#01-171, CHIJMES 30 Victoria Street
Tel: 6336 3684

Operating Hours: Dinner: 6pm – 10.30pm (Sun – Thu) 6pm – 11 pm (Fri -Sat)

The décor at Esmirada at Chijmes is strange sort of quasi-Mediterranean vibe, but then this fits in well enough with their simple, quasi-Mediterranean fare. The four styles of mussels were all great; French (in a Pernod cream sauce), Classic (white wine and fennel), Italian (with fresh tomatoes), and the fiery Diablo — all came in massive portions, and were cooked very well, not, as so often, cooked until dry and stringy. The house special of barbecue meat on skewers was a good bet and great with a frosty beer, and the Spanish paella was a welcome departure from the leathery version served elsewhere in town – cooked to a rich, sticky perfection in a strong seafood and saffron broth. Our advice – steer clear of the wine list, unless you want to try the interesting Lebanese cabernet, and order cold beers, mojitos or the house sangria.