Viva Mexico

I generally regard the strip of restaurants in Cubbage as tourist spots with tourist prices, so I don't visit there so often.  I also don't like waitstaff hovering over me as I read the menu before I've decided where I want to eat that night. I also tend to avoid ethnic restaurants where chef is not of the ethnicity of the fare.

So I didn't expect much of Viva. And I was pleasantly surprised.

The staff were excellent - not hovering over too much, let me read the menu unmonitored without having to ask, and once we decided on dining there, carried the plates properly (no thumbs in the middle of the plate I'm about to eat off of), and didn't exhibit that unfortunate Singaporean proclivity to clear plates too soon.

The food was pretty good, reasonably authentic, and reasonably priced.

And because of all that, I expect to be back.

Oh my dear heavens! The last time i wrote a review was in *gasps* Feb! That's like 9 mths ago!!! Reason? Nope i did not have a baby... it's just that...erm... erm...erm.. i forgot my password.

Moving on....Viva Mexico is one highly recommended Mexico restaurant in Spore. Not too sure what other Mexican restaurants are out there really so the high recommendation could be due to limited competition anyway...

We started with nachos with cheese and guacamole.... I lurveee the guacamole here... Guacamole, being avocade-based dip, is light n refreshing and provides a nice balance to the sauce-heavy main courses..I ordered extra guacamole! However the nachos (which i'm sure they microwave to heat up the chips n melt the cheese) came as soggy..yucks... n what complimentary nachos? I paid for mine.

For mains we had the chicken enchiladas which is pretty tasty and filling... Love the seasonings and the chicken is still moist and falvourful... We also had the beef fajitas which is tasty as well but i must say the hotplate is tooo hot.. my beef was cooked too quickly n became tough while my vegs are burnt... maybe i sld have shifted all items onto my plate earlier on but it being served on a hot plate.. i tot i sld leave it on the hot plate mah.. end up there's a lingering "chao ta" smell in e air as other tables met the same fate..

Overall the food is pretty decent although i don't really have much to compare nor have i been to Mexico.. The service, on the other hand, was fabulous! Staff was friendly and attentive and I even receive a call from them for a random customer service satisfaction survey... That's dedication! Thumbs up! 

 

 

  

my husband and i like going to this place as its one of the best places in singapore for mexican food. i particularly like the vegetable fajitas - it comes sizzling on the hot plate and the veggies get a little charred on the edges, which i like. the salsa is delicious and we love the tamarind margaritas too.  besides the good food, what helps set this restaurant apart is the good service. everyone is friendly and attentive. they're helpful and fast. we enjoy going there and like the ambiance outdoors. we noticed they have different promotions on various weekdays, so its worth checking those out.

For photos, please visit Rubbish Eat Rubbish Grow.

Before I let Mr NGFL review this restaurant–and I assure you his reviews are boring–I’ve to point out: seriously, which other food blog shows an establishing set of a restaurant by showing you this awesome basin?

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One fine day, Wise Guy, Hookerlily, Chiobu and I felt like singing our hearts out so we met for dinner first. After a hard day’s work, I was late and Chiobu and Wise Guy, two starving people, had already ordered and started eating.

Wise Guy ordered the Beef Fajita ($24) while Chiobu, Chicken Fajita ($22). When Wise Guy’s sizzling hotplate dish appeared, he clapped gleefully and exclaimed, “Oh my god, oh my god, so awesome!!!” After tasting it, he said again, “Oh my god, so awesome!” Chiobu’s reaction was similar although more subdued. The aroma was to-die-for. Thechicken was tenderer than the beef.  The advantage of ordering fajita is that you can adjust the condiments to your own liking–Wise Guy just added till the sauces dripped–but he groaned when receiving the bill, “Wah lah eh, condiments also need to pay.” Cheese ($3), sour cream ($4) and guacamole.

Hookerlily and I arrived latter and she wanted to sit inside the air-con restaurant, so we shifted from the al fresco area. She ordered the chicken fajita while I wanted something different, Burrito Shrimp ($22).

It was alrigh’ you know. A little too salty and everything was wrapped and seasoned. But at least the sour cream here was free.

Although we were stuffed by now, Wise Guy’s beary stomach was never complete without dessert and so we four shared a vanilla flan ($9). It was very smooth but Wise Guy would beg to differ. He said, with his nose in the air, “I had better and $9 is too expensive!”

Hookerlily commented that the silk shirts the waiters–for they are all male–wore were awesome and she expected them to break into a dance any time. The service was top-notched; the glasses were always filled and the servers were very attentive and polite and eager.

There is also complimentary nachos and salsa dip. We ordered two margaritas–one for Wise Guy and one for me–which weren’t very good and the bill came up to $164 for four persons.

My colleague recommended me this place, saying this is one of the best Mexican food you can find in Singapore, and I’m glad it turned out great!

Having eaten there three times I have always been satisfied with the quality and flavours of the food, which is thankfully not too spicy for my rather wimpy palate. We have tried the chicken fajitas, two different types of ribs, one of the fishdishes, and kitchen zink sub, the fajitas being my favourite and the "normal" ribs being my husbands favourite. A nice + is the free nachos with salsa dip to nibble on for each table before your food arrives.

There has been nothing negative to say about the service either, they are attentive and service minded.

