Take A ‘Tour’ Of Latin America At This Pop-Up Dining Experience With Delicious Latin American Bites Paired With Zingy Cocktails

OLA Cocina Del Mar, which was awarded the Michelin Plate in 2019, is owned and headed by Peruvian-born Daniel Chavez. For Daniel, there’s a lot of national pride with this Gastrobar collaboration.

“It is always a great feeling to showcase the culture of the Latin American countries we come from,” he says, speaking also for his head chef, Tamara Chavez, who’s from Mexico. Daniel adds that that the wide range of Latin American street food isn’t very well known in Singapore. Luckily for us, this collab is the perfect opportunity to taste authentic Latin American grub in our own backyard.

Happily, we get some choice pickings from the repertoire, because this collaboration features OLA Cocina Del Mar’s refined takes on Latin American street grub like Peruvian Ceviche and traditional Argentinian grilled pork sandwiches, each paired with Latin American-inspired craft cocktails curated by Junior the Pocket Bar’s proprietor, Joe Alessandroni.

It turns out Joe has visited Peru and Mexico, and so had an intuitive sense for the flavours the team at OLA Cocina Del Mar were going for. Joe is stoked for this collaboration, saying working with chefs is a novel and exciting experience. “Their knowledge of ingredients, culinary technique, and visual presentation inspires us to step our game up and think outside the box when making cocktails,” he says.

The beverage pairings here incorporate innovative twists on classic Latin American cocktails. Think potent Pisco Sours and smoky Singapore-style Margaritas. Together with the punchy food offerings, this promises to be a very festive evening.

The dinner event happens on March 9 and 10. For $130++ you get five dishes, including dessert, each paired with a drink. Book directly with OLA Cucina Del Mar or Junior the Pocket Bar, or visit http://bit.ly/MICHELINSGGastrobar. Here’s what you can expect:

Representing Peru is this classic number, Ceviche Callao made with red snapper cured in a piquant Aji Amarillo dressing. It’s served alongside a zingy criolla salad of onions, tomatoes and other relishes, and yam chips. The natural accompaniment to these bright, acidic flavours is the Pisco Sour, here made with Pisco Acholado, mixed citrus juices, and Chicha Morada, a traditional Peruvian drink made from purple corn and fruits.

Colombia is repped by Amor Al Maiz, a love-song to corn, done three ways here: a mini Empanada-esque puff pastry filled with chese, a mini arepa made of buttered corn bread, and grilled baby corny paired with lush avocado mayo. It’s paired with an Aguardiente Swizzle, a complex (and potent) number made with aniseed-infused sugarcane spirit, zingy pineapple and lime juice, and a float of dark rum.

Singapore’s love-affair with Mexican cuisine is given a nod with Can La, a cheeky number that pairs buttery cereal prawns with lettuce and corn tortillas, the whole thing given an unctuous finish with Mexican black beans. The Margarita that comes with it has a similar Singapore-infusion, featuring Artisanal Mezcal paired with sour tamarind, hae bee hiam tincture, lemongrass, and smoked chili salt.

Choripan Messi is a classic Argentinian sandwich made with spicy grilled chorizo, and served with a piquant chimichurri sauce. With this, the Argentinian national drink: Fernet & Coke, a mix of herbal Fernet Branca and Coca Cola tempered and refined with the addition of some Argentinian Malbec and fruit.

It’s a sweet landing in Puerto Rico, with the famous Tres Leches, a super rich cake here kissed with coconut, and livened up with strawberries and rum cream. It’s all balanced by the spicy flavours of Carajillo, a cocktail of fresh espresso, Puerto Rican rum, and spiced demerara sugar.

The Michelin Guide Gastrobar Singapore Pop-ups are on from Mar 2-24 (select dates). Buy tickets for any of the pop-ups in the event series at http://bit.ly/MICHELINSGGastrobar..

The OLA Cocina Del Mar x Junior Pocket Bar pop-up is on Mar 9-10, 6-8pm and 8.30-10pm at Junior The Pocket Bar at 6 Ann Siang Hill, Singapore 069787. Reserve directly with OLA Cucina Del Mar or Junior the Pocket Bar, or visit http://bit.ly/MICHELINSGGastrobar. Menu subject to change depending on availability of ingredients.