[Review] 11Westside Brings a Taste of California-Mexican Dining to Singapore’s CBD

Finding a good Mexican restaurant in Singapore’s CBD is always welcome, especially when it is somewhere convenient enough for a casual lunch or an after-work meal. Located at Asia Square Tower 1, 11Westside brings a lively California-Mexican dining concept to the Marina Bay area, serving tacos, sharing plates, grilled meats and Mexican-inspired cocktails in a relaxed setting.

I like Mexican food, so having a restaurant like this close to my office is certainly a plus. What I particularly enjoyed about 11Westside was its fun approach to dining. The atmosphere was lively without being overly formal, and the emphasis on sharing food made the meal feel more like a social gathering than a conventional restaurant visit.

There is also a fair amount of tableside action, which adds an entertaining element to the experience.

We started with the Tableside Guacamole (S$26), one of the restaurant’s signature offerings.

Rather than receiving a bowl of prepared guacamole from the kitchen, the staff mashed fresh avocados right in front of us, combining them with lime, cilantro, onion and jalapeño. The preparation gave us a glimpse of exactly what went into the dish, and there was something reassuring about seeing the ingredients put together fresh before eating.

The resulting guacamole was creamy, fresh and nicely balanced, with the lime providing a refreshing acidity while the jalapeño added a gentle kick. Served with hot house-fried tortilla chips, it was an enjoyable way to kick off the meal.

Next came the Baja Corn Elote (S$18), featuring grilled sweet corn with Baja spices and brown butter.

This was a straightforward but satisfying dish that allowed the natural sweetness of the corn to come through, complemented by the buttery seasoning. The grilling also added a little smokiness, making it a good accompaniment to the other dishes on the table.

The Choriqueso (S$24) followed, arriving as a bubbling combination of melted cheeses, Mexican chorizo and caramelised onion, served with warm tortillas.

This was definitely one for those who enjoy rich, cheesy comfort food. The melted cheese provided a creamy, indulgent base, while the chorizo brought a savoury, meaty flavour and the caramelised onion added sweetness.

Wrapped in the warm tortillas, each bite was hearty and satisfying.

For our tacos, we had the Baja Fish (S$8), featuring beer-battered fish, cabbage slaw, pico de gallo and chipotle aioli.

The fish had a pleasant crunch from the batter, while the cabbage slaw and pico de gallo provided freshness and a contrasting texture. The chipotle aioli brought a creamy, mildly smoky element that tied everything together. It was a nice combination of crispy, fresh and savoury flavours, making this an enjoyable option for seafood lovers.

The Pollo Asado (S$7) offered a different flavour profile. Made with grilled marinated chicken, salsa verde, cilantro and red onion, the chicken had a pleasant grilled flavour, while the salsa verde brought a refreshing herbal brightness. The red onion added a little sharpness, helping to balance the savoury chicken.

We also tried the Beef Cheek Birria (S$18 for two pieces). This was a more substantial taco experience, featuring slow-cooked pulled wagyu beef cheek with Monterey Jack cheese, served alongside a rich beef consommé.

The beef cheek was tender and carried plenty of flavour from the slow cooking, while the melted cheese added another layer of richness. The accompanying consommé was particularly important here, offering a deeply savoury beef flavour that complemented the filling.

For our final savoury dish, we had the Sizzling Chicken Fajitas.

This was the most theatrical presentation of the meal. The chicken and sautéed vegetables arrived sizzling at the table, accompanied by the unmistakable aroma of grilled ingredients and a dramatic burst of fire that made for quite a spectacle.

I enjoyed the little bit of theatre, especially the way the flames brought everyone’s attention to the dish as it arrived. Beyond the presentation, the fajitas were a practical sharing option, with warm tortillas, crema, pico de gallo and guacamole served alongside the chicken and vegetables.

Diners could assemble their own tortillas according to their preferences, adding the different accompaniments to create their own combinations. The Baja spice mix gave the chicken and vegetables a well-seasoned flavour, while the fresh toppings helped balance everything together.

Beyond the food, the service was another positive part of our visit. The wait staff were attentive and friendly throughout the meal, and the restaurant’s Executive Chef Yong Soo Do also came by our table to say hello. He was approachable and happy to interact with diners, which added a personal touch to the experience.

This emphasis on interaction seems to be part of what 11Westside is trying to achieve. The restaurant originated in Hong Kong and draws inspiration from the taco stands of Los Angeles and the flavours of Baja California. Its culinary foundations are associated with Mexican-born Chef Esdras Ochoa, while the Singapore kitchen is led by Liberty Group’s Group Executive Chef Yong Soo Do. The concept centres on house-made corn tortillas, fresh salsas and flavourful fillings, bringing together elements of Mexican street food and California-style dining.

The restaurant has several weekly dining promotions worth keeping in mind.

Margarita Mondays offer free-flow margaritas and bar snacks from 5.30pm to 8pm, while Taco Tuesdays feature 50% off all tacos from 6pm until closing. Wednesdays bring Ladies’ Night, with a free-flow suckling pig taco live station and selected house pours for ladies at S$9.90 from 5.30pm to 8pm. Gentlemen can enjoy all-day Happy Hour with S$12 pints.

For those working in the Marina Bay financial district, these promotions provide another reason to consider staying around after office hours instead of heading straight home. Weekday diners can additionally consider its three-course Executive Set Lunch at S$48++ per person.

Overall, I enjoyed the experience at 11Westside. The food was satisfying, the atmosphere was welcoming and the tableside preparation added an element of fun that made the meal more memorable. I particularly liked the freshly prepared guacamole and the fiery presentation of the chicken fajitas. Having a California-Mexican restaurant with this kind of casual, social dining concept in the CBD is a welcome addition.

11Westside

Address:
8 Marina View, Asia Square Tower 1, #01-05, Singapore 018960

Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday, 11am to 10pm (Last order: 9.15pm).

Contact:
+65 8994 0495

Reservations:
Via Oddle

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