When was the last time you were at a tourist attraction and had a good meal worth your coin? In the face of unfamiliar restaurants and pricey menus, I always end up settling for less or simply filling up with fast food. Quite a let-down after a whole day of adrenaline, right?
Named after a port of a colonial town in Peru, PISCO: South American Kitchen and Bar offers family-style dining right in the heart of Resorts World Sentosa. Minutes away from attractions and Waterfront station, this vibrant and kaleidoscopic building just screams for attention – but, more importantly, it stands as one of the few restaurants in Singapore that serves up the entirety of rich South American cuisine.
Walking in, I found myself transported into a middle of a carnival. The lively music in the background, and, most notably, the colourful and whimsical décor that emulates their equally vibrant culture. In fact, the establishment actually contacted the embassy just to get local newspaper prints for a custom wallpaper!
Signature Cocktail Selections from the region
PISCO is definitely out to impress with their extensive drinks menu. On top of the usual beers, spirits and wine, they also boast a well-stocked bar for a range of tropical cocktails. Sure, they have all sorts of mojitos for your choosing (and even a grande one for sharing), but they cannot truly call themselves a South American spot if can’t serve up the region’s renowned Pisco Sour.
Rich yet silky, it has the perfect balance between sweet and sour. Not only is a great drink to refresh yourself after a whole day under the sun, the acidic flavours does well to open up my appetite. If you are new to Pisco (both to the liquor and the restaurant), this is the best drink to start with.
If you have gotten hooked onto the taste of Pisco liquor, you can move on to their own range of signature cocktails. A good follow up would be the Cocoloco Flip. It is a coconut pineapple juice and banana liquor concoction that blends well together, with neither being overpowering – it was the perfect accompaniment to the strong flavours of their cuisine.
Thankfully, for those who want to save a couple of bucks while catching with friends, their weekday happy hour may just very well be the thing you need to impress and try out all their creations! From 3p.m. to 7p.m. on Mondays to Fridays, they welcome all with a 1-for-1 cocktail offer.
Bringing a taste of South America to our doorstep
From lamb in Chile, plethora of tropical fruits throughout the island, to the abundance of seafood thanks to the Pacific Ocean, South American cuisine cannot be defined simply. Flavours from its various regions like Peru and Brazil bare the same thread, but have their own unique taste – and PISCO, is bringing all that onto one dinner table.
Typically, there’s no other way to start the meal than with ceviches; a seafood dish that’s commonplace in the coastal regions of Central and South America. Made from fresh raw fish cured in citrus juice and spiced with various chilli peppers and herbs, it is a seemingly simple dish that carries a level of complexity in taste. If you’re not an avid sashimi eater or the type to be squeamish around raw seafood, a ceviche is the best way to start you off (it is actually cooked, afterall).
Unlike the usual lime or lemon, their Salmon Ceviche is cured with watermelon juice. Topped with chunks of avocadoes and mangoes, it has an overall creamy yet clear sweetness that is light on the palate.
If you are the more traditional type, their Lubina would be your first choice. Marinated in citrus juice, the fresh chunks of sea bass gives a refreshing and spiced crunch with the generous garnish of capsicums and purple onions. It actually tastes like the Peruvian version of my Mum’s Cantonese steamed fish (they do use pretty much the same ingredients) – although, the former would definitely win the battle in which is the better partner to my ice-cold Corona.
For those who want a better definition of their cuisine, you should try the Camarones. It is a prawn ceviche made with chili paste, coconut milk and topped with deep fried plaintain banana slices that is reminiscent of our local Laksa dish (topped with Goreng Pisang). It is rich, creamy and a dish you would break your diet vows for.
Enough with the starters. It’s time to move on to the stars of the show. Once again, PISCO spoils you for choice with their all-emcompassing menu from burritos to barbequed meats.
For those who want to give the cuisine a try, but do not want to venture too far out from their comfort zone, their El Burgers would be a good choice. The Lamb El Burger had a grilled patty packed with spice and herbs, and with the fresh Romaine Salad, purple onions and the mint salsa giving a refreshing crunch, it all adds up to one intensely flavourful bite. The buttery soft, yet crispy burger bun (grilled along with the patty), adds on to the myriad texture we all know in a burger – but way better.
They serve up a whole range of barbecued meats, from lamb to salmon, but my favourite has got to be the Whole Spring Chicken. Marinated well, I could also taste the Chef’s expertise in the grilling. The meat was tender and juicy, with (the best part) crispy skin giving a most satisfying bite when dipped in the creamy guacamole. It also goes heartily well with a side of sweet grilled corn with melted butter.
Their Pork Rib Confit was just as tender and juicy, with the meat sliding off the bone. Interestingly slathered in Blackcurrant Sauce, it gave the ribs a fruity sweet taste reminiscent of Sunday Roast during Christmas. The difference? Blackcurrants has a complex taste that is intense and musky – it acts as a more elegant accompaniment to the richly flavoured rib (without it being tart at all).
After the marathon of seafood and meats (and, maybe cocktails), desserts is that sweet ending to a great meal.
Without a doubt, there would be Churros. This fried choux pastry is originally eaten as a snack in the region, and even sometimes, breakfast! However, in Singapore, it has gotten popular as a decadent desert – much thanks to the thick and rich hot chocolate sauce dip. It is no surprise that this is going to be a hit with both the kids and the adults. While they did not have the caramel-like dulce de leche available as a dip, I have made an ardent request to the staff. Fingers crossed!
Mousse de Chocolate, simply known as chocolate mousse, is a decadent chocolate overload of a desert. This rich, frothy and creamy dessert is not a traditional South American one, but came into the menu because of vehement outbursts by the staff after the Chef made it during their annual barbecue cook-out. Truly, I could understand where they were coming from. I could not stop at just one mouthful – despite my waistline screaming at me angrily. Worth it.
Overall
After spending a fortune buying tickets and merchandises for the family and, of course, myself (always a kid at heart), I wouldn’t want to waste another dollar. While PISCO is not hawker-food-affordable, it can be a great dining option to end your day on a high note. What’s more, its vibrant look is bound to be a hit with the kiddos – and they can enjoy their churros while customising their very own PISCO mascot (a colourable menu up for grabs)! Of course, the adults are not left out in the deal, thanks to their extensive drinks selection – and what other way to cool off a whole day of excitement than with their refreshing PISCO Sour?
PISCO South American Kitchen and Bar is located at Resorts World Sentosa; 26 Sentosa Gateway, The Forum Level 1 #01-231/232 Singapore 098138. They are open for reservations daily through 6795 4720, reservations@pisco.com.sg or online.
About the Writer
Jessica is a young lady of many obsessions. She gets herself into everything ranging from the latest in the monochrome fashion world (she only wears black, and sometimes, white) to convincing the masses that Community is the best TV series ever made.
Currently, she enjoys looking like Sailor Mercury had a baby with Wednesday Addams.
