Lucky 13

Hmm I don’t know what to say about this one. I heard good things about Lucky 13 being all Miami-​style cool with good food. So I went there for a drink after work last Friday. My friend and I ordered two beers and the Cuban wings.
Here’s the thing. I went to the bar wanting to like it. I had just been Miami and enjoyed sipping overpriced cocktails at the Delano and strolled down Espanola Way. The website also made the bar look slightly more edgy than the average after work bar.
Oh well. The first thing I noticed stepping in was that the bar was really dark (that’s a little weird for Happy Hour) and there wasn’t a soul inside except the crew. We arrived at 7pm, which is usually when bars in the area like KPO and No. 5 are packed. I’m guessing the crowd has gone on vacation. Then I noticed the bar isn’t really that… Cuban…or Miami-​like. I mean there’s a giant poster of Johnny Walker Gold, which I wouldn’t associate with Miami and the waiters certainly didn’t look the part dress-​wise. No cigar library either. I guess the only thing I could discern to the theme was a flat screen tv showing Miami neighborhoods, the flooring may have been wooden and the stools covered with leather and studs… who knows.
As mentioned, we ordered 2 beers and some wings. The beers were fine. I can’t say much about the cocktails but the liquor menu was your standard teenager’s club fare — Smirnoff, JW, JB — along with a sangria special. The Cuban wings were done buffalo style — deep fried dry wings coated in sauce, which I actually appreciate. However, the wings were really really spicy. Given the fact that I’m not a weak sauce chilli eater (my friends can vouch for my love of laksa, tom yam etc), these wings felt spicy for no reason and pretty much killed my taste buds. My friend and I ended up downing our beers to soothe our tongues rather than enjoying them. I could taste some smoky overtones to the sauce but after awhile, I just wanted to get done with the dish and leave, which is what we did.

Lucky 13, is tucked away in a corner at street level of TripleOne Somerset (directly opposite Coffee & Toast). It is common for people not to know its exact location, many like us didn’t shop extensively in the vicinity, the feeling of rather ‘vacated’ mall which has a limited range of retails and eateries. The building emerged a new look, more elegant than the previous old corporate architecture that housed the PUB (Public Utility Board). On weekdays, the mall is empty; makes dining a breeze — no beelines, a scene usually not seen in the main Orchard street, a stone away. By the way, the mall has a nice coffee joint if you are looking for something to perk you up, located at #01−13 (Black Coffee Dessert Bar).
Lucky 13 — pub/​bar, serves not only bar snacks but hearty dinners. There are 17 selections to pick from the food menu (menu — a single-​page, laminated card) while they offer extensive liquor options (bar right). Miami style with herbs dominated dishes, the cuisine has been influenced heavily by the Cuban/​Latins. No images of how the food looks like, I could only rely on my believes on what had been good, and bearing in mind what my mates like/​dislike. I gave orders for as many as 7 dishes in the first and made another round for a few which tagged the most likes. We ordered Appletini; cocktail of the day which is going at an amazing price — $ 5 (only from 5−8pm)! One good thing to note, there is no GST/​service charges here; all were NETT prices.
For starter, we had Garlic Rosemary Fries with Roasted House-​made Ketchup and Fire-​roasted Corn Salsa with Cuban Style Ancho Chilli Butter. Not forgetting, the free-​flow of home-​made tortilla chips with salsa dip on-​the-​house.
The corn salsa was another tasty starter to begin with. Served in a hot iron-​plate, the heat continue to warm the corn dish, with its irresistible smokey flavor. A plate filled with corn kernels, capsicum bits and a handful of freshly chopped scallions; it wouldn’t have impressed you if not for the peppery touch. And make sure you stir in the Ancho chilli butter placed in the center before tucking in your spoon, this is where you get full load of goodness from. You will fall in love with these morsels, surely.
The stellar of the night? — Medianoche «Midnight» Sandwich. The portion was huge, if not for a group, a single serving is good to feed 1 – 2 people, along with a few starter. The sandwich is to-​die for. You will be regretted for not eating one. The bread was so amazingly crusty yet light & fluffy underneath. It was pressed against the fillings; fresh, juicy and cheesy. The melt-​in-​your mouth sensation was astonishing, yes I am talking about the ham and cheese that are causing a whirlpool in your mouth! A large serving of garlic rosemary flavored fries are served alongside, and a good creamy dipping sauce for that added punch! We ordered another round so that none of us would miss this out — it was so heavenly!

I have only been here on a club night because a DJ I liked was playing here, so I haven’t had a chance to experience a more regular night-​out at Lucky 13.
It’s pretty difficult to find as it’s located at the back of TripleOne Somerset. In the very first place, not many are familiar with this particular mall, so make sure you plan out your route before heading down.
The set-​up is not too bad, although it got a little crowded as the night progressed. They have a nice outdoor space where a smoking section has been established, and that was a pretty nice refuge from the crowd and noise inside. They term themselves as «Miami-​styled» and I suppose that’s the inspiration that guided their design. These interiors can best be described by what my friend said, «If Ed Hardy designed a bar, this is what it would look like.» Not really my cup of tea.
They have an interesting Latin American menu for dinners, and it does look like it will be worth checking out.