The UTW (“Under Ten Words”): Spanish, hearty and gloriously pig-centric, nose-to-tail, occasionally adventurous comfort fare. The must-orders (if any): Carabinero Arroz, Gin Panna Cotta Summary: The chef previously headed the kitchen at UNA at One Rochester. Dehesa is proud of its nose-to-tail concept (choice extract from their website: “robustly flavoured alternative…
The UTW (“Under Ten Words”): Spanish, classy Sangria tête-à-têtes, date night, home-style casual fine dining. The must-orders (if any): Seafood paella. Summary: The team was formerly from La Ventana. The home-casual space is perfect for sophisticated catchups with friends over Sangria and charcuterie or relaxed romantic dates with good food and…
Pincho Moruno from Catalunya – grilled marinated in a special house blended spice and served with apple aioli. Essentially the kebab equivalent of a surly, reserved Moroccan army regular who canes his children for bad behaviour and goes on desert missions. Mighty filling, though. 3.4/5 This was a hosted meal,…
Grand Marnier Crema Catalana from Milagro Spanish Restaurant at Orchard Central. Essentially your standard crème brûlée but with sassy unwashed blonde hair, being inappropriately high on sangria (and Grand Marnier, of course) and warbling lines such as “lucky that my breasts are small and humble so you don’t confuse them…
Chilli Crab Txangurro from Catalunya – 120 grams of shredded Alaskan snow crab cooked in spicy tomato sofrito and topped with toasted bread crumbs. Essentially an indulgent chilli crab bonanza in a pot – pure, unadulterated chilli crab goodness sans any distracting pincer, shell or mantou nonsense. The succulent crab…
Grilled Spanish octopus with Jerusalem artichoke, burnt onion and oyster leaf from Esquina. The octopus had a sensual and deeply roasty quality which extended to its very core, and its suction cups will disengage recklessly inside your mouth, offering more artillery for your crunching pleasure. Elsewhere, the burnt onion will…
Torrija from Catalunya Singapore – soft and sweet warm bread with smoked milk ice cream. Whilst the bread expertly toed the line between comfortably and dangerously sweet, the smoked milk ice cream was the gustatory equivalent of an urgent, uninhibited French kiss (tongues ahoy) with an irresistible femme fatale who…
Espárragos y Gambas a la Plancha from My Little Spanish Place – grilled asparagus and prawns, fried egg and “salsa verde”. Essentially what you get if a European matronly chef decides to marry Chinese tze char and the Western concept of brunch. So simple and basic, yet so satisfying. 3.9/5…
larvitar x rubbisheatrubbishgrow. A good dish at La Ventana (fun fact: owner Carles Gaig also owns the one Michelin-starred Restaurant Gaig in Barcelona) would be the Carabinero Paella ($34) – carnaroli rice with calamari and carabinero prawn. While I was busy snapping a picture of the paella, Salaryman was busy salivating…