The highlight at Serenity is the suckling pig

Yeoh Wee Teck | The New Paper | Tue Aug 3 2010

THERE is a touch of Spain at VivoCity.

It's a lovely place to look at: The ambience is very relaxed, it looks spacious and it's staffed by attractive people wearing flowing white outfits.

Serenity and eye candy are a lethal combination. But the food will raise the heartbeat.

Serenity serves authentic Spanish food, so the flavours are bold and explosive.

Its signature dish -The Paella Valenciana (pictured left, $43 for two and $86 for four) is a gorgeous dish.

The colours are bright and enticing, and the aromais seductive.

There is saffron, chicken chorizo, tiger prawns, squid and mussels. The rice is bursting with lusty flavours. I ate this dish twice and it thrilled me both times.

Then there are the soups.

The Sopa de ajo (garlic soup with egg, $8.80) was smooth and mellow, though there may be some who find it bland.

The Crema de Mariscos (or seafood cream soup with mussel, prawn, dory and squid rings, $10.80) is both creamy and tangy, with generous portions of seafood.

There are new items on the menu worth checking.

The Sopa Catalunya ($14.80) is a Spanish clear soup with pork, beef, chicken and butter beans. It looks deceptively delicate but it's salty, which is the way I love it.

From the tapas menu is the addictive Patatas Bravas (or roast potato with romesco sauce and alioli sauce, $10.80).

The highlight of the new menu is the Cochinillo Asado at $288. This is a whole suckling pig done Spanish style. The skin is crispy but the meat is moist.

The pork is so tender that you cut it up with a plate.

At Serenity, you can smash the plate on the floor when you're done with the cutting (the owner says it's for good luck). Throwing the plate is exhilarating but rather wasteful.

And until Sep 30, the dish is going at an introductory price of $238.

This has to be ordered in advance, so don't spring a surprise on them.

My experiences at the cafe have been lovely, except for the water situation.

It's a pet peeve.

We ordered a meal and I wasn't in the mood for alcohol, so I asked for water.

Immediately, we were asked "Still or sparkling?" and we ended up with a $5 bottle of water.

It means nothing to some but I would have been happy with iced tap water.

Address: VivoCity, #01-98
Tel: 6376 8185