Tuesday 12 September 2017

The Bird – Authentic Southern Cuisine in Marina Bay Sands [MEDIA INVITE]

The Bird Southern Table and Bar

The first international location for James Beard nominated and award-winning Yardbird Southern Table & Bar in Miami, Florida open its door in Marina Bay Sands ('MBS') Singapore. The collaboration between MBS and 50 Eggs, showcasing Southern hospitality and farm fresh ingredients.

Part of the dining area

The Bird Private Dining Room
Image Credit: The Bird Southern Table and Bar

Founder / CEO of 50 Eggs, John Kunkel is a renowned restaurateur that operates many popular restaurants in US feels that Singapore is an incredibly exciting destination and honoured to showcase his family recipes at The Bird Southern Table & Bar ('The Bird').

Seating at the Bay Level (Level 1)

The signature dish for The Bird is the famous 100 -year-old recipe Lewellyn's Fine Fried Chicken. The all natural chicken is brined for 27 hours, dredged in secret spices and flour before fried to perfection. The exterior is crisp, while the meat is juicy, succulent and fall of the bones. Not to sound degrading, but imagine a fine dining version of the Original recipe of Kentucky Fried Chicken. You can splash some honey hot sauce with the chicken, but I like mine without the sauce.

Chicken 'N' Watermelon 'N' Waffles

Our fried chicken dish is called Chicken 'N' Watermelon 'N' Waffles. The Vermont cheddar waffle with bourbon maple syrup gives you a contrasting combination of sweet and savoury to go with the fried chicken. While the chilled spiced watermelon is a perfect palate cleanser.

Macaroni & Cheese ($14) and Butter Lettuce & Grilled Mango Salad ($18) are served with the main meal. The Mac and Cheese here has solid pungent cheese aroma and taste. If you are a blue cheese lover, you will definitely love this. LD and I were slightly taken a back because we prefer our cheese to be more mellow in flavour.

Macaroni & Cheese

The Mango salad is definitely refreshing and a must order here. You have sweetness from the mango, crunchy texture from the smoked pecan and butter lettuce, tangy from the tomato, sharp sting from the onions bind together with benne seed dressing. This salad rocks.

Butter Lettuce & Grilled Mango Salad 

With Southern cuisine, you definitely must try their Skillet Cornbread ($10). Baked on a skillet, it has a beautiful crust with melting honey maple butter on top. Internally, it is soft and crumbly with sweetness coming from the corn. Watch out for rock salt hidden in the corn bread, where it will give you a sudden jolt in your taste buds.

Skillet Cornbread 

The other starter that we tried is Deviled Egg and Fried Green Tomato BLT. The deviled egg is smooth, creamy with a popping salty flavour from the trout roe. More of a delicate start to your meal. While fried green tomato, combining the juicy and tangy tomato flavour with smoked pork belly. The pork belly is crisp texture it, with a mild smoky aroma. Both starters are closer to mini nibbles, instead of dishes that build up your appetite. Good dishes to go with bourbon cocktails.

Deviled Egg

Fried Green Tomato BLT

Dessert was Banana Pudding ($14). The rum soaked banana cake is buried in chantilly cream. If you don't mind a full blown sweet desserts, this can be your pick for dessert. For us, this dessert is just too heavy. The heavy chantilly cream proportion just outweighs the banana cake. There was no fresh banana in our dessert and the overall flavours are just too overwhelming. For our next visit, we will probably try the Peach Cobbler or Salted Caramel Bread Pudding.

Banana Pudding 

For Whiskey and Bourbon lovers, you will love this place. The selections here are extensive and about two page long. LD tried their signature The Bird – Blackberry Bourbon Lemonade and acknowledge it with two thumbs up. While there is no menu for the non-alcoholic drinks, the usual soda or Southern Iced Tea is available as well.

The Bird – Blackberry Bourbon Lemonade


The Bird not only bring you the Southern cuisine and drinks, it also brings with them the Southern dining experience. The atmosphere is funky and lively will ease you into a jovial mood and making the dining experience here a memorable one. We got a spot in front of the semi-open kitchen and we have the pleasure seeing the Chefs at work.

The Bird Southern Table & Bar - Open Kitchen
Image Credit: The Bird Southern Table & Bar

The Bird décor is based on modern-rustic design with industrial touches. The accent reclaimed wood are prominently used in this restaurant and I personally like the use of the mason jars for their drinks. Kind of reminds me of how they keep moonshine liquor in the US.

Southern Iced Tea - Served in Mason Jar

Overall, dining at The Bird will give you the full Southern experience. For those who never tasted Southern cuisine before, it is definitely worth a visit. Cheers!!

Food & Drinks: 7.5/10
Value: 7/10
Service: N/A (Tasting Invitation)
Ambiance: 8.5/10
Budget per Person: $26 - $50; $51 - $80


Yardbird Southern Table & Bar
(previously was The Bird Southern Table & Bar)
B1-07 (Galleria Level)
The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
2 Bayfront Avenue,
Singapore 018972

T: +65 6688 9959
OH:
Mon – Thu: 12.00 – 22.00
Fri: 12.00 – 23.00
Sat: 10.00 - 23.00
Sun: 10.00 - 22.00 
Menu available on the website

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