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Where to find a little slice of Havana in Singapore
Break out the cigars, mojitos and Buena Vista Social Club -- a wave of Cuban bars and restaurants is sweeping through Singapore
You no longer have to make your way to Havana to find yourself a little Cuban style, with the recent opening of Nueva Cuba, and the upcoming launch of The Connoisseur Emporium, Cuban bites, cigars and cocktails are here for the taking.
Here's where to go ...
The pollo al mojito, a Nueva Cuba speciality.
The Restaurant: Nueva Cuba
The neighbor to the Fullerton Bay Hotel, Nueva Cuba pulls in a regular CBD crowd many of the well-heeled guests from the nearby hotels. The focus here is fixed firmly on food and Nueva has a vast range of Cuban delights and Spanish favorites. Sample spiced potatoes, patatas bravas (S$8) or the seafood stew. The zarzuela (S$18) is a score -- a delicious mix of prawns, mussels and squid in a rich tomato sauce.
The winner: The mojito chicken, or pollo al mojito (S$20), is a tasty, succulent chicken thigh marinated in quality Mount Gay rum and spices, served on a bed of zingy mango and mint salsa. Perched on the top of a bed of patatas bravas, the portion size is generous and bursts with flavor. The mojitos make for a punchy little number with its balance of lime, mint and sugar cane (not sugar syrup) combined with a decent dose of rum.
The stinger: The mojitos are not terribly economic ($16), but bag a waterside table during the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it happy hour (6-7 p.m.) and keep them coming at S$8 a pop, you’ll be shaking your castanets before you know it.
#01/03 Customs House, 70 Collyer Quay, tel +65 6535 0538.
Sit back, relax and have some whisky and cigars.
The Cigar Bar: The Olde Cuban
Tucked away on the second floor of a shop house in Chinatown this is the least likely spot for a Cuban style bar. But inside, expect a range of vintage whiskey and a full range of specialty cigars.
The winner: Unlike run-of-the-mill cigar bars that carry a mere 50 to 100 labels, there are over 250 different types of Cuban cigars stocked and a collection of limited edition cigars. While the finger food is far from Cuban -- think spring rolls and roast chicken -- they do go down well with your average stogie (S$12-30).
The stinger: The Olde Cuban is also the official home of Laphoraig Whisky. Whisky lovers can put away a glass for S$15, and a bottle of Laphoraig will set you back (S$200-S$700), depending on the age.
#02-01, 2 Trengganu Street, tel +65 6222 2207.
Oversized mojitos and live music prove to be a lethal combination at Cuba Libre.
The Cuban Bar: Cuba Libre
This well-established Cuban bar is slap-bang in the middle of Clarke Quay. it has a long list of light bites (tapitas) and generous grande mojitos and hosts regular live music performances.
The winner: The crunchy yet chewy spicy squid rings (S$15) and the mammoth plates of beef nachos (S$14). Wash it all down with a white wine sangrita (S$14 ), a refreshing but potent, fruity white wine sangria.
The stinger: Like their hero Che Guevara, they don’t do things in halves at Cuba Libre. The grande mojito -- it comes in a huge jar -- is the only size of the iconic Cuban cocktail, so if you hoped for a quick drink, think again. At S$28 they are a tad pricey, but go during happy hour (6-9 p.m.) and get the better deal (S$20).
Block B, #01-13 Clarke Quay, 3B River Valley Road, tel +65 6338 8982.
Stock up on all things Cuban at this one stop shop.
The Cuban Shop: The Connoisseur Emporium
A brand new Cuban shop due to open on December 1 at Marina Bay Link. It'll offer a range of specialty Cuban products: coffee, rum, beer, cigars, and cigar accessories as well as limited edition Scotch whiskies.
The winner: One of the steals will be the Cuban coffee, Cubita (from S$20), an earthy, smoky blend with a caramel finish. Also the hard-to-find -- only 3,000 bottles are produced each year -- Edmundo Dantes rum (S$110-S$250). A full-bodied beauty with hints of fine vanilla, exotic spices, lemon and orange peel, ideal for whipping up homemade mojitos.
The stinger: The shop has the whole range of Cuban cigars -- Cohiba, Trinidad, Montecristo, Partagas, and Romeo Y Julieta -- to name a few, prices range from S$10 to S$280.
Opens December 1. #B2-66 Marina Bay Link Mall, 8A Marina Boulevard, tel +65 6634-2268
