15 mins before Esquina (co-founded by Michelin-starred Jason Atherton of London’s Pollen Street Social and Singapore’s Pollen) opened its door, Emma from Dancing Elephant and I were already 3rd in line, even after making a point to reach early. The staff ushered us into the narrow restaurant promptly at noon and we took our seats along the bar counter, all ready to catch the chefs in action!
If you haven’t heard by now, Esquina does an extremely value for money set lunch on weekdays. 3 courses for $39+, menu apparently changes daily (or is that weekly?), and most of them are variations of sorts from the ala carte menu.
Almost every table ordered the salt and pepper squid so of course that had me hankering for a taste of it too. On hindsight, I wouldn’t do it again, since the squid paella and squid ink aioli that came with our mains of seabass had somewhat similar flavours. Talk about squid overdose, haha.
While I wouldn’t call this the best lunch/meal/whatever-you-want-to-call-it, I thought the food was well-executed and of good quality, especially the fresh seabass. I reckon Esquina is worth another visit, maybe for ala carte next. And yes, I’ll even put up with those awfully uncomfortable bar stools =x
roast ox tongue, cumin cous cous, harissa dressing
grilled romaine salad, anchovy, black olive, manchego
salt & pepper squid, black ink aioli ($20+)
seabass, squid paella, squid ink aioli
frozen yogurt, pumpkin cous cous cake, moroccan spiced apricot
Esquina
16 Jiak Chuan Lane
6222 1616
Can’t wait to try it after hearing good reviews. The salt and pepper squid looks really good.
this was my fav restaurant in 2012! and till now, it’s still my fav.