Zodiac Review: $15.90 Wagyu Burgers, Steak Platters And 1-For-1 Wines In Telok Ayer

Zodiac grill and wine bar at Telok Ayer

Telok Ayer is a popular stretch for restaurants and brunch places, with novel food options cropping up all time. While most of these fresh eateries build their names on trendy dishes, new kid on the block Zodiac wants to bring diners back to basics with good food and affordable wines.

Eager to see what they had to offer, my dining companion and I headed down to give them a try.

Food at Zodiac

Zodiac prides itself on using high quality ingredients sourced from around the world, from the meats they cook, the wines they have, even the seasonings they use. A lot of thought is placed in not just the providence of ingredients, but also the condiments used to enhance each menu item.

For example, the Charcoal Grilled Barramundi ($29++) that we tried was served unadorned on a bed of beurre blanc, dressed with pomegranate seeds around the fillet. While not fancy-looking, the fillet was generously portioned, and sported light char marks on the skin. The waiter explained that this was a wild-caught barramundi, lightly seasoned with Cornwall sea salt.

A bite of the fillet definitely proved that wild-caught fish does make a difference. Barramundi is rarely my go-to fish, given that it tends to taste quite mild, but Zodiac’s version had a buttery quality I’ve never tasted before. 

Zodiac aims to be a place where people can gather and experience a sense of togetherness, bonding over good food and drink, hence their emphasis on sharing platters. Of the six on the menu, we tried the Premium Surf ‘n’ Turf ($125++), which feeds two. The price may seem steep on paper, but this is really value-for-money considering what you get.

One platter entitles you to a flame-grilled ribeye steak, an Australian wagyu picanha steak, two lamb lollipops, two wild-caught prawns, and flame-torched squid.

The steaks are seared in a specific way to ensure minimum juices are lost even when they’re cut into. Both were served medium-rare, and seasoned lightly with sea salt, and top-grade kampot pepper. If you’d like sauces, there is a kampot black pepper jus, and beef jus on the side too.

On the other hand, the ribeye, sourced from Argentina, was much leaner, but no less tasty.

The lamb lollipops were cut from a rack of baby New Zealand lamb ribs. However, this was a bit of a letdown, being a touch dry. Nonetheless, if you like your lamb well-done, the chops are still flavourful, and have none of the gaminess that lamb sometimes has.

On the seafood front, the prawns were both sweet and large, lightly kissed by the grill. 

We especially liked the squid, which was charred yet still chewy, and seasoned with a zesty anchovy pesto sauce.

Apart from the mains, those who want to unwind over lighter bites to save more space for beverages can order their sides, of which the Cognac Karaage Chicken ($13++) is a signature. The chicken bites are marinated in an award-winning Réviseur VSOP Cognac, then battered and fried. 

Fair warning, these do pack quite a boozy punch. If it isn’t strong enough for you, an accompanying cognac aioli dip comes with the dish. 

Finish off your meal with desserts, of which we tried the Petit Four ($28++), with two small portions of four desserts, including lychee rose macarons, ondeh-ondeh cake, chocolate fudge cake, and a sea salt dark chocolate cookie. 

Apart from food, Zodiac has a broad selection of acclaimed wines, and is the exclusive retailer in Singapore for vintages from wineries such as Mount Mary. To draw in wine aficionados, the collection will continue to grow as well.

They have a happy hour between 3 to 7pm on weekdays, with a 1-for-1 offer on housepour red or white wine, cognac, rum, or gin, usually priced at $15.90++ per glass. This works out to just $7.95++ a glass! Beers are priced at $11++ per pint, with Kronenbourg, Asahi, and Asahi Super Dry Black available. 

In conjunction with Australia Day on 26 January, Zodiac will be having 40% off their Samuel’s Gorge wines with any order of their Meaty Grill ($105++), Premium Surf ‘n’ Turf ($125++), or Signature Platters ($195++). This deal will run till 9 February.

CBD workers can look to dine at Zodiac over lunch and save too, as the grill and wine bar has $15.90++ lunchtime sets, featuring dishes like their Wagyu Beef Burger with Fries, Wagyu Minute Steak with Mashed Potato, and more for the same price. Sharing platters will also be available during lunch, which runs from 11:30am to 3pm daily, with last orders at 2:30pm.

Ambience at Zodiac

Zodiac’s decor pays homage to both its name, and the heritage of their address. A funky zodiac mural lines the wall of the cosy grill and wine bar, drawing your eye as you dine. 

Outside, the shophouse facade is painted a specific royal blue, nodding to the colour brought into the region by early English merchants. Decals from the colonial era are kept intact in the storefront too—another quirky element in Zodiac’s traditional-meets-modern decor.

Located a short walk from Telok Ayer MRT Station, Zodiac definitely expands the dining options of the area, especially for people who work nearby.

The verdict

With simple and hearty fare, along with value-for-money deals, Zodiac is a welcome addition to the dining experiences in Telok Ayer. If you’re looking for a casual place to relax over wallet-friendly booze and unpretentious dishes, pay them a visit the next time you’re in Telok Ayer.

Find out more about Zodiac!

Address: 159A Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068614
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11:30am to 10:30pm
Tel: 8950 5975
Website
Zodiac is not a halal-certified eatery.

Photos taken by John Lery Villanueva.
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