Aptly named Hola! Amigo, this Tex-Mex establishment provides just the locale for you to disconnect to connect – not that the 3G signal here fails. While the indoor dining area is demonstrably not conducive, seeing as it is part of the Concorde Hotel food court, the alfresco area is breezy and exudes a quiet, relaxed atmosphere.

To start off the meal, we were served complimentary nachos with an intense, piquant habenero salsa. It may seem mild at first, but the heat builds exponentially, like the forest fires of Indonesia, and I soon found myself agreeing to the amicable waiter’s enticing offer of tequila cocktails.

The Chili’s Terlingua Chili ($5.90), a hearty and robust beef chilli with beans, is a good starter on its own, and – as we found out ourselves later – an even better dish when paired with nachos. The slight savoury nacho chips contrasted nicely with varied flavours of the chilli, lending another dimension to the dish. The stiff topping of sour cream though baffled us; it seemed like a part of a child’s playdough creation, and thankfully easily removed with a simple scoop.

The tiger prawns in the Shrimp Fajitas ($29.90) must surely be fed whatever the kids in America are eating because they were just as huge and juicy. Served on a hotplate, with separate warm tortillas, homemade pido de gallo, cheese shreds and the same stiff sour cream, this allowed us to customize our own fajita to our liking. I highly recommend stuffing more of the caramelized peppers and onions into your fajita; that extra sweetness rounds off the dish nicely without a greasy touch.

In contrast, the Quesadillas Beef ($15.90) starter seemed a smidgeon lacklustre. It was simply a matter of which dish we tried first, because this quesadilla—featuring deliciously chewy cheese filling and tender beef bits— triumphed over the version what we previously enjoyed at Senor Taco.

One thing definitely worth mentioning is the selection of drinks served here. Besides the usual mocktails, coffee and tea, some of their interesting cocktails makes a good accompaniment to a meal under the stars; the Watermelon Margarita ($7.90) is easily likable, its light and refreshing taste pairing well with the heartier flavours of the dishes; the Alarm Clock ($8.90), a surprisingly pleasant mix of sweet and sourness, before ending off again on a sweet note.

With a menu revamp in the works and daily specials, like cocktail promotions and free-flow offers, Hola! Amigo has the chops to make a name for itself. If you want a quiet place situated conveniently in town to unwind with close friends, I’d recommend you head down before all your other friends do.

Note: While Hola! Amigo is not Halal-certified, they do not serve pork products.

Hola! Amigo
100 Orchard Road
Concorde Hotel Shopping Mall, #01-10
Singapore 238840

Tel: +65 6235 0052

Operating hours:
Daily: 11am – 12am

The same goes for Seki Japanese Restaurant @ Hotel Rendezvous. The ingenious minds behind the concept of the restaurant had decided to go posh and contemporary, but the only thing posh about the restaurant was the price tag. The modern design of the interior was reeking with Asian ostentatiousness that fell a little flat. It certainly did not help that the waiters looked like they were on the television series Lost.

Seki was having a 1-for-1 lunch promotional menu, so my friend and I opted for that choice. I can only assume that the dish presented to me first was the starter salad in the menu. The set lunch said it was a salmon salad; but with that amount of overpowering mayonnaise, it could have been tuna, or any other mushy fish for that matter.

We also had an additional order of a sushi set. The sushi set faired average at best, with nothing particularly mind blowing. Additionally, the prawn was not the freshest catch of the day.

As I was feeling a tad peckish that day, I also ordered myself a chawamushi. The chawamushi had a rather interesting taste to it, to which I figured as I dug deeper, that it could have been attributed to the corn that was found at the bottom. It is a rare find to use corn in chawamushi, but who can honestly complain when it pleases the palate.

For my mains, I had the grilled salmon set. It came with a bowl of rice, and a miso soup. When I started on the salmon, I had half the mind to dump it in the miso soup to save the dish. The salmon must have been on a diet, because after grilling it, this fatty fish came out all dry.

The Unagi set that my companion had was not fantastic either. The sweet unagi sauce drowned out any possible goodness of natural flavours that the fish could offer. While this may problem may plague may mediocre restaurants, I expected more from a restaurant of this caliber.

