Need a respite to heal your weary soul, or a reflection into the self? Ghostwriter has announced their next resident in its incubator space: Spectre.

Spectre, a vintage apothecary bar and restaurant that embodies “Kintsugi”, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold or silver lacquer - sometimes transforming the original piece of pottery to a more beautiful one. The philosophy celebrates imperfection and growth, a theme which Spectre supports through their beverages and bites. Throughout May, Spectre will be serving up both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages paired with Southeast Asian snacks, themed after mental wellness with an element of self-discovery. 

The menu is conceptualised by MasterChef Singapore finalist and performing artist Inch Chua and bar consultant and Beam Suntory Regional Brand Ambassador Andrew Pang. Bringing their expansive backgrounds and expertise together, Spectre is slated to open in a permanent space in Tanjong Pagar sometime in the second half of the year. 

Masterclass Singapore finalist Inch Chua. Masterclass Photo from Hear65.com

You’ll get to choose between a la carte or a full tasting menu featuring eight of Spectre’s signature dishes ($150) with an optional cocktail trio pairing ($50). Driving home the Southeast Asian theme, the recommended dishes include the Mackerel Kinilaw ($16) - a Filipino take on ceviche with coconut vinegar, coconut milk and tubâ (an alcoholic beverage made with palm tree sap), and sharing plates ($26) like the Osso Buco Kueh Pai Tee - substituting the shredded stewed radish with bone marrow, candlenut oxtail marmalade and pickled vegetables served in crispy 'top hats' pastries. 

Don’t opt out the Smoked Stingray Pasta ($32), where the favorite late-night BBQ seafood is turned into a fazzoletti pasta dish and served with sambal, ginger torch and chinchalok.

Beam Suntory Regional Brand Ambassador and bar consultant Andrew Pang.

On the cocktails side, try out the Mood Swings from their signature cocktail lineup ($23): made with Maker’s Mark, Frangelico, lemon juice, honey and chocolate. For those looking to repent from their recent boozy night-outs, no and low alcohol beverages are available, like the Chamomile Dream ($18): made with chamomile tea, mint leaves, stewed apple slices and olive oil (with a +$5 added option to spike with alcohol if repentance is not on the agenda!).

End the meal with the Black Pepper Speckled Souffle (S$16), before healing up herbal blends (S$16) such as the Glass Onion with onion, mirepoix, chicken and beef broth or the Ginseng Tonic with chicken, American ginseng, Solomon’s seal, Chinese yam, longan and goji berries.

Starting from 3 May, Spectre will be open at Ghostwriter Tuesdays through Saturdays, 5pm to midnight. While there is space for walk-ins on a first-come, first-served basis, making a reservation is highly recommended and can be made here. 

Take some time to mend the broken pieces back together, or discover a new culinary experience with Spectre! 

About Ghostwriter

The new concept from the team behind Sago House, Low Tide, and the newly opened Underdog Inn, Ghostwriter is in essence an incubation space. After successfully launching ‘Dirty Supper’ by Executive Chef Pete Smit in the second half of 2022, the space began hosting new concepts monthly from January 2023. The concept gives entrepreneurial F&B operators a chance to dip their toe into ownership, working closely with Founder Jay Gray to expand out of their current setup or take the plunge and introduce their ideas to the world. For more information, visit the website and follow on Instagram @ghostwritersg for the latest updates. 

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team