Contributing to amor Latino is The Latin Circle, a prominent community group that has been promoting Latin culture and cuisine for the last 18 years. Led by Mexican expatriate Alejandra Grobet, the team has organized art exhibitions, film screenings, language workshops and even parties. Anyone with an interest in the Latin culture can join, Grobet says. According to Grobet, Singapore’s Latin community numbers around 3,000 including people from Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Mexico and even Spain. And it’s slowly growing. 

But what draws people to the Latin lifestyle and culture in Singapore?

“I believe Singaporeans love the warm, laidback and fun attitude of the Latinos. Even if we’re downtrodden or browbeaten, Latinos are always ready to eat, sing, play and dance,” exclaims Enrique Barcelli, owner of Kiko Rico, a Latin American restaurant. Brazilian personal chef Nardi Davidsohn agrees: “We bring joy when we’re around people, and once people are exposed to that, they love it.” 
With so much feliz, fun, and fiestas based on the Latin community in Singapore, there certainly does seem to be plenty of joy to go around. 

Eat Some Latin Chow
Singapore has mucho Latin food—and we’re not just talking about fast-food joints. Like its diverse ethnic cultures and fascinating history, Latin cuisine ranges from succulent charcoal-grilled meats to spicy corn or grain-based dishes and savory stews. So grab a fork and prepare to have your taste buds tingled …

Mexican Cuisine
Often confused with Americanized Tex-Mex is authentic Mexican cuisine, a Latin favorite. Full of zingy flavors and vibrant colors, Mexican food is rich in ingredients and includes corn-based dishes, black beans, and lots of herbs and spices. Good Mexican fare can be had at joints like Café Iguana (#01-03 Riverside Point, 30 Merchant Rd., 6236-1275) and Viva Mexico (23 Cuppage Rd, Cuppage Terrace, 6235-0440) where you can tuck into some chicken enchiladas, chimichangas (stuffed fried burritos) or arroz con carne de cangrejo (Mexican rice with crab meat). Mexican cuisine tends to be on the spicy side, so keep a look out for hot little devils like jalapeños or habañeros before you sink into that delicious enchilada. But don’t worry, Blue Agave Margaritas make great fire extinguishers.

Brazilian Fare
For an all-out meat orgy, there’s the churrascaria (Brazilian steakhouse). Here carnivores can have a rodizio (all-you-can-eat) meat fest served up by passadors at the table. Of course, meat isn’t the only thing on the menu; this buffet-style concept is usually accompanied by a salad bar and feijoada (meat and black bean stew). To get all the meat you can eat, we recommend the Sixth Avenue icon Brazil Churrasco (16 Sixth Ave., 6463-1923) and Carnivore (#01-29A CHIJMES, 30 Victoria St., 6334-9928).

Cuban Cuisine
With revolutionary icon Che Guevara’s image gracing the bar, earthy stucco walls, and congas as bar stools, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into Little Havana at Cuba Libre (#01-13 Blk. B, The Foundry, Clarke Quay, River Valley Rd., 6338-8982). While it’s known for its potent mojitos and even more potent parties, its range of Cuban fare is definitely not to be missed. Try the scrumptious langostinos al ajillo ($18), which are prawns sauteed with garlic, olive oil, rum and white wine; or the champiñones con cueso de cabra which comprise button mushrooms and fresh spinach leaves served in a white wine sauce topped with creamy goat’s cheese and turkey bacon—¡que sabor!

Spanish Tapas
The Spanish/Latin tradition of eating tapas is all about combining good food with flowing drinks and conversation. It is believed that tapas were invented by taverns in Spain as a way to work up their customers’ thirst so that they would order more drinks. In Spain and in most Latin American countries, eating tapas is usually done at night, after work and before dinner. But in Singapore you can have tapas all day. Bodega Y Tapas (#01-29 Orchard Hotel, 442 Orchard Rd., 6735-3476) and Don Quijote Spanish Restaurant (#01-09, 17 Lor. Kilat, 6465-1811) are two must-hit places for yummy staples like tortillas (Spanish stuffed omelettes) and Iberican ham with a pitcher of refreshing cava sangria. Don Quijote also serves up superb paellas and fideuas (Spanish pastas).

Latin Soul Food
Kiko Rico (#01-79 Lau Pa Sat Festival Market, 18 Raffles Quay; 9 North Canal Rd., 6532-3158) and Barcelos (17E Lor. Liput, 6219-9785) are the joints to hit if you’re in the mood for poultry that’s so addictively good, we call it crack chicken. Kiko Rico is known for its roasted bird which comes laced with chillies, herbs and spices as well as its Peruvian hotdog fries, wraps and heady cocktails like caipirinhas, margaritas and mojitos. Barcelos, on the other hand, serves up mouth-watering Portuguese-styled peri-peri chicken. You can even choose the level of spiciness that you want—from mild to muy caliente Supa Peri.

