Latido - Colombian Gastronomic Delights

I have always loved South American cuisine, due to the rich flavour, strong heritages and flamboyant vibes in the food of this continent. So when I knew about Latido, the only Colombia restaurant in Singapore, I immediately made a reservation. I didn’t even look at the menu before that!

After an outing here, Colombian cuisine is now officially one of my favourite cuisines! Th dishes are bursting with lots of perfectly balanced, exotic flavours that surprise and impress. At the same time, they have this rustic element, hearty element, distinguishing themselves from other South American cuisines. I love the food here so much.

The restaurant features interior design of stylish modern chic meeting vibrant, earthy Colombian’s rustics. It feel so cool and so cultural at the same time. The open kitchen full of amigo vibes, the cool stylish bar counter, tasteful dark wooden furniture and granite table tops blend seamlessly with the rustic elements from the chairs with rattan backs, traditional Colombian ornaments and decorations. Along with the South American music, I feel the mood immediately when I step into this pace.

The service is very friendly, just like how I think South American's passionate hospitality is like. And also very thoughtful. I have such a wonderful time here. I will definitely be back again!

Bocados de Tiradito, packed with Sawara Ceviche, Leche de Tigre, Lime Pearls, is so refreshing in taste yet featuring a warm core of briny sweetness. It is creamy and complex, with an excellent balance of nuanced tart taste, sweetness and pungency. The texture is so good with the contrast between crispy pastry and the bouncy, succulent sawara fish.

Pan de la Casa Signature Homemade Rye Bread, a recipe perfected through the years, is so fluffy, soft with naturally sweetness, tempered with the earthy, savoury goodness of the fermented mushroom glaze on top. This is one of a kind bread that is definitely worth a special trip.

Arepa de Chocolo y Huevo is Sweet Corn Cake sandwiching cubed Pork Jowl, Sunny Side Egg. I don't know what to expect since this is the first time I tried a gastronomic creation like this. After a bite, I am instantly wowed over by this dish. After more bites, I dare to say this is the best pancake I have.

The pancake is so soft and fluffy, and its natural sweetness of corn complements the meaty umami sweetness of pork jowl, made exciting by the slightly spicy, creamy sauce. So well-balanced, so satisfying, oh-so-good. And what makes it even better is that the savoury taste develops into sweetness when savouring. 

Sopa Langosta Lobster is another winner here. Packed with lots of goodies, such as avocado, whole lobster, sweet crunchy Corn and smooth creamy Potato Soup, it has lots of harmonised complex flavours. The lobster is perfectly done to have that lovely taste of char while retaining the bouncy, juicy texture. Its saline sweetness is balanced by the earthy creaminess of hearty potato soup.

Platanitos, which is Sweet Plantain and Burrata Ice cream, is unique in taste, where the mildy, nutty flavour of cheese contrasts so well with the deep caramel goodness of the cake and the light floral goodness of plantian. The textures of crunchiness, creaminess and fluffiness come so well together.

Chef Fernando hard at work preparing my dish.

Fruity and creamy, this is exactly my type of drink 🍹 

Thoughts: Colombian Cusisine is now one of my Favourite Cuisines!

40 Tras Street

Little Island Brewing Co - Exciting, Good Times with Satisfying, Good Food

I actually found out about Little Island Brewing Co through “Feast for a Cause” by SOSD. If I can enjoy good food while helping SOSD, of course I want in on it. But since it left only one week before this event ends, I really went all out to rearrange my schedule to make sure my first outing here is one for a good cause, and signifies good beginning 😉

I was expecting some nice, yummy Western food due to the restaurant’s set-up of being a casual watering hole with live bands. But this place surprises me, in a good way, with unique, delicious creations based on Spanish food. I also love the great variety of food features in the menu.

The place feels rustic with hints of industrial chic, combined eclectically, with that homely feel due to the stacks of cookbooks piled at the windows. It works actually.

The live band is awesome, livening up the whole place, getting everyone into party mode or lively music appreciation mood.

The service here is good and efficient, making here an awesome place to chill and just have a good time.

Gambas Al Ajillio features pan-seared, juicy, firm prawns full of roasted garlic oil aroma, with smooth mash potato and cute chucks of sourdough to soak with the delicious, slightly spicy sauce. Very satisfying and yummy.

