If you are in search of a culinary experience that reminds you of home and hearth, perhaps head over to Bukit Damansara, where a relatively new restaurant offers that and more.
A Mediterranean-inspired steakhouse, this is where you dine when you have a little cash to burn and a tummy to fill.
It certainly looks impressive at first glance, with its blue tiles and white walls resembling a traditional southern European kitchen.
In addition to its sizeable dining space, the kitchen is semi-open, so diners can catch a glimpse of what the chefs are up to.
Speaking of the chefs, keep an eye out for head chef Ignasi Prats, a true-blue Spaniard from Barcelona.
He has served in many international kitchens throughout his career, yet he’s a humble fellow and is known to pop out on occasion to chat with customers.
Many of the delicacies here are the same chef Ignasi enjoyed as a child growing up in Spain, so there’s no question about authenticity.
But what exactly is authentic Spanish food? For most Malaysians, Mediterranean cuisine largely brings to mind Italian classics like pizza and pasta.
Spain has its own culinary traditions, however, and little snacks and appetisers called “tapas”, meaning “covers”, are quite integral to it.
While historians debate how that name came around, all you have to know is that these little treats pack a punch despite their size.
Here at Bocado, you can opt for a selection of traditional tapas, with seafood and meats served in bite-sized form.
For starters, try the Pulpo a la Gallega, a smoked octopus dish that is guaranteed to satisfy.
It features grilled Atlantic octopus served on a bed of potato chiffon mousse, and flavoured with Spanish paprika and aioli. Surrounded by rich flavours, the octopus flesh absorbs them all greedily, resulting in a burst of flavours with each bite.
Another seafood dish worth a place at the table is the Gambas al Ajillo, featuring freshly-grilled prawns served in a spicy sauce.
Drizzled in generous amounts of olive oil, garlic, chilli and parsley, this dish is best eaten while still hot in the pan. It is served with fluffy bread on the side to mop up the fiery mix.
If you are a friend of nature, fret not. There is a vegan menu tailored to your needs and all of its offerings are quite tasty treats.
The Croquetas, in particular, are something of a crowd pleaser, coming in the form of little balls that fit perfectly in one’s mouth. These balls are none other than the croquettes, its beautiful crunchy exterior stuffed to the brim with deep-fried mushroom bechamel. It is quite the explosion in flavours in your mouth, and once you are done with one, the urge to munch on another is irresistible.
For something a little heavier and significantly impressive, the Paletilla de Cabritto fits the bill in both presentation and tastes.
Served atop a wooden board, this Spanish suckling lamb shoulder is slow-cooked for a whopping 16 hours to tenderise the meat. True enough, the meat is soft to the touch and slides right off the bone, in addition to truly flavourful.
Malaysian and Spanish cuisine find common ground in their love for rice, and the Paella de Marisco seals the deal.
While meant for two, it can easily feed more with its generous portions of rice and seafood. The rice is cooked well enough and tastes even better with the seafood arrayed atop it; it’s quite the filling dish, so be warned!
Should you still have some space left in your tummy, grab the dessert menu. With chef Ignasi having quite the baking heritage, the pastries here are to die for.
Passionfruit fans will be delighted by the Tartaleta de Citricos, a fruit tart that spares no expense with its flavours. Also accompanying is a side of Mango Sorbet, a cool tangy treat to enjoy on sweltering hot afternoons, no doubt.
Hence, if you’re looking to vary your dining experience, Bocado is worth a visit and the food worth its price; every last morsel of it.
Bocado
Ground Floor, Bangunan ECM Libra
8, Jalan Damansara Endah
Bukit Damansara
50490 Kuala Lumpur
Business hours: 12pm-12am daily
Contact: 012-923 3206