Seki restaurant food was borderline average, and the only highlight that saved this restaurant was the 1-for-1 promotion. Nevertheless, cheap food is not synonymous with bad food. With untrained wait staffs that were more interested in earning an extra buck before heading off to serve the country, and questionable food that could have been mistaken for Sakae Sushi, Seki Japanese Restaurant certainly has more issues than Vogue.

Seki Japanese Restaurant

9 Bras Basah Road
#01-02 Rendezvous Gallery
Singapore 189559

Tel: +65 6336 3806 | Website

Opening Hours
Daily Lunch: 12pm – 3pm
Daily Dinner: 6pm – 11pm

Singaporeans have always had a soft spot for Japanese food – be it for the chase of longevity to be next the famed supercentenarian, or for the skilful presentation of food – so it was without a doubt that the highly anticipated Japanese-themed Tokyo’s Spring Feast buffet of Carousel at Royal Plaza on Scotts is making its return.

Our island may be stuck between the unbearable heats of summer and sudden, thundery downpours of the rainy season, but Carousel’s new buffet line up provides diners with a spring respite. With two specially invited distinguished guest chefs, Yasuyuki Sato and Yasuhiro Shima from the renowned Royal Park Hotel Tokyo, expect the finest flavours of spring presented with authentic Japanese techniques.

While we might not be able to enjoy the cherry blossoms of Japan, Royal Plaza has ingeniously transformed their lobby with an elegant ikebana floral exhibition. That, and coupled with a strategically placed torri—a traditional Japanese gate most commonly found at Shinto shrines—at the entrance of the restaurant, it seems all the stops have been pulled out to bring a truly Japanese experience to life.

Walking in, the plethora of fresh seafood is the first to steal my attention. The vivid visual feast also attracted many other diners, as a short queue soon orderly forms at the head of the seafood station. I had to wait for a good 2-minutes before I could even get my hands on a thong, but it was 2-mintues well invested.

Each of the items, constantly monitored and refilled by the dedicated chefs, boasts a delightful freshness. I particularly enjoyed the Hokkaido snow crabs, its snowy white flesh brimming with that characteristic delicate sweetness, and the freshly shucked oysters, so fresh you could still taste a slight brine, amongst the pacific lobsters, scallops and other selections.

Stationed at end of the seafood station, I would have missed the modest soba station altogether if not for the intriguing pale orange Yuzu soba. The chilled thin noodles had a perfect slightly chewy texture with a refreshing citrusy touch, further accentuated by the paring mild soba tsuyu.

Of the Japanese appetizers I sampled, the popular Ikura no Nasu Age was sadly not too my liking. The eggplant, cooked till exceedingly supple, was topped with a rich black sesame sauce which seemed to clash with the piquant salmon roe, and the resulting coalesce of taste was a smidgen too messy for my taste buds.

Other than that, the various other choices fared well; I absolutely enjoyed the Hokkaido Amaebi, so sweet it could pass off as a dessert, and the Edi no Shiro Age, a harmonious mix of prawns with sweet persimmons, crunch pine nuts and a flavourful tofu sauce.

Another highlight of the evening that had fellow diners queuing up for is the Nishiki-grilled lobsters. Expertly grilled and covered in a special cream sauce – something different from the common waistline-threatening mayo – the bouncy-fresh lobster flesh and assortment of cooked-soft Japanese greens play off each other’s textures for a very unique lobster experience.

It is the simple dishes that really demonstrate the chef’s skills. Besides the Kani Iri Chawanmushi (steamed crabmeat egg custard) that was as fine and smooth as tofu, the Oden is another dish I hurriedly whispered to fellow dining companions that they have to try. Cooked in a mild savoury soup, reminiscent of a grandmother’s love, the satisfying fish cakes and Hokkaido vegetables were refreshing light and helped cleanse the palate for more.

Besides the new Japanese sections added for this limit period, Carousel’s signature hot food and rotisserie selections are also available.

The Slow roasted OP beef ribs, sliced only when requested, is deliciously pink in the centre. I suggest enjoying it on its own to fully appreciate its aroma and fatty flavour, or – as I later found to be a decent pairing – with fettuccine drenched in a mildly hearty but satisfying Pomodoro sauce.