The wood-fired Sourdough Pizza, A View to a Krill, is the ultimate pizza that is specially made for Seafood Lovers like me. Seafood pizza is pretty rare, and not many get it right. And this pizza is perfection manifested for seafood pizza. I love the briny sweetness of the prawns perked up by the cream base of mentaiko and anticucho sauce with the tangy taste from the lemons.

Yes, this is my favourite Pizza!

Chilli Crab Volcano is a good and filling treat due to generous amount of battered soft-shell crab stacked over the chilli crab sauce slathered over the charcoal butter naan. With Southeast Asian’s influences infused into this, this is spicily sedap good!

Sticky Date Pudding with Toffee Sauce and Vanilla Ice Cream is a rich, lovely decadent treat.

Thoughts: Awesome place to chill, party and enjoy good food

43 Malan Road

Chimi's - Cool Place to Hang Out at

I'm here for a special event hosted by Chimi's and I totally love the vibe and scenery here. Located beside Marina Bay Sailing, one can enjoy the sea breeze, people watching and the experience of "to see and to be seen" while munching on some nice Mexican food with vibrant music at the background.

 

The variety of drinks available is one of the strong points here, from tequilas, wines, beers, various alcoholic drinks, mocktails to soft drinks. I guess this is because this restaurant is really good for chilling and enjoying some drinks with friends or colleagues. I like the signature tequila I had ordered.

Smoked Duck Burrito is generously stuffed with goodies, such as smoked duck, amarillo rice, lettuce, crema and pico. It is so big that it can be shared. This is very tasty, and good, but I will prefer it if the smoked duck come in smaller pieces. This is good for enjoying with friends and colleagues, or getting a vague impression on what Mexican food is like, but not really for representing the taste of authentic Mexican food.

Popcorn Chicken is one of the bar food that is great for sharing. I didn't try it though since I was busy with my Smoked Duck Burrito.

Thoughts: A great casual place to chill and just enjoy oneself

1 Marina Boulevard

#01-01 NTUC Centre

Nearest MRT: Raffles Place

Araya - Deeply in Love with Chilean Fine Dining

I had said it before, and with the splendid experience here, I want to say it again: South America is really a treasure trove of gastronomy. This continent has lots of awesome produces and rich cultures, thus yielding cuisines that really tantalise the tastebuds.

So when I found out about Araya, a South American fine dining restaurant, I knew I have to come here because this is the only one in Singapore and I love to experience this beloved cuisine meticulously curated to highlight its uniqueness with touches of lux. And Chef Francisco Araya exceeds my expectations with dishes that showcase the robust flavours of South American unique spices in nuanced form, juxtaposes different textures and tastes, and incorporate Japanese ingredients for the best seafood experience. I’m so in love with all the dishes here.

Housed within Mondrian Singapore Duxton, the exterior of the restaurant is posh with themes of nature and woods incorporated within. The interior, with the high ceiling, illuminated bar counter, a wave of elegant hanging yellow lights and a strong of pearl-like white lamps, is grand, modern and stylish, with hints of rustic South American feel from bronze washed shelves.

The service here is exceptional, meticulous and professional. The service staffs know everything about the philosophy of the restaurant, the background of the chefs, the origin of the ingredients and the stories behind the wines. There is even introduction of some of the ingredients in its original form prior to serving the dishes. I feel so pampered dining here and am absolutely impressed with the service here. In fact, wine pairing is recommended because the wines go very well with the food and it feels like a trip around the vineyards and wineries around America as the sommelier delves into the terroirs and history of the wines.

This is one of the best restaurants and is definitely on par with the Michelin Star restaurants.

I always love Ceviche, and chef Francisco takes things up a notch here to add in Leche de tigre sorbet for the coldness and unique texture that perfectly highlights the fresh tender flesh of Hokkaido Scallop and Botan Ebi. The ginger jelly introduces the pungency that harmonises with the zest of sorbet to elevate the briny sweetness of the seafood. This is so amazingly good that I say this is the best ceviche.

