Few experiences satisfy the mind and body as thoroughly as a Great British pub, replete with real-ale pumps, chatty landlord, timeworn trinkets and frayed sofas. It was with optimism, then, that we approached The Queen & Mangosteen, a ‘Gourmet British Pub’ whose very name conjures quirky antiquity (Victoria was reputedly a fan of the succulent fruit). Sadly the nostalgic daydream dissipated on first sight. This joint’s all gleaming surfaces, blaring pop and over-zealous air-con, with efficiently blended cocktails and ‘craft’ beers instead of British ales on tap. In other words, despite the smart lounge and anglophile aspirations, this isn’t a traditional pub at all – it’s a slick yuppie gastrobar. Q&M’s (hardly unique) selling point is its waterfront setting, and at night, cruise ships docked outside VivoCity fill you with romantic yearning for far-flung locations. The food is robust, if hardly spectacular. With its adventurous recipes and swish seafront vibe, Q&M has tried hard to marry the demands of a discerning palate to a vibrant semi-alfresco venue, but the end result feels strangely anonymous. ‘Gourmet’ at a stretch, then, but this is about as quintessentially British as a Singapore Sling.
