Super Loco Food Trail - Super Loco Group's of Restaurants At Duxton Hill, Robertson Quay and Customs House

Recently I embarked on the Super Loco Food Trail in which I was introduced to the 3 restaurant under the The Super Loco Group. My first stop brought me to Lucha Loco at Duxton Hill, the first outlet in Singapore that is opened in 2012. Lucha Loco is a casual and vibrant Mexican taqueria and bar, with a festive fun atmosphere and leafy beer garden.

Watermelon & Basil Agua Fresca 4.5/5

Lucha Loco attracts a vibrant drinking crowd with a selection of the finest tequilas, mezcals and cocktails. The menu has also been designed for sharing and to go well with the drinks. I opted for a mocktail, Watermelon & Basil Agua Fresca which is light and refreshing. A perfect drink for the humid Singapore weather if you not in the mood for alcohol.

Elotes 5/5

The food here is more of the bar bites type and it is good for sharing with your drinking friends. We started with some Elotes, which is Mexican street style grilled corn. This is one of the best corn I have eaten bursting with an array of flavours on top of the sweet corns. The familiar ingredient has been given a modernized and elevated coat of flavoured mayonnaise and spice seasoning instead of the traditional plain mayonnaise and cheese.

Taco Pescado Snapper 4.2/5

How not to have a bite of the taco when you visit a Mexican restaurant? I had the Taco Pescado Snapper ($11) that is generously huge, grilled and served with chipotle mayo, red onion salsa, mint and parsley. Besides the different layers of textures and flavours, what I enjoyed most is the snapper fish that has been marinated overnight in an achiote marinade and grilled for a smoky profile.

Lucha Loco
15 Duxton Hill
Singapore 089598
Tel: +65 62263938
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Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Thu: 5pm - 12midnight
Fri: 5pm - 1am
Sat: 6pm - 1am
(Closed on Mon and Sun)

Sparkling White Peach & Ginger Agua Fresca 4/5

Our next stop brought us to Super Loco Robertson Quay which is opened in 2014. Unlike Lucha Loco which is more for the drinking crowd, Super Loco Robertson Quay caters towards families and the residents in the area. Hence the menu focuses more on communal dining and brunch. They even have a kid's menu.

Alitas De Pollo 5/5

The Atitas De Pollo ($12) is a must order at Super Loco Robertson Quay. The fried chicken wings tossed in a chipotle sauce and drizzled with lime crema and pickled jalapenos were so finger licking good. Even though my mind was telling myself that I am stuffed but I could not resist going back for more of it. This is one dish I would return for.

Mango Ceviche 4/5

The Mango Ceviche ($18) comes with diced snapper topped with cherry tomatoes, serrano chillies, shallots, grated young ginger and celery. It is then finished with olive oil and lime juice. I enjoyed the sourish kick of the dish with the snapper but best to eat it together with the nacho for a more balanced experience.

Super Loco Robertson Quay
The Quayside
60 Robertson Quay
Singapore
Tel: +65 62358900
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Nearest MRT: Chinatown (DT Line, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 5pm - 12midnight
Sat-Sun: 10am - 330pm, 5pm - 12midnight

Sparking Passionfruit & Mint Agua Fresca 4/5

Our last and final stop is the group's latest restaurant at Customs House which comes with a panoramic view of the marina bay. Super Loco Customs House will caters for the corporate crowd in the vicinity. The menu is designed to feature premium ingredients such as lobsters, wagyu and oysters. Besides offering contemporary Mexican fare in a modern way, the menu also features 28 vegetarian dishes and is 90% gluten-free.

Atun Tostadas 4/5

We started with some light bites in the Atun Tostadas ($15). The fresh sashimi grade tuna is torched and topped with fried onion, lime mayo, avocado and smoked sea salt. This is a delectable starter to go with a few drinks.

Ensalada Granos 5/5

I took me by surprised that I would enjoy the Ensalada Granos ($8/$15) so much. The multi textural enjoyment and flavours simply won my heart and soul for the dish. The quinoa and pearly barley are steamed to a light and fluffy texture. Almonds, chia and sunflower seeds are toasted, chopped and added to the bowl for a more nutty enjoyment. This is rounded off with fresh chopped tomatoes, onions, coriander and lime. Finally dressed in sherry vinaigrette.

Pepino Y Mas 4.5/5

The Pepino Y Mas ($6/$11) is another salad on the menu that is new and refreshing to me. The refreshing salad includes blanched cactus that is pickled and served with sliced cucumber, shaved fennel, chia seeds, green grapes, capers, lime, radish and dressed in a yoghurt sauce. The combination is really brilliant. I think those we do not like their greens will also enjoy it.

Pescado Asada Con Chilli Rojo Y Perejil $46

Making a grand entrance is the Pescado Asada Con Chilli Rojo Y Perejil ($46). The whole barbequed  seabass is served with both red ad green salsa. The red salsa is made from tomatoes, red chillis and paprika while the green salsa has white onions, mint, dill, coriander, lime, parsley and tomatillos. I preferred the green salsa with the fish, I find that it enhanced the fish better.

Cerdo 4/5

From the sea, we moved to the land with the Cerdo ($32). The pork belly is finished in a charcoal oven before servicing. The pork belly is well flavoured but it was on the tough side. However the highlight for me is the black mean hummus and sopes (a handmade little masa pancakes with spring onion and sesame). I felt that it sold the limelight from the pork belly.