Desserts are a huge thing at this restaurant evident from the 3 dessert counters, astutely placed separately to prevent a human traffic jam come 8-ish o’clock. While my dining companions fawned over the Japanese baked cheese cake, a pleasurably light and simple cheese cake with a minty, uplifting aftertaste, it was the Wasabi cheese cake that got my vote. Satisfyingly creamy and rich, with a faint touch of wasabi to give the thrill but not the burn, it almost seems to kick-start my appetite.

The Tokyo’s Spring Feast dinner buffet (S$75++/pax) runs from 16^th to 25^th May 2012. Diners will also be delighted to know that Carousel is halal-certified, so Muslim friends will also be able to join you in this gastronomic adventure.

Carousel
25 Scotts Road
Royal Plaza on Scotts, Lobby
Singapore 228220

Tel: +65 65897799 | Website

Tokyo’s Spring Feast Timing:
Dinner – 6.30pm-10.30pm

And as we move away from processed food towards a healthier choice of diet, we have seen the blossoming of many eateries banging on the health dollar such as Dann’s Daily Pescetarian Café. Targeted at the organic Nazis, everything on the menu boasts some potential health benefit. From whole meal breads and tortilla wraps, to dairy free cream soups and alkaline water - it is a health junkie’s playground.

Dann’s Cafe has recently revamped their menu to include a more extensive offering of pescetarian dishes. I was initially skeptical that the small kitchen was able to service such a wide variety of dishes, but I figured that there probably was more of the kitchen tucked away in the hidden underground passage left behind from World War 2.

We ordered a plate of QQ noodles. The noodles were made from organic semolina flour, and cooked in Carob syrup – a healthier substitute for the conventional dark sweet sauce. The noodles were generously topped with organic sunflower sprouts and red cabbage. Think of this dish as the only kind of char kway teow that your nutritionist would recommend to you.

The Otah fish sandwich ($5) was a surprising find as I usually forgo all dietary concerns when indulging in peranakan food. While the otah filling had a nice distinctive taste to it, it was mostly masked by the taste of the whole meal bread itself. Having a white bread would definitely be a welcoming option, albeit it may not be in line with the café’s image.

The Mushroom beet burger set ($13) was a noble attempt for a pescetarian café to undertake a largely carnivorous dish. The buns have been made from sprouted wheat, which contains a more digestible form of gluten. While the sprouts served nothing much than an aesthetic purpose with the occasional crunch, the mushroom patty was the highlight of the dish. The mushroom patty was surprisingly juicy and tasty, albeit not as robust as a beef patty. Nonetheless, it proves a good substitute if you are feeling particularly vegan that day.

If you have a sweet tooth, then Dann’s Café presents their range of steamed cupcakes to clear your conscience. The cupcakes are made without butter or eggs, and are absolutely dairy free. We took a chance on their Steamed gula strawberry cupcakes, and had no regrets. As the cupcakes were steamed, they were dense in nature. It was akin to a Huat Kueh, with a tinge of palm sugar sweetness and a lingering strawberry aftertaste.

Dann’s Café offers many dishes that are certainly comparable to our local favourites taste wise, at half the amount of calories. Should you have the ever-so-often food cravings that plague us food writers too, then make your way down to Dann’s Daily Pescetarian Café in hopes of satisfying your craving without costing too much on your waistline.

Dann’s Daily Pescetarian Cafe

Eastwood Centre
20 Eastwood Road, #01-06
Singapore 486442

Tel: +65 6449 1355 | Website

Opening Hours
Tue – Sun: 10am – 7.30pm

Overlooking Mandarin Oriental’s newly refurbished outdoor pool, the restaurant exudes a certain contemporary European charm combined with a relaxed, luxury resort feel. The sight of the convivial pool and sunbathing hotel guests immediately whisked me back to the summer break memories of the idyllic beaches in the Bahamas – all that was missing was a manservant to help slather on sun lotion and peel me grapes.

There is no better luxury than the luxury of choice, and choice is what is provided here – even for the usually overlooked bread dips. From the common aged balsamic vinegar-olive oil combination to a refreshing basil cream dip, Dolce Vita’s chefs go all out to enhance even the simplest experience of freshly baked bread.

What seemed to be a fairytale garden growing straight out of our plate was the beautifully plated Insalata gamberoni ($28). As fresh as it was pretty, the almost gravity-defying salad had Six&Seven just staring and taking in the sights before our growling appetite forced us to dig in. I liked how the prawn wasn’t fully cooked well-done, retaining that touch of translucency and fresh, bouncy texure.  If Robert Browning had been served this salad, he would have rewritten his poem using a ‘bed of salad’ instead.

