Who is Poncho? Hot New Table Casa Poncho is a new Latino joint in town serving some of the best churros and cocktails in Bukit Pasoh – welcome to Poncho's crib.
Can’t get enough of ceviche, churros and cocktails? Keep your eyes peeled for this one: nestled on the trendy street of Bukit Pasoh, Casa Poncho is the latest addition to the neighbourhood that we’re super excited about. This Hot New Table is a Latin American joint with a Singapore twist – having taken over the ground floor of former mahjong association Keow Siong Club, you’ll see aunties and uncles head up the stairs for their weekly game while you’re just casually sitting at the bar. Come with your girl friends, your work mates, or a fun date, for a night fuelled with Mezcal Margaritas, fabulous bites, and incredible music – Casa Poncho’s vibrant atmosphere will have you feeling transported straight to Cuba.
Word on the street is that Poncho loved great food, drinks, music, cigars and movies – and true to form the restaurant is decked out with all the things he loved. Who is Poncho anyway? We’ll get to that later. At the bar, a contemporary Latino mural begs for a photo-opp, while bright graffiti sets the tone. Inside, the main restaurant feels cosy and intimate, with some seriously eclectic artifacts all brought back from Poncho’s travels are displayed all over the place. You’ll find a cigar cabinet filled with all of his favourite cigars nestled in a corner, while his favourite black and white films are projected on the wall. A rowdy live band plays to bring a noisy good time, while Poncho keeps watch from his motorbike. You’ll see.
Hungry? You should be. In the kitchen, chefs Geoffrey Weckx and Lee Jin Rong cook up a feast of modern sharing plates bursting with punchy Latin flavour, while friendly waiters dashing from table to table, serving plenty of fare to get you in the mood. Standout dishes include fresh, fresh, fresh French seabass ceviche with avocado twist, Mexican grilled pork skewers with roasted pineapple couli, crispy fried chicken with triple salsa, beef cheek mole with fresh jicama, grilled Spanish octopus with ranchera salsa puree and our personal favourite, Churros de Queso – a crispy yet pillowy chilli cheese churros that we still have dreams about. You’ll want to save room for Pastry Chef Sharon Ling’s sweet creations that include a warm weather friendly Horchata Flan with Mango Mint and Fresh Berries.
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Not to say that drinks take a backseat at Casa Poncho’s – Poncho loved Mezcal, tequila’s superior older brother, a smoky flavoured liquor made from the heart of the agave plant, and the stunning selection of cocktails at Poncho’s are done with a Mezcal twist. Satisfy your thirst by sipping on signature tipples like Mezcal Negroni, made with Mezcal Espadin, sweet Vermouth, Campari and an orange twist, as well as Poncho’s favourite, Poncho Club made with Mezcal Curpreata, ruby port, dry vermouth, blackberry syrup, lime juice, bittermans hellfire habanero shrub, eggwhite, blackberry and mint sprigs.
If you feel like kicking on after dinner, down a last cheeky Mezcal shot, don a sombrero, and retire back outside when the air is cooler to round off the night. Poncho would be proud.
Casa Poncho, 14 Bukit Pasoh Singapore, 089828. p. +65 6224 5466. Opening Hours: Tue to Sat 5pm-late.
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