Viva España!

Spain celebrates its national day this month, so there’s no better excuse to try some of Hong Kong’s Spanish restaurants. Here are our three picks.

El Pomposo

Address：Roof Garden 009, Elements,
1 Austin Road West, Kowloon
Tel︰2196 8123

At Elements mall’s breezy rooftop is this gem of a restaurant with a funky blue and gold maritime-meets-Cirque du Soleil vibe. The doors that open onto the terrace, the large bar area and whimsical origami-like light fixtures lend this eatery a laidback yet elegant atmosphere.

The white wine sangria is the manager’s signature drink. He uses a variety of liqueurs and white wine, and the addition of fruit and ice create a pretty, candy-coloured concoction. Also try one of their cocktails: ‘alta pression’ and ‘Espanola’ are both sweet and high in alcohol but go down smooth.

Spain is the largest producer of olives, and the restaurant lives up to this superlative by serving a wide variety of the diminutive fruit. Connoisseurs will especially appreciate the dish of mixed marinated olives, which are served drenched in the strong flavour of garlic and onion, a perfect companion to any wine.

The Tabla El Pomposo tapa is a mixed plate of four different types of thinly-sliced Spanish cold meats served with melon. They are the salty Spanish favourite Jamon Serrano (cured ham), chorizo (spicy sausage), salami and lomo. The meats are served elegantly on a wooden block and each has its own distinct flavour. The garlic bread loaf, studded inside and out with garlic and herbs, is also not to be missed.

Among the list of salads, the most highly recommended is the tomato and fig salad with red onions, basil and balsamic vinaigrette. It is sweet and sour and very refreshing.

The restaurant also features a large selection of hot tapas. The chicken and ham fritters are quite good with their crispy exterior, substantive meat filling and two dipping sauces. Mushrooms and shrimp are a classic combination in Spanish cuisine, and El Pomposo’s mixed wild mushrooms with prawns and red peppers does not disappoint with its delicious sauce.

El Pomposo will feature a special menu on October 11 to celebrate Spain’s national day. Give them a call to find out more and get in on the fun.

La Comida

Address：Ground Floor,
22 Staunton Street, Central
Tel︰2530 3118

Located in the heart of fashionable SoHo in Central, La Comida is a cosy and casual Spanish restaurant. Red and yellow, the colours of the flag of Spain, feature strongly in the décor, along with a painting of a fiery flamenco dancer – perfect for getting you into the mood for Spanish cuisine.

The menu has a good selection of tapas and paellas as well as salads, soups and meats. As with any respectable Spanish meal, be sure to order a generous sized glass of deep red sangria first. La Comida’s sangria uses red wine and lemonade; the result is refreshing and sweet.

One of La Comida’s signature tapas is the paper-thin Serrano ham, a speciality of Spanish cuisine. The only additive to Serrano ham is salt, and the ham is cured until it holds only a small amount of moisture, which gives it a firm texture and intense flavour. The eight slices served in the dish are flavourful but not too salty.

You’ll hear their other favourite tapa – sizzling prawns – before you see them, as they are truly served still crackling from the heat. Cooked with the strong flavours of garlic and chilli peppers, the shrimp are drenched in their oils, making the dish pungent and slightly spicy.

The starters have whetted your appetite, which means it’s time for paella. The paella a la Valencia offers an impressive presentation with the goods piled up high on top of saffron rice and is more than enough for two. The dish is packed full of seafood, vegetables and meat, including chicken, mussels, prawns, scallops, French beans, chorizo and more.

For dessert, the Catalan-style custard is rich and lemony with a burnt sugar top. Be sure to also try the fresh pear cooked in red wine caramel with ice cream. The sauce is sweet with a strong wine flavour, and the pear is cooked until done but not too soft. Topped off with strawberries and ice cream, the elaborate dessert has a bit of everything to finish a great Spanish meal.

Olé

Address：1st Floor, Shun Ho Tower
24–30 Ice House Street, Central
Tel ︰2523 8624

When the celebrity athletes of Spanish football team Real Madrid visited Hong Kong a few years ago, they dined at Olé, the best of the best in Hong Kong for Spanish food. The result was rave reviews and high accolades all around.

This elegant restaurant, slightly tucked away from bustling Central, feels like another world. The hacienda-style interior with arched doorways and unassuming white walls is adorned with old-style lamps, street-scene paintings and brightly coloured pottery, a quaint and comfortable vision of Spain.

The restaurant serves small snack starters of mixed olives and a few pieces of tortilla, a Spanish omelette made of eggs and potato. Bread and olive oil are also served, with attention to detail – the olive oil has been marinated with herbs for added flavour.

Their grilled cuttlefish starter comes with homemade Spanish mayonnaise, made with garlic, olive oil, egg yolk and salt. The dish is enough to share, and the chunky pieces of cuttlefish are cooked just right, tender but with some bite. They smell great from having been cooked in garlic, but add some of the subtle sauce for extra flavour.

The ham and chicken croquettes have been complimented as being better than any found in Spain. They have a very soft filling, as the meats are mixed with béchamel – a sauce of milk and flour – to achieve the soft texture. Olé also uses the very special ibérico ham in their croquettes which gives them a much appreciated extra kick.

Fresh ibérico meat has only become available recently, which makes Olé’s ibérico pork loin all the more special; the pricey meat is prized for its texture and flavour. It is cooked with just salt and is served with a pile of thin French fries and roasted vegetables.

As for dessert, the assorted berries in white chocolate will suit any sweet tooth. Smooth white chocolate is poured over strawberry sauce and berries – a delicious combination of sweet and tangy.

All this accompanied by their summer red wine – iced, fizzy and mixed with lemonade – a perfect refreshing drink to quench a warm Hong Kong day.