New York’s famous Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer is opening its first Asia outpost soon at The Shoppes in Marina Bay Sands, Singapore! The New York-based restaurant which is all about the great American luncheonette experience with its classic craft burgers, unique craft beers, and world-famous CrazyShake™ milkshakes is helmed by Michelin-starred chef Joe Isidori and restaurateur and nightclub developer Chris Barish.
Since its opening in New York on 2015, Black Tap has received worldwide acclaim for its signature burgers and Instagram-worthy CrazyShake™ milkshakes (scroll below to see those beauties!) which became the latest food cult phenomenon on social media too.
Isidori earned his Michelin star while serving as Executive Chef of fine dining restaurant DJT, while Barish is behind some of the most successful nightclubs and restaurants in the US including Light, Martini Park, Gordon Ramsay Pub and Grill and Gordon Ramsay Steak.
You can expect Black Tap’s iconic craft burgers including the All-American Burger and the award-winning Greg Norman Burger in the menu along with healthier options with a creative twist, from burger salads such as the vegetarian Falafel Burger, and a Vegan burger made with gluten-free buns. The Teriyaki Broccoli is also a perfect substitute for carbs.
There are also Black Tap’s signature chicken items such as the Crispy Chicken Sandwich, and Spicy Korean BBQ wings toasted with sesame seeds, scallion and served with buttermilk-dill dressing, round up the menu with a variety of sides including Black Tap’s indulgent hand-cut fries and mouth-watering Crispy Brussel sprouts.
To know more about how to create the perfect milkshake and what defines a craft burger, Joe Isidori had a #QuickChatWithPamper to give us the deets.
1. What inspired you to go for the American classic of burgers and shakes concept instead of the fine dining scene which most Michelin-star chefs would go for?
I was in fine dining for most of my career before opening Black Tap, and wanted to get back to something casual, more accessible, and a ton of fun. I grew up going to the local
luncheonette with my Father for a burger deluxe and a milkshake. Black Tap is inspired by
that time and experience.
2. How do you define a craft burger?
A craft burger is all about using the best ingredients in a simple way. At Black Tap, we use a blend of ground chuck and brisket for our burgers, as well as interesting ingredients, like
Gochujang in our secret sauce. This really speaks to my time in the fine dining world where I was introduced to different ingredients and flavor profiles that now elevate our burgers.
3. What is your definition of a perfect milkshake and what was the inspiration for the Crazy Shakes?
A perfect milkshake is made the classic way – with vanilla ice cream and milk. You can add
any flavorings to the vanilla ice cream to truly create that classic taste. The inspiration for
the shake was actually my wife asking me to make her a cotton candy shake. So my team
and I decided to make the craziest shake we could and actually put cotton candy on it. The
rest is history!
4. What are your 3 favorite dishes/shakes?
The All-American burger, The Texan Burger, and the Cookies & Cream Supreme Shake. We recommend anyone that’s new to Black Tap get the All American. It’s the burger I grew up on, and everyone loves it!
5. Will you be bringing Black Tap to other parts of South East Asia such as Malaysia?
You never know! We have so many fans across Asia that are always coming to visit us in
New York and our other locations around the world, and a ton of fans who follow us on
Instagram but haven’t had the chance to visit.
Black Tap Singapore is slated to open in the third quarter of 2018 and will be located at the South Promenade of The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. Dine in a casual vibe reminiscent of a classic American luncheonette with a distinctive New York feel, that keeps it old school with 90s hip hop and 80s pop music. The space will have over 150 seats, and also house a commissioned wall mural depicting elements of urban life in Singapore.
For more information, please visit www.marinabaysands.com/blacktap, or join in the conversations on social at #blacktapsg.
