Nixta Mexican Grill & Bar - Fiery Good Mexican Cuisine

What better way to start the new year with some fiery good Mexican food? So I started to do a search on Mexican food and noticed Nixta, among those that I had visited. Then I remembered passing by this quaint restaurant at a secluded secret spot beside the busy Cross Street when on the way to another hidden gem. Having a thing for hidden gems, I’m set on spending my new year here.

The food here has all the elements of what I love about Mexican food: generous portions of meat and hearty, robust, simulating flavours with lots of gusto. And add in doses of fiery goodness. The peppers used here don’t shy away from what they are famous for: being spicy. The spiciness is the shiok type that one can’t get enough of. I also like the fact that Talayuda is served here since this dish is quite a rarity in Mexican restaurants in Singapore.

The place is reminiscent of cool, stylish waterhole with hints of rustic feel and Mexican music playing in the background. Excellent for gatherings with friends or family who love spicy food.

Service is excellent, friendly and thoughtful. I definitely enjoy my time here.

Seafood Cocktail Veracruz is Spicy Tomato Broth filled to the brim with generous amount of shrimp, crab avocado and green olives, plus a side serving of fresh corn chips. I'm surprised that it is served cold, but I appreciate it in a way because this yields that refreshing spiciness instead of tongue burning type. The broth is also packed with zest, the savoury taste and sweetness. Perfect for dipping the cripsy, yummy corn chips into.

Nice Complimentary Homemade Taco with Special Sauce

Wood-Fired Oysters drizzled with charred jalapeño butter, mocajete tomato vinaigrette is a must-order here. The hearty, strong flavours of jalapeño and mocajete tomato vinaigrette, plus the richness of butter actually highlights the earthy brininess of the fresh oysters. First time trying oysters prepared Mexican style and I love it.

Blue Crab Talayuda features huge chucks of silky crab crab, diabloo sauce, queso oaxaca (a kind of Mexican cheese), crema and BLP chile oil. This is like Mexican pizza with very thin dough and lots of goodies on top. Yes, all the tastes across the spectrum are featured here and it works. I do recommend picking up some of the crab meat to enjoy on its own for its mild briny sweetness.  

Tres Leche Cake is big in portion, recommended for sharing. The moist cake soaked with 3 kinds of milk and decked with a generous dollop of cream is so rich and indulgent. I love this too.

Thoughts: So Fiery, So Refreshing and So Good

116 Amoy St

Nearest MRT: Telok Ayer or Chinatown

Canchita Peruvian Cuisine - Glorious South Amercian Gastronomic Delights

After trying Mexican food for the first time is like discovering a treasure trove of South American gastronomic delights. After this, I’m on journey to suss out places serving South American cuisine. This brings me to Peruvian restaurant Canchita! And yes, yes, I love this gem of a restaurant because it totally satisfies my carving for South American food and brings something new and unique to the table.

The food here is robust and simulating in taste, surprising, refreshing and teasing the palates. And there is an extra unique savoury sweetness that gives the distinctive South American flavour to the dishes. There are lots of seafood dishes featured on the menu, so as a seafood lover, I'm so happy with the sheer number of options available.

It really feels like I'm in Amazon when here due to the foliage covering the entire ceiling, lush flowers and leaves of the topics adorning the wall at the entrance and the full length windows showing the dense topical forest outside the restaurant. It's no wonder that this place is full house on a weekend afternoon.

Service is friendly and casual in vibe. And kudos to one of the male staff who gives very good suggestion like dipping the free flow bread into the soup and boxing up the dessert if I can't finish it.

Peruvian Ceviche is a must try here because it features the freshness and natural sweetness of the ingredients perked up and highlighted by the zest of citrus juice.

I got Christmas Special of Cocktail Rosado Mexicano because I'm in a celebratory mood 2 days before New Year. This dish is decked with so much Lobster meat and prawns marinated in tomato creamy Tiger's milk. The lobster and prawn both have the lovely briny sweetness and that excellent bouncy, succulent texture with middle tenderness. The citrus goodness of the Tiger's Milk, coupled with the spiciness of Habanero Chilli Oil and the freshness plus light pungency of Pico de Gallo (finely chopped tomatoes, onion, cilantro, jalapeño, and lime), makes this dish oh-so-flavourful. I love it so much.

