Sultry Latin American beats, bevvies, and bites await at Vasco, a hip hangout onHong Kong Streetbrought to us by the same team behind the now defunct The Cufflink Club (sob). It’s a bold move serving only Latin American spirits in lieu of vodka, gin, andwhisky, but the concept seems to work, as the place is usually packed with punters sipping on caipirinhas, pisco sours, and mojitos. Vasco, it would appear, is the hottest new kid on the Singapore block and worth a visit.
Why you should come here:
The dimly lit space features warm red walls and rounded leather booths that are perfect for intimate drinks, and the long bar is backed by shelves stocked with bottles of tequila, cachaça, and rum. You won’t find the usual drinks here, but rather a great selection of cocktails, spirits, wines, and beers from Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean. The menu is also strictly Latin American with tasty plates like ceviche, Argentinian steak with chimichurri, and its famous El Cubano sandwich.
What we love:
The drinks here are fresh, exotic and conjure up images of lazing around in a hammock under a coconut tree on the beach. Take for example the Old Man And The Sea (white rum, grapefruit juice, Marasca cherries, lime and sea salt) or the Señor Pelé (cachaça, cucumber, Manuka honey, lime and orange bitters). For the not-so adventurous types, it also has more familiar mixes like Cuba Libres, Margaritas, and Daiquiris.
Foodwise there is a decent selection of starters, sides, mains, and desserts. We love the ceviche de naranja, a fresh mix of thinly sliced red snapper, aji rocoto, orange, jicama and pecan nuts, and the salada de jicama with crunchy jicama, watercress, brazil nuts, cotija cheese, and hibiscus.
UJ Tidbit:
The El Cubano sandwich is a must-try here. Think crusty bread stuffed with slow-roasted marinated pork shoulder, smoked ham, gooey Emmental cheese, and a bit of crunch from the red cabbage coleslaw and house made pickles. We’re drooling just thinking about it, it’s that good.
Damage:
Cocktails range from $20++ to $23++, starters are in the $14++ to $20++ range, and mains start at $18++
Vasco, 42 Hongkong Street,059681, t. 8799 7085. Open Mon – Sat: 6pm – 1am
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