Nibbles in the night

It’s been open just a few weeks but already Catalana Tapas and Wine is proving popular with Bangkok sophisticats hungry for Spanish-style tapas and decent wines.

With dim lighting and a chic decor, Catalana Tapas and Wine takes its name from Catalonia, where tapas – appetisers – are said to have originated. The restaurant looks small from the street but it surprisingly spacious inside, with several tables seating two to six leading to the vibrant bar at the back with colourful bottles stacked up to the ceiling. 

Less Latin-inspired than Bangkok’s other tapas-and-wine places, Catalana has a funkier, more dramatic atmosphere – it’s a place where you can dine peacefully in the early evening or come to drink with electronic music in the background later on in the night. Comfortable and relaxing, most diners stay on for a few drinks even after finishing their feast. 

Food-wise, it’s Spanish with little in the way of compromise. The kitchen crew are Thai, but they’ve been trained and are supervised by an executive chef from Spain. The ingredients are a mix of local and imported produce. Tapas come in a mix of both traditional and not-so-traditional styles. There are also some paella dishes plus cheeses and cold cuts for those who don’t want the small plates of snacks. 

If you’re on the conventional side when it comes to tapas, check out the sauteed chorizo (Bt145). The imported Iberian spicy Spanish sausage is seared with just olive oil, which preserves the natural juice and herbal spiciness of the blood-red sausage. Even with no added seasoning, the chorizo is already pretty salty.

Do balance your palate with a glass of red or white sangria (Bt195), as most tapas tend to be the salty side. Other highlighted dishes are gamba ajillio or prawns in garlic and olive oil (Bt150), and mejillones a la marinera or New Zealand mussels in a white wine and garlic broth (Bt220). Both are very pleasant with just enough spiciness to enhance the freshness of the seafood. Another good choice is Tuna a la Plancha (Bt295), with the fish seasoned with sweet smoked paprika. Other favourites include fried calamari, lamb tenderloin skewer, marinated mixed olives and baby squid.

Feeling a bit adventurous? Flip over to the not-so-traditional tapas menu, which features Spanish blood sausage, soft-shell crabs, fish tikka and cheese puff. Prices start at Bt175.

Substantial dishes with traditional Spanish flair include paella, also a most favourite here. There’s paella with seafood, chicken and veggies for those who don’t eat meat, starting from Bt650. The most popular is paella marinera or paella with seafood (Bt800) that easily feeds two very hungry people. Bomba rice is simmered in rich saffron broth then baked for 30 minutes in traditional paella pan, topped with prawns, calamari, baby squid and mussels. Tasty and fulfilling, this is a real treat for seafood lovers. 

Don’t leave Catalana till you’ve tried natillas de chocolate (Bt130), chocolate custard with citrus mousse. Sweet, creamy with a slight tang, it’s a perfect mouthwash after a variety of savoury entries. 

Catalana also offers an extensive wine list, mostly from Spain. There are 12 reds and whites available by the glass, and up to 200 labels by the bottle. 

   

LITTLE BITES

Catalana Tapas and Wine is on Sukhumvit Soi 11. It’s open daily from 11am till 1am.

Call (02) 651 0220 or visit www.CatalanaTapasAndWine.com.