[Review] One-night Only “Postcards from Barcelona” Four Hands Showcase at FIRE at 1-Atico Brings Argentinian Diaspora to Singapore

It has been a few weeks since we ascended to the 55th floor of ION Orchard for a rather special evening at FIRE at 1-Atico. On 12 November, the restaurant hosted “Postcards from Barcelona,” a one night only collaborative dinner featuring their Culinary Advisor Chef Soledad Nardelli and Chef de Cuisine Joshiah Black. The event promised a journey through the Argentinian diaspora in Barcelona, a narrative that both chefs have experienced personally.

Walking into 1-Atico is always an experience in itself. The panoramic views of the Singapore skyline from ION Orchard is stunningly beautiful, a sentiment shared by almost everyone who has dined here. It sets a dramatic stage for any meal as there is a certain magic to dining amongst the clouds.

The menu was priced at $158++ per person, a fair tag for a collaborative five course culinary journey, carefully curated by two well-regarded chefs. We could genuinely feel the soul and passion that went into the curation of the menu as both chefs went table to table at the start of service to introduce themselves and their culinary creations. Each of the items in the menu are said to have drawn inspirations from various restaurants in Barcelona, inviting us to taste the best of the Argentinian diaspora there through the chefs’ own culinary experiences and palates.

Even the house-made breads served before the dinner were a visual and taste fest. We were presented with four type of breads – Pan de Campo, Chipas, Faina and Fugazza, served with Chimichurri butter, braised lentils and extra virgin olive oil.

The starters that came next were a highlight for us, starting off strong to build up the anticipation. They were flavourful and surprising, packing a massive punch in small bites.

The bite-size Empanada de Carne (inspired by Grill Argento), featured hand cut beef, cumin, oregano and paprika, was a petite flavour dynamite which teleported us to the streets of Barcelona.

The Mollejas Ahumadas (inspired by Mesaquince), smoked flat bread with honey and lemon glaze offered a delightful balance of richness and acidity. The presentation with twigs as forks add an interesting touch.

The Milanesa de Matambre de Cerdo (inspired by La Cabrera), is a Pork Flank Milanesa with Provolone cheese, parma ham and sun dried tomatoes. Another bite-size flavour bomb.

Next came three pre main course dishes, featuring something from the sea, the land and the sky.

Whispers from the Deep (inspired by Sant Pol de Mar), Chupín de Pescado o Mariscos is an Argentine Shellfish Stew that features all the goodness from the sea in one stew – scallops, mussels, clams, prawns and crab. I do not usually eat mussels and clams, but the flavours are so well integrated here into a single, unified profile that I ended up finishing everything.

Essence of the Sky, Yerba Mate Smoked Duck Breast is a duck breast dish presented with duck egg-chimichurri aioli and Yerba mate-duck broth. Yerba mate is a natural South American herb known for its earthy, slightly bitter flavour and gentle caffeine boost.

The presentation is top-notch for this dish and definitely piqued our curiosity when it was served.

Soul of the Land, Locro Guiso Argentino Locro Stew (inspired by the Gauchos), is a cold stew featuring chorizo (Iberian pork sausage), bacon, beef, beans, pumpkin and corn. The flavours are clean and it whet your appetite.

As we moved to the mains, the kitchen continued to shine with their execution of the meats. FIRE is known for its wood fired cooking, and they certainly lived up to that reputation.

The Carne a la Masa came first. This is an Argentine dish featuring meat, like beef in this case, cooked with vegetables and then encased in a dough and baked. The name literally translates to “meat in dough” and it is a traditional dish from the Mendoza region.

What’s an Argentinian feast without some hearty meat dishes?

The Argentinian Bone in Ribeye was fantastic, boasting that distinct smoky char that only comes from an open flame, while the Roasted Lamb Shoulder was tender and aromatic.

Next, the Whole Salt Baked Sea Bass breaks the intense flavours, presenting something lighter and clean tasting.

It is easy to see why this spot is a favourite for meat lovers in Singapore. The flavours were robust, authentic, and satisfying.

For those who prefer their food with a something a little tipsy, cocktail and alcoholic drinks pairing is available as an add-on.

Finally, we came to the dessert courses. These were presented together in a single plater as a Dessert Trolley (inspired by 9Reinas, Maru Botana and Chef Soledad), including Pan de Membrillo, quince bread served with goat cheese; Peras Pochadas Lentamente en Vino Malbec, pears slowly poached in Malbec wine with candied walnuts; Rogel, crispy pastry layered with Dulce de Leche and Meringue; Tarta de Limon Asada con Meringue, roasted lemon tart with Meringue; and Alfajores de Chocolate, Ganache of dark chocolate.

It’s a lot of sweets to end the nice with, but it present you with a bit of everything, leaving you spoilt for choice on even which to start with.

Overall, the evening had a few moments of slower pacing, with longer waits between courses than expected. It seemed like the kitchen might have been handling some hiccups or simply managing a very full house. While the pauses could have affected the flow of the meal, the warm sincerity of the wait crew and even the chefs, who apologised throughout the night, helped keep the experience pleasant and the time passed just fine.

In addition, a live band, Veda9, also helped bridge the gaps with their soulful Latin Jazz and Swing, keeping the vibes good even throughout the night. Most importantly, the food was good!

For those who missed this specific event, FIRE is gearing up for their Christmas festive feast, available for brunch and dinner on 24 and 25 December. More details are available on their official website.

Address:
Level 55, 2 Orchard Turn
Singapore, 238801

Tel: (65) 6970 2039
Whatsapp: (65) 8028 1489

Opening Hours:
Lunch: 12pm to 3pm (last order at 2.30pm)
Brunch: 12pm to 3pm (Sat, Sun, eve of PH and PH)
Dinner: 6pm to 10:30pm (last order at 9.30pm)