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KERRY LOW visits TXA Gastrobar at The Alkaff Mansion and RAELENE TAN revisits retro classic, Fatty’s Restaurant.

DIY Sangria Bowl

TXA (pronounced Char) Gastrobar at The Alkaff Mansion has launched a new menu with an array of delicious Spanishinspired dishes. The outdoor patio, surrounded by tropical greenery and views of the chefs working their magic on the live grill station, is the ideal dining set-up.

We begin with a round of Flavored Mojitos ($18) in Pineapple, Lychee and Mango flavours; served in ice-cold tall glasses. A fabulous start to the evening. The DIY Sangria Bowl (from $80) is also not to be missed - it proves almost as much fun to build as to drink! Choose from a variety of options, including sweet versus dry, brandy versus rum, white wine versus red and different fruits. Our group decides on the double shot of brandy…why not!?

Thirst well and truly quenched, we feel ready to tackle the food choices. In true Spanish style we order a range of sharing plates for the table, starting with the Clams Andalusian Style ($18), a substantial serving of two dozen clams cooked in white wine, paprika, garlic and parsley. One of the table’s favourites.

We take a short repose in our beautiful surroundings watching the sun set while sipping on refreshing sangria before the remainder of the dishes arrive. The Coca de Chorizo ($18) – Spanish flatbread topped with chorizo sausage, roasted peppers, leeks, onion, and mozzarella cheese ($16) is delicious and Roasted Cauliflower ($10) scores all around accolades – roasted with sweet paprika and presented with aioli on the side.

No authentic tapas menu is complete without a Spanish omelette and TXA’s version ($8), made with confit potatoes, free range eggs and caramelised onions and served with garlic aioli doesn’t disappoint. We are pleasantly surprised by the TiNDLE Chicken Meatballs ($18); Bunuelos a plant-based chicken alternative, made right here de Viento in Singapore. Served on a rich and spicy tomato sauce, topped with Manchego cheese, this tasty dish should appeal to everyone.

From the impressive TXA ‘Char’ Grills, we sample the Honey Glazed Pork Ribs ($28) - yummy, juicy, and falling-off-the-bone tender. The generous rack of ribs is served with grilled white corn, asparagus and a Calcots sauce (pureed, seasoned leek, very tasty!)

We top off our meal with a plate of Bunuelos de Viento ($12) – decadent fried Spanish donuts sprinkled with sugar and served with a thick dark chocolate dipping sauce. VERDICT: A great place for sundowners with an extensive and well priced menu. The outdoor patio dining is reminiscent of a warm Spanish summer dining – at a time when we are limited in our traveling experiences.

Honey Glazed Pork Ribs

One of my earliest memories of local hawker-style food in Singapore is of Chinese char kway teow - white flat noodles fried with egg, Chinese sausage, fish cake, lard and chilli sauce - at Wing Seong Fatty’s Restaurant (affectionately known as Fatty’s), while seated at makeshift tables and stools along Albert Street, in 1970. The delicious “wok hei” (literally, ‘breath of the wok’) taste and aroma left an indelible impression; charred, with gentle smoky whispers.

Over the years, as so often happens, we lost touch. A chance remark at an ANZA event by Life Member Annette Tilbrook, sent my husband and me scurrying to Burlington Square, Bencoolen Street, in the city, where we renewed our long-time relationship with Fatty’s. We were not disappointed.

Seated at tables and chairs arranged on the footpath facing Albert Street Pedestrian Mall (there is also family-style airconditioned indoor seating), we have enjoyed our several visits, tucking into piquant sweet and sour fish, chilli kang kong (fried green vegetable, aromatic with chilli and dried shrimp), soya bean dishes, colourful fried rice and, always, char kway teow, accompanied by refreshing lime juice or cold beer. VERDICT: A friendly, unpretentious setting to tuck into delicious Singapore Chinese-style dishes, especially char kway teow, with affordable pricing.