and Yam Ma Moung– chopped green mango with cashew nuts, shallots and prawns with chili lime dressing.
On Friday and Saturday nights the focus is on the Live BBQ Cooking Station, with the Open Air Concept Barbeque- a combination of Chicken Barbeque and Singha Beer offered at a very attractive price.
Beverages served all day include healthy fresh fruit juices, coffee and teas. Cold Singha Beer is served either on tap, or by the bottle, and the bartenders serve up a selection of refreshing cocktails like the Bangkok Sling and the signature Thompson Mojito; and more potent concoctions for late evening consumption such as the Saladaeng Power and the Taste of Life.
Cafe Saladaeng opens on weekday mornings at 10:30 am to 3:00 pm for breakfast and lunch; and Club Sala operates from 5:00 pm until 11:30 pm on weekday nights- and until “late” on Friday and Saturday nights.
Vintage Thai movie posters featuring glamorous movie stars are a decorative element throughout the interior of Club Sala
Black timber and vibrant red surfaces combine to create a warm and understated elegance in the interior bar and lounge areas.
Casual booth-style seating extends across the front of the bar area- under the cover of the main building roof.
Casual indoor / outdoor seating options for relaxed dining and drinks.
A raised timber deck section at the front of the cafe presents guests with wonderful vistas across open lawns and verdant parkland- a rare commodity in central Singapore.
The cafe building capitalizes on its setting among towering trees and open park spaces.
Live BBQ cooking station- The Friday & Saturday Night Open Air Concept Barbeque offers a package deal of Chicken Barbeque accompanied by Singha Beer- with a very reasonable price.
Selections from the Cafe Saladaeng Menu
Ragadio Westasian Hash- Twice cooked lyonnaise potato, red and green capsicum, onions, jalapeno, tabasco sauce, beef sirloin, topped with fried egg and salsa.
BBQ Live station- sausage, chicken wings, chicken kebab, boneless chicken leg
Selections from the Club Sala Drinks List
Classic Mojito- Rum, lime chunks, brown sugar, soda, mint leaves.
Bangkok Sling- Mekhong whiskey, cherry brandy, Amaretto, pineapple juice, lime juice, grenadine syrup. Garnished with orchid & pineapple slice.
Taste of Life- Mekhong whiskey, vodka infused lemon grass, salt, sugar, lime wedge, Tabasco sauce.
Saladaeng Power- Mekhong whiskey, Galliano, Jagermeister, vodka infused lemongrass, Sprite, Sambuca
Cafe Saladaeng & Club Sala- casual cafe & bar – Dempsey Hill, Singapore
Address: No. 130E Minden Road, Dempsey Hill. Singapore 248817
Reservations: +65. 6479 4336
Car Parking: Ample space for 15 cars on-site, and other public carparking nearby.
Website: www.jimthompson.com/restaurants_bars/index.asp
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/jimthompsonrestaurants.singapore
Opening hours:
Cafe Saladaeng- breakfast & lunch
Daily 10:30 am ~ 3:00 pm
Club Sala- Dinner and drinks
Monday to Thursday 5:00 pm ~ 11:30 pm
Friday & Saturday 5:00 pm ~ Late
Dress code: Casual
See also review article on Jim Thompson Thai Restaurant in Singapore.
