‘Social’ steakhouse introduces communal dining concept



Last month, the Fat Belly Social Steakhouse (FBSS) made its dining debut in Singapore. The 60-seater eatery offers a menu featuring small plates such as the Grilled Octopus and Grilled Ox Tongue and large sharing plates of alternative and prime steak cuts. Along with these delectable dishes, the restaurant has also emphasised a communal dining experience. What steps are they taking to keep safe and still be social? Stanley Seow, the owner of Fat Belly Social Steakhouse, explains more to Tasty Asia.

Why focus on a communal concept?

Stanley Seow: A social dining space has always been something we have wanted to open. We believe that the beauty of food lies in its ability to bring people together, socialise, and deepen friendships. We have also had many requests from our regulars. More intimate space to cater to larger groups so that they can dine with friends and family.
In Asian culture, it’s the norm for family or friends to gather together with dishes in the centre of the table shared communally. With the pandemic, gatherings have become few and far between. Many people have been working from home with less interaction with their family, friends or colleagues. When gatherings are organised, people want to go to a place that allows them to relax and enjoy good food, wine, and music with friends – and that's precisely the place FBSS aims to be.
While the communal experience is at the core of our concept, we adhere strictly to all government social distancing measures. We ensure there is no intermingling or groups of more than eight. All sharing plates come with serving spoons. The tables are at least one metre apart. Common surfaces are cleaned with disinfectant regularly. We also conduct regular staff training on how best to present a dish and guide diners on the best way to enjoy our dishes.

How do you think will this concept evolve in the future?

Stanley Seow: We're seeing a general shift towards a preference for dining at spaces that are more casual and relaxed while not compromising the quality of the food or beverage offering. We have some ideas on expanding the concept of what social dining means to us, but we'll share more about this in the time to come.

More on Singapore’s safe management for F&B establishments on this link.

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