Lower East Side Taqueria

Lower East Side Taqueria
19 East Coast Road

273 Thomson Road #01-06

50 Raffles Place
#45-03 Singapore Land Tower

https://www.facebook.com/lowereastside.sg/

Chili Con Carne (SGD $10)

Hearty Mexican Taqueria

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 6
Ambience & Setting: 6
Food & Beverage: 8
Service: 3
Value for Money: 8
Spent about SGD $28 per person.


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Opened in October 2013 and operated under the Hidden Door Concepts Group, Lower East Side Taqueria is their Mexican inspired casual eatery and bar. The name 'Lower East Side Taqueria' is a double entendre; it's a homage to the similarly named neighbourhood in Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States Of America, where there is a sizable Mexican population; and also refers to its location in the 'quieter' section of the Katong area, in the east of Singapore.

Ambience at Lower East Side Taqueria is retro industrial, yet vibrant and quirky. The dimly lit place has sturdy wooden benches, high chairs, and long communal tables, neatly arranged both indoors and outdoors. The raw zinc walls, salvaged from shipyards, are coated in vibrant green, blue, and yellow colours. Rows upon rows of beer, tequila, and other liquor bottles line the bar wall. The ceiling is decorated with a “chandelier” made of chain-linked chairs. Funky and chill spot.

Service at Lower East Side Taqueria is partial self-service, with ordering and payment over the counter, though staff serve orders to your table. There isn't much engagement or interaction, the staff just quietly nod to acknowledge arriving guests. They display decent product knowledge, but are not proactive in offering options if the dish can be customised, such as choosing between rice or quinoa. They're also unhurried when diners leave, taking their time to clean the tables.

Food at Lower East Side Taqueria is largely focused on Mexican cuisine and drinks. A lot of their stews and sauces are already heated and standing by; dishes are just assembled to order. That said, their dishes are tasty, bold in flavour, and satisfiying to eat. Portions are medium to large for individuals. Drinks are a highlight here as well, especially the range of tequilas. Prices are comparable to a cafe and affordable, budget about SGD $28 per person for a meal here.


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Lower East Side Taqueria Exterior

Lower East Side Taqueria Interior

Bar

Seating Outdoors

Seating Indoors

The Beer Mac's Great White (SGD $9 / $16) is a classic Belgian witbier, brewed by Mac's Brewery in New Zealand. It has a cloudy, golden yellow colour, with aromas of banana, red apple, clove, and peach. Body is light, thin, and foamy, with a solid white foam head, and light tastes of wheat, star anise, bread, and orange. Somewhat dry with little complexity.

Beer Mac's Great White (SGD $9 / $16)

The Beer Pilsner Urquell (SGD $8 / $13) is recognised as the world's 1st pale lager beer, brewed by the Pilsner Urquell Brewery in Plzeň / Pilsen, Prague, Bohemia, Czech Republic. Its iconic characteristics lend itself to all other beers classified as 'pilsner', namely, the bright straw golden colour, thin watery refreshing texture, aromas and tastes of hops, straw, wheat, and corn, and a general taste of grainy sweet sour bitter metallic.

Beer Pilsner Urquell (SGD $8 / $13)

The classic Mexican beverage of Horchata De Arroz is made with white rice milk, almonds, and cinnamon powder, then served chilled. It has a milky, creamy texture, with a earthy sweet nutty spice flavour. I got the 'adult' version of Horchata With Agavero (SGD $6 / $20), which adds Agavero tequila liqueur for a boozy kick. Highly recommended!

Horchata With Agavero (SGD $6 / $20)

Horchata With Agavero

This classic Mexican Cocktail Margarita Lime (SGD $18) has a blend of tequila reposado, Cointreau Triple Sec orange liqueur, lemon juice, and lime juice, garnished with sea salt on the rim, along with a lime wedge. Has a bright, fruity sweet sour zesty flavour, very refreshing. I got this served on the rocks.

Cocktail Margarita Lime (SGD $18)

Cocktail Margarita Lime

This twist on the Cuban Cocktail Mojito (SGD $18) has a blend of The Kraken Black Spiced rum (instead of white rum), agave syrup, soda water, and brown sugar, garnished with mint leaves, a lime wedge; along with the additional ingredient of ginger slices. Has a refreshing, tangy sour sweet zesty spice flavour, very lively on the palate. The serving portion size is slightly larger than their other cocktails, making this more value for money.

Cocktail Mojito (SGD $18)

Cocktail Mojito

Served with lime wedges on the side, the Tasting Flight Tequila & Mezcal (SGD $32) features a trio of shots, with the glasses all coated with salt around the rim. A pretty good sampler introduction.

The Tequila Blanco Ocho is made from 100% blue agave, unaged, by the Ocho tequila partnership distillery in the Los Altos region of Jalisco state, Mexico. It has a clear, transparent silver colour, with aromas of agave, chamomile flowers, daisy flowers, and lime zest. The body is smooth, warm, and long, with tastes of black pepper, almond, pine, and damson plum. Has a earthy sweet spice flavour, with a lingering finish.

