Gone are the days, it seems, of Katong’s reputation as a laksa-only stronghold, and it’s thanks to new entrants like Rabbit Carrot Gun that the area has been given a hip makeover. Rabbit’s random name was inspired by the game rock, paper, scissors and suggests a whimsical mind at work, yet it’s firmly grounded in its British roots. The joint, owned by Norfolk-born Richard Huggins (formerly the regional sales director of Microsoft Advertising in South-East Asia) is a retro 50-seat diner nestled in a corner of the East Coast Road-Ceylon Road junction.
Exuding an old-world charm and tongue-in-cheek humour, black-and-white photographs of the shop and eclectic artwork adorn the walls, while the antique furniture collection and bright floral arrangements lend the space a homely feel. Though there’s a basic breakfast menu served almost daily (except Mon and Tue), the weekend is when the big players come out, with brunch classics such as eggs Benedict ($13.50) and the Game Keepers Shooting Breakfast of eggs, toast, pork sausage, bacon, mushrooms and tomatoes ($17.50). They also serve kid-friendly portions like the Rabbit’s Breakfast for Young Champions (eggs, sausage/bacon and toast, $8.50), served until 2.30pm.
Our interest was especially piqued by the after-brunch menu, served until 6.30pm on weekends to fill the lazy gap between lunch and dinner, which includes great sharing plates like the chicken liver and madeira parfait with sweet chilli jam ($13.90) and a cheese plate with crackers fruit and nuts ($21/three cheeses, $28.88/five).
We returned for dinner, where portions (and accordingly, prices) were hearty. A starter of purplish-tinged beetroot ravioli ($14) – thick, fluffy pillows generously stuffed with ricotta and spinach alongside feta cheese and a wonderfully balanced beetroot pesto – could easily satisfy dainty appetites, while we were similarly enamoured with the fish pie ($24), a creamy treasure trove chock-full of prawns, dory and haddock chunks, and topped with potato mash.
Don’t forget the old-school British-style desserts – the rhubarb and ginger crumble with cream ($11.50) and pavlova with berry compote and passionfruit ($14.50) are both worth saving stomach space for. Wash it all down with a glass of Asahi or Buckshot Ale (both $8/glass, $12/pint), Rabbit’s own local brew with strawberry notes.
That Rabbit also offers accommodations shouldn’t come as a surprise, given its motto is ‘Manducare Bibere Somno’ (Eat Drink Sleep). Above the diner is the Rabbit Warren, three luxuriously furnished rooms perfect for the traveller keen to explore a different side of Singapore – Huggins calls it a classic B&B (bed & breakfast) and encourages his lodgers to try the laksa and prata options nearby.