Paradiso Restaurant & Bar – Mediterranean gusto breathed to life (CLOSED)
July 22, 2013
Almost nine months old, Paradiso Restaurant & Bar is the newest outfit to be opened by local dining and nightlife specialists, Cuba Libre Group. Since the opening of their very first outlet (Cuba Libre) at Clarke Quay in 2006, the group has been spreading Cuban culture and flavours, including the famous Mojito, throughout Singapore.
Think “Paradiso” and you will think paradise. Meaning “Heaven” in latin tongue, Paradiso Restaurant & Bar has a bar and a indoor dining section divided by glass doors. With its charming rustic-chic furnishings and elegant iron-wrought décor, restless city-dwellers like you and me will fall in love with the reverie of intimacy and relaxation here.
Blending the various paradisal cultures of the nations with coastline along the Mediterranean Sea, the restaurant is conceptualised to romance its guests with the intense flavours, with dishes heavily inspired by the cuisines of Cuba, Spain and Colombia.
Gambas de Ajo ($16) is an excitingly hot tapas, with prawns cooked in heavy garlic, white wine & chilli padi, with a dash of lime. The shrimps themselves are fresh and crunchy.
Bistec Gingre ($16) has beef cubes sautéed with ginger, chilli & garlic, served on a sizzling hot plate. Unfortunately, the meat is too chewy for my liking.
Calamares es Tomate y Pimenton ($14) is homey tasting with squid rings simmered in tomato concasse infused with paprika. There is also Mejillones en Ron y Crema ($14), mussels sautéed in rum-infused cream sauce to create a sauce that was slightly piquant, slightly spicy and slightly sweet with mussel juices.
Cubano Aglio Olio ($20) has spaghetti pasta cooked with mushroom relish & tiger prawns in aglio olio style, spiced with chilli padi. The al dente pasta has a good balance of garlic and olive oil. I was hoping it to be more spicy.
The Pollo Al Mojito ($24) is a tasty, succulent chicken thigh marinated in spices. Perched on the top of a bed of patatas bravas and sautéed beans, the meat bursts with flavour.
A combination of Asian and Cuban flavors, this Lychee Mojito ($18) is the perfect refresher for a hot summer day.
It’s very easy to get lost at Paradiso Restaurant & Bar especially if one is not watching the clock. The paradisiacal atmosphere is framed by lush tropical greenery, and the panoramic view of docked yachts against blue skies. In my opinion, prices are slightly expensive but I don’t mind coming back for the scenery. I heard they are famous for their paella, it is a pity that I didn’t get to try it this time. Never mind, this gives me a reason to visit the restaurant again.
Paradiso
Address: 31 Ocean Way, #01-03 Quayside Isle
Tel: 6694 5428
Opening Hours: Monday 4pm – 11pm; Tuesday to Thursday 11am – 11pm; Friday 11am – 1am; Saturday 10am – 1am; Sunday 10am – 12MN
Website: www.paradiso.com.sg