The Tequila Reposado Olmeca Altos is made from 100% blue agave, aged in oak barrels between 2 months to 1 year, by the Olmeca tequila distillery in the Los Altos region of Jalisco state, Mexico. It has a light amber brown colour, with aromas of roasted agave, black pepper, allspice / myrtle pepper, and caramel. The body is smooth, bold, and long, with tastes of vanilla, orange zest, toffee, and roasted pecan nuts. Has a strong nutty sweet spice flavour, with a lingering finish.

The Mezcal Los Danzantes Joven is made from 100% espadin agave, unaged, by the Los Danzantes distillery in the Santiago Matatlan town, Tlacolula district, of Central Valleys region, Oaxaca state, Mexico. It has a clear, transparent white colour, with aromas of roasted agave, wheat, thyme, and oregano. The body is smooth, robust, and slightly fiery, with tastes of pineapple, biscuit, smoked ham, and mint. Has a balanced earthy sweet spice herbal flavour, with a smoky finish.

Tasting Flight Tequila & Mezcal (SGD $32)

Tequila Blanco Ocho

Tequila Reposado Olmeca Altos

Mezcal Los Danzantes Joven

The Jalapeno Poppers (SGD $10) have a lovely light crisp soft crust of breadcrumbs, which reveals the crunchy juicy jalapeno peppers within. Stuffed with warm gooey mozzarella cheese, this has bright earthy cheesy salty spicy flavours. Served with a light aioli on the side. Great bar snack for sharing.

Jalapeno Poppers (SGD $10)

Jalapeno Poppers

Jalapeno Poppers

The Elote (SGD $6) is a common Mexican street snack. It's basically a whole corn on the cob, grilled and coated in parmesan cheese. Bright juicy sweet cheesy bursts of flavour when bit, layered with a smoky aroma. Pair the corn with the Sambal Mayonnaise Aioli on the side for added depth of flavour.

Elote (SGD $6)

Elote

Elote

The Chili Con Carne (SGD $10) arrives in a generous portion, with 4 crisp flour tortilla taco wraps on the side. The mix of minced beef and tender kidney beans are simmered in a savoury salty spicy beef gravy and ancho chili sauce, coated with home made cheddar cheese. A little more oily than usual, but completely delicious and meaty. Good!

Chili Con Carne (SGD $10)

Chili Con Carne

Chili Con Carne

The Burrito Ancho Pulled Pork (SGD $13) features a soft, chewy flour tortilla, generously stuffed with slow cooked pulled pork, a choice of cilantro rice or quinoa (I got quinoa for this), refried black beans, and fresh guacamole, with a Sambal Mayonnaise Aioli on the side. The pulled pork is marinated in ancho chili sauce, and the burrito has bold savoury meaty flavour, with hints of vegetal earthy sweet salty spicy notes. I enjoyed every bite of this, and have since returned to eat this at least thrice. Highly recommended!

Burrito Ancho Pulled Pork (SGD $13)

Sambal Mayonnaise Aioli

Burrito Ancho Pulled Pork

Burrito Ancho Pulled Pork

Burrito Ancho Pulled Pork

The Taco Trio Barramundi Fish (SGD $16) features a trio of soft, chewy flour tortilla, open-faced, topped with cilantro rice, steamed barramundi fish fillet, red bell pepper / capsicum with purple cabbage coleslaw, and fresh guacamole, with a little Sriracha sauce drizzled over. The fish is fresh, and the taco / tacos have bold sweet savoury flavour, with hints of vegetal herbal creamy notes. I loved every bite of this, so satisfiying that I finished all of it quickly. Good!

Taco Trio Barramundi Fish (SGD $16)

Taco Trio Barramundi Fish

Taco Trio Barramundi Fish

The Fajitas Beef Plate (SGD $25) features 4 pieces of soft, chewy flour tortilla, that you get to build via a series of side dishes, including juicy vegetal sweet Salsa Fresca / Pico De Gallo, creamy vegetal earthy sweet sour Guacamole, rich sour sharp Sour Cream, and Cheese. But the star is the pan-fried sauteed plate of Fajitas Beef, with pieces of beef, and a medley of tender crunchy vegetables (red onions, red & green bell peppers / capsicum, and garlic), lending vegetal sweet flavours. Despite the beef being chewy firm in texture, the savoury meaty flavours shine. Worth ordering!

Fajitas Beef Plate (SGD $25)

Tortillas

Fajitas Beef

Fajitas Beef

Salsa Fresca / Pico De Gallo

Guacamole

Sour Cream

Cheese

The Enchiladas Chicken (SGD $15) is a simple Mexican snack, featuring chunks of tender, boneless chicken, wrapped in soft, chewy flour tortilla (instead of crispy corn tortilla), served coated in a rich gravy of juicy vegetal sweet Salsa Fresca / Pico De Gallo blended with fragrant garlic, tangy lime juice, creamy sour cream, crunchy parsley, and gooey cheese. The savoury flavour of the enchiladas pair nicely with the gravy. Surprisingly more filling than it looks.

Enchiladas Chicken (SGD $15)

Enchiladas Chicken

Enchiladas Chicken

Served in a generous portion with 5 sticks, the Churros (SGD $8) here is a decent, average dessert. The fluffy soft inside, crisp outside churros dough fritters are generously coated in cinnamon sugar, and have a soft crunch, followed by a sweet spice flavour when bit. Served with a warm chocolate sauce on the side. Decent overall, no better or worse than most other versions elsewhere.

Churros (SGD $8)

Churros

Churros

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