Tostadas Dulce Du Chocolate 4.2/5

Wrapping up on our food trail, is the messy Tostadas Dulce Du Chocolate ($15). Do not be deceived by the appearance, the plate of chocolate tortilla, chocolate avocado butter, Mexican bitter chocolate ice cream, cocoa nib candy and chunky pecan crema works wonderfully on the palate, especially for chocolate lover.

Super Loco Customs House
Customs House
70 Collyer Quay
#01-04
Singapore 049323
Tel: +65 65322090
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Nearest MRT: Raffles Place (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 12pm - 12midnght
Sat: 5pm - 12midnight
(Closed on Sun and Selected PH)

Note: This is an invited tasting.

Pocoloco @ Snow City - Heartland Italian Restaurant With Microbrewery

Being a westerner in my entire life, I have only visited the Snow City at Jurong East once. Pocoloco, located at Level 2 of Snow City, gave me the reason to visit this place again. Already has a branch at Ang Mo Kio, what's different about this branch is that it comes along with a microbrewery! Yes, right in our heartland Jurong.

Pocoloco is conceptualised as a casual and affordable Italian restaurant. Do not associate it with any of your pasta/pizza joints. What they serve to your table are genuine recipes crafted from chefs' culinary experiences in the Italian dining scene. They do not do course by course service but instead sharing. Hence, in no time, our table was filled with all the food that we had ordered, from appetisers, to pasta to mains, except our dessert. Such no frill local way of service also helps to lower the cost, which enable them to charge just heartland prices.

Funghi 3.5/5

Capesante 3.5/5

Our evening had a good start with their well sautéed Mushroom ($6) and Baked Scallops ($12). The sliced mushroom is way better than any fries if you would like something to go along with beer. Just hints of herbs and garlic, its meaty texture and inherent savouriness make it even more delectable. Shielded under a robust layer of capsicum puree with flavoured butter, the baked scallops were flavoursome, juicy with a firm bite.

Burrata 3.5/5

Burrata is a quintessential dish in Italian restaurant. I'm surprise to see it on their menu. At $16, by far perhaps the most affordable which I have seen. Served with rocket salad, tomato & parma ham, albeit a classic combination, their homemade dressing makes the difference. Tangy and refreshing, it hits the right note. Although the cheese was not as fluffy and pillowy as I would like it to be, the dressing makes up for it.

Since it is a microbrewery, you must try their locally brewed beers. They have a nice alfresco area for you to chill with your favourite pick. An interesting choice would be their Verde, which is brewed using seaweed barley malt. ($7 a glass)

Zuppa di Pesce 3/5

We were expecting more from their Tomato Seafood Soup ($6) after 3 good appetisers. No doubt the seafood was fresh but it lacks that bit of tang which might help to lift the flavour.

Caesar 3/5

Their Caesar ($7) was ok but what's notable is their homemade Caesar dressing freshly made with anchovies. It is not at all creamy and oily like the commercial type.

The menu offers quite a selection of pasta, priced between $9 to $12, as well as risotto that cost a couple of dollars more. Mains are dishes of chicken and beef, together with a Catch of the Day, priced between $15 to $20. We decided to try their Chef Specials, enticed by their handmade tagliatelle and the fact that I'm not so into chicken or beef towards the end of the day.

Lobster with Handmade Tagliatelle Black & Green Pasta 3/5

The so called pasta special of the restaurant is the Lobster served with Handmade Tagliatelle Black & Green Pasta ($22). Instead of flavouring their pasta with spinach, their was done with Nori. The pasta was slightly thicker than usual but was light and al dente, which impressed me. However, I couldn't really detect the seaweed taste. The lobster might be a little overcooked as I was struggling to remove the meat from its shell which is a tad disappointing. Perhaps best to stick to their regular menu which cost me only half the price but better in taste. I was told their crabmeat pasta is really popular.

Roasted Canadian Pork Rack 2.8/5

For mains, we had Roasted Canadian Pork Rack ($20) coated in mustard and green herbs. I really like the mustardy coat which flavours the pork really well, especially at the charred edges. It tasted like a classic pesto but with tanginess. The best part is the meat by the rib. I felt that the rest of the meat too tough and dry, and a bit gamy.

For sweet ending, we had Tiramisu and Chocolate Lava Cake. Between the two, I would recommend their tiramisu. It is not easy to find a good tiramisu and Pocoloco does it pretty well. The cheese layer may still be a bit thick for me but I appreciated its sweetness. The liqueur seems to be added in situ, hence I could really taste the bitter sweetness. What seems to be missing is the shot of espresso.

For such pricings, usually it means dining with a huge crowd, with people sitting so close to you that you don't get to have good, private conversations with your loved ones. However, over at Pocoloco, you have almost all - the ambience, friendly service, decent food and fresh beers.

Written and photography by Si An. A girl who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Pocoloco
Snow City
21 Jurong Town Hall Road
Level 2
Singapore 609433
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Nearest MRT: Jurong East (EW Line, NS Line), Chinese Garden (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Jurong East MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Jurong East Bus Interchange (Stop ID 28009). Take bus number 66 or 335. Alight 4 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

1) Alight at Chinese Garden MRT station. Take Exit A or C. Cross the road and walk to bus stop opposite Chinese Garden MRT station (Stop ID 28349). Take bus number 335. Alight 2 stops later. Cross the road and walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]