La Cala

La Cala
7 Fraser Street
Duo Galleria #01-43

https://www.facebook.com/lacalasg/

Crispy Suckling Pig (SGD $35)

Classy Spanish Fine Dining

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 8
Ambience & Setting: 8
Food & Beverage: 8
Service: 8
Value for Money: 7
Spent about SGD $95 per person.


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Opening in January 2018, La Cala is a modern European, fine dining establishment that offers tasty Spanish cuisine. Unlike other places these days, La Cala has minimal online presence, largely relying on their excellent centralised location within Duo Galleria, and word of mouth marketing. Overall, I loved the dining experience at La Cala, and have since returned several times.

Ambience at La Cala exudes a sophisticated chic. The dim, spot lit place has contrasts of light and shadow, lending some intimacy. Neatly lined with wide, comfortable cushioned chairs against light wooden tables; these can be shifted to accommodate groups, and we observed private parties being held here. Rough brick walls, faux greenery, and an open bar complete the look. Suitable for long, lingering meals. However, ambient noise levels can be fairly loud.

Service at La Cala befits a fine dining establishment. Staff accord each guest personalised attention, with good eye contact, and polite body language. They will engage you in conversation, displaying good menu knowledge on the ingredients of dishes; aptly promoting their daily specials and wines. They check on tables throughout the meal, proactively offering to clear empty / finished plates, or refill drinks. Needs effort to attract their attention though.

Food at La Cala is focused on Spanish and Catalan cuisine, with a selection of other modern European influences. Prices, naturally, are high, so expect that dishes are consistently well executed and tasty. Really, the only thing you can quibble about is personal tastes and preferences, you'll like some items, and dislike others. Portions are usually sized for communal group dining. Budget about SGD $95 per person for a meal here.


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La Cala Signage

La Cala Exterior

La Cala Interior

Menu Tapas

Menu Mains

Menu Desserts & Drinks

Menu Specials

Menu Wine By The Glass

Bar & Seating

Decorative Lamp

Us

The Red Wine Sangria (SGD $65 for 1 litre) is earthy fruity sweet in flavour, and so refreshing. This non-fizzy version has brandy, lemon juice, orange juice, lime juice, red wine, Triple Sec orange liquor, and sugar. It's garnished with a medley of fruits; strawberry, orange, pear, and red apple. Great thirst quencher, we enjoyed it enough to get a couple of rounds.

Red Wine Sangria (SGD $65 for 1 litre)

Red Wine Sangria

The Pitted Olives (SGD $Complimentary) are served to you upon being seated. The brine cured green olives and black olives have a slightly bouncy juicy texture, with deep earthy salty flavour that makes you crave more.

Pitted Olives (SGD $Complimentary)

Pitted Olives

The Bread Baguette (SGD $Complimentary) is freshly baked in-house, and has a nice, crisp exterior, with an airy, porous, slightly spongy interior. Beyond the texture, the taste stood out for me; they have a secret recipe yeast which imparts a lovely earthy grainy sweet flavour to the baguette bread. Fragrant, and very unique. Best paired with a little Castillo De Canena Arbequina Extra Virgin Olive Oil With Balsamic Vinegar (SGD $Complimentary), which is a premium olive oil and balsamic vinegar dressing, lending bold flavour.

Bread Baguette & Castillo De Canena Arbequina Extra Virgin Olive Oil With Balsamic Vinegar

Bread Baguette (SGD $Complimentary)

Bread Baguette

Castillo De Canena Arbequina Extra Virgin Olive Oil With Balsamic Vinegar (SGD $Complimentary)

During our visit, the farmed Tsarskaya Oysters No. 2 (SGD $18 for 2 pieces) were a little small in size, so staff kindly served us 4 pieces for the same price. Drizzle lemon juice over, and just down in 1 mouthful. Plump, juicy, firm, and slippery, the tsarskaya oysters number 2 have a lovely hit of metallic briny salty ocean flavour, followed by a fresh nutty sweet acidity. Very clean and refreshing. Grown solely in the Cancale commune, Ille-Et-Vilaine department, in the Brittany region of France; they were named in appreciation of the Russian Tsars, who favoured this particular breed of oyster, the 'Pearl Of The Tsars'. Good!

Tsarskaya Oysters No. 2 (SGD $18 for 2 pieces)

Tsarskaya Oysters No. 2

The Croquetas De Jamon (SGD $4.50 per piece) was a special-of-the-day. It features golden crumb coated potato croquettes, with a slightly crisp crunch to the exterior, and a soft, smooth, creamy feel to the interior of mashed potato, milk, and bechamel sauce. Has a milky sweet potatoey flavour. Topped with thin shaved jamón Ibérico de bellota, or ham from 100% Ibérico breed, free-range pigs that eat acorns; this lends a lovely nutty salty savoury flavour. The ham has 60% marbled fat, which contains healthy mono-triglycerides (like olive oil) that melt at room temperature, giving this an immediately luxurious feel. I did feel they could have toned down the milk in the potato croquettes though, as it tasted overly milky.

Croquetas De Jamon (SGD $4.50 per piece)

Croquetas De Jamon

The Foie Gras Terrine Cookie (SGD $18) has a crisp, flaky, puff pastry crust, which sandwiches a creamy smooth duck foie gras terrine and sticky apple compote. Notes of earthy savoury sweet when bit, balance is slightly off as it's more sweet than savoury. Crumbed feta cheese complete this. Personally felt it's alright, nothing special or memorable. Skip this.

