Mexican cuisine is renowned for its diversity – rich, varied flavours as well as spices juxtaposed against the backdrop of a culture rich in colours, fiestas and of course, samba and folk music. Harry's Mexican Restaurant, located at the sleepy side of Orchard, is perfect for those who wish for an introduction to Tex-Mex style kind of cooking, which combines into a swingin' American cowboy image upon the first bite into their tortillas.

• The Vibe
  Harry's has taken the colourful theme of Mexican culture to its best – orange, yellow, red and green decorate the kitchen-tiled bar counter, along with colourful square tabletops arranged around the restaurant. One will definitely not miss out their large pots of cactus and tropical plants, placed artfully in giant clay vases. Rattan-woven chairs create a relaxed and casual feel; otherwise there are other elements like wooden and stone furnishings for alternative sitting choices. It was a pity certain parts of the restaurant had rather dim lighting, which downplayed the otherwise colourful backdrop of Harry's.

• The Food
  Start off sharing a plate of Quesadilla ($21.50), thin slices of soft tortilla with stuffed chicken. The warm and crispy tortillas tastefully enhances the tender bits of chicken encased within, making it a fine starter dish for sharing.

  Most impressive was the Fisherman Platter with Fried Diablo Sauce ($32.50), a large plateful of spaghetti served with jumbo prawns, mussels and breaded fish, finished with slices of tomatoes all around the plate. The Mexican diablo sauce was scrumptious indeed, leaving a satisfying sweetness at the back of one's throat. The spaghetti, cooked to perfection, compliment the succulent giant prawns and soft breaded fish.

  There are attempts at authentic Mexican food like Enchilladas ($22.50) and Chimichangas ($21.50). Enchilladas feature corn-wrapped tortillas dipped in rich cream and cheese, with choices of fillings and sauces left entirely up to the customer. Served piping hot, these are warm and soft with a hint of chilli spice, and heavenly to cheese lovers. Chimichangas, with shredded steak, seemed to be the most value-for-money order, with a large roll of crispy tortilla wrapped and cut into two generous halves, encasing tender beef shreds with plenty of onions within. It tastes a little plain in comparison to the usual Mexican sweet-sour taste but is definitely your money's worth.

  Desserts never fail to excite even the harshest critic. Banana Chimichanga ($8.50) ends the meal perfectly, provided one is not filled to the brim on tortillas during the main course. Served with goat's milk caramel cream sauce, this sweet dessert has a taste similar to banana crępe. Drenched with soft and sticky caramel, it leaves a satisfying crunch in the mouth, leaving one yearning for more. However, the Ancho Chocolate Cake ($9.50) seems to be a little dubious, for its supposed spicy sensation, seems to be dampened by seemingly normal chocolate cake served with not vanilla, but strawberry ice-cream.

• The Service
  While food took slightly longer than usual to arrive, perhaps a little too long for hungry stomachs, the dishes arrived fresh and piping hot. Service was a little slow during lunch hours but the eager-to-please staff did try to make the restaurant's patrons' visits worthwhile.

The SD Food Advisor's take on Harry's Mexican Restaurant & Bar
The extensive range on Harry's menu provides dishes with an American touch rather than true blue Mexican flavour, save for promising dishes like those mentioned. Expect more toned-down Mexican tastes and be prepared to wait slightly longer than usual for one's orders to arrive at the table. While a little on the pricier side, Harry's Mexican Restaurant & Bar is a good venue for an introduction to Mexican's tortillas and the likes.