Shopping—Latina Style
Walk down the streets of Buenos Aires or Madrid and one thing becomes muy claro—Latinos really know how to dress. For Latin-styled retail therapy here, other than Spanish giants Zara and Mango, one can find Brazilian fashion at Beijaflor (#03-11 Wisma Atria, 435 Orchard Rd., 6735-8255). This boutique stocks the latest Brazilian designs right off the runways of Sao Paolo and Rio de Janeiro. Expect to find sexy denim from Animale, swirly dresses from Victor Dzenk and hot frocks and swimwear from Cantao. For quintessential party wear, there’s hot Spanish labels Bershka (#B2-09/10/11 Ion Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, 6509-8708) and Desigual (#01-11/12/13/14 Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Rd., 6509-9805), both known for their up-to-the-minute looks.

Shake Your Bon-Bon
With pulsing rhythms and all that tight clothing and hip action, a night out at our Latin-themed clubs and bars is sure to be a steamy, sultry affair. Salsaroes wanting to bust a move amid jamming Latin rock and jazz standards will want to check out Movida (1/F, St. James Power Station, 3 Sentosa Gateway, 6270-7676) and its resident band La Ranura. 

For Cuban jazz straight out of Havana, you should again consider heading down to Cuba Libre (#01-13 Blk. B Clarke Quay, River Valley Rd., 6338-8982) where resident band Alma Latina plays a mix of Latin and world music from Wednesdays to Sundays. Also check out Latin music club Azzucar! (#02-03, Clarke Quay, 6336-8718) where you can shake your bon-bon to Latin funk, Latin pop, contemporary salsa, plena, meringue and reggaeton dished out by the hottest Cuban band around—Cubania (made up of five sexy ladies, a hunky drummer and owner/band leader Miguel Morales). 
For experienced salsaroes or hot-stepping wannabes looking to pick up some tips from the experts, Union Square (#02-05 The Amara, 165 Tanjong Pagar Rd., 6224-6116) is a good place to hit. Resident band Latinos from Colombia plays every night.

¡Bailamos!
With more and more nightclubs playing Latino-laced tunes, you’d do well to start incorporating a little salsa into your moves. So if you want to shake it like Shakira, take salsa and Latin dance classes at Attitude Dance Studio (#02-01, 70 Palmer Rd., 6226-2381) and JJ Salsa Rengue (76A Peck Seah St., 6227-2460) where experienced instructors will teach you the finer points of gyrating, swiveling and getting all sweaty.

Latino Pursuits
There’s a whole lot more to the Latin lifestyle than eating, dancing and partying. Brazil, South America’s largest country, is also home to Capoeira—a heady mix of music, deft martial arts movements and airborne acrobatics sure to get the adrenaline pumping faster than you can say Enrique Iglesias. For those of you interested in some acrobatic high-jinks Brazilian-style, look up Capoeira Master Ousado of the local chapter of the Association of Capoeira Argola De Ouro. Classes are held over the weekend at The Substation’s Dance Studio, 45 Armenian St.

If dodging flying kicks are not your thing but you still like a good roll on the mat, try Brazilian Jiu-Jit-Su. Based on Japanese judo, this martial art, created by Carlos and Helio Gracie in the 1920s, features grappling, joint locks and choke holds used to defeat the opponent. Pick up the sport (and maybe a new wrestling partner?) at Evolve Mixed Martial Arts, #02-22, 1 Selegie Rd., 6337-0082. 
And then there is soccer, Brazil’s national pastime (or most of Latin America’s for that matter). To play like a Brazilian (or just gawk at some Samba soccer) the Singapore Brazilian Football Association—a ragtag team of Brazilians, international expats and locals—meets up every Sunday morning to train and play friendly matches. They usually play at Braddell-Westlake Secondary School (8 Bishan St.12) or ITE Balestier’s (114 Balestier Rd.) field, but do call Coach Francisco Campos at 9800-7322 if you plan to drop by. If your soccer skills aren’t up to Brazilian standards, working on your moves on Sentosa’s sands on weekends might help you get there.

Su Casa
If you want to stay at home and have a fiesta but have no clue how, let the experts do it for you. Brazilian Chefs Nardi Davidsohn and Fabio Kraiczyk of BBE.sg will whip up a Brazilian gourmet barbeque experience right at home, complete with all the trimmings: Drinks, the all-important meats, side dishes, desserts and even music. If you’re up for a real party, they’ll even throw batucada (a style of Samba) and capoeira performers in the mix … for a price of course. Rates for a party of 15-25 people: $88 per person; 30-100 people: $68 per person (food only). Log on to www.bbe.sg or call chef Davidsohn at 9062-9648 for more details.

Essentials

¥10 = S$2.6

Singapore Airlines flies daily between Shanghai Pudong and Singapore Changi, starting at ¥2,210 one way.