When a restaurant has the words “grill” and “bar” in its name, it’s hard to imagine it looking as chic as Rocks Urban Grill & Bar. Hidden away at Level 2 of The Sail @ Marina Bay, the restaurant features a floor-to-ceiling window that overlooks the iconic Marina Bay Skyline.
Part of the Emmanuel Stroobant Group of Restaurants, Rocks Urban Grill & Bar packs the sophistication of a well-established restaurant, while maintaining an elegant & contemporary vibe with hanging pieces of art, an entire wall formed by rustic rocks and tasteful lounge music that faintly uplifts the otherwise quiet atmosphere.
We would imagine Rocks Urban Grill & Bar to be popular with the after-work crowds; the restaurant’s Happy Hour deals are surprisingly affordable, from $8 to a pint of Asahi Beer to a bottle of Pinot Grigio, Prosecco or Cote Du Rhone that goes for just $48! There is also an extensive drinks menu to satisfy most, which can be paired with a few items on the menu.
In no time, food came out swiftly from the kitchen and we dug into our appetiser, the Beef Tartare, which was served with some mustard, capers and shallots. The raw beef dish was well seasoned, with a refined texture that wasn’t too chewy either. For the uninitiated, the tartare can be quite intimidating, but we promise that a bite of this can be quite an elevating experience!
Rocks Urban Grill & Bar also serves a great selection of wood-fired pizzas, with the option to have a “half-pizza” as an appetiser to share. The Alabaster (Tomato Sauce, Smoked Salmon, Calamari, Mussels) did not disappoint -what we loved was the extremely thin & crisp pizza crust that provided just the right amount of crunch to balance the chewiness of the seafood toppings!
We put the grill menu to the test with an aged, grass-fed Sirloin steak at medium-rare. The steak was juicy & succulent from the emulsified fats, with a distinct flavour that lingers in our tastebuds after each bite. The steak is served with a Bearnaise sauce (a condiment made with eggs and herbs), that adds a slight creaminess to the entire flavour profile as well. Other grilled items include Lamb Chops and a Ribeye Steak.
As the restaurant that touts its menu as a fresh take on classics, we knew we had to try the Duck Confit -a staple dish in such a restaurant of its calibre- and we were not disappointed. Each bite took a life of its own with a beautiful mixture of flavours from crispy (and cured) duck skin, fat and tender leg meat that just slides off the bone. Pair this with a glass of Pinot Noir and your tastebuds will thank you.
Rocks Urban Grill & Bar isn’t shy about its seafood offerings as well, with a menu that includes a Grilled King Prawn, Crusted Black Cod and the Scottish Salmon (pictured). What we absolutely loved about the Salmon was its crispy skin, which cracks right into the fish’s pink flesh. The Scottish salmon is a great low-carb alternative to other heartier mains, and maintains the integrity of the fish’s unique and distinct flavour by only lightly seasoning it with lemon pepper, lemon zest and lemon oil.
Our meal was whisked away and the evening ended with a classic dessert, the Crème Brulee. Rocks Urban Grill & Bar absolutely nailed this classic dessert, that was topped with fresh fruits and a crackling layer of caramelised sugar cane that hides beneath it a delicate, vanilla cream custard.
If you are working in the Central Business District in Singapore and are looking for a quiet, yet charming venue for a business lunch or a romantic dinner away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Rocks Urban Grill & Bar at The Sail @ Marina Bay is definitely one to consider.
Rocks Urban Grill and Bar
2 Marina Boulevard, #02-01/02 The Sail @ Marina Bay, Singapore 018987
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