La Barra, Colombian Arepas and Empanadas, The Star Vista, Singapore

La Barra, Colombian cuisine, Singapore, Star Vista Mall, the star, buena vista
La Barra at The Star Vista, Singapore

La Barra, Singapore

“Remarkable Empanadas and Arepas to Live for”
By Monica Tindall

I hear familiar salsa tunes before I see the new Colombian
café I’m searching for. Now jiving along the second floor of The Star Vista, the
music grows stronger and a myriad of food outlets beckon. There is one, however
that has been recommended above the rest. Arriving, to La Barra, my eyes are
greeted by the vibrant colours of the Colombian flag, the smell of corn flour
in the deep fryer and a mix of Spanglish humming from the packed tables. The
evening breeze drifts through and I’m almost transported back to my 20s and
warm nights on Caribbean shores.
Hubby and I have had a long hot day working and sight seeing
on the streets of Singapore. We’re both in need of refreshment and our eyes
turn instantly to the Pura Shakes. Pure tropical fruit shakes made from imported
Colombian fruit pulp, are ice blended with water or milk.
The Lulo (also known in South America as naranjilla or
little orange) $6.50 is something you’ll most likely not taste elsewhere so
worthy of an order. This refreshing fruit has a slight tang like that of a lime
but with the cleansing after taste of pear. Both hubby and I are passionfruit
addicts so the Maracuya $6.50 is our next order.
La Barra, Colombian cuisine, Singapore, Star Vista Mall, the star, buena vista
Puros – fresh juices made from fruit pulp imported from Colombia
For a little more sugar, the Colombiana $6.50 is a popular
carbonated, peach hued beverage, also known as champagne soda. Hubby takes a
swig and a huge smile develops across his face. I take a sip and quickly hand
back the syrupy sweet soft drink. Hubby gulps down another mouthful and says
with all sincerity, “this is something really special to Latin Americans.” I
sit by as he talks about past memories with childhood glee and keeps assuring
me what a very special drink this is.
La Barra, Colombian cuisine, Singapore, Star Vista Mall, the star, buena vista
Colombian Soda and Fresh Juices
Thirst quenched, it’s time to move on to the solids.  A simple menu, celebrating the convenience of
Colombian street foods, focuses primarily on arepas and empanadas.
Two forms of arepas are available, both the flat open kind
and the dense stuffed pocket variety. A duo of flours can be chosen from too,
white corn or yellow corn. The Domino $9 is our first order.  A pizza looking meal soon appears piled with
black beans and crumbled white feta cheese. We both think the price is a
bargain for this filling dish. Such food begs for a beer accompaniment so hubby
orders a Colombian classic, an Aguila $12. This cool crisp, clear pilsner has a
mild taste and is easy drinking.
La Barra, Colombian cuisine, Singapore, Star Vista Mall, the star, buena vista
Arepa Domino
Now mildly satiated but curious for more, we place the next
order. Hubby must have the Venezolana $13.50 – an unleavened grilled corn flour
pocket bread filled with shredded beef, black beans, sweet fried plantains and queso fresco (young white cheese). While he is never officially allowed to say
that a Colombian restaurant could possibly prepare a Venezuelan arepa to his
standards, he polishes it off… down to the very last crumb.
La Barra, Colombian cuisine, Singapore, Star Vista Mall, the star, buena vista
Arepa Venezolana
These arepas are filling so we turn to the Barra Bites
section looking for something a little lighter to try. We decide on the mixed
basket of Empanadas $10 and soon three golden corn flour fritters filled with
chicken, beef and cheese arrive at our table. These are hot! A perfectly crisp
exterior encases juicy fillings. We have fun stretching the melted cheese and
soon realize this is another snack begging for a beer pairing so order the Club
Colombia $12. The extra dry, carefully crafted pilsner lager washes down the
