Eurocompensating in Bangkok: Spain
Salutations, reader. Bangkok Seven here. This post was originally published at BangkokNites a few years ago, and at the time, it was a pretty weak offering. I’ve beefed it up, added a restaurant, and tried to do these joints justice. This installment of the “Eurocompensating” series is for any Bangkokian who yearns for the tastes of Spain. Let’s dive in…
Probably the most well-known Spanish restaurant in BKK is Barcelona Gaudi on Sukhumvit Soi 23, around 80 meters north of Soi Cowboy. They’ve got a small indoor area and a larger outdoor terrace for dining.
Barcelona Gaudi is a pure pleasure, from the Gaudi-esque decor to the exquisite wine list to the incomparable food, it's like a tiny slice of Spain carved out in Bangkok. If you love Spanish food, or get to feeling nosalgic for Barcelona, you can get your fix by coming here. It's the cat's pajamas.
Above you can see some Fuet--Catalonian pork sausage--with tomato bread (180b). Next is the gambas (295b), then steak with parmesan (390b), and finally pork meatballs (230b), fried zucchini (120b) and mushroom-pumpkin croquettes (95b). This grub was just outstanding from start to finish. My faves in this meal were the gambas, steak, and croquettes. I paired the veg and prawn with Vinas de Vero chard (350b) and the meats with Petit Caus cab-syrah-merlot blend (450b), both of which were utter perfection.
Next, I hoofed it over to Tapas Big Mama’s on the corner of Asoke and Suk Soi 21 Alley 1. It’s a family style, shared-helpings joint that leaves the ‘hi-so’ at the door.
Above left is Tapas Big Mama's black olives and feta (105b). Not what I'd call super-inspired, but it was tasty. At right is the grilled mushrooms (150b). I loved these babies. They're coated in crispy bread crumbs.
Above left to right: The cold cuts and cheese platters (715 and 605b), pork-potato croquets ("fried meatballs" on the menu, 180b), and free dessert. Overall, the Big Mama's experience can be summed-up in one word: fun. I made an absolute pig of myself and have zero regrets.
Then I checked out Taberna Jamon Jamon on Suk Soi 20. It’s a cozy place, bordered on three walls with stacks of wine. From left to right: the small meat and cheese plate, padron peppers in sea salt (240b), 3 kinds of croquettes (mushroom, blue cheese, ham, 255b), the gambas (245b), and artichokes ‘n Iberian ham (695b). Speaking of, the Iberian ham slices on the meat plate was the best I’ve ever had—even better than what I had in Spain. The mushroom croquettes were bang on. The blue cheese were little brown balls of joy, which coincidentally was my nickname in high school. The peppers weren’t the same as what I had in Barcelona but they were damn close. The gambas dish was markedly smaller than Gaudi’s and had a distinctly “Thai” flavor. I’d say it was closer to Thai-Spanish fusion food. I got the artichoke/ham dish because it was similar to a dish I’d had in a crowded Barcelona restaurant, sitting across from one of the most beautiful women I’d ever laid eyes on. It wasn’t the same. The artichoke was lovely and melted to cream on my tongue. Again, the flavors retained a kind of subtle urgency that I often encounter in Thai food. For the white wine pairing I had Abadia de San Campio Albarino (395b), and for red, a glass of El Gos Garnacha (340b).
On a semi-side note, I have to mention a place that is downright fantastic, but is temporarily closed while they remodel. Taburete on Soi Sala Daeng is a boutique bistro and a real treat for any foodie. Follow their Facebook to know when they reopen.
From left to right above: fresh-cut parma ham and manchego (920b), mushroom-truffle croquets (180b), pork belly on a bed of chickpeas and chorizo (280b), and the lamb confit puff pastry (180b). All of it was simply magical and I can’t wait for this lovely eatery to open its doors again.
That’s all for this episode of Eurocompensating. For redlight-related stuff, check out bangkokseven.com and/or follow me on Twitter @BangkokSeven.