If there's one particular cuisine that has seen a tremendous increase in popularity in Singapore in the past couple of years, it'd be the hearty, unpretentious fare of the Spaniards. Heck, even the Australians (Luke Mangan's Salt Tapas) and Brits (Jason Atherton's Esquina) are jumping on board to offer their own culinary spin on Spanish food.
While many are caught up in the wave of newfangled creations, nothing warms your soul (and bellies) like the good ol' classics, served traditional-style at popular Serenity Spanish Bar & Restaurant. Forget the miniscule tapas-portions that do nothing for big appetites -- Serenity's all about homemade goodness and generous servings that make for the perfect get-together treat.
And at the heart of Serenity's menu of authentic Spanish cuisine is the traditional dish of Paella hailing from the city of Valencia. Slow-cooked with a special short grain rice (that absorbs the flavours of the ingredients three times more than normal rice), simmered in a secret recipe stock, then piled with seafood, the Paella is Serenity's signature available, prepared a la minute, piping hot and is ideal for sharing.
Feel like going for something healthy? The Vegetarian Paella comes packed with all the goodness of fresh vegetables and pine nuts and topped off with huge portobello mushroom, filling enough even for ravenous diners. Seafood lovers will be spoilt for choice with the array of seafood paellas which run the gamut from squid ink, and scampi, to codfish and lobster.
Otherwise, go for broke and order the signature Paella Valencia, a delicious concoction of fish, prawn, squid, chicken, mussels and saffron. The dish was awarded the Singapore’s Top 100 Signature Dishes Award 2009.
Hint: don't just leave the slightly burnt rice at the base of the pan. It's crisp and extra fragrant. Scrap it off -- that's how the Spaniards do it!
As you're waiting for your order of Paella (each dish takes about 20 minutes to prepare to ensure freshness), Serenity also offers a huge menu of tapas, soup and salad items that will keep the conversation flowing until the piece de resistance arrives. Backed by the live Spanish music playing in the background, it's not hard to close your eyes and imagine yourself along the cobbled, sun-drenched streets of Barcelona. You don't even need to go far for an authentic taste of Spain.
Serenity Spanish Bar & Restaurant, #01-98/99 VivoCity, +65 6376 8185, info@serenity.com.sg, www.serenity.com.sg
Sponsored by Serenity Spanish Bar & Restaurant