Chill out and enjoy a true Mexican experience
PISTOLERA has been celebrating all things Mexican since its establishment in 2014 with the help of chef Leonardo Tabasco Guerrero.
Its lively Latina vibe extends to a second outlet opened in January on Nanyang Road on the second floor of a historic building.
Chef Guerreo, with his Mexican heritage and growing up in a family of chefs, wanted to create a menu that consists of the staple dishes that has made Mexican food famous throughout the world and by sourcing quality local ingredients to keep the essence of freshness while transforming them to replicate an authentic product that will give the customers a true Mexican experience.
The interior is rather simply decorated as a chilled, hang-out place for a simple meal or group gatherings. It’s also a nice spot to watch sports along with some house-made beer.
The menu is extensive as the restaurant aims to please different palates. “We need to adapt to local palates and market availability as well so we season some of our dressings and sauces with local ingredients and have experimented with off-menu Asian-inspired dishes,” the chef said.
I was keen to have truly Mexican fare on my first visit. I love melted cheese so picking the queso fundido (melted cheese over a cast iron skillet) to start was a must. It was a pure satisfaction when digging into this rich, warm gooey cheese with a smokey kick from the chorizo and half-roasted creamy peppers and corn to add to the flavors. It is recommended you eat it with warm flour tortillas before the cheese turns cold.
Beef steak fajitas (118 yuan) were the best choice of the night. Slices of freshly grilled Australian flank steak were perfectly spiced with sliced onion and bell peppers on a sizzling hot plate with a side of Mexican rice, beans, guacamole, cheese and lettuce. A mixture of everything wrapped in a soft flour tortilla is irresistibly tempting and a Mexican staple I never tire of.
Meat lovers should try
parrillada (barbecue). Mexican people enjoy having barbecue with family and friends especially in the northern part of the country where they have amazing beef and fresh seafood. A combination of meat and seafood is served here.
I found the tacos less attractive than the other dishes. My favorite al pastor taco did not meet my expectations because the grilled pork was less juicy and the overall textures and flavors not well-balanced.