Smash Street / Blind Tiger
One of the perks of Ashley having worked at Scarpetta was getting to know the people behind the food. So when burger cravings struck this evening, she suggested we head to Smash Street, just a few doors away, where some familiar faces have embarked on a new adventure.
Behind the griddle was Chef Rei, who used to be behind the stove at Scarpetta. Today, instead of tossing pasta, he spends his evenings smashing beef patties over a blazing hot griddle. Watching him work was mesmerising. Every patty is smashed just once over intense heat, creating a beautifully caramelised crust while keeping the centre juicy. By the end of service, Rei was literally soaked in oil. Probably a much tougher shift than cooking pasta, but you could see he was genuinely enjoying what he was doing.
The menu is refreshingly lean, focusing on doing a few things really well. We ordered literally everything on the menu - the Classic (double patties) and House Burgers (triple patties), Chicken Poppers with house made chilli crunch aioli, and the triple fried fries. The patty features a custom blend of Australian Black Angus brisket, chuck and short rib, delivering a rich, beefy flavour with crispy edges and a juicy centre. The chicken poppers were wonderfully crunchy, juicy and dangerously addictive, especially with the house made chilli crunch aioli.
What made the evening even more enjoyable was how seamlessly the three concepts came together. Blind Tiger, the cocktail bar upstairs, let us enjoy our burgers at the bar with expertly crafted cocktails, while the friendly manager, Theevi, kindly brought over a bottle of wine from Scarpetta to accompany the meal. It felt less like visiting three separate venues and more like being welcomed by one big family.
Sometimes, keeping things simple is the hardest thing to do. Smash Street proves that quality ingredients, solid technique and a passionate team are all you need to serve a seriously satisfying burger. Add genuine hospitality into the mix, and you've got an experience that's memorable long after the last bite.
????Smash Street / Blind Tiger
50 Amoy Street
