What is your ideal social habitat? For some, it’s a buzzy place with music pumping and a frenzy of activity underway. And at the other end of the spectrum, a cozy corner with a comfy couch that people can just sink into and chat. Habitat Social is in between the two, the dining room adorned with items that beg for a picture and there’s music, but it’s not played at a splitting decibel that detracts from a heart-to-heart conversation.

It’s surprisingly quiet for 7pm on a Saturday. In no time our crimson palomas ($18) arrived containing a healthy slug of tequila and Cointreau that gives the fruity looking cocktail that kick I needed. And we’re off to the (not overly hectic) races!

Our waiter raves about the coconut ebi mayo ($23), a dish that’s been a staple on their menu and he claims is a favourite amongst patrons. For me, it’s too soft, the batter lacking crunch and coconut textures. If anything, it’s simply fried shrimp with a couple of sweet sauces for flavour. Not much coconut and no definitely mayonnaise. Perhaps the dish just needs to be renamed to “tropical fried ebi” for clarity.

We did enjoy the chicken cobb salad ($22), a hearty dish that’s more of a “bowl” than “salad”. With only a scant amount of salad mix, the dish combined fresh avocado, torched corn, tomato, and of course a generous fillet of crispy fried chicken. I loved it for a lightish but hearty dinner and would push for this to be a staple if it isn’t already.

There’s something about Habitat’s not overly busy environment that lends itself to diners being social. David, our server, came by regularly to check on us and answer questions. Even the table next two us, two ladies having a reunion and about to embark on a debaucherous night out, struck up a conversation. All the while, I still had more than enough time and privacy to catch-up with my friend. My kind of social habitat.