Ama Ebi Tomato Meringue as starting snack really sets the tone on what’s to come. Sprinkled with dashes of South American grounded pepper, this macaron-like delicacy is packed with briny sweetness, creaminess, exotic flavours and hints of excitement. All the flavours are rounded nicely to work in harmony to tease the palates. The texture is simply awesome, with a good juxtapose of creaminess, crispness plus textures of soufflé and jelly. In fact, my eyes widened in surprise when I popped it into my mouth due to how unique and delicious it is.

Cod Milt, which is cod fish's sperm, known as custard of the sea, is an exotic ingredient that needs the right preparation and accompanying ingredients to taste good. The Corn Flan here gets it superbly right, yielding creamy, sweet, briny and surprisingly earthy treat with cod milt.

Chicha De Piña, a drink made from Fermented Pineapple Nectar, is refreshing and savoury. The crystal-like bouncy Elderflower sphere hidden within adds a dash of lovely flora aroma to add complexity. I love this too.

Unique spread of South American homemade breads available for choosing:

Chapalene, which is sourdough potato bread

Marraqueta Classic pan Chileno, a traditional Chilean bread

Chorizo, soft, fluffy soft bun

All are nicely served warm, with the steam raising up from the interior of the bread as one tears open the breads. Ahh, golden standard of bread serving met! The breads are so fresh and denser in consistency as compared to the usual varieties, which is unique.

 

Merken Butter, aka Smoked Chilli Butter, is the MVP here. The light spiciness and exotic aroma makes the breads taste so good. 

Oca & Caviar is prepared with Andean oca, a kind of tubers, which the friendly lady chef shows me in its original form.  aji amerillo, a type of South American chilli and of course, the luxurious chutoro and N25 Oscietra Caviar. The taste is amazing, with a good delicate balance of flavours from the sea and those of the earth. The texture is amazing too. I love this so much.

Moqueca Kinki features such silky texture that it is love and surprise at first bite. Aceite de aende and amaranth add the richness and exotic component to the dish, resulting in an excellent combination of the light briny goodness the sea peppered with a full-bodied taste of herbs and spices. Another winner.

Bresse Pigeon is so tender and smooth. The sauce made from 151 Days Aged Ecuadorian Cacao and purple corn takes it to greater heights with their earthy and rich flavours adding the extra sweetness and kick to the taste of the pigeon and toning down its gamey flavour at the same time.

Sunday Lunch is a lovely traditional Chilean dish, called empanada, where wagyu is packed into pastry and given hints of excitement with the taste by adding pebre, a lovely South American condiment made from onion, cilantro, garlic, chillies and more. So many flavours dancing in harmony on the palates. I can definitely say I totally love Chilean cuisine at this point.

Picaña is the best Wagyu I ever have. The meat is tender while still featuring a good bite and a nice thin char, which is how I like to eat the meat. The pungency, mild spiciness and tangy flavours of Latin Amercian sauce, chimichurri, is the magic here. It cut through the meaty flavours of the wagyu to create a different taste full of depth and meaty sweetness. I actually close my eyes when savouring this to try to fully capture the flavours and that blissful feeling into my memories.

The beautiful sphere of palate cleasner is perfect for cleansing the palates after rounds of meat. I love the texture of the crystal sugar shell encasing the goodies. It contrasts so well with flowy texture of the filling.

Desierto Florido, made with fresh chirimoya Alegre, orange cake with orange flan, edible orange jelly, scores on both taste and texture. Hints of tanginess and flora aroma from the orange, coupled with the sweetness and creaminess of chirimoya, known as custard apple or best fruit known to men, yields a rich and at the same time, light dessert that delights the taste buds.

And there is a cute gadget that comes along with the dessert for me to view the landscapes of South America through its lens. Nice extra touch.

Antarctica Goats milk ice cream with crispy milk cinnamon, Crème Anglasie (silker version of custard), Patagonia berries and dulce de leche is milky goodness in molecular gastronomy form. The varying temperature, texture and flavours create so much excitement on the taste buds.

I gasp in pleasant surprise when the cart of Carrito De Dulces is presented. So many choices of petit fours to choose from 💖 They are delicious treats.

Lovely wine paring for the night

This restaurant is the epitome of the best of South American cuisine and also one of the best of gastronomy. This is definitely a must-try for foodies and bon vivants.

Thoughts: Absolutely Amazed!

83 Neil Road #01-08

Mondrian Singapore Duxton

Nearest MRT: Outram Park