El Teatro Tapas @ Arcade, The Capitol Kempinski
El Teatro Tapas, "the theatre" is the new kid on the block at the Arcade that brings breathtaking Spanish delights to the table. We had the opportunity to taste some of the new restaurant's some signature dishes that showcases Spain's rich heritage and a host of flavours.
We started the culinary journey with the Gazpacho from Andalusia ($12) a cold refreshing tomato soup. The way to drink it is to place the diced peppers and croutons into the glass and to sip on it slowly. This was certainly a great way to start a meal, with punchy flavours that complements our hot tropical weather.
Next we had the Croquetas de Pollo, Champinones and Gambas ($18). Directly translated, it's a choice of chicken, mushrooms and prawns. These croquets are fried to perfection with a crispy shell and the filling is softer than usual, as the chefs are sticking to traditional recipes. Each of these flavours were right on point.
Another cold tapas we enjoyed was the Boquerones Marinados ($16), marinated white anchovies served on toasted bread accompanied by baby tomatoes, peppers and salad. I must say that this was absolutely delicious, a solid pre-dinner appetiser that has a strong vinaigrette flavour.
When dining like a Spaniard, cold cuts are a must on the table before the main meal. We had a full platter of Jamon Iberico de Bellota ($28), an acorn-fed free-range cured Iberian Ham Pork. The premium cut meat has a smooth texture with a rich and savoury taste.
Moving on to the hot tapas dishes, we tried Solomillo de Ternera con verduras a la parrilla ($30), a juicy beef tenderloin served with grilled vegetables. The beef was well seasoned and cooked to perfection, tender and juicy on the inside. If you are craving for meat, this may be your go-to dish on the menu.
Paella is one of Spain's iconic rice dishes, traditionally cooked on a shallow cast iron pan in an open fire. On the menu was Paella de Arroz Negro ($30), a black paella cooked with mussels, prawns and squid. This was one of our highlights for the night, a crowd pleaser with more than enough to share between two people.
If you are not a fan of seafood, try out the Paella de Pollo ($28) a chicken Paella cooked with long beans and red capsicum. Spain's national dish served at El Teatro is a definite winner and if you prefer some spice, add a dash of tabasco sauce to bring it to life!
The final hot dish we had for the night was the Conchinillo Crujiente con Patatas y pure de Zanahoria ($28), a suckling pig with potatoes and mashed carrots served with grilled vegetables. The name of this dish might be a mouthful to pronounce, but it tastes absolutely divine. This is best eaten hot the moment it hits the table. You can taste the burst of flavours and textures combined with the charred smokiness from the grill in every bite.
To end the night, we had a portion of Churros con Chocolate ($12) a traditional Spanish doughnut coated with cinnamon. Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. You might mistake it for being a tad undercooked as it's a little softer than usual on the inside, but rest assured that's how the Chef would best serve this dessert.
Head over to the Arcade with a group of friends or family as these dishes are meant to be shared. There is a good selection of Spanish wines and cocktails to be paired with these dishes and there are certainly more surprises on the main menu that will pique your interest.
El Teatro Tapas
Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski
13 Stamford Road
Singapore 178906
Opening Hours:
Daily 11:30 - 14:30 (lunch); 18:00 - 22:00 (dinner)
El Teatro Tapas
13 Stamford Rd, #01-83 Arcade
@ The Capitol Kempinski, Singapore 178905
Opening Hours
Mondays - Sundays
Lunch: 11:30am - 2:30pm
Dinner: 6:00pm - 10:30pm