Eating Out
Okay, I haven't eaten at Mexican restaurant Señor Taco in Singapore yet.
In fact, I haven't even to been to Singapore yet, so I really can't say if this small but growing chain of taquerias and cantinas, which has opened a new outlet at Chijmes, is all that it's cracked up to be, but I sure would like to find out!
You see, Mexican food is my absolute favourite cooking style. I had it just last night, and I'm happy to report that you now can get good Mexican food in Hong Kong.
At least I think i't's good . . .
But digress . . .
Mexican Taquerias and Cantinas
The menu at Señor Taco Chlijmes is said to resemble “that of the traditional Mexican taqueria, together with classic antojitos found in Mexico’s famous cantinas”, the press release says.
“I’m not a big fan of the kind of heavy, expensive dishes that I see being served at other places,” says Alejandro Blanco, founder of Señor Taco.
“I like food that is fun to eat and delicious – like carnitas, ceviche, and enchiladas. It all invokes the Mexican party spirit, which Singaporeans may not be so closely acquainted with yet.”
Sure sounds good to me!
Haute Cuisine?
A few years back, I interviewed the owner of a newly opened Mexican restaurant in Hong Kong. He lambasted the Mexican food “popularized by Americans around the world” that was anything but authentic – you know, things like tacos, enchiladas, burritos, quesadillas, fajitas, nachos – all those disgusting things that have found so much favour throughout the world (and which I, personally, LOVE).
My interviewee wanted to showcase what he considered the Mexican equivalent of “haute cuisine”.
“Mexican cuisine is every bit as sophisticated as French cuisine,” he told me with extreme pomposity.
I didn't bother pointing out to him that with the exception of a few food snobs, Mexican food was surely more popular than French food.
Don't Bite the Hand That Feeds You
Actually, I found this interviewee's comments a bit insulting.
As an American, I LOVE all that stuff - you know, tacos, enchiladas, burrtios, fajitas - I even like tomales, which have NOT found favour around the world (because most restaurants just can't get them right).
And I know that I'm not alone. My Chinese and my Japanese friends love Mexican food, too, when I help them negotiate the menu (if they're not already familiar with Mexican food).
What's more, I don't really care that much if food is “authentic”. My main concern is HOW IT TASTES (and looks and smells and things like the texture).
I attended a function that was catered by this gentleman's restaurant, and, quite frankly, I thought that the food SUCKED!!! (Give me a taco or a burrito any day.)
Believe me, I wasn't surprised that his restaurant flopped.
Fun and Delicious
I'm with Alejandro.
I like food that is “fun to eat and delicious”. I like food that you eat with your hands. I like food that is a bit messy, food that dribbles down your arms, food that requires lots of napkins!
I especially like food that you wash down with tequila!!!
So I'm hoping that somebody in Singapore will read this and check this place out and let me know if it would be worth a trip to the Lion City for some comida muy deliciosa!
I haven't made any plans for my annual winter escape from Hong Kong yet. Would this be a good excuse to check Singapore out?
Copyright: Michael Taylor.