Roosevelt’s Diner & Bar: Big on Comfort Food and Wine

PUBLISHED November 16th, 2014 04:00 pm | UPDATED May 18th, 2020 04:31 pm

Tucked away in the corner of Dorsett Residences, which happens to be conveniently located at Outram MRT station (exit H), you might be forgiven for missing Roosevelt’s Diner & Bar – but this is one hidden gem that deserves to be shared. With an extensive menu of hearty American-inspired fare and a wide range to tipples, Roosevelt’s is one of our favourite places to hang out with our best mates.

Owned by the same folks that opened French fine-dining establishment Millesime in Kuala Lumpur, the interiors exude an inviting charm with its industrial chic interiors. While they serve all-day breakfast till 6pm daily – be sure to try their Eggs Roosevelt ($17) – we dropped by for dinner and drinks so we made a beeline for the mains.

If you’re the sort that thinks onions and beef go together like bath and bubbles, pick none other than Teddy’s US Beef Burger ($20). Instead of the usual raw onions or caramelized onions, the folks at Roosevelt’s have opted to integrate diced onions into the patty itself. Pair a patty like that with a fluffy house-made brioche bun, good ol’ cheddar cheese, bacon, lettuce, and tomato, this is a solid American diner classic done right.

In the mood for something soothing? The Truffle Fish Pie ($20) can heal the most broken of hearts – think fresh, juicy chunks of dory and crunchy diced veggies in a creamy, flavourful sauce housed under a pastry roof. Otherwise, the well-basted Baby Back Ribs ($22) is one succulent alternative. Left to marinate overnight, the meat is juicy and slides off the bone like butter. Plus, the sauce is not overly tangy.

The Southern Fried Chicken ($18) is another signature of Roosevelt’s, and a definite crowd-pleaser. Seasoned with a secret spice blend, the crisp-yet-light batter is visibly homemade while the chicken – marinated in fresh milk overnight – is tender enough for the most austere of chicken critics. And we can’t rave more about their specialty side that accompanied the chicken, House Triple Mash ($7 a la carte). The simple-yet-genius combination of potato, sweet potato, and pumpkin makes for a happy party on your palate.

For sweet treats, we recommend the Churros Waffles ($12). If you’re thinking churros and waffles make a very calorific dessert, it’s actually churros in the form of waffles – think waffles that’re crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside sprinkled with cinnamon sugar topped with vanilla bean ice cream, and a decadent mocha sauce on the side. The Roosevelt’s Apple Berries Crumble ($10) is also cinnamon-wafting, but with crunchy granola crumble straddling juicy chunks of apple interlaced with berries!

The Tipples

First thing to note: Happy Hour is Monday to Friday 5-8pm – it’s one for one on house wines, house spirits, and beers with any order of main courses. We also appreciate their effort in keeping up with the competition when it comes to alcohol, since they’re located in the Keong Saik and Bukit Pasoh area.

On top of a great selection of single malt (like Kilchoman and Glendronach) and other whiskies such as Elijah Craig Bourbon, the beverage directors have also curated an all-encompassing wine list. While we enjoyed the house White (a 2014 Envyfol Chardonnay from Pays d’Oc, Franch) and the house Moscato (NV Balan Viola Moscato, Italy) available by glass, their wine cellar holds a lot more wines for sale by the bottle. Celebrating a special? Check out ‘Teddy’s Secret Stash’, where exclusive wines and champagnes like Krug are featured.

Oh, and for those on the lookout for free-flowing bubbly, listen up. Roosevelt’s Champagne Sunday Brunch (11am-4pm) comes at an affordable $55++ with free-flow champagne and wines – all you need to do is spend a minimum of $15 on food, which is a piece of cake, really.

Here’s the Deal

For you dear City Nomads’ readers, we’ve partnered up with the folks at Roosevelt’s for an exclusive set dinner experience. You get a main (choose between Teddy’s US Beef Burger, Half BBQ Baby Back Ribs, and Truffle Fish Pie), a dessert (waffles included!), and a glass of house wine for just $28+ (not available on public holidays and the eve of public holidays). Simply head down to Roosevelt’s and mention City Nomads.

Best part? Those cashing in on this dining deal – valid from now till 31 December 2014 – will also get to attend Roosevelt’s next whiskey or wine tasting on the house, so why wait?

This post was brought to you by Roosevelt’s Diner & Bar.