Consider El Mero Mero’s range of botanas or Mexican small plates such as the classic Baja Fish, elevated, and the Corn Sampler, a dish that plays with different flavours to offer a new perspective on corn; the selection of cocktails based on mezcal including the eponymous El Mero Mero that uses orange-infused mezcal for a subtly smoky, and refreshing long drink.

El Mero Mero’s new menu showcases traditional flavour combinations, and also demonstrates the current Mexican culinary trends. As representative of a cuisine that has so much more to offer, beyond the tacos and burritos that Singaporeans are familiar with: El Mero Mero hopes to open our eyes, minds, and palates to the power of Mexican gastronomy and hospitality.

Thus, while remaining faithful to old mores, the new menu is modern and global, executed with finesse and sophistication. These are some of its highlights.

For classics with spirit and soul, look no further than their El Taco. With crispy tooth fish tempura and juicy salsa, their Baja Fish tacos are a celebration of classic Mexican flavours and an explosion of textures. The Wagyu Volcan’s combination of charred cheese, Australian wagyu beef and molcajete (mortar & pestle) sauce of tomatoes, jalapeno and garlic is a rich burst of juicy umami.

The Avocado Taco brings forward a very different idea: charred corn tortilla and cool creamy avocado – for most Mexicans, this is the taste of home. For novices to Mexican fare, it’s an eye- opener: absolute simplicity, done impeccably.

Other dishes that bring forth these flavours of history and memory include the Hamachi and Coconut Ceviche, a glory of fresh sashimi-grade Hamachi tossed in coconut milk infused with the tangy hibiscus; and Tortilla Soup, creamy comfort made with tomatoes roasted in the Josper oven,guajillo chillies, and thickened with charred tortillas.

A restrained hand with contemporary updates drive up the culinary excitement. Consider the Atlantic Grilled Octopus, a generous Josper-grilled swirl of tentacle that offers oceanic sweetness with an undertone of smokiness and the Corn Sampler, a tribute to the many faces of that essential Mexican staple, maize with skewers of Josper-grilled organic baby corn and donuts made in-house from huitlocoche or “corn mushroom”.

The Gordita expands on the eponymous Mexican classic: rather than simply filling the empty pocket of this corn pastry, it becomes a base to celebrate heirloom vegetables and frijoles. The El Mero Mero Fajita brings together two beloved Mexican flavours not commonly paired together – a poblano shishito crema and grilled beef – to richly savoury results while the Tequila Pecan Pie is a creative and sweetly aromatic combination of Mexican produce – cinnamon, pecans, and tequila – made a little edgier with a final grill in the Josper before serving for a subtle smokiness.

This approach weaves the past and the ‘now’ together for a culinary tapestry like no other.