New Asia Bar

This bar is located at the top of Swissotel. Being the highest building in Singapore (or not?), it inevitably commands the highest power of best views in town. When I stepped out of the lift on the 70th floor of the hotel, I was impressed by the magnificent view ahead of me. One little spoiler was that there were steps down to Equinox, and steps up to New Asia Bar. In my mind, I thought they could have been more considerate to remove the steps (especially for ladies in super high heels who probably would frequent the Bar) or to have the sound from heels on the wooden steps insulated by carpet.

Stepped into the Bar, was rather impressed. But on hindsight, I think I was more impressed by the view out the full-length glass window than the place per se. It gives me the feeling like they can't decide if they should be a bar, chill-out place for drinks or a club. They have a floor area that's too small for dancing for too big as a corridor-walking space; they have couches and coffee tables that's good for putting drinks but difficult to eat from. At the same time, they've got bar counters and a couple of bar stools and tables around the place. They have quite a range of alcohol but they also serve pizzas, burgers and light snacks - and only wooden chopsticks or fingers for utensils, no forks or knives.

Sat at a comfortable couch with a window view. Must say I was lucky, there was only one table that wasn't reserved and the couple at the window just left, so I could take over that table. The whole time I was really awed by the view. Must say it was truly spectacular and if you're looking for a chill-out place, book a table early and head right up to the top of Swissotel!

For drinks, I got an Equinox Blue - ladies' favourite I was told. Fruity, punchy, but not mixed very well. The alcohol was right at the bottom. Was it a cocktail or just layers of liquid? But the blue curacao in drinks never fail to make the drink appear better than it is. Good presentation I guess, and in a cool glass with a tilted base!

For food, we had a seafood platter and a Wagyu Beef burger, with onion rings and both came with potato wedges.

It was really difficult to eat the burger. It was bigger than a double Big Mac. And it didn't help that they only served wooden chopsticks. The Burger was $48 and tasted fine, just that for the name - Wagyu beef - I was really expecting better beef. Only that I felt like I was eating beef patty with foie gras texture. I really can't decide if I had the better end of the deal or not.

The seafood platter (can't remember the price) was rather pathetic. 2 sticks of fish, 1 stick of prawn, 1 stick of squids, some wedges and that's it. So much for a platter. I only tried the squid and found it rather tasteless though chewy - disappointing.

Service was substandard for what you might expect at a "cool bar" at Swissotel. The waiter who brought us our food was really polite but there were other waitresses at the entrance were just loitering around the bar without bothering to attend to us, apart from one lady who gave us the menus we requested and walked away. I was rather unimpressed by this, given that the bar was evidently crowded by waitresses! Not even one out of, at least, 5 of them could attend to us.

On the whole, I really liked the view up at the bar and find it a great place to hang out. Just have to call early for reservations and next time, I would really avoid ordering food next time. Maybe a pizza would be the safest (with regards to taste and ease of eating). But great view, great great view. Worth a visit, at least once!

I would give the place 3.5 instead of 3.