Spanish restaurant La Ventana has rebranded and moved to a new location a few steps away in Dempsey Road. It is now known as Tapas 26, and still run by the same Korean owner and Korean Executive Chef.
We dropped by one weekday night to check it out, with our penchant for trying out new F&B joints.
We had some Cava sparkling wine at the bar for cocktails before dinner. Well in a Spanish restaurant you have drink Cava and not Champagne or any other form of Sparkling Brut Wine. It was well served in a Chanti shaped Riedel glass, no less. Good on them, they know the proper way to serve good sparkling wine is in a Chanti or Burgundy glass, and not a traditional Champagne flute. This ensures it opens up truly and you can really savour the texture and structure of the wine.
We tried this specially curated menu by the kitchen.
No.2 Oyster from Normandy $10 was up first. It was topped with Sherry Vinegar Onion, Crisp Bacon, Pickled Cucumber and Oyster Foam. Soft and juicy and the oyster just oozed out and exploded in our mouths.
We had the Salmon Tartare with guacamole (avocado), tomato, salmon roe and sea “ajoblanco” next $12. It was a refreshing cleanse on our palette before the next course.
We paired this with their signature house wine wine. Not bad for a house wine.
Crispy Poached Egg with cepes cream, chanterelle and pan fried foie gras. Crispy on the outside and oozing out on the inside. $15 + top up $9 for the Foie Gras. We recommend topping up for the foie gras. It was absolutely worth it!
Charcoal Grilled Octopus with potato risotto and spirulina $28. We were told the Octopus is from Spain of course and grilled in the legendary Josper Grill, which retains the moisture and texture. Unlike other joints where the octopus taste hard and rubbery.
The main course of the night. Spanish Suckling Pig with chestnut puree, caramelized pineapple and vermouth syrup $42. The skin was thin and crackling crispy, while the meat was lean and tender with some marbling.
To round off the evening, we tried the signature house dessert.
Crema Catalana with caramel ice cream $12. Perfect balance of flavours and sweetness with saltiness from the caramel ice cream.
For Reservations:
Tapas 26
26B Dempsey Road
Singapore 247693
Tel: 6479 0100
Opening Hours:
Tue-Sat: 12-2:30pm, 6-10pm
Sun: 12-2:30pm, 6-9:30pm
Closed Monday