Forget about brunch or afternoon tea, this “sunset” menu is our new favourite form of social dining

If you’re rounding up friends to bond over food and drinks, chances are a leisurely brunch or a luxurious afternoon tea comes to mind.

The Dempsey Project’s introduction of “sundown platters” has kind of made us rethink that.

Called Aperitivo, the new attraction by The Dempsey Project is available every Monday and Tuesday from 4pm and you can look forward to a menu of drinks and platters.

For just S$25, you’ll get to take your pick from a range of champagne, wines, and cocktails – whether it’s an Aperol Spritz, Margarita, Prosecco, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Rose – nursed over a choice of mini platter.

For the platters, enjoy one of these:

• Mezze Platter – This has a mix of falafel, muhammara, tzatziki, tahini, fattoush, turnip tourshi, pickled hot pepper and manakeesh if you want to explore some Middle Eastern fare.
• Cheese Platter – Love cheese? Savour a cheesemonger’s selection of three cheese, paired with olives, cornichons, apple chutney, grapes, and crisp bread.
• Charcuterie Platter – If cured meat is your thing, you’ll love this platter that is served with chorizo, parma ham, smoked leg ham, olives, cornichons, apple chutney, and crisp bread.

If you’re prepared to have a full meal, then go for the Sunset Feast. This beautiful platter delivers stunning picks including falafel, vine leaves, gunpowder potato, samosa, fish fry, lamb skewer, tahini,
mahummara, zhoug, babghanoush, tourshi, manoushe and lamb galouti.

The Sunset Feast (S$75) comes with two complimentary drinks during Aperitivo and you can also enjoy it á la carte as part of The Dempsey Project’s Sunset and Beyond menu (excludes drinks).

When AVENUE ONE was invited to visit The Dempsey Project for Aperitivo at 4pm, we thought it was a “strange” timing to have food later than a usual afternoon tea. But we quickly understood the “wisdom” of scheduling a meetup with friends over food at 4pm.

This is in part because the chill vibe at The Dempsey Project, which is nestled at Dempsey Hill, made it easy to have intimate conversations and people-watch.

Also, at 4pm, you’re not feeling full anymore from lunch – perhaps even slightly peckish – and you’re not rushing anywhere (except maybe to dinner but you’re already having food so…), which makes food and drinks really intended purely for enjoyment and to move conversations along.

The price of S$25 is also super attractive; it’s almost like you’re buying a drink at full price and getting a “free” platter to enjoy. What’s more, compared to a typical afternoon tea, the mini platters are easier for grazing..

If you ask us, we’d recommend going for the Mezze Platter if you want something a little more substantial.

And for those of you who are visiting a little later and prepared to have an early dinner, the Sunset Feast is going to be enjoyable. There may be a few items on the platter that aren’t familiar, but we think it still makes for a great gastronomic adventure – whether you like the items or not, at least try them and let your conversations be about them. Yes, you definitely should bring along foodies.

The Dempsey Project is located at Block 9 Dempsey Road, #01-12, Singapore 247697. Aperitivo officially launches on 17 January 2022. For reservations, please contact 9238 2113 (WhatsApp only).