While comparatively less demanding in plating, the strategically placed Timballo di granchio ($28) reminded me of kids’ drawings of sun in their painting, and shine indeed this appetizer did.  Brimming with natural seafood sweetness, the thinly shredded jumbo crabmeat has a nicely chewy bite and is highlighted with a light dab of rich avocado mousse. I’d anticipated a strawberry salsa, but the pairing mango salsa is a wonderful coalescence of sweetness and tanginess; good enough to even enjoy on its own.

Cleverly packaging three dishes into one, the Tris di pasta ($34) is great to sample the 3 most popular pasta creations of Michelin-starred Executive Chef Marco Pedrelli and Chef de Cuisine Johnny Meitei.

The Tortellini ripieni di spinaci e ricotta ($30 for full portion) is well-executed. The pasta skin was thick enough to fully envelop the creamy spinach-ricotta cheese stuffing, yet thin enough to break apart easily in the mouth. Lazing on a bed of forest mushrooms, the toothsome morel cream adds another dimension to this popular vegetarian option that is anything but platitudinous.

The Ravioli di granchio ($34 for full portion) is a great demonstration of a seafood-pasta fusion. The amalgamate of ultra juicy crabmeat and leek in a subtle squid ink ravioli is accentuated by a light champagne foam, which lends it a light ending note on the palate. With the crabmeat so fresh and sweet, it seemed almost like the crab was still alive and blowing celebratory champagne bubbles.

However, it was the Cannelloni al foie gras ($32 for full portion) that stole my heart – and stomach. The braised oxtail and foie gras blend was so beautifully executed, we only regretted that we didn’t order this as a separate full portion. The oh-so tender meat was aromatic and rich in flavour; its ‘perfume’ seeping into the nose even before you start chewing on it. It was amazing how much flavour was packed into that slightly crunchy Parmesan cheese-topped cannelloni casing.

For those who throw the idea of a diet out the window during vacations, the Milanese di vitello ($42) will be sure to impress the idea that you’re holiday, especially with its huge size; the entire slab of meat could fill the screen of a 13-inch laptop, and then some.

Similar to the Wiener schnitzel, the milk-fed Milanese veal is hammered meticulously to an almost-uniform thickness before being fried in a rosemary batter, which lends the meat its characteristic fragrance. Drizzle some lemon juice over for an extra hint of tang, and it’s only too easy to erase the image of doe-eyed Bambi as I chowed down on one of the most succulent lamb cutlets I’ve ever enjoyed.

I stand by the conviction that meals are never complete without desserts, and what better way to end the meal than with a platter of Dolce Vita’s signature desserts?

The Trilogia di dolci ($24) combines the sweet delightfulness of the Torta di mele, a slow baked golden apple pastry, with a perfectly sculpted Tiramisu della nonna, a classic tiramisu with a contemporary twist, and Cioccolatissmo, an extravagant indulgence of sinfully rich dark chocolate bars. Each dessert comes with a scoop of amazingly smooth and rich ice cream, which alone is worth skipping breakfast to make up for the extra calories.

For a choice Italian establishment situated right in the city, it is an unexpected surprise to have been transported away from the troubles and hustle-bustle of city life. The next time I am in search of some much-needed respite, I know there is an alternative to the usual travel agency.

Dolce Vita
5 Raffles Avenue
Mandarin Oriental Singapore, Level 5
Singapore 039797

Tel: +65 68853551 | Website

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm–2.30pm, 6.30pm–10.30pm

Forget the utilitarian high-rise office buildings in the central business district and Holland Village where the air is supposedly different; my recent visit to Bollywood Veggies in Kranji has shown that this almost-forgotten countryside area truly reflects the soul of Singapore. After all, Sang Nila Utama did not stumble upon a fully developed city-state.

The Poison Ivy Bistro has not only been given a slight facelift since the first time I visited, but they now boast a Le Cordon Bleu chef heading the kitchen. Affectionately called ‘the little scorpion’ by owner Ivy Singh-Lim, Chef Lynn Ee whips up an extensive menu that changes on the daily available harvest from their very own 10-acre farm, as well as seasonal produce.

