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Singapore, August 28, 2010 Passion Kitchen
287 Tanjong Katong Road
(Due to open in mid-September 2010)
For positive proof that the tapas culture is alive and surviving beyond the typical tourist locations, look to Passion Kitchen as Exhibit A.
This venture, tiny and unsophisticated in comparison to the big names and bright lights at the Integrated Resorts, is a small but distinctive sign that tapas is fast becoming an established culinary category and taking root in the local dining scene.
Passion Kitchen is a neighbourhood Latin-themed restaurant and tapas bar in the relative wilds of Tanjong Katong.
When it opens for business in a couple of weeks’ time, it will be offering a variety of simple dishes such as paella, tortilla and sautéed shrimp in garlic and olive oil and competing for clientele with, among others, a nasi lemak kopi tiam , a soon-to-open fish and chip cafe and a donut shop.
Owner-chef Sudirman Bin Alias, 34, is not a typical restaurant owner, but he worked his way up the culinary ladder and he also has the kind of wide-eyed enthusiasm for the business that is easily recognisable.
He started as a dishwasher in an American-style burger joint about 10 years ago, then learned how to cook on the job and subsequently worked in two Spanish restaurants including The Tapas Tree, where he developed his skills, gained inspiration from a culinary visit to Spain, and eventually made it to head chef.
He left that job a month ago and is now a week or two away from opening his own place.
The fare at Passion Kitchen will be simple and reasonably priced (tapas dishes will be priced around $6 to $8 each), with no frills and plenty of local flavour.
Sudirman has indicated that he hopes to attract diners with something a little different than usual neighbourhood fare – what he describes as Singapore tapas.
Who knows? He might be onto something.
Passion Kitchen
287 Tanjong Katong Road
Singapore 437070
(Due to open in mid-September 2010)
