Magarita's is definitely is not all about cocktails and Tex-Mex food. This quaint restaurant brings tears to one's eyes at the very taste of authentic home-cooked Mexican food (not to mention added effects of their chilli peppers). Part of the chain restaurants with other outlets located in East Coast and Farrer Road, this addition at Dempsey continues on the 19-year trilogy of authentic Mexican cuisine.

• The Vibe
  Locating Magarita's turned into a venture into quiet Tanglin Village and a rather scenic climb up Dempsey Hill. Like the nature of Mexican food, Magarita's orange and blue colour combination proved equally tropical and vibrant. Panels of oil paintings depict the colourful life of Mexican culture while rattan chairs and large potted plants at corners create an alfresco-like dining experience without leaving the comforts of air-conditioning.

• The Food
  Unlike popular beliefs, Mexican food is not spicy. Instead, 14 different types of chilli imported from Mexico contribute to an array of flavours and textures in each dish. For starters, go light with a cold seafood cocktail, Ceviche ($8) – a small dish of prawns, fish and diced tomatoes “cooked” in lime juice and fish broth. The taste of fresh seafood is immediately apparent, together with smooth fish meat and springy prawns enhanced by refreshing tomatoes.

  There is also the option of sharing – try the Quessilio En Salsa Verde ($18), an Oxacan string cheese in green tomatillo salsa. With a generous slab of goat's cheese atop soft corn tortillas, this dish is flavourful and exciting to the palate. It is also a pleasant surprise to discover that goat's cheese is light and just as tasty. If not, there is also signature dish Baked Crab Enchillados ($30), a large tortilla stuffed full with shredded crab meat. Rich and flavoursome, yet sourish and refreshing, the dish comes along with soft and fragrant spinach rice and black beans. Though yummy, sharing is recommended for a dish so rich in its ingredients.

  Apart from tortillas and other more well-known Mexican dishes, there are other authentic recipes like Baked Chicken with Anchiote ($28). Smoked chicken drenched in sweet tomato sauce invites patrons to prepare their own tortillas (if they wish to) with condiments like black bean sauce and roasted onions on the side.

  Desserts are a must, we insist. Ladies will be delighted to discover that both the Flourless Degadon Chocolate Red Wine Cake as well as Capirotada (Mexican Bread Pudding) ($10) have no added sugar. The chocolate cake was heavenly to the senses, yet still light on the taste-buds. Fluffy warm bites of cake paired off with homemade coconut ice-cream are simply too delicious to resist. Dive into temptation with their use of croissants in bread pudding – its stuffing of nuts, apricots and raisins give a delectable sweetness without the need for sugar. Topped with dulce de leche (caramel sauce), there is no turning back once one has started on his or her first bite.

• The Service
  Youthful and enthusiastic, be assured of a pleasant dining experience at Magarita's if the food has not already wowed you away. A brief eye contact brings them to the table and one's request will be performed to their very best. Restaurant owner, Andy simply bubbles over with enthusiasm of his love for Mexican cuisine, and it is infectious indeed. Regulars like special off-menu items and who knows, you can get lucky.

The SD Food Advisor's take on Magarita's
Dining at Magarita's is an experience of colourful Mexican lingos, an assortment of multi-flavours combined in one dish, and most of all, a relaxing yet exciting gastronomical journey. With Mexican chillies roasted the traditional way, and bags of home-made chips available for takeaways, Magarita's is the very place to get your fix for true blue Mexican cuisine.