Next to Filipino food, Spanish is a cuisine I crave for. I grew up with both these fares served endlessly throughout our family sunday lunches and they have stuck with me as staples. My children are the same, Spanish food is always a requested addition when I do my weekly menus. Hence, the quest for a good restaurant of this cuisine on a recent family trip. After much research and feedback, we chose Catalunya.
It did not disappoint. As a matter of fact, it was much more than we expected. Catalunya’s service was excellent as we were attended to personally by their assistant manager, Mauricio Rodriguez. He was attentive, quick and most of all, kind. He gave in to my son’s request for something that was not on the menu and sent a Coke my way when he overheard me saying I needed one. All “on the house”. The restaurant has a team of pedigreed Chefs, said a BBC article.
This includes Executive Chef, Alain Devahive Tolosa who used to be the right hand man of Chef Ferran Adria, owner of the world famous elBulli. This restaurant sits in w quiet corner of a residential area in Wan Chai. Lucky residents, I told my husband. Here is a few of what we had. The dishes weren’t only interesting, they were well thought of and delicious too. No frills and true to Catalan cooking.
Mauricio Rodriguez, ASSISTANT MANAGER
TAPAS;
spherical olives, one bite with a surprise since they tell you to watch out for the pit!
jamón iberico “gran reserva’, their (and my) must try!
catalunya tomato tartare, “this tatare has a trick up its sleeve, you would never guess it was not meat”.
chorizo, “spanish world famous red sausage”.
chorizo again! my son wanted the un-sliced bilbao style. not on the menu but mauricio found a way!
jamón iberico croquettes, “how to put a spaniard to the test? ask for croquetas and decide whose are the best”. someone couldn’t wait for me to take a picture…
ham, cheese and truffle “bikini”, “you’re not getting a swimsuit! this ham, cheese and truffle sandwich will transport you right to catalunya”. our family fave!
gambas al ajillo, prawns cooked the catalan way. this was served in an “ajillo” sauce
suckling pig tapa, “don’t feel like having a whole suckling pig? have the same pleasure in two bites”. this was rich, juicy and delicious!
oh this dreamy new zealand txuleta—just melts in your mouth, the sauce was not even necessary.
arroz negre with scampi. the sweetest scampi from spain.
We had some other dishes, but these were our favourites and must try’s. Have no shame in recommending this place, you will not be embarrassed. Ha ha. Best Spanish restaurant in this part of the world for me.
Catalunya: Ground Floor Guardian House Morrison Hill, 3201 Kwan Road, Wan Chai
Contact: +852 2866