Besides offering breakfast sets ($4) and mains ($6) to share, they also ingeniously introduced the Farmers platter set meal ($10) for those who want a bit of everything. It consists of 4 tasting portions of any chicken, fish and vegetable main, a side and your choice of brown or white rice.

In an attempt to sample all the dishes they have to offer, Melissa and I combined our orders for a mega platter, as shown above. You may also add on more side dishes at a nominal charge of $2-3.

Contrary to popular belief that the bistro only serves up vegetables, since it is situated within a giant plantation, some of Poison Ivy Bistro’s most popular items are actually their meat dishes. The Deconstructed grilled rendang chicken ($6 as a main) is Chef Lynn’s interpretation of a healthy rendang chicken dish.

Grilled to perfection, the marinated meat has that characteristic rendang flavour that ends off with a smoky touch. Instead of the usual gooey finish, the dish is topped off with a light dusting of coconut flakes to add a hint of sweetness. This homely dish really grew on me, and my only regret is not having it as a full portion instead.

The Bollywood banana curry ($6 as a main) is truly unlike anything else I’ve tried. Made from the South American plantain harvested from their very own plantation, the bananas slices had a firm texture, close to that of potatoes, and paired unusually well with the mild curry.

While I’ve had my fair share of sinfully fried items, it is the first time I’ve had Moringa tempura ($4 as a starter). The leaves of the drumstick tree, lightly coated with chickpea flour, were fried to a lovely, crunchy finish. I’d recommend having it with the accompanying dip, a dark sauce and lime juice mixture, that really adds another dimension to the taste.

Of all the add-on sides that we enjoyed, this seemingly lacklustre dish of Jackfruit lemak ($6 as a main) was surprisingly the highlight of the meal. The fruit, cooked till fork-tender, and coated in a rich coconut milk stew that had just the right balance of sweet and savoury, had us fighting to scrape the bowl clean. This is by far the best jackfruit dish I’ve ever enjoyed.

Other popular sides you can enjoy with the Farmers platter set meal include the Warrior’s chicken curry and Archar fish, or opt for the surprisingly light and fluffy Otah omelette ($6) if you’re feeling hungrier.

While you won’t find the likes of tiramisu or Italian gelato on their dessert menu, I highly recommend having the Bollywood 3-in-1 platter ($7). Baked in-house, and warmed up before serving, the extremely aromatic Banana bread ($2.50 for single serving) was soft, moist and simply a delight to eat. The next time I’ve got a friend who’s feeling down, I’m head down with a whole loaf banana bread and a tub of Ben & Jerry’s.

I may not fancy Malay desserts all that much, but one bite was all it took to get me hooked on their Kueh kosui ($2.50 for a single serving). Instead of the usual thick, chewy ones that I’ve experienced previously, the version served here seemed almost like a water bubble waiting to melt in your mouth. Even with the coconut flakes coating, it was not overly sweet and I can fully understand why some even call it the ‘Best Kueh Kosui in Singapore’.

Despite its rural location, Poison Ivy Bistro is a lively place, with streams of families and tour groups, both to enjoy fresh, delectable fare at extremely affordable prices and to immense themselves in the serene nature with a tour around the verdant farm. If you really want an escape away from city life, why not give this hidden gem a try?

Poison Ivy Bistro
100 Neo Tiew Road, Kranji
Singapore 719026

Tel: +65 68985001 | Website

Opening Hours:
Wed-Sun and PH: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Closed for a fortnight each year for Lunar New Year

Note: Poison Ivy Bistro only accepts cash, and there is no additional service charges or taxes upon their menu prices.

This year, Plaza Brasserie @ Park Royalcelebrates Mother’s Day by adding an extensive selection of seafood dishes to its existing buffet spread. We started off with the Steamed seabass Hong Kong style. Sticking to convention, this traditional dish did not disappoint. The fish was assuredly fresh, and cooked in a light soy sauce to enhance the flavour succintly.

The Sweet and sour black promfret was one of my favourite choices. I am not the biggest fan of fried food because I always think that it is the most convenient way for a kitchen to dispose of stale food. Notwithstanding this, Plaza Brasserie uses a fresh catch, and fries it to a light crisp to still allow the sweetness of the fish to shine through. The sweet and sour sauce helps to flavour the batter, but does not overpower the fish.

