Now's the best time to check out the National Geographic store's in-house cafe, before the shopping mall crowds start flooding this oasis of calm.
The focus here is pinchos _ Spanish-influenced nibbles that are more affordably priced than the tapas at La Bodega and other similar outlets.
Tuna with chopped tomato. Fresh-tasting, like pretty much every platter here.
Guacamole with nachos. Creamy but light; better than versions at Tex-Mex outlets.
Olives and orange. A strange combo, but fans of olives might enjoy it. The orange strips provided a sweetness that helped to balance out the olives' saltiness.
Well-marinated prawn skewers. Reasonably juicy too.
Mixed veggie bruschetta, liberally doused with what seemed like olive oil.
Deep-fried Manchego cheese. Nicely prepared; crisp and not oily at all.
Mushroom bruschetta. Thick, warm and creamy; even someone like me who isn't a mushroom fan could relish this.
Not sure how satay found its way onto the menu, but this was nonetheless satisfactory. Tender, flavourful chicken, with ketupat and chunky peanut sauce.
Open-face salmon sandwich. Probably the heartiest item, perhaps also the healthiest.
Deep-fried feta cheese. Piping-hot and utterly addictive.
Roasted piquillo pepper bruschetta. Not spicy, but high in fibre.
Potato-stuffed omelette. Pure comfort food.
Watermelon with anchovies. The closest thing to dessert. Not as foul as it sounds.
Spanish beer & Sangria.
Wine is available by both the glass and the bottle. No cocktails so far though.
National Geographic Cafe,
Lot 10.
