I recently attended a jamon-carving workshop held at My Little Spanish Place in collaboration with the Joselito brand. Tickets were priced at $150+ per pax (with additional $50+ option for wine pairing with 4 wines), which includes a hands-on session followed by a 4-course dinner showcasing the Vintage 2008 Joselito Jamon by Chef Edward Esmero. Continue reading
These days in Singapore, with the increasing popularity of Spanish tapas bars, more and more restaurants – Spanish or not – term anything of petite proportions served on a plate or as a platter as tapas.
Setting aside the innumerable array of tapas interpretations – some rather pretentious, some simply inspired – Octapas Spanish Tapas Bar is where you’ll take a leap closer to Spain without having to hop on a plane.
Tocino Envuelto Gambas; Prawns Wrapped in Crispy Bacon ($16.50)
Consultant chef Javier Lecumberri from San Sebastian, Spain, brings his expertise in modern Spanish fare to the table, at Octapas, revitalising the tapas scene with a new menu, Bay of Biscay.
Some of Chef Javier’s rustic Basque creations are reminiscences of his hometown, on the coast of Biscay, while many are of modern and inventive twists without losing the authenticity.
Here are some recommended items: Continue reading
The Grandstand, formerly known as Turf City, is now home to numerous dining establishments that are generating lots of hype and traffic to the once inaccessible and secluded area. MAD, short for Modern Asian Diner, is no stranger to food and music enthusiasts.
Named after Dick Lee’s Mad Chinaman nickname, this celebrity-fronted diner is a five-way collaboration between reputable Singaporean success stories, including Tung Lok, Bakerzin, Bar Stories and Top Wines. The presence of Dick Lee prevails in the form of quirky Mad Chinaman pop art that adorn the walls, and the groovy choice of music that are personally curated by the legend himself. Continue reading
District 10 Bar Tapas Restaurant at The Star Vista is The Bonta Group’s latest addition, featuring an open tapas and pinchos bar concept. Loyal fans of the flagship outlet at UE Square will find familiar favourites in the menu, although the menus are slightly different. One of the more distinct differences between the two outlets would be their comparatively independent brunch menu.
I visited the outlet at The Star Vista twice, once for a Sunday brunch, and another on a weekday evening. The vibes are rather contrasting. I will consolidate both dining experiences into a single post. Continue reading
Iberico Jamon Bellota Reserve 30-36 Months ($30) (Dry-cured ham of acorn-fed Spanish black pig)
The popularity of Spanish cuisine is rising rapidly in the recent year, and having a part to play is our melting pot society’s growing appetite for variety.
Spanish cuisine is often associated with tapas bars and sangrias, like French cuisine is associated with visually stunning presentations and fine dining. Tapas come in countless different forms, depending on the individual chefs’ creativity, or plain simplicity. Bar hopping is common in Spain. It would be an arduous task finding two tapas bars with identical tapas options.
A hip and vibrant Spanish paella bar opened its doors on 12 October 2012 – an especially meaningful date that marks Spain’s National Day – in the Robertson Quay precinct, at to be exact. BOMBA is where you should go if you enjoy liveliness and buoyancy, with a mere intention of catching up with the pals grazing on suave tapas and sipping potent libations. If you are in need of sustenance after a hard day at work, fuel your body with the highly raved paella.
You wouldn’t be expecting to see a lot of bar hopping, because the inviting atmosphere keeps possession of the patrons’ presences –and there isn’t a better place for Spanish food, especially paella, in the neighbourhood.
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