[CLOSED] Cuba Libre Cafe & Bar (Frasers Tower)

Cuba Libre's latest portfolio diversification comes in the form of their lunchtime Latino Bowls - perfect for the health-conscious CBD folks. With 5 themed bowls spanning a total of 7 options, there's bound to be something that tickles your fancy.

Choose from the Cuban ($11++), Peruvian ($11++), Mexican ($12++), Caribbean ($12++) or Verduras ($10++). The Cuban has 2 variants - beef or pork as the meat, & the other ingredients of the bowls are different too. The Verduras also has 2 options, both vegetarian (the meaning of Verduras, to begin with.. Is vegetables 😊).

I enjoyed some Latino Bowls more than the others - my favourite being the Peruvian one for its excellent execution of the fish escabeche. Marinated lovingly for 24 hours, the Seabass has no fishy taste or smell. & I didn't have any digestive problems that I usually have with fish. Yum!

My surprising favourites are the black bean rice & plantain chips. "Not surprising" favourites are the usual suspects which I enjoy & were nicely done - chickpeas, butternut squash, pico de gallo & guacamole. With a good variety of ingredients across these bowls, there's bound to be something that tickles your fancy.

Thanks Cuba Libre for the hospitality & Burpple for the invite! 💕

💳 Accepts credit cards
🌬 Air-conditioned seats available
☀ Al fresco seats available
🖥 Accepts reservations on Chope

Out of everything I tried, I liked the Mojito Chicken ($20++) the best of the lot! With chicken being one of my least favourite meats (it's aiiiight but Does Not Really Spark Joy), I actually REALLY enjoyed how moist these skewers were. But don't expect it to come served like this (i.e. skewers) because it doesn't! Instead, you get an actual chicken thigh.. With the same delightful rum reduction & tangy mango sauce. Hopefully this variant that is served still maintains the tenderness & moisture that I love 😍

The Sautéed Garlic Mushrooms on the side were also glazed with mount gay rum - I can't say no to mushrooms & these were no exception. So addictive & juicy, I had to try to hide my toothpicks in an attempt to destroy evidence of how many of them I was eating 😂

We were spoiled for choice with Mojitos in all sorts of flavours: passionfruit, lychee, classic, strawberry, & Jose Cuervo (bring out the tequila baby). Again, we "just" got regular glasses of these babies... Which we thought were normal, until we were told that @cubalibre.sg sells these in 32oz JARS (that's almost ONE FREAKING LITRE)... Gee whiz. For only $24++ a jar (& the classic one being slightly cheaper at $22++), that's pretty damn value for money.

Thanks Cuba Libre for the hospitality & Burpple for the invite! 💕

💳 Accepts credit cards
🌬 Air-conditioned seats available
☀ Al fresco seats available
🖥 Accepts reservations on Chope

The drink pairing of choice for the shrimp skewers & olive was a lovely CastellBlanc Cava Brut. A nice glass of bubbly, it is light & refreshing - slightly sweet, but more crisp-melon-citrusy than anything else.

Thanks Cuba Libre for the hospitality & Burpple for the invite! 💕

💳 Accepts credit cards
🌬 Air-conditioned seats available
☀ Al fresco seats available
🖥 Accepts reservations on Chope

While the shrimp in the Shrimp Skewers ($10++) were good, it was the creole sauce that really stole the show. An unassuming creamy shade of orange, the moment I tasted it, my eyes lit up.

It was like a chilli crab sauce but BETTER - so amazing that I disobeyed the orders to eat the succeeding slice of bread which was meant to be a palate cleanser... & slathered the remaining sauce all over it. Waste not, want not!

Yes, I liked the sauce so much that it gets a post of its own 😜

Thanks Cuba Libre for the hospitality & Burpple for the invite! 💕

💳 Accepts credit cards
🌬 Air-conditioned seats available
☀ Al fresco seats available
🖥 Accepts reservations on Chope

Started our evening with Shrimp Skewers ($10++) glazed with white wine, & served with a slice of lime & an amazing creole red chilli sauce.

For its price point, I do think it's a great offering on their bar snacks menu - you get 6 of them in a serving. They'll be gone in a flash, but you can damn right be sure they're worth it.

Not everyone will be a fan of the Olives served on the side - they are quite a polarising food to begin with. However, these weren't as acidic as I thought they'd be; a good mix of a few variants, & seasoned with fine herbs & honey balsamic dressing. They are more palatable than I am used to. Nice!

Thanks Cuba Libre for the hospitality & Burpple for the invite! 💕

💳 Accepts credit cards
🌬 Air-conditioned seats available
☀ Al fresco seats available
🖥 Accepts reservations on Chope

Cuba Libre has come a long way since their first bar at Clarke Quay all those years ago. The latest outlet at spanking new Frasers Tower has a Cuban executive chef whipping up authentic bites such as these sauteed shrimp skewers in a zingy lemon and chilli sauce that we mopped clean with bread.

Thanks @burpple for the invite and @cubalibre.sg for hosting!

Taste: 3.5/5