I will definitely come back here everytime I crave chicken fajitas, probably on Wednesdays since ladies then also get a free margharita ;-)

I love Mexico and traveled there on 5 different occasions.  Needless to say, I am a super big fan of Mexican food.  Not the Tex-Mex stuff real authentic Mexican food, the mole and fresh ingredients and the drinks!!

My hubby and I were walking through Cuppage being accosted by all the staff of the restaurants with outdoor seating.  It was a Wednesday night and as we walked by Viva, I noticed a banner stating that ladies drink free on Wednesdays.  The Manager (?) was helpful but not pushy, so after looking at all the shops we made our way back to eat at Viva.

We started with drinks.  I ordered a pina colada, and my husband a beer.  In my experience if a restaurant can get the creamy factor right for a pina colada, good things are bound to come from the bar section.  I was not wrong!!  yum yum!

I ordered the cheese enchiladas and hubby the chicken mole.  Super fresh, super good!!  The selection was good and the service even better.  The ladies drink free is for the margaridas, not usually my favorite drink, but a great value.

Highly recommend!

We had a craving for some mexican tonight and ended up here. Have been before and enjoyed the quality of food. Tonight we order 2 frozen lime margaritas. They hit the spot and certainly have a decent level of tequila in. We also enjoy the complimentary taco chips and salsa which is quite spicy. We opt for a chicken fajita and tamales to share between us. The fajita is a large portion and impossible to finish with only 4 tortillas as supplied, so we order an extra 2. The chicken, capsicum and onion mix is well grilled with good bbq flavours. It goes well with the guac/ sour cream sides, all in a torilla wrap. The tamales are delightful parcels of smooth, corn/wheat based mixture including meat, raisins and olives. It's slightly sweet tasting and a very pleasant authentic dish that I haven't seen on many mexican menus. The service is friendly and attentive. However we don't like the ambience at Cuppage as there's often 2 or 3 places playing loud music and it can be confusing/distracting with the different songs overlapping each other. It's a little pricey so value is average, but based mainly on the food quality I'd recommend.

I had the chance to try some Mexican food recently at Cuppage. Opening all day, the place can be ideal for an afternoon chill out. However, I was here for the food and ordered a nachos, burrito and a fajita.

The nachos make a good starter for those who want something crunchy. On the main courses, I preferred the beef burrito, where it was rich in meat and beans.As for the chicken, I found it a little on the more bland side.

All in all though, if you are in the town area and need a quick Mexican fix, you know now where to find one.

My latino friend was craving for some good mexican food and he recommended this place at Cuppage. So there we were, 4 of us enjoying delicious and authentic mexican food.

I came to realised that fajitas are actually tex-mex and with a real latino holding the menu, he aint going there. Instead he asked to meet up with the chef and have him recommended signature items and some real speciality that came from his private kitchen.

We had the following items:

Taco Chips - ( 7/10)

Crispy corn chips accompanied with 2 salsas. Nice

Fish and Shrimps Salad - (8/10)

A great marriage of fish and shrimps bits with diced tomatoes, chopped coriander and lemon juice. Simple and appetizing. A good way to start the meal!

Huitlacoche (pronounced as Wheat-la-ko-che) – (9/10)

This is the highlight of the evening!! Before the food arrived, my latino friend was sharing with us about this dish. It is actually fungus infected corn kernels wrapped in soft taco. They are usually black in colour and has the taste of truffles. I was initially groused by his description but yet at the same time I cant wait to taste this interesting dish. Come on, where can you get such authentic Mexican food in Sg?? Furthermore, fungus infected corn that taste like truffles?? Oh man… I got to have it.

Well, this long awaited dish finally came and I was apprehended at the first look of it. The taco had this mushy, slimey and blackish stuffing topped with cheese. Anyway, the first mouthful of the Huitlacoche brought me to a green forest after a morning rain. The earthy taste of truffles, a little sweetness of flowers, and a tad of smokiness of the woods. The mushy filling matched perfectly with the soft but yet crispy taco… Wow… I didn’t know such intriguing dish even exist in Singapore. Fantastic and I am missing the taste of it now.

Minced Beef Taco - (6/10)

Hmmm… this is not as impressive. Well what can I say more after having the intriguing dish first? I think there were too much of the pine nuts for my liking. But the flavour of the minced beef is good.

Chicken enchiladas - (8.5)

Oh, this is my favourite too. Tender and juicy chicken thigh meat well flavoured with smokiness and a little of the Cajun spices in crispy corn tortillas. The taste lingers in your mouth for a while and tempts you for a 2nd serving.

Lime Margarita – (6/10)

Errmm… I thought this was just another regular margarita I had anywhere. Maybe this was because am not a fan of lime margarita.

The service was great and the ambience was nice for a chill out and casual catch up session with friends. I cant wait to go back there again….. no more tex-mex restaurants for me anymore… Viva Mexico is the place to be for authentic Mexican food!!!

An early sunday dinner so it was quiet when we got there. Service was good and prompt. Lime juice tasted good, fresh and not too sweet. We had ceviche and a mushroom quseidilla as starters. The ceviche was very good but the quesedilla was disappointing. The tortilla wrap was too dry and the whole thing tasted somewhat blend. We shared a chicken tacos.... I am not sure if they put the dish into an oven before it was served, the tacos were so crunchy they were more like nachos chips instead of the warm soft feeling of tacos...Overall, the dishes weren't that great and we are not likely to head back there although it's a good place for a drink at the bar..