Light fluffy bread drizzled with Olive Oil peppered with an extra hint of special savoury sweetness. It goes very well with the soup too.

Hidden within Parihuela, the traditional seafood soup, is lots of goodies of Fish, Crab Claws, Clams, Prawns, Potato Confit, Cherry Tomatoes and Canchita Corn.

One of most hearty soups filled with so many ingredients that it is hard to rival it.

Whole crab claw added to the soup, and there is three of them! The generosity of the addition of premium ingredients gets the thumbs-up and lots of hearts from me. The seafood is so fresh and sweet that a feeling of bliss welled up in me as I savour the fleshy crab claws and the prawns.

The soup, despite the appearance, tastes more like clear soup with very robust flavours, ranging from tanginess, sweetness, savoury to spiciness. I love this too.

Tres Leches is Traditional Moist Coconut Cake topped with Mixed Berries and light as air Vanilla Cream. The cake is moist and filled with the nutty aroma of coconut, which tastes even richer and better with the cream and the sweet evaporated milk sauce. This cake tastes so sinful and so good.

Stairways to Amazon Room

It is so exciting to dine here because the food here really simulates and pleases the palates at the same time. I'm so eager to introduce this place to my family and friends for them to be surprised by the unique tastes, to let know them how good South American food is and just to enjoy the feeling of dining in the Amazon.

Thoughts: Exciting, Fun and Flamboyant

#9A/9B Dempsey Road

Nearest MRT: Napier

Lavi Taco - One of a kind Dining Experience

Getting to this hidden gem is an experience in itself. Located within an old school compound perched on top of a hill–thus the name Pearl's Hill Terrace, lol–one needs to go up a flight of stairs surrounded thick, lush greenery to get there. I actually love this journey, enjoying the cool evening breeze and the greenery while going up the stairs. Once on top of the hill, I feel a moment of repose when I see a quiet road flanked by Chinese ornaments and potted plants lies before me. For curiosity's sake, I look down over the fenced edge to see the old school neighbourhood beneath me. It is quite a sight.

Whereas Lavi Taco's open compound is like another world. While there is a sense of serenity hanging over the air due to the secluded location, lots of plants of all heights, ample spaces between tables and the seemingly unoccupied second and third floor of the school, it is very lively and vibrant. Due to the hot music, the murals with bright colours (perfect for backdrop to take photos with), the super friendly and cheerful service crew, the hip and cool crowd and of course, the palate simulating tacos plus a good range of alcoholic drinks.

Despite its secluded location, this cool place is hot with the crowd. By seven in the evening, there is a steady stream of patrons coming in. So reservation is recommended. And here is like a fashion show where individuals wear their cool in-the-mood outfits. I can see why Lavi Taco attracts so many people since this is really the perfect place to chill, gather with friends, soak in the atmosphere, enjoy some good tacos and drinks and just be yourself.

While the tacos here has the distinctive Mexican taste, they do have that Singaporean influences in them to cut back on the sharp and refreshing taste element of Mexican cuisine, thus making it easier for everyone in the group to enjoy the food. The tacos are packed with lots of ingredients, such as grilled prawn cubes, mango cubes, shredded raw red cabbage, chipotle mayonnaise, salsa verda, pico de gallo, cilantro and cheese, thus featuring bursts of bombastic flavours that teases the palates. I like the prawn tacos a lot.

Pulled Mushroom tacos taste surprisingly meaty and are easy to bite on. The taste is milder than that of prawn tacos, but tasty nonetheless. It tastes even better with the lime juice.

Margarita Rosa is a nice, sweet and intoxicating drink. The taste is more nuanced than the typical margarita, which is what I want.

Early evening while it is still bright and airy.

Late evening where the mystique looms.

Food and Drinks are ordered at different counters.

