The buzz: Bukit Timah favourite My Little Spanish Place branches out with a sister outlet right on party street. The Spanish influence still runs deep, but this time the focus is on those delicious little tapas they serve and the alcohol (what else).
The vibe: Warm yet vibrant— rustic wooden furniture, dim spotlights, an open bar and a red-brick wall complete the homely feel, while the energetic Spanish tunes got us grooving to the beat (yes, even while eating).
The food: Traditional Spanish tapas with a twist. There’s an extensive choice of vegetarian, seafood and meat appetisers such as the pimientos de piquillos asados (roasted peppers stuffed with manchego cheese; $12) and the datiles con beicon (bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with blue cheese and almonds; $14). You can also mix and match the jamon (Spanish ham; $7-$35), queso (Spanish cheeses; $6-$7) and embutidos (cured meats; $5-$8) for an ideal sharing platter. Most of the produce is air-flown from Spain for maximum authenticity, and the difference in taste is palpable.
The drinks: A rather remarkable list of Spanish wine and cider imports. You’ll start off with a complimentary glass of cava, but there’s also the sweet and fruity house sangria and a delicious spiced Spanish cider.
Why you’ll be back: The diner is a cool crowd magnet without even really trying and the lively atmosphere borne out of this is a great mood lifter. Besides, authentic Spanish food (and free alcohol for all!) is hard to come by in Singapore, especially in the Chinatown area.
