A brand new addition to the rising ensemble of restaurant choices in Joo Chiat is the Ebb and Flow group’s Spanish restaurant, Carlitos.
Conceptualized as an informal tapas joint, Carlitos is a diminutive type of Carlos, a nod to Chef Carlos Montobbio who began the restaurant as a collaboration with Antonio Miscellaneo, from La Bottega which is simply 2 doorways away.
Carlitos occupies the house that was once Tigerlily Patisserie, an Ebb and Flow idea that closed down earlier this yr. The fashion of Carlitos is comparatively casual – a bit family-style if you’ll and in reality, the house jogs my memory extra of an Italian restaurant than a Spanish one. Perhaps the obvious suggestion that could be a Spanish restaurant is the presence of sales space seats surrounding a bar (the way in which Spaniards often take their tapas). There can be a desk eating choice.
Although comparatively genuine, the meals in Carlitos is supposed to cater to what Singaporeans understand Spanish meals to be. This means you will see dishes from throughout Spain within the venue’s menu of 30+ objects – from Catalan to Andalusian and even Basque specialties all beneath one roof.
Tapas are a feast for the eyes and the palate, bursting with vibrant colours and tantalizing flavors. Picture the Gilda Pintxo (S$12), the place smoky sardines are harmoniously paired with tangy pickles and luscious inexperienced olives.
Then there are the Buñuelos de Pamplona (S$12), pleasant codfish fritters served with a wealthy ajoarriero sofrito, all kissed by the heat of saffron oil.
The Tortilla Donosti (S$10) is to not be missed, crafted recent every morning from natural eggs, confit shallots, and potatoes, generously drizzled with additional virgin olive oil. I beloved that the tortilla got here with a semi-soft and nearly cheese-like texture.
And for a real seafood lover’s delight, the Txipirones Bilbao (S$18) options completely grilled squid, complemented by crispy child squid and a savory squid rice.
For these looking for deeper, extra sturdy flavors, the Xup-Xup is a must-try. These pots of Spanish stew are lovingly simmered for hours, making a wealthy tapestry of style. Seafood fans will revel within the Arroz Caldoso de Gambas (S$28), the place succulent Mediterranean crimson prawns are poached in a comforting broth, enriched with vongole veraci clams. This is a dish that will draw similarities to the kind of seafood poached rice which is the craze in Singapore today.
The Pulpo La Coruña (S$20) got here extraordinarily chewy and was seasoned with paprika. A Galician specialty, that is one Spanish dish that appears to be a quintessential a part of any tapas restaurant.
And let’s not overlook the Molletes, a cherished Andalusian deal with. These small, fluffy breads are sliced open, toasted to perfection, and crammed with a medley of scrumptious elements. For a bolder kick, attempt the Mallorcan Sobrassada (S$10), a spicy pork sausage paired with creamy burrata and a drizzle of honey that provides a pleasant distinction. Each chunk is a celebration of flavors that transport you straight to the guts of Spain. Although wanting humbly like another sandwich, this was my favourite dish of the evening.
For candy endings, we had the Tarta de Queso (S$12) or cheesecake. Here, the cheesecake is introduced in miniature and tart-like consisting of a wide range of cheeses together with a touch of blue cheese, as with Basque sensibilities. It additionally got here with Sangria sorbet.
Carlitos makes for a pleasant addition within the eating choices within the east with the venue’s genuine ensemble of dishes from throughout Spain. While Singapore has many tapas eating places, I famous that Carlitos has numerous dishes that aren’t generally discovered within the island. There have been fairly numerous dishes that I loved such because the Sobrassada, Tortilla and Buñuelos.
Carlitos
350 Joo Chiat Road
Singapore 427598
Opening Hours
Wednesday to Thursday: 5.30pm to 11pm
Friday to Saturday: 11.30am to three.30pm, 5.30pm to 11pm
Sunday: 11.30am to three.30pm, 5.30pm to 10.30pm
