PUBLISHED February 20th, 2013 05:47 am | UPDATED May 9th, 2018 03:13 am
Yes, we do love giving you the lowdown on what’s new and hot here in Singapore, especially when it comes to food, and we know that often the newbies get the spotlight shining on them. However, sometimes you have to make room for the fact that all that glitters is not gold, and that an old familiar name can take you by surprise by its consistently good food.
Recently we revisited an establishment that has become somewhat of a household name when it comes to Mediterranean cuisine. Eighteen years is quite an achievement in the fickle dining scene here in Singers and yet, they have managed to keep pace with a physical update last year featuring a new, airier outlook comprising floor-to-ceiling glass panels and a new bar feature inlaid with a modern quartz countertop which connects with sister outlet Amuse (coincidentally a small-plates establishment which is currently very much on trend at the moment) next door.
Many have waxed lyrical about their Famous Garlic Bread ($7.50), and for good reason too. A dish as ubiquitous as this might not stand out in other places, but it is given star treatment here. All manner of generosity punctuate the cuisine here, in terms of flavours and portions, as well as abundant use of ingredients common to the Mediterranean diet including olive oil, lemon, garlic and fresh herbs.
The appetiser of Sizzling Garlic Chilli Shrimps on Hot Plate ($19) is a very good example of this. Juicy shrimps liberally doused with olive oil and chilli flakes sit atop a hot plate accompanied with toasted bread. We recommend you mop up the remainder of the olive oil base with bread when you’re done feasting on the shrimps!
Their Paella Valenciana ($35) and Charcoal Grilled Meat Skewers ($28 to $42) might be crowd-pleasers here…but we insist that you give their Moroccan Cous Cous ($22 to $33) a try. Large enough to feed about three to four within your dining party, we went for the chicken option which came nicely glazed in an unctuous brown sauce and drizzled with cous cous providing a toothsome texture to the mix.
And what of their Tiramisu ($12)? We’re not surprised at all to be told that regulars often drop by just for their tiramisu to take home. Their version is laced with kahlua and served moist and creamy with dustings of cocoa powder in equal proportions. We were sold upon our first bite. Their Melting Moments ($15), comprising chocolate tartlets with maple walnut ice cream and cherries, or also known as the very likeable molten lava cake, is also worth trying.
And to close our case for Esmirada, well, who wouldn’t fancy some plate-smashing when you’ve had a bad day? Zorba, or the fun Greek ritual of smashing plates, commences at Esmirada every evening at 9pm and is honestly rather addictive.
Now, that’s what we call old-school cool.
Written by Sha.
On this occasion, the meal was compliments of Esmirada.