Chill Night@La Rambla by Catalunya

Passionate Spanish cuisine never gets old! Enjoying these dishes in a chill atmosphere made the experience even more delightful, and the addition of fine wine made the night even more intoxicating. Relocated from Morrison Hill to Central IFC and rebranded as LA RAMBLA BY CATALUNYA, the restaurant brings even more vibrant and passionate Spanish flavors. The restaurant's decor features bold colors, Spanish tiles, and traditional red bricks, creating a lively and inviting ambiance that makes you feel relaxed and comfortable. The terrace, La Terraza, has also been redesigned! On a good weather day, sipping wine on the cozy sofas is the epitome of a good life. For someone like me who dislikes the heat, dining indoors is a better choice! Here, you can select your own wine, but I lazily went with the recommended Floral. The Floral ($245) is a refreshing cocktail made with Monkey47, elderflower tonic, grapefruit, orange, and rosemary, bursting with floral and fruity aromas. Next came a series of delightful Spanish tapas. Smoked Spanish Gordal Olives ($100)! These house-smoked Gordal olives are larger than regular olives, offering a unique texture and a naturally enticing smoky aroma. Paired with crunchy pickled garlic from Spain, they make for a perfect appetizer. Crispy Tomato Bread ($85)! Toasted bread topped with fresh tomato puree and rich extra virgin olive oil. The crispy texture and tangy flavor are delightful, and I imagine a hint of garlic would make it even more appealing. Spanish Iberico Ham ($398/50g, $298/30g). The restaurant is the official ambassador of Joselito, Spain's top Iberico ham brand, in Hong Kong. Joselito ham, aged for at least 60 months and made from 100% acorn-fed Iberico pigs, is considered the best in the world. Each slice is rich, nutty, and irresistibly flavorful—once you try it, there's no going back. Anchovy Butter Toast ($90)! Made with premium anchovies from L’Escala, paired with house-made Tramezzini bread and truffle Manchego cheese cream. The combination of creamy, salty, and savory flavors makes it a perfect pairing with wine. Caviar Spanish Churros ($210)! Crispy churros wrapped in thin slices of Joselito pork belly and topped with Perseus No. 2 caviar. Each bite delivers a burst of salty caviar, savory pork belly, and crispy churros—a flawless flavor explosion. Hamachi Carpaccio ($210)! Fresh Japanese hamachi drizzled with house-made passion fruit sauce. The tender sashimi is infused with fruity, tangy flavors, complemented by a hint of spiciness from Spanish Piparra peppers—an exciting and refreshing dish. Smoked Eggplant with Truffle Honey, Cheese, and Sobrassada Sausage ($150)! Mediterranean black eggplant is charcoal-grilled for a smoky aroma, paired with house-made truffle honey, Manchego cheese, and Sobrassada sausage. The eggplant is tender, the cheese adds a chewy texture, and the sausage brings a savory-sweet balance—absolutely delicious. Spanish Sausage Lentil Stew ($190)! A comforting dish made with Spanish chorizo, sausage, blood sausage, lentils, and vegetables, topped with a slow-cooked soft egg. Mix it all together and enjoy with house-baked bread for a rich and hearty flavor. Drinking Sangria ($850) with Spanish food is a must! Sharing a King Size Sangria with friends is even better—its massive size speaks for itself. Segovia Spanish Suckling Pig ($950)! A signature dish of Catalunya, prepared in a traditional style. The chef dramatically cuts the pig with a ceramic plate and then smashes the plate, adding a ceremonial touch to the dining experience. The suckling pig is slow-cooked overnight with minimal seasoning, resulting in crispy skin, tender meat, and a rich, savory flavor that is perfectly balanced. Japanese Uni, Mussels, and Chorizo Spanish Rice ($780)! Made with Japanese uni, mussels, and chorizo, the rice is cooked with uni for an intense oceanic flavor. The addition of savory chorizo and tender mussels creates a delightful surf-and-turf combination—a must-try for bold flavor lovers. Piquillo ($125)! Piquillo peppers offer a slightly spicy and sweet flavor. Their vibrant red color and aromatic profile are incredibly enticing. Pineapple ($95)! Cooked with fresh cinnamon rather than just sprinkled with powder, even a cinnamon skeptic like me couldn't resist its sweet and aromatic allure. For dessert, I highly recommend the Torrija Caramelized Toast ($115)! House-made brioche is soaked in milk, vanilla, and egg yolk, then pan-fried to a caramelized perfection. Served with house-made thick cream and caramel-like white chocolate sauce, it offers a crispy exterior and a soft, custardy interior with a rich caramel toffee flavor—absolutely divine. Dark Chocolate Mousse with Coffee Liqueur Salted Caramel Sauce ($115)! The mousse is velvety smooth, and the coffee liqueur salted caramel sauce enhances its sweet aroma. A must-try for chocolate and coffee lovers. Churros ($115) are a classic Spanish dessert! These oversized churros are satisfyingly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with a perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors. I love the light cinnamon flavor, and dipping them in caramel sauce or chocolate mousse makes them even more irresistible. This evening, I thoroughly enjoyed Chef Rafa's signature dishes and left feeling completely satisfied. There are still many dishes I want to try, so I'll definitely be back with friends for another visit.