I’m always in the mood for some Catalan cuisine, so when I came to know of a shiny new Español restaurant bar, Cendra Tapas Bar and Grill, and I really liked what I saw on the menu, I immediately made my reservation. And I’m so happy with my choice after a night out at here.
The food here subtly excites the palates with subtle twists for the uniqueness and subtle complex flavours. I love every dish here that features the flamboyant rustic elements of Spanish cuisine and makes me go, “Wow!”
The restaurant has this open, casual welcoming vibe as the entrance is opened all the way, where the distinction between outdoor terrace and dining area is in the decor only. So yes, this is a great, cool place to see and to be seen 😉
The outdoor terrace is flanked by lots of lush potted plants to create this idyllic atmosphere. While the dining area features posh bar vibe peppered with rustic elements of the old world feel of Spain. Stylish high chairs, modern globe-like lamps with soft yellow lights, modern open kitchen counter with sleek black backdrop juxtapose so well with the rustic theme of brown and orange finishing, bamboo blinds and smooth clay-red wall.
The service is exceptional and awesome. I’m so pampered by the excellent service crew here. They make very good recommendations and go the extra mile to reduce the portion for solo diner like me. The Chef Owner Xavier Palau is very friendly too. With all the elements well-aligned in place, I say this place is a must-visit for foodies, especially solo diners!
At my first bite of “Ensaladilla Rusa” Smoked Mackarel on Crispy Toast, the immediate impression is “Wow, The Garden meets the Sea”. The soft mild sweet, starchy, earthy flavour of the potatoes serves as perfect base for the robust briny taste of raw mackarel fish. The crispy toast, the creamy, fine gritty texture of potato and succulent bouncy flesh of the fish complement each other exceptionally. No wonder this is one of the popular dishes here.
Crystal Bread with Tomatoes features light, airy, crispy bread that juxtaposes perfectly with the juiciness of tomatoes highlighted by the lots of Spanish olive oil added. I cannot believe a seemingly simple dish can taste so amazingly good. It tastes refreshing, tangy with hints of sweetness. This is Simplicity at its best.
Iberico Ham Croquettes is so flavourful and creamy. The stretchy texture of the cheese in the ganache goes so well with the crispiness of the deep fried batter. I love it.
Mushroom Croquettes is another surprise of the day due to its rich deep earthy taste that is so distinctive and unique for croquettes. In fact, I slightly prefer the mushroom one due to its uniqueness.
Carabineros with Garlic and Parsley Oil is so perfectly cooked to the right doneness to feature succulent, bouncy and briny sweet meat, made even better and more complex with a lace of char.
Aubergine Chips with Honey and Pine Nuts is another surprise of the day. I’m not an eggplant person actually, but I find myself gushing over how good and unique these eggplant chips are. They are crispy on the outside with an amazing soufflé core. The earthy taste is made more addictive with a dose of sweet honey and the nutty flavour of pine nuts.
Basque Cheesecake with Strawberry Sorbet is creamy and nutty, with hints of refreshing elements and light tart taste from the strawberry sorbet, which elevates this dessert from good to excellent.