Foie Gras Terrine Cookie (SGD $18)

Foie Gras Terrine Cookie

The Coca De Recapte (SGD $20) is an iconic Spanish or Catalan mixed sweet savoury pastry. The crisp, flaky puff pastry base is flavoured with sugar and salt, and has a light crunch. It's garnished with tender sweet caramelised onions, juicy smoky vegetal sweet grilled zucchini slices, and chewy savoury salty cured anchovies / anchovy fish, which were imported from L'Escala municipality, Girona province, Catalonia, Spain. Very refreshing and appetizing, helping to open the palate. Delicious, best eaten in a single mouthful. Highly recommended!

Coca De Recapte (SGD $20)

Coca De Recapte

Coca De Recapte

The Crispy Suckling Pig (SGD $35) was our favourite dish during this visit. The boneless Spanish suckling pig is served with juicy sweet watermelon and fragrant roasted garlic puree, and done to traditional standards. You get the crisp, salty savoury pig skin, which cracks beautifully when bit. Underneath, the balanced ratio of luscious fat to tender lean pork belly meat, with a savoury sweet flavour. Drizzled with a little brown meat gravy to complete. Loved every bite of this. Highly recommended!

Crispy Suckling Pig (SGD $35)

Crispy Suckling Pig

Crispy Suckling Pig

The Pigeon Paella (SGD $38) features a large pan of roasted carnaroli rice (usually used in risotto), garnished with tender earthy porcini mushrooms, crunchy vegetal sweet bell peppers / capsicum, and roasted whole pigeon. The style of the carnaroli rice is more like risotto, lacking any crisp, burnt bits, but instead, has an al-dente chew, with a burst of savoury earthy flavour from the au jus gravy. The pigeon has a tender, bouncy, meaty chew; with a bold earthy savoury sweet flavour, very satisfiying. Served with a special 'Hot Plate', that keeps your food warm. Worth ordering!

Pigeon Paella (SGD $38)

Pigeon Paella

Pigeon Paella

Hot Plate

Loved the Roasted Octopus (SGD $32), which features tender, bouncy chunks of roasted octopus, served over creamy smooth mashed potatoes, coated in luscious Spanish romesco sauce, and garnished with crisp, crunchy fried kipfler potato chips. Layered smoky savoury sweet spicy flavours. Highly recommended!

Roasted Octopus (SGD $32)

Roasted Octopus

Roasted Octopus

Mixed feelings about the Catalan Roasted Spring Chicken (SGD $24). While I love the pretty presentation, the tender, moist texture, and bold earthy savoury flavour of the roasted spring chicken, I felt it lacks a salty edge to make it more addictive. Instead, the pairing of tender prunes, apricots, and pine nuts, lend a fruity sweet nutty flavour, which clashes slightly with the expected flavour profile. Completed with creamy smooth mashed potatoes, chicken au jus gravy, and crushed candied peanuts. Overall, a tasty and decent dish, but it falls just short of being great.

Catalan Roasted Spring Chicken (SGD $24)

Catalan Roasted Spring Chicken

Catalan Roasted Spring Chicken

Catalan Roasted Spring Chicken

The Pa, Oli I Xocolata (SGD $10) is a unique Spanish dessert. The traditional version consists of crisp toast baguette bread, seasoned with olive oil and rock salt, garnished with dark chocolate ganache, and sprinkled with cocoa powder. All these ingredients are still present in this version, but it's presented in modern fashion. Has thinly sliced toast baguette bread as decor, tiny mounds of rock salt, quenelles of Araguani 72% dark chocolate ganaches, globules of olive oil, and sprinklings of cocoa shavings, with the addition of creamy chocolate ice cream. The overall texture is creamy, smooth, crispy, chewy; while the dessert appeals to the palate with bold chocolatey sweet earthy bready flavour. Worth ordering!

Pa, Oli I Xocolata (SGD $10)

Pa, Oli I Xocolata

Pa, Oli I Xocolata

The Wine Denominación De Origen Rías Baixas Vionta Albariño (SGD $15) is a white wine, made with 100% Albariño grapes, by the Vionta winery in Vilanova De Arousa municipality, Pontevedra province, Galicia, Spain. It has a bright, pale yellow green colour, with aromas of lime, kiwi fruit, flint, and honey. The body is crisp, flirty, and slightly edgy, with tastes of grapefruit, pear, lemon, and pepper. Has a tangy zesty sweet sour flavour, with a bright and clean finish.

Wine Denominación De Origen Rías Baixas Vionta Albariño (SGD $15)

Wine Denominación De Origen Rías Baixas Vionta Albariño

The Wine Denominación De Origen Ribera Del Duero Valdubon Crianza Tempranillo (SGD $15) is a red wine, made with 100% Tempranillo grapes, by the Valdubón winery in Milagros municipality, Burgos province, Castile And León, Spain. It has a deep, dark garnet red colour with blue tint, with aromas of liquorice, vanilla, coconut, and leather. The body is soft, fleshy, and slightly gentle, with tastes of cherry, roasted coffee beans, redcurrant, and blackcurrant. Has a elegant fruity sweet earthy flavour, with a long and warm finish.

Wine Denominación De Origen Ribera Del Duero Valdubon Crianza Tempranillo (SGD $15)

Wine Denominación De Origen Ribera Del Duero Valdubon Crianza Tempranillo

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