Robin K
This branch of BBQ Box is one of my go-to places when I feel like spiced BBQ skewers and a fun, lively atmosphere. The Chinatown branch is open till 2am, which offers a good opportunity for post-night-out bites. The restaurant is in a well-maintained shophouse and stretches over three floors, though usually only two are open. During this visit we sat on L2, which in itself was fine. As a few points to note: Firstly, the sound levels on L2 were comparable to the Changi Airport runway during peak season: two tables were regularly screaming at the top of their voices fueled by Harbin, and it was at times not possible to hear our own voices. This is not the restaurant's fault per se, but nonetheless it is a bit of a dent in the experience, since it was screechingly and roaringly loud. We don't expect a library's silence and we do like lively places, but it was beyond loud. Secondly, the aircon was freezing when we arrived: even though I am not at all cold-sensitive, it felt arctic. Fortunately the staff kindly adjusted the aircon. Lastly, while the restaurant is in a pleasant shophouse, the passage to the stairs up to L2 looks a bit like a warehouse. I'd recommend management to either install a curtain to hide the motley group of beer boxes etc lining the wall from sight, or to install cabinets. It would make a big difference to the experience. The dishes and skewers we had were delightful, and the pumpkin white fish soup really stood out, as did the seaweed salad. The view from our table in the corner on L2 was enjoyable too. All in all it was fun and tasty, and as such my review is 5* : ) .
