For a city that prides itself on its culinary excellence, Singapore is well served by Mediterranean-styled Esmirada at Orchard. With an extensive menu of meats, breads, salads, soups, pasta and wine, Esmirada aims to give its diners the best of Mediterranean styles and flavours. It succeeds in this quest in no uncertain terms. At Esmirada’s, you are guaranteed to have a rewarding dining experience whether you order a few appetizers and sip on a glass of wine, or are a part of one of the many corporate functions that take place there. Esmirada is run in an exacting yet warm manner that will have you planning your next visit, even before you have finished your meal. Whether you are there for the wine, the plate smashing or the skewers, Esmirada and their first class staff will make sure that you have a memorable dining experience.

• Food
  True to its theme, appetizers at Esmirada offer a wide range of Mediterranean flavours. A great start is Esmirada’s Famous Garlic Bread. Fresh and accented with flavours of garlic, it is nicely complemented with a glass of sparkling white wine. Alternatively, one that will essentially baptise you into the culinary ambience of the Mediterranean is the Mezza Platter- a spicy, hearty mix of humus, baba ghanouj, feta cheese, sun dried tomatoes and stuffed grape leaves, served with delectably pita bread. While the terms may leave you wondering, the tastes are as familiar as your Aladdin flick. The sizzling Chili Garlic Shrimps is a great marriage of the tangy taste of prawns and the added-oomph of spices. Served liberally in a hot iron pan, it allows you to easily scoop a handsome portion onto your plate.

  The options of main courses at Esmirada are equally varied. If you just came in from a rainy day on Orchard, a hearty French Bouillabaisse may well turn your day around. This hearty “French fisherman” stew has just the right amount of zing in its secret mixture of tomato, onion and other spices. From further south in the Mediterranean comes another Esmirada house specialty, the Moroccan Cous Cous, offered in varieties of chicken, lamb shank, or vegetable. This slightly spicy mix goes down well with their special gravy that has a rich aroma, and is large enough to feed two or three persons.

  If you have a larger appetite and are eating with a few friends, you will appreciate the large Esmirada skewers, be they prawn, beef or chicken. Cooked with a wide variety of bell peppers, onions and seasonings, these skewers will make want to you set aside all manners and gulf them down in the most primitive of ways. Visually enticing, the prawns are big and salty with the beef being tender and juicy, while the chicken is tender and smooth.

  For dessert, the award-winning Tiramisu that is liberally mixed with kahlua will be the perfect note to end your night on. Although intended for one, the Tiramisu is more than enough to share with a significant other or two. Another commendable dessert is the poetically named Melting Moments, which is a mind-blowing mixture of chocolate and ice cream. The chocolate melting has hints of rich cotton candy, making it an even more delightful experience. If your night is just starting at Esmirada, the Spanish Cremata may be just what you need after a few hours of eating. This bizarre concoction is in fact, a spectacular fire show that culminates into a rich, tangy cup of coffee with citrus perfection for jump-starting your night ahead.

• Atmosphere / Service
  A warm rustic environment, punctuated with music from Mediterranean ports of call, Esmirada at Orchard, has all the elements that make for a memorable evening.

  The staff is cordial and responsive and never too far away to answer you queryor serve your needs. They know the menu well and can make suggestions that will suit your dining needs.

The SD Food Advisor’s take on Esmirada
Esmirada has a lot going for it and seems to have acquired a sort of “X” factor among its clientele. With a classy wine bar next door and an ambiance that exudes good food, good vibes and enjoyment Esmirada is a much needed respite for those spending too much of their lives within the confines of the corporate work week. Drop in with a few friends for a skewer and some fine wine and a few….. smashed plates! You won’t regret it.