Another crowd pleaser is the Cereal oat prawn. The cereal oats have been fried to a nice golden crisp, yet not clumpy and soggy which seems to plague most cereal prawns due too excess oil. The prawns were good, and as a long understanding goes, everything in this dish is edible, albeit I would avoid the head.

There were certainly other seafood dishes to look out for. The Braised fish headin clay pot with yam was cooked in a rich flavourful broth, while the Curry fish head, which was cooked in an Indian style, goes fantastically well with the variety of prata they have available. Popular favourites such as the Soft shell crab with Tobiko Mayo is also available for the buffet spread.

If your parents are huge seafood lovers, then instead of blowing a hole in your wallet at an overpriced seafood restaurant at East Coast Seafood Centre (none are cheap), why not make a reservation at Plaza Brasserie – your one stop seafood buffet for this festive season.

Mother’s Day Special
12 and 13 May 2012
Lunch & Dinner: Adult $58++ Child $35++
*Mothers enjoy a complimentary glass of cocktail or mocktail.

Plaza Brasserie

Parkroyal on Beach Road
7500 Beach Road
Singapore 199591

Tel: (65) 6505 5710 | Website

Opening Hours: 6am – 12mn

Baker & Cook (previously featured here) has been a hot favourite as a suggestion for friends who ask. However, with unquestionably higher service and food standards during arranged tastings, I decided to revisit the lauded establishment to see if the everyday man experience is worth putting the Six&Seven name on the line.

The shop may have been packed – with an orderly crowd that formed a short queue within the shop – during the Sunday afternoon that I went back, but that only seemed to energize the staff. While the big bowls of jams were no longer seen on the tables, the staff brought out generous servings, which they gladly refilled, to go along with my order of Freshly baked breads & viennoiserie selection ($9.95 for sharing).

The Mini croissants were just as I remembered: buttery rich and weighty enough to hold out on its own. A Fig & aniseed sourdough, which replaced the Olive bread previously enjoyed, appealed to me with its distinct texture and slight tarty taste that pairs superbly well with their homemade raspberry jam.

While our enjoyment of the Melted mozzarella tartine ($12.95) was pretty short-lived, as their signature crusty Pain Miche slices soon became slightly soggy from the refreshing tomato salsa, the Egg mayonnaise tartine ($12.95) distracted me from the minor letdown.

It might not possess the same meticulous touch of garnishing as enjoyed during the tasting session, but this rich egg mayo mix still fends its title as one of the better ones I’ve ever had. The touch of avocado indisputably enhances the dish, but it is the consistency of the creamy spread that impresses me.

In an attempt to relive the feel good moments one gets when you end off a meal with desserts that are worth both dime and calorie, I went ahead to order the Pecan pie and Strawberry tart (both $4.95) which Six&Seven didn’t get to savour previously. Fortunately, it did not disappoint.

The Strawberry tart was simple and executed well; paired with a light cream filling, it allowed the ripe strawberry, with a hint of sweetness from the glaze, to shine though. The Pecan pie may be a messy item to handle – I felt like The Hulk when I tore the extremely gluey dish apart by hand – but that sweet victory in the mouth is oh-so worth getting your hands dirty for.

If you need a caffeine kick to rouse you from the food coma that comes with the overindulgence of baked goods, I’d recommend giving their unique coffee blends a try. Baker & Cook is the first to bring Allpress Espresso, a leading specialty coffee roaster from New Zealand, to our shores. The Mochacinno ($5) is aromatic with a rich chocolate-y kick, perfect company for a rainy day with a good book.

Baker & Cook
77 Hillcrest Road, Greenwood
Singapore 288951

Tel: +65 64698834 | Website

Operating Hours:
Sun – Thurs: 7am – 8pm
Fri & Sat: 7am – 10pm

Meet Chef Andrew Walsh, an Irish executive chef at Esquina Tapas Bar @ Jiak Chuan Road whose passion for cooking burns brighter and more visible than the North Star the three wise men were following. He is infectious, and watching him in the kitchen is as beautiful as Michelle Kwan’s triple axel jump in the Winter Olympics.

My dinner at Esquina was not an Oscar worthy start. Given that the restaurant does not take reservations, and the huge crowd a testimony of its food, I had to wait 30 minutes for a table. The bustling narrowed hallway restaurant has its certain reminiscent rustic charm of Spain, but not the most claustrophobic-friendly restaurant in town.

