ESQUINA

16 Jiak Chuan Road, S(089267) TEL: 6222 1616

Esquina is a bit like fine wine. When first opened, it showed promise, and then it kept getting better and better. This is especially true under the helm of executive chef Carlos Montobbio, who earned his stripes in the kitchen of the Roca brothers at El Celler de Can Roca in Spain. He excels in dishing out modern tapas that are so exciting and tasty, you could not wait to return. The Tsarskaya oyster is an umami bomb; it’s dressed with a zesty jalapeño ponzu, and topped with pearls of salmon roe and pickled ginger flower for added character. Another crowd favourite is the Iberico pork jowl, its richness beautifully accented by pickled pear and chipotle. Don’t miss out on the suckling pig, which is a staple of many Spanish kitchens. The skin is utterly crisp, while the meat, bathed in mulled wine jus, remains moist and succulent. Enjoy it with the side of rhubarb and apple chutney. Spanish tipples dominate the drinks list, which includes sherry, white and red wines, and cava.