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Next Door Spanish Cafe @ Siglap

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Next Door Spanish Cafe @ Siglap

Next Door Spanish Cafe @ Siglap

It’s official folks. Next Door Spanish Cafe @ Siglap is open. We now have the full accompaniment in Siglap nearly with Italian, French, Indian, Japanese, Peranakan, local local, Western and of course now Spanish. Our nearest for this food fix was a bus ride to Katong, but now we just walk over the road. So MANY thanks to Next Door Spanish Cafe @ Siglap for choosing your new home where you chose it. I had a good chat with one of the owners, also doubling up as server, front-of-house and barman – a couple of mates who were working in town at other’s restaurants decided to have a crack and took over this place from a mutual mate. It’s funny as I was watching them from POD next door as they were refurbishing and decorating. There there were seating their rocks off whilst I supped on icy cold libations haha.

We were undecided where to eat tonight. After that Burnt Ends gig, I was flying high in foodie heaven. Where to get my fix? We sort of decided on either Iza or Al Forno but decided to walk there a certain way which meant we walked past 7-11 and espied the fact that Next Door Spanish Cafe @ Siglap was indeed open for business. We also saw our good mates the Blythens + Baby. Decision made. Also, I spotted the dry fridge at the front. Plus as we walked up a group left giving us a great table outside. It was fate, surely?

We were lucky. I’d suggest you, book guys, as it was JAMMED. There were even people queuing at the end as we left. So email them here, or take a risk and be a walk-in at your peril haha.

699, East coast road, 459061
Email; [email protected]

One complaint and one complaint only. The service needs a kick up the bum. Three orders were missed for us – so I did not get my Olives, Chorizo with Egg and nearly no lamb rack as that was forgotten until we reminded them and it came an hour later. This was caused due to 1st week in operation teething pains – that was evident, being short-handed, a new place to get used to, and they had a private party for 40 or so in the back. But orders could be written down to avoid misses. Lost yummy for me, lost $$$ for you guys. But as I said, teething pains only.

To the food @ Next Door Spanish Cafe @ Siglap folks. I have to say absolutely QUALITY. This is now a MUST VISIT in Siglap.

Let’s have a look, shall we?

Next Door Spanish Cafe @ Siglap
Any shop that has a cured pig leg with a black hoof on it in the window is a magnet for me. And clearly for Jude too. Plus check then cheeses out. Here we go folks, the start of a beautiful relationship methinks.
Next Door Spanish Cafe @ Siglap
I am such a leg man!!!
Next Door Spanish Cafe @ Siglap
Hello there gorgeous. Let’s be having you… We get into 2 plates of the Jamon Iberico, Gorgonzola and the Manchego Trufado. Ding Dong!!!
Next Door Spanish Cafe @ Siglap
What a difference this place is now compared to the previous joint. It’s open, it’s airy, it’s welcoming, it’s vibrant. A major change and well done to the boys for that. Looks ACE!!!
Next Door Spanish Cafe @ Siglap
Simply called Pan con Tomate. AKA bread with fresh Spanish tomatoes. It really took us aback. Something so simple had such a punch of flavour. I did get a telling off as I described it as a deconstructed Bruschetta. SLAP!!! This was just wonderful. We could have easily gone for another.
Next Door Spanish Cafe @ Siglap
Off-the-charts choice of Manchego cheese. This with Black Truffle and a little quince paste (I think). What a cracker of a cheese.
Next Door Spanish Cafe @ Siglap
Beautifully served at room temperature this Gorgonzola was melty good. Punchy blue overtones kicking through this, with a slight ammonia slap in the nose too. Bloody brilliant cheeses. Only 5 more to choose from on the board next time… Weeeeee!!!
Next Door Spanish Cafe @ Siglap
We had to have two plates of this and both were gone in the blink of an eye. This is super quality Jamon. Check that colour out burgundy brown. This shows this is a long-aged Jamon Iberico and therefore super flavourful. You can taste the nuttiness in this from the acorns that the black-foot pigs eat. Super sweet and salty all in the same mouthful. Just superb. We are in Jamon heaven with these two plates.
Next Door Spanish Cafe @ Siglap
Quite surprised that Jude’s hand is not blurred it was going in and out to the plate so fat and frequent. So good!
Next Door Spanish Cafe @ Siglap
This got an ‘average’ from Wifey. She felt the prawns were not overly fresh. Plus it seems to miss paprika in there. She always compares to her current favourite version of Gambas al Ajillo from our mate Chef Edward at My Little Spanish Place. It was a bloody good dipping sauce for the toasty bread though. Yummo!!!
Next Door Spanish Cafe @ Siglap
Anytime we see Occie on the menu we just have to order now. Wifey’s Global competition for the best was; My Little Spanish Place, then Smoque in Bohol, then Gaig, and as of yesterday Burnt Ends. So up taking part in that competition is now the boys. This is their Pulpo ala Brasa con Romesco. AKA Grilled octopus, with Romesco sauce. I had a piece. Super fresh and super tender. I personally like a little more charred to get a smoky hit too, but it was really bloody good as in really bloody good. This is a must-try. Wifey really liked it too, but Burnt Ends retain the #1 position. Come on you Global Chefs, accept the Wifey Challenge!!!
Next Door Spanish Cafe @ Siglap
This was the dish we waited and waited for. And I get it. It’s OK. But, we are indeed all so very glad we did wait. Jude wanted to order another set. This is Costillas de Cordero AKA Lamb Rack. A stunner of a lamb dish. So absolutely bloody brilliant tasting lamb with a quality charring to die for. The carrot puree I think had some Turmeric in there and was a holy shit moment. WOW. That puree, plus the sauce on top and a wedge of the lamb was #foodporn. This is also up there as a must-try dish. Superb boys, be proud of this dish. Stellar!!!

Siglap really is a food mecca. It feels whole now with our Spanish friends on-boarding here. This joint becomes the new cool kids on the block folks. I really would book ahead for the time being as it really was JAMMED full. Next Door Spanish Cafe @ Siglap was quality. We loved every single dish that was served and we have loads more to crack in to for our next visit. Wifey was seriously eying up the paella, but we need #1 and BeBe with us to get that going. I will get my Olives and Chorizo next time, I am determined. Get your bums down here East Coasters and support the new boys in the hood, you will NOT be disappointed I guarantee, do it and – ENJOY!!!

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Brian Kennett

Father of 3. All my kids are mixed, with English-Japanese, and English-Filipino - a recipe in the making there. I have been cooking since a small lad, as guided by my Nan and my Mum - gradually that morphed through exposure to Thai cooking from a lovely lady called Da in Margate. I used to hang out in her restaurant and watch the techniques. So the 1+1= greater than 2 occurred - Mum/Nan/Da - off I went in to the world of Asian cuisine. Moving to Asia in early 2000's clearly has brought that on somewhat - we travel continually, and eat locally and therefore have exposure to more and more new things. I have lived my dream and written a cook book whilst here, an amazing experience and all for a good cause too as I raised a lot of money for charity. My blog is now hopefully turning in to book number 2. Watch this space. I hope you enjoy my passion.