Dubbed the next Holland Village, Siglap is home to several excellent eateries with diners flocking to them. Yet, Grappe Wine and Bistro, located on the ground floor of an apartment building, remains unfazed by the human traffic. Quiet and unassuming, this wine bar that used to be known as Zuko serves European cuisine that caters to the Singaporean taste; meaning, there is actually chilli padi in the food! In addition, they have a no pork, no lard policy and use halal meat – almost anyone can have a good meal or a refreshing drink at Grappe Wine and Bistro.

• The Vibe
  The interior is cosy and neatly decorated – solid dark red tablecloths on furniture that is arranged spaciously. Its exterior, meanwhile, is a porch facing the residential estate. At the innermost end of the bistro lies the wine rack, showing off a huge number of bottles at affordable prices.

• The Food
  Although serving mainly Italian and French cuisine, the food is cooked with a hint of local flavour, incorporating ingredients like chilli padi and even lychees. A salad that best reflects such fusion is the Grilled Squid with Chilli Jam & Lychee ($12.90) – fresh squids served with aragula leaves and mixed with sambal and lychee. This creation is a masterpiece, exuding spicy, sweet and slightly bitter sensations at the same time – everything you need to stir your appetite.

  Another dish just as refreshing is the Crabmeat, Pinenuts with Chilli in White Wine ($16.90), a pasta dish that is spicy and moist with gravy. The linguine is smooth but not overcooked, gliding down your throat smoothly. The gravy is invigorating, with the chilli padi, white wine and seafood broth gravy providing a combination of sharp spiciness and full taste. Together with the fresh shreds of crabmeat, this provides a unique twist to pasta.

  For more Italian food choices, try the Smoked Salmon and Rocket Salad ($18.90), a home-made pizza with a very thin crust. The pizza is topped generously with broad but thin slices of salty smoke salmon covered in mozzarella. The saltiness of the salmon is modified by the slightly bitter aragula leaves, resulting in a wholesome, tasty pizza.

  Moving away from Italy and into France, try Grappe's Duck Confit with Ratatouille ($27.90), a traditional French dish that Grappe cooks with a tomato-based sauce. The duck is tender, with very crispy and salty skin – something to indulge in once in awhile.

  For a less sinful indulgence, savour the Chef's Special, the Ovenbaked Chicken Tarragon ($19.90). More bland and less marinated than the Duck Confit , the ovenbaked chicken is a healthy, hearty dish served with mashed potato and light cream sauce. The chicken is skinned, hence making the flesh the focus of the dish. Alternatively, sample the Grilled Hokubee Rib eye with Fleur De Sol ($28.90). The hokubee beef is of Japanese origin and is bred in Australia , and is extremely tender but has too much fats and veins. The dish is well-presented – the beef is sliced neatly for you, saving you the trouble of cutting your steak.

  Dessert at Grappe is an especially rewarding experience. The Apple Crumble ($5.90) is reasonably priced and very satisfying. Made from real apples and raisins, this dessert is not too sweet. The flour casing is crunchy but soft, and the dessert is topped with vanilla ice cream that's sprinkled with cocoa powder.

• The Service
  Like most small neighbourhood cafes and bars, service is homely and very personalized. Grappe does not have many service staff, yet service is top-notch. The service here entices customers to return, such that the staff has a close relationship with the regulars of Grappe.

The SD Food Advisor's Take on Grappe Wine and Bistro
I like Grappe. The food is excellent and reasonably-priced, and the ambience is warm. If you like a restaurant cum bar which is small and quiet, Grappe is the place to go.