Though note that the food here gives a preview of what Mexican food is like, but it doesn't tell the story of Mexican cuisine. It is for patrons to enjoy something different and distinctive from the usual bar food while immersing in the moment, not really for specific Mexican food tasting.

All in all, Lavi Taco is really a great place for gathering, or for individuals to soak in the unique atmosphere. It may even work for dates where couples are going for an edgy and casual experience.

Thoughts: Cool and Unique Experience! I want to bring my friends here 😉

195 Pearl's Hill Terrace #01-54

Nearest MRT: Chinatown

How to get here:

1. Go up the flight of stairs near the end of Park Crescent Road

2. Once at the top of the stairs, turn right and head for an entrance decorated with lots of Chinese couplets (there is Lavi Taco signboard on its right).

3. Aim for a clearing that is slightly on the left, and you will find this elusive haven!

Ms. Maria and Mr. Singh - Mexican and Indian Fusion actually works

This restaurant is no longer in operation 

Actually, I had assumed Ms. Maria and Mr. Singh is a humble Indian restaurant whenever I passed by it, until a few days ago, I received an email announcing set menus at this place and it out an emphasis that it is a Mexican and Indian fusion. Wow, that sounds very interesting since I have never heard of such fusion, and I actually like both cuisines (though I prefer contemporary Indian cuisine over old school one). I decide to just take the plunge and try out the food here.

The food here is so good, tending more towards contemporary Indian cuisine with bits of Mexican flair and sauces. The full-bodied taste of the food is unique and simulating.

The decor is an unconventional mix of the grandeur + florid designs of Indian architecture and the sunny, colourful, free-spirited embodiment of Mexican culture. Intricate tiles, Taj Mahal inspired entrance, bar counter with colour lights, windows of different bright colours, straw lamps, long stretch of chiffon floral cloth and neon lights, all these actually work well together to radiate that posh yet fun feel, with a cultural vibe.

The service is excellent, they are so friendly, efficient and such great conversationists. Totally enjoy myself in such great company.

Papdi Chaat is a great beginning since lots of harmonised flavours are showcased in this nifty creation. The yoghurt sphere explodes in the mouth to reveal creamy, tangy goodness, perked by the subtle touches of Indian spices. Definitely worth a try.

My favourite got to be Ceviche Cold Curry Scallop. Served in a cold claypot, the fresh, plump, briny sweet raw scallops taste sublime when paired with the avocado, paper thin cucumber and the special light milky sauce peppered with Mexican goodness.

I never think that scallops can go well with curry because the strong spices of curry will usually overwhelms the subtle sweetness of the scallops. But this Ceviche Cold Curry Scallop totally overturns this assumption by going light on the creamy spices feel of Indian curry and incorporating the sharp, clear spiciness of Mexican cuisine instead.

And it works wonderfully. The nuanced flavours of the scallops can actually come through the spiciness of the sauce. I love this.

When a Man Loves a Woman cocktail is intense with laces of herbal notes. Unique and easy on the palate, I can easily finish this in a flash.

The bartender, who is full of passion for his craft, in action.

Taco Pork Vindaloo is served with the Mexican sauces of salsa martajada, salsa diabla and salsa taquera. All the sauces really tease the palates, elevating the rich taste of the juicy pulled pork. Five ways to enjoy this dish (by itself, with lime, and with the 3 kinds of sauces) and I love it.

Chicken Tikka Masala is more Indian than Mexican, featuring succulent chicken coated with rich, creamy curry that holds lots of goodness of the spices. I wipe the plate clean of the curry with the prata and nice fluffy bread with crispy surface. Since the curry is very strong in flavour, eating this with the carbs actually balance the flavour.

The Churros is nice, but no exactly the best I have since I prefer those with souffle interior and crispy coat.  However, it is delicious when paired with the Sticky Rice Ice-cream that imparts the moisture to the churros and soften its exterior. I also like the light earthy flavour of the ice-cream.

Love Paradise cocktail of vertiver guava, lime and grapefruit definitely hits the right spots for me by being refreshing, light with the right balance of sweetness and tanginess.

Thoughts: So fun and good that I want to come again and again.

43 Craig Road

Nearest MRT: Outram Park