Capitol Milk Bar, Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski
The Capitol Kempinski is introducing a bunch of new F&B joints! One of it includes the Capitol Milk Bar, a modern-day reincarnation of the old Magnolia Snack Bar (ask your parents about this place).
A brand owned by Frasers and Neave (F&N), The Magnolia Snack Bar was “the place to be” during the retro heydays of Singapore. Ask any veteran movie buff and changes are he or she would have dined here after enjoying a movie back then.
The Magnolia’s heritage in Singapore began way back in 1937 and became a hit with both young and old Singaporeans for social gatherings and post-movie bites. But most of the bars around the island closed in the late 1980s.
Now, it’s back and better than ever and re-emerging as Capitol Milk Bar, bringing back that wholesome family fun diner experience with a revamped (and more modern) menu.
An “All-American Diner” is nothing without some burgers, sandwiches and hotdogs.
We tried The “Stamford” ($21), a pulled pork burger, served with arugula, pickled cucumber, yuzu cabbage slew and apple butter barbecue sauce. Be warned though, the pulled pork is insanely soft and tender, so this makes for quite a messy burger to eat.
I personally prefer my burgers with a nice beef patty. So, The “Capitol” ($20) was the one for me. It features 150 grams of Black Angus Beef patty in an egg wrap topped with cheddar and black pepper mushroom sauce.
The “Ava Gardner” ($24), a seafood base sandwich, was rather interesting. It highlights Greenland shrimp in brioche roll with butterhead lettuce, avocado and cocktail mayonnaise.
One of the things I love to order in American diners are chilli hotdogs. And thankfully, there’s The “Rio Rita” ($15) here, featuring a spicy beef sausage in a hotdog bun, topped with arugula, chili con carne, mozzarella cheese and tomato salsa. Another messy dish ahead!
Or if you’re less adventurous, go old-school with The Classic “New Yorker” ($9), keeping it simple with a pork sausage hotdog with mustard, ketchup, cucumber relish and crispy onions. And if you’ve got a big appetite, or if you’re with a group of friends, “upsize” your hotdog and get the 1 metre long jumbo size hotdog!
Check out some of the sides, such as the Capitol Milk Bar Mac & Cheese ($10) and the Yuzu Cabbage Slaw ($5).
The All-American diner experience is not complete without some milkshake and sundaes.
Apart from the regular Vanilla, Strawberry and Chocolate Milkshakes you get here, the Capitol Milk Bar has put a local touch to their milkshake and introduced the Chendol Milk Shake. It tastes as good (or even better) than some of the traditional chendol I’ve tried out there. I’m definitely coming back for more of this. (All milkshakes are $14 each)
Bring alive some of those childhood memories with The Capitol Milk Bar Banana Split ($15). But this heightened version is sure to give your sweet tooth a kick, featuring vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice cream served with caramelised banana raisin, banana vanilla espuma, freeze dried banana and banana rum glaze.
A touch of European comes with the Profiteroles ($13) which are choux pastry filled with vanilla ice cream, drizzled with hot chocolate sauce, and topped with vanilla Chantilly and roasted almonds.
I absolutely love the whole classic vibe that’s going on here, along with the food that just brings back a whole air of nostalgia. So, kick back in one of Capitol Milk Bar’s booth and slurp on milkshakes, just like what Archie would do!
The Capitol Milk Bar
Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski, #01-84B
Tel: +65 6715 6874
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 9pm
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