We started with some Oysters and Vietnamese dressing. The oysters are shucked as per order so as to ensure freshness. Having a seat at the bar counter allowed me to observe Chef Andrew discarding any oysters that did not meet his standards, at times 2 to 3 of them. The Vietnamese sauce is an interesting blend, which I assure you constitute more than just fish sauce.

Next was the Aged rib eye and chimichurri dressing. This unassuming dish had a taste far more intricate than the simple plating. The beef, cooked to medium rare, needless to say was executed finely. The lentils, which sat in the flavourful and piquant chimichurri dressing, complemented the beef so well. I had ordered this dish based on the staff’s recommendation, and I can see why it made her happy; I gladly join her in the singlehood-with-beef life.

The Confit pork belly was another to impress. As with all confit, the pork was cooked to an amazingly soft consistency that pulls apart effortlessly. The pork sat on a bed of white beans that have been cooked al dente, retaining a nice bite to it. The juxtaposition of textures in the dish was well combined, and the chorizo sauce gave the entire dish a nice kick. The “cracker” that sat on top of the dish tasted nothing more than your traditional fish cracker after drizzled with red pepper.

Not all the dishes faired well. The BBQ Mackarel was hard to impress, given its predecessors. The fish faired average, and the aioli did not sit quite well with me. That being said, they should have the roasted almond romesco sauce bottled – the intense and rich flavours would have you throw your bottle of salsa down the rubbish chute.

As for desserts, the Grilled pineapple salad had me eating more pineapples than I ever did. Done to a nice chewy state, the pineapples were nicely cooked yet retaining its sweetness. The coconut lime jelly and lime sorbet was just a perfect touch to the entire dish, and definitely a great way to end a very satisfying meal at Esquina.

I love Tapas bars in Singapore, but not many have impressed me. The culture and food at Esquina left me reminiscing of my next visit. Chef Andrew certainly has displayed fine culinary skills, infusing the wonders of foreign food cultures into traditional Spanish food. If you ever find yourself itching to submerse into rustic Spanish culture of good food and questionable wait staff, Esquina’s doors are always open.

Esquina
16 Jiak Chuan Road
Singapore 089267

Tel: +65 6222 1616 | Website

Lunch
Mon – Fri: 12pm – 2.30pm
Dinner
Mon – Sat: 6pm – 10.30pm

Pies & Coffee moves away from your traditional chicken pies from Polar, and sizes up its menu of gourmet pies to include Wagyu Beef Cheek, Duck Confit and even Laksa Sheperd Pie. While I applaud the kitchen for their ingenious permutations of fillings, the pie pastry stagnated across all their savoury pie selection.

The Lamb shank pie ($9.95) had a rich flavour to it. The lamb filling was cooked to a nice tender consistency and basked in various natural spices. The mildly sweet pie pastry may prove a tad jarring for some, and the side of mash and salad were like lost children in a shopping centre that just ended up there.

Singaporeans love a good bargain; and with the Laksa sheperd pie ($8.95) being the cheapest yet personally, the best pie on the menu, it would be a crowd pleaser.  Covered by a layer of well-crusted mash, the sheperd pie breaks into a laksa broth (think laksa meets clam chowder) packed with seafood.

The Duck confit pie ($9.95) suffered a worse fate than the lamb shank pie. Similarly, the overused pie pastry was found here too. Unlike the lamb shank pie that had rich aromatic flavours to save the dish, the duck confit was at best bland. Perhaps the pie had overpowered all the delicate flavours of the duck, or perhaps the chef had simply forgot the French 4 spice blend; whatever the reason may have been, I bet the French would be very upset if they knew of this dish.

Desserts here were nothing more than average at best. While they were not repulsive or unpalatable to start with, neither were they headline worthy. The Chocolate almond pie ($8.95) was more of a tart than a pie. The namesake dish looked pleasantly appetizing, but that is as far as the pleasantries go.

Pies & Coffee nonetheless proves a nice place to relax for an afternoon tea. Most of the pies faired average, with the Laksa sheperd pie strangely appealing to my taste. The pies served at Pies & Coffee make for a great gift to family and friends.

Pies & Coffee
Rochester Mall
35 Rochester Drive, #01-02
Singapore 138639

Tel: +65 6570 0080 | Website

Opening hours:
9am – 11pm daily