remainder of the oil on our lips and we’re ready for dessert.
La Barra, Colombian cuisine, Singapore, Star Vista Mall, the star, buena vista
Trio of Empanadas
La Barra, Colombian cuisine, Singapore, Star Vista Mall, the star, buena vista
Cheesy Empanada
La Barra, Colombian cuisine, Singapore, Star Vista Mall, the star, buena vista
Club Colombia Beer
We check out the daily specials board for the home cooked
desserts of the day. Our jovial waiter assures us that all three are excellent
so what to do, but to get the trio? He also suggests a digestive and sweeter
beer to finish, so we happily agree and out comes a shot of Aguardiente and a
tall glass of Redd’s.
La Barra, Colombian cuisine, Singapore, Star Vista Mall, the star, buena vista
Aguardiente and Aguila Beer
Redd’s is a favourite with the ladies offering a refreshing
lime flavour, is low in alcohol, rimmed with salt and garnished with a lime
wedge. Aguardiente, fire water, is known as Colombia’s national drink. This
anise flavoured liqueur is derived from sugar cane and makes a perfect
aperitif, digestive or party shot.
La Barra, Colombian cuisine, Singapore, Star Vista Mall, the star, buena vista
Fredd’s Light Beer 
The Cocada materializes and is just as I remember from my
time on the southern continent. Coconut, condensed milk and sugar are clearly
evident.
Panderos, made with copious amounts of sugar, butter,
cassava flour and aguardiente, quickly disintegrate into a powder upon first
bite and then groups together in our mouths necessitating further tongue
maneuvering to get it to fully dissolve. It forms almost a peanut buttery
quality sticking to the roofs of our mouths, but also the sides of our gums and
teeth. We’re left with the delicious job of sweeping the remains away with our
tongues.
La Barra, Colombian cuisine, Singapore, Star Vista Mall, the star, buena vista
Colombian Sweets – Panderos and Cocada
The Coconut Cream Caramel seductively arrives. Served in a
black stone bowl the caramelized ivory tower sits in a pond of passionfruit and
cheekily flirts with our taste buds and tests the seams of our stomachs. The
tangy fruit pulp cuts through the fat and gives a zing that livens up the
traditionally creamy dessert.
La Barra, Colombian cuisine, Singapore, Star Vista Mall, the star, buena vista
Creme Caramel
Finishing the meal with the rich smoothness of Colombia, we
joyfully sip on cups of Juan Valdez coffee.
La Barra, Colombian cuisine, Singapore, Star Vista Mall, the star, buena vista
Juan Valdez Coffee
First bopping as a result of the rhythmic salsa, now fueled
by aguardiente and caffeine, we’re ready to see where else the night leads us.
Colombian cuisine, restaurant, Singpore, Latin
Map to La Barra
La Barra is open Monday to Sunday from 12noon to 11pm.
Reason to visit: deliciously
filling arepas and empanadas, value meals, Colombian desserts, Colombian
drinks, Colombian coffee
La Barra
1 Vista Exchange Green,
#02-21 The Star Vista
Singapore 138617
+65 6694 2495

10 Comments

  1. Hmmm…unfamiliar with all these. Colombian, eh? Sure would love to try.

    • I think South American food will become quite popular in South East Asia. Hope you can try some of the this deliciousness soon. 🙂

  2. I want it all!! And esp with the Hubby alongside getting misty-eyed and telling stories. Can we bring Singapore closer? Say, in bangsar somewhere?

  3. ooo, we could definitely use a restaurant like this in KL too! and i think i could fall head over heels for arepas! 😀

    • Arepas are so versatile. They're great side dishes, snacks, excellent alcohol soaker-uppers and a with fillings can be a whole meal in themselves.

  4. The creme caramel looks fab!

  5. yumm ! I love arepas ,, they are low in calories , gluten free and delicious .. I cant live without them !!!

  6. yumm ! I love arepas ,, they are low in calories , gluten free and delicious .. I cant live without them !!!

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