LWIN LEE | La Cocina Restaurant & Tapas Bar @ Subang Jaya

After a whirlwind of buffet review in conjuction with the Ramadhan month, finally we are able slot in some Spanish repast for a fresh twist of taste to enthrall the ever-adventurous palate.

Here we are, one carefree Sunday afternoon at La Cocina Restaurant & Tapas Bar @ SubangJaya, located unperturbedly at a rather laid-back town of Subang Jaya. Patrons get to immerse themselves into the relaxing oasis while adoring the unique embellishments as well as enjoying the authentic Spanish cuisine, coupled with a list of soothing melodious rendition of Spanish songs to get you into the mood.

Also modishly set up are the vibrant chequered table cloth, smartly arranged with silverwares in the proper etiquette manner, accompanied by dimmed lightings to provide a soothing shelter for the gourmands.

For starters, we order our favourite nosh- Cheese!!!!

Fried Spanish Mahon Cheese- Queso Mahon Fritos (MYR 19.90)

~ Pure cow milk cheese from Spain and button mushrooms, deep fried and served with garlic mayonnaise.

The cheesy cubes are delightfully soft and milky in its own way. Not that overpowering pungent as compared to its compatriot-goat cheese, the light layer of breaded crumbs is pleasantly crunchy and not too oily, albeit I have to agree that the price is at a rather higher end. It actually appears tad run-of-the-mill but with amusing light crispy layer on the outside. Still, we finished them all carefully so not to cause us to be full to the brim before the arrival of the main entrée.

A true Spanish feast would not be complete without the signature dish, paella.

This unique rice dish has been long linked as the Spanish’s symbolic fare, and has evolved into varieties of recipes as a consequence of the popularity of the dish throughout time. As for the choice of the day, we have Negres, which is a Squid Ink version of paella. We choose this over saffron-infused plate as we are told that this particular version is not available daily, and so happen it is available on that day of our visit. Needless to say, of course we go for the less conventional rendition, just like the adage goes, “Make hays while the sun shines………” It should fit into the culinary concept too, and so I thought………….. (=

Negres Paella (MYR 70)

~ Spanish rice cooked in squid black ink, large prawns, shrimps, fish fillet, squid, mussels, clams and vegetables, provides an exquisite taste of seafood.

The rice is rather special, unlike the usual grain with is softer and less-texturized. Each grain is thoroughly enveloped in the rich fragrance of spicery and also olive oil, with fresh peppercorns being the most prominent. To some extent, it could be quite a pain in the neck as your enjoyable chewing on the rather hard aromatic rice is being interjected with the coarse crackling sound of the peppers. If you do not mind to humbly separate them in between munching, then that shouldn’t be any issue.

Just remember that each paella dishes takes up to 25 minutes to be cooked upon ordered.

The portions is meant for 2 pax and easily enough to feed each gourmands comfortably (=

Eventually, desserts to round up the sumptuous Spanish affair sweetly!

Crepe filled with Orange Cream Cheese & Hazelnut Cream

– Filloas Dulces Naranja (MYR 9.90)

~ Spaniards' love for oranges drives the Spanish chef to create this tangy orange cheese filling which is very refreshing indeed, with hazelnut cream, served with vanilla sauce. Absoutely marvelous as it proclaims…………..

Soon the quick déjeuner comes to a halt, before we adjourning the second session over at OLLE CAFÉ for a Korean cuppa. There is a surprising discovery thought- check it out! ^_^

Cheers for now guys…………………