Last few weeks ago, it was in the middle of the week and I am stressed out. Work was piling up, mommies duties are calling and life in general was on the way of everything. I needed a pause on everything, even for one night. I coerced my husband in a one-night of breaking the rules and do something fun. He indulge me in my midweek fun.

I don’t want to do something absolutely crazy, just some fun to shake off my stressful week. And of course, nothing permanent. No tattoos. (just yet!) So, I realized I haven’t drank or felt that buzz of an alcoholic drink for a long time. So cocktail drinking is an option. But also it has to involve food because food just makes me happy. Hmmm…..

So, on a fine Wednesday early evening, J and I headed to Maison Ikkoku Bar for our midweek fun and rebellion. It was in the array of shophouses, cafe and restaurant near Arab Street. The bar is located in the 2nd floor of the Maison Ikkoku Restaurant. Entering the place creates a certain cool intimate vibe with the yellow lights and the biegy-white  textured brickstone walls. The place feels cozy but classy, just for the urbanites craving for some fun and good time for close friends. It is a long hallway of dark wooden long tables and they got a bar on the farther end. The bartender was creating this huge ice balls which looks like big crystals. The wall was decked out with amazing collection of liquor bottles and spirits. I also learned that they make their own spirits and liqueur.

All Photos from Maison Ikkoku Bar

Maison Ikkoku is founded by Ethan Lesie Leong. He is the director, executive chef and senior master mixologist of Maison Ikkoku and Fort by Maison Ikkoku. He started his career as a chef in 1991, specializing in Asian and Western fusion. He later dive into the bar scene then eventually concentrating in developing of the F&B industry.

Mr. Leong represented Singapore in the “International Flair Competition 1997” in Birminghan, UK where he was ranked 13th worldwide. He also showcased his talent in flair mixology in the Grand Opening of “Saltimbanco – Cirque De Soleil” in 2000. Very impressive guy which shows in how innovatively different the Maison Ikkoku Bar is.

Maison Ikkoku Bar is a bespoke bar where there are no menus for the drinks. Just tell the bartender what are your taste preference and he will make it for you.

I said I prefer sweet and citrusy drinks while my hubby, a beer drinker and new to cocktail drinking, prefers a relaxing drink.

I got this.

It is a mix of passion fruit and pandan-infused vodka. I love the taste and the alcoholic  kick was just perfect. Not too strong, not to light.

My hubby had a lavender-infused cocktail made of gin with grapes with lavender grinds on top. It looked so pretty with its light lavender color and I liked the taste too.

I love that drinking here seems like a fun game you can play with your partner or your group of friends. Its almost like going on a first date too. I will tell you what I am, who I am and you will figure me out by giving me a drink. The drinks become personal, almost intimate. I think that is fun and sexy. And ya, I think this bar would be a great place to go on a first date as well. The jazzy music in the background and the moody lighting of the place creates a drama and mystique for a nice first date. (On the side note: just don’t drink too much on a first date.)

But of course, there should always be food. We tried thier signature King Prawn Udon ($18) . I was warned that it will be spicy. For a person who is not into spicy food, this one is something that I wouldnt mind to be a bit spicy. It looks perfectly delicious with two large king prawns on top and Hokkaido scallops. The French Lobster broth is just divine, containing the chef special recipe. The broth for me creates the magic in the dish. The udon is silky and smooth, imported from Japan. The soup also contains black roe, wasabi roe and Asian herbs & spices.

After polishing off our big bowl of udon, we were ready for our 2nd round of drinks. We were getting a hang of bespoke cocktails so we opened up a bit more to the bartender, revealing what we gravitate to so he can create a drink for us.

I am an avid coffee-drinker so he created an alcoholic coffee drink for me. I could taste the coffee liqueur, toasted on top and it has a heavy foam on top with drizzle of caramel. I love it way more than my 1st drink! It tasted like dessert but it also gave a nice buzz from the alcohol. I haven’t felt that kind of buzz for years now. I never had the time to go out and drink for ages.

My hubby, a certified carnivore wanted something masculine and smokey. So the bartender indeed created a smokey drink for him. There was literally smoke coming from the drink. It is made of Diplomatico rum and orange liqueur.

We stopped at 2 drinks. Yes, we were not as rebellious as we thought we were. But we had so much fun that night. Just a break on the usual grind is just what I needed. It was such a refreshing experience and I can’t wait to bring my galpals there. It is a great venue to a bachelorette party too. We were lucky it was a weekday so we have the place for ourselves but on weekends, it can get so crowded and occasionally, wild too.

Thank you Maison Ikkoku Bar for infusing my stressed-filled week with much needed fun and originality. See you soon!

Maison Ikkoku Bar