Where to go when in the mood for good tapas & sangria

There’s something about authentic Spanish tapas that makes you want them once in a while. If you’re in Singapore, there’s no reason why you can’t have such delectable eats. Hie off to one of the best Singapore restaurants in Duxton Hill for muy delicioso tapas. The place is known for quirky shops and cobbled-stone streets. One of the popular hangouts in a shophouse is Sabio Tapas Bar and Restaurant.

I asked a couple of co-workers to join me for dinner there and they gleefully said yes. `Let’s eat and get drunk,’ they said. The ambience at Sabio’s is boisterous in a charming kind of way. It makes you feel glad to be part of a party with friends. So different from formal restaurants with a pretentious feel. There’s a long bar and a stunning mural customers won’t miss while enjoying little platefuls of their Spanish tapas.

Sabio tapas bar serves the island’s best sangrias. My friends and I thoroughly enjoyed the refreshing alcoholic fruit punch while feasting on Jamón ibérico belotta, olives stuffed with anchovies. We also stuffed ourselves with eggplant caviar on roasted garlic toast, sardines in tomato sauce, and mussels in a cream sauce. The sardines was a far cry from the canned stuff we’re familiar with.

For our main entrees, we ordered prawns in olive oil & garlic, plus manchego cheese and Paella Valenciana. We learned that fresh ingredients are flown in regularly from Spain. We thought we didn’t have room for dessert but we just had to have Catalan custard.

It was one of a handful of Singapore restaurants to perfectly chill out over delicious tapas and sangria. Service can improve. Nonetheless, Sabio tapas Bar and Restaurant let us have a great time. It’s a terrific watering hole and certainly one of the Singapore restaurants worth visiting.

Fun at the Tiffin Room

Dining in one of the most celebrated grand hotels is but a dream for many people, including me. As fate would have it, though, I was invited to the bridal shower of an officemate at the historic Raffles Hotel’s Tiffin Room. It’s one of the best places to eat in Singapore.


I was excited to attend the bridal shower party, and thrilled that it was happening in a posh hotel. The décor and ambience of Tiffin Room echo the hotel’s pre-World War II glory days. It’s like being whisked back to a bygone era. The afternoon event aptly was entitled “one hot, sexy affair” – a unique concept masterminded by my officemate’s maid of honor. After the fun & games and opening of bridal shower gifts, we excitedly headed for the buffet spread. There were fresh oysters enough to get anyone in a sexy mood, a sprinkling of French cuisine, salads & soups, and spicy Indian fare like colorful curry dishes.


The dessert table carried enticing tiramisu (I must say I’ve been seeing and eating a lot of tiramisu in the most promising and popular places to eat in Singapore), kesar kulfi (creamy Indian ice-cream with pistachio nuts and saffron) and other sweet offerings.


As can be expected, service was warm and courteous in the Tiffin Room. The hotel staff members were ready to assist. It was a suitable venue for a bridal shower. Everybody had a fun time and went home happy and full. I’d love to go back and savor the buffet spread and try south Indian spring chicken cooked with coconut at the Tiffin Room. The place is just perfect for those looking for good venues to get together with friends. It’s one of the